Investigating the transfer of seeds through ants (Myrmecochory) in Tang-e- Sayad Protected area of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province

Seed dispersal by ants is one of the methods of seed dispersal that leads to an increase in plant diversity and plant coexistence at the local scale. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the number of plant species, plant families transported by ants, and comparing the genus and species of ants transporting seeds, in Teng-e-Sayad area of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province. Study areas for collecting ant nest samples include three animal grazing management zones: 1- National Park 2- Protected Area 3- Free Grazing Area. Sampling was done in each study area from the soil related to 3 ant nests in each of the sites from 0 to 5 cm deep. Sampling was done in 2018 during the three months of July, August and Septamber in the study areas. In this experiment, 5 genera and 12 species of ants were identified. The results showed that a total of 62 plant species belonging to 15 plant families were transported by ants, of which 36 plant species were jointly transported by ants in all three regions. The results showed that there is only a significant difference between the ant genera Camponotus and Cataglyphis and also between the two genera Camponotus and Tetramorium (P<0.05). The results showed that the genus Messor, as a predatory ant, has transmitted 19 plant species that have nothing in common with other ant genera, and this ant genus has transmitted a large number of plant species compared to other ant genera. According to the results of this research, Messor can be considered as an ant that transmits a large number of plant species and species seeds and has an important effect on the diversity and presence of species in the vegetation composition