Both species of ant, which thrive mostly in the indigenous rainforests of Seychelles, are fairly easy
to find, and LaPolla says this points to the lack of taxonomic research performed thus far in the region.
LaPolla says the most important question for researchers is how many new endemic species, at increasing risk from disturbance by human development, remain to be discovered in the Seychelles before time runs out.
All in all, there are roughly around 115 documented species of ants in Seychelles, many of which LaPolla says are endemic to the islands, but he adds that these endemic ants face a number of threats to their survival.
.
“The biggest problem in this region is that there are also lots of non-native ants that have been introduced to the region that threaten the native species,” he said. “Discovering those native species before they disappear so they can be conserved is critically important.”
in this region is that there are also lots of non-native ants that have been introduced to the region that threaten the native species,” he said. “Discovering those native species before they disappear so they can be conserved is critically important.”
Ants play an important role in our ecosystem as they allow air to circulate in the soil as they turn it, making it possible for water and oxygen to get to the roots of a plant.. They also act as decomposers by eating organic waste, other insects as well as dead animals, and in this way clean the environment .
No comments:
Post a Comment