Diversitas Semut pada Tumbuhan Sonneratia caseolaris (L.)Engl. di Suaka Margasatwa Muara Angke

Abstract

Mangrove is a dynamic group of trees with high productivity, which plays a major role in food chain. Ants (Formicidae) are the most abundant insect in the world. Higher biomass and abundance of ant in the tropical rainforest canopy are the reason why the ecological study of ants diversity become essential. Sonneratia caseolaris is a dominant tree species in Muara Angke Nature Reserve (MANR). Study of abundance and composition of ants were needed to indicate stability of this reserve. The research aim to study the diversity of ants and its contribution on S. caseolaris in MANR. The research was conducted from April-June 2012. Observation of ants were conducted in observation track in MANR and were made 8 points for collecting the ants. Collection of ants were conducted using 2 methods, beating sheet and pitfall trap. Result showed that 12 genera from 6 subfamilies and total of 2.280 individuals of ants were found. Camponotus, Oecophylla, and Polyrhachis were dominant genera found in MANR. Shannon-Wiener and Evennens Index value of ants were 0,9 and 0,33 respectively. Beating sheet cought more individual of ants than pitfall trap. We found predatory ants which potentially protect of S. caseolaris from its herbivore