The Initiated Survey on Pachycondyla sennaarensis (Formicidae: Ponerinae) Colonies and Its Seasonal Abundance in Abu-Musa Island, Iran

This study was conducted to determine the seasonal activity and relative abundance of Pachycondyla sennaarensis (Mayr 1862) in human habitats and also surveys their colonies in the Abu-Musa Island, Iran. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted during Mar 2012 to Mar 2013 on the Abu-Musa Island. The Pitfall traps method was used to determinate the seasonal activity and relative abundance of the P. sennaarensis in human habitats. Also the survey of different casts of the colonies was done by the Nest counting methods. The mean of relative abundance of sting ants in each pitfall trap was estimated 2.06 (SD= ± 1.4) (21 per each 10 trap) during 24. During March to September were significantly more compared to Oct to Feb. The highest abundance of sting ants were seen in spring with 3.12 ± 1.8 (31 per 10 trap) and the lowest frequency was determined in winter with 0.36± 0.40. The ant colonies were located at a depth of 80-60 cm with a large horizontal branch. The nest density of sting workers in each colony was estimated 326 ± 98.7, (n=218 in winter, n= 455 in summer). In each colony some large sting workers (6-8 mm), with 16 ±9 mean abundance, were observed. Although P. sennaarensis have high abundance in human habitats in the Abu-Musa Island, but they have low nest densities in contrast with its colonies in Africa. Therefore high contacts with sting ants increase the stinging prevalence. More information about sting ant their colonies and behavior are recommended.