Formigas taocas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ecitoninae) e suas preferências por habitats florestados em áreas alteradas no estado do Pará

Abstract

Anthropic action can endanger the lives of many animals, among which are the predatory-carnivorous ants commonly called taocas. This study aims to demonstrate which species of leatherback ants are found in primary and secondary forests and to determine their ability to maintain themselves in habitats of altered vegetation in the state of Pará. Collections were made in the Mocambo reserve (only 3 ha of dryland) which was isolated from other forested areas by extensive strips of pasture. The material was collected with tweezers and preserved in alcohol and later identified to the morphospecies level. Only a single species of this subfamily was found (Eciton hamatum). The results obtained show that these ants are close to becoming extinct in the area studied and that populous colonies no longer exist.