The spatial ecology of the Comanche harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex comanche)

The Comanche harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex comanche (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is found only in very deep, sandy prairies surrounded by oak forests in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. This habitat is uncommon but also disjunct in distribution. Further, Comanche colonies are not found throughout local prairies which appear to be ecologically homogeneous. Nearly 800 colonies of Comanche harvester ants were mapped over a four year period to determine colony spatial distribution and factors which may influence this pattern, including colony density, the mosaic pattern of the habitat, microclimate, new colony founding, colony interactions, and the ant assemblage.