Work

Invasive Big‐Headed Ants and Black Rats Are Dominant Arthropod Predators Across Opposing Habitats of a Degraded Oceanic Island

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Invasive animals threaten island‐native arthropods with predation. We found that introduced ants and rats conducted 77% of experimental arthropod live bait predations on Ascension Island. Predation was mostly by big‐headed ants Pheidole megacephala inland and around non‐native vegetation, and by black rats Rattus rattus in coastal lowland habitats and caves.

Source: Biotropica

DOI: 10.1111/btp.70044

Authors: Adam Sharp, Weng Yuen Chin, Noel Tawatao

Institutions: International Union for Conservation of Nature (United Kingdom), IUCN Species Survival Commission, University of Hong Kong, Imperial College London, Fera Science (United Kingdom)

Language: English

Topic: Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,630