Ant s faunistic investigation (Hymenoptera:Formicidae) in Shiraz vicinity

Ants are the most well-known social insects that have a significant impact on the ecosystems of their habitat. The role of these insects in the physical and chemical changes of the soil and their interaction with plants, microorganisms and other living organisms is undeniable. Iran with extensive climate conditions and diverse of habitats, has vast variety of plants and animals specie. Family Formicidae fauna in Iran is far from complete and yet 213 species of 32 genera and 4 subfamilies has been reported.
The present investigation deal with the study of ant fauna in Shiraz city. The area was divided into 18 study sites with different ecological factors. Samples were collected equally in times and numbers in the spring, summer and fall season 2014. Collected species were transferred to 70% alcohol and identified with the help of stereomicroscope and available keys. The identified specimens were confirmed by Professor Brian Taylor in Royal Entomological Society of London in England.
Ecological condition effects(as altitude, soli sedimentary organic matter (TOM), temperature, air humidity, soil humidity, soil pH and soil grading) on species richness were collected from study sites and analyzed by linear regression test using SPSS22.
Among the identified specimens, 19 species belonging to 13 genera of 3 subfamilies were identified which are as below:
Subfamily Dolichoderinae: Tapinoma simrothi Krausse, 1911 Subfamily Formicinae: Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) xerxes Forel, 1904; Camponotus (Myrmosericus) armenaicus Arnoldi, 1967; Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) aethiops (Latreille, 1798); Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) sanctus Forel, 1904; Cataglyphis nodus (Brullé, 1833); Cataglyphis frigidus subspecies persicus (Emery, 1906); Lepisiota semenovi (Ruzky, 1905); Lasius turcicus Santschi, 1921; Paratrechina vividula (Nylander, 1846)
Subfamily Myrmicinae: Cardiocondyla persiana Seifert, 2003; Crematogaster sp. (sp undet cf Safariyan, 2014); Messor melancholicus Arnol’di, 1977; Messor syriacus Thomé, G., 1969; Messor rufotestaceus (Foerster, 1850); Monomorium kusnezowi Santschi, 1928; Pheidole pallidula (Nylander, 1849); Pheidole teneriffana Forel, 1893; Tetramorium davidi Forel, 1911
All the identified species except T.simrothi, C.frigidus, C.persiana, M.rufotestaceus and P.teneriffana were recorded for the first time from Fars Province and the species T.simrothi and P.teneriffana were recorded for the first time from Shiraz City.Statistical analysis using linear regression in SPSS22 shows a significant difference between pH and species richness of ant communities.