Annual dynamics of subterranean ants (Hymenopetra: Formicidae) in a cork oak forest in Morocco (Northwest Africa)

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Subterranean ants play a critical role in soil ecosystems, yet their cryptic lifestyle and the challenges associated with their sampling hinder comprehensive understanding of their biodiversity. This study examines the seasonal dynamics of subterranean ant communities in a cork oak forest in northwestern Morocco. We employed an adapted soil-washing method. that enabled the collection of 1,318 individuals from 17 species, of which 41.18% were identified as hypogaeic. The analysis revealed significant differences in community composition across seasons, with summer exhibiting notably higher species richness and worker abundance. Non-hypogaeic ants showed strong positive correlations with temperature and negative correlations with rainfall, while hypogaeic ants exhibited weak and non-significant responses to climatic variables, likely due to their ecological specialization. These results suggest that climatic factors distinctly influence ant subgroups and highlight the ecological relevance of subterranean ants in soil biodiversity. The study underscores the importance of tailored sampling methodologies for capturing the diversity and dynamics of these often-overlooked communities.

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