Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Wetterer, James

Abstract

Several predatory ant species are known to attack, injure, and even kill vertebrates. Perhaps the most notorious of these are the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta and the little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata. In areas where they invade, both are most common in disturbed habitats. Solenopsis invicta often dominates open, grassy areas, while Wasmannia auropunctata more often dominates in forested areas. This study compares the distribution of ant species, including Solenopsis invicta and Wasmannia auropunctata at the burrows of Gopher Tortoises at the Abacoa Greenway located in Jupiter, Florida. Wasmannia auropunctata replaced Solenopsis invicta as the dominating species at our study site in 2021, compared to the results gathered by Rich Jones in 2013. Although both species are not selective with their targets, this shift in pattern could result in a difference of injuries to the Greenway’s inhabitants and should be considered a potential threat in future wildlife schemes.

Comments

Thesis (B.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, 2021

Extent

44 p.

Identifier

FAUHT00163

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