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Abstract

Composition of Formicidae community (Insecta, Hymenoptera) in the canopy of Attalea phalerata Mart. (Arecaceae), in the Pantanal of Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Three individuals of the palm Attalea phalerata Mart. (Arecaceae) were sampled using the method of canopy fogging, during the aquatic phase (high water) in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso (February 2001). The objective was to evaluate the diversity, feeding habits and spatial distribution of the Formicidae community in the canopy of this monodominant palm species, typical of this region. Each of three palms was fogged once, then resampled first by shaking fronds while attached, then by washing all fronds (cut then washed). A total of 966 ants belonging to 6 subfamilies, 13 tribes and 29 species was obtained in the 49 m2 sampling area (19.7±52.7 individuals/m2) representing 3.9% of all arthropods sampled. Myrmicinae was the most representative subfamily, with 6 tribes and 14 species, with Solenopsidini (5 species) distinguishing. Formicinae was the second most abundant subfamily, with 3 tribes and 8 species. Pheidole sp. 2 was dominant in the total catch (284 individuals; 29.4% of the total captured)followed by Camponotus (Myrmobrachys) crassus (182 individuals; 18.8%) and Crematogaster (Orthocrema) sp. 1 nr. quadriformis (119 individuals; 12.3%). The values of the diversity indices were significant (H’=2.185; D= 0.835), although they showed low values of equitability (0.649 and 0.248, respectively). This demonstrated the heterogeneity of the Formicidae community associated with the canopy of this palm. An analysis of spatial distribution showed that the greatest abundance and richness of Formicidae occurred in the central region of the crown, next to the trunk.