Does Comanche dominant the prairie? Spatial ecology of the Comanche harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex comanche (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The Comanche harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex comanche, nests only in deep sandy prairies associated with oak forests in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas in the USA. This species is specialized in its nesting environment which is uncommon. Therefore, Comanche may experience significant competition for nesting sites and therefore, be territorial or dominating both intra- and interspecifically. However, in my study sites in Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas, large areas of prairie lack any Comanche colonies, raising questions concerning the spatial pattern of colonies and influences on this pattern.