Dominance–diversity relationships in ant communities differ with invasion

• DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14331
• Publication Date: 2018-05-31T04:55:32Z
• Authors: Xavier Arnan; Alan N. Andersen; Heloise Gibb; Catherine L. Parr; Nathan J. Sanders; Robert R. Dunn; Elena Angulo; Fabricio B. Baccaro; Tom R. Bishop; Raphaël Boulay; Cristina Castracani; Xim Cerdá; Israel Del Toro; Thibaut Delsinne; David A. Donoso; Emilie K. Elten; Tom M. Fayle; Matthew C. Fitzpa...; Crisanto Gómez; Donato A. Grasso; Blair F. Grossman; Benoit Guénard; Nihara Gunawardene; Brian Heterick; Benjamin D. Hoffmann; Milan Janda; Clinton N. Jenkins; Petr Klimes; Lori Lach; Thomas Laeger; Maurice Leponce; Andrea Lucky; Jonathan Majer; Sean Menke; Dirk Mezger; Alessandra Mori; Jimmy Moses; Thinandavha Caswe...; Omid Paknia; Martin Pfeiffer; Stacy M. Philpott; Jorge L.P. Souza; Melanie Tista; Heraldo L. Vascon...; Javier Retana
• Keywords: Dominance (genetics); Competitive exclusion; Generality

Abstract The relationship between levels of dominance and species richness is highly contentious, especially in ant communities. dominance‐impoverishment rule states that high only occur species‐poor communities, but there appear to be many cases diverse extent which dominant limit local through competitive exclusion remains unclear, such appears more apparent for non‐native rather than native species. Here we perform the first global analysis behavioral richness. We used data from 1,293 assemblages ground‐dwelling ants distributed across five continents document generality rule, identify biotic abiotic conditions under it does not apply. found dominance–diversity varies greatly, depends on whether are or non‐native, considered as occurrence relative abundance, variation mean annual temperature. There were declines diversity with increasing invaded increased These patterns along temperature gradient. However, positive negative relationships strongest hottest sites. also climate regulates degree dominance, differently how shapes Our findings imply that, despite strong interactions among ants, a major driver Although applies propose an alternative dominance‐diversification