Data from: Evaluating community effects of a keystone ant, Azteca sericeasur, on Inga micheliana leaf litter decomposition in a shaded coffee agro-ecosystem

Our research examined the effect of Azteca sericeasur, a keystone arboreal ant, on the decomposition of leaf litter of the shade tree, Inga micheliana, in coffee agro-ecosystems. This interaction is important in understanding the spatial heterogeneity in decomposition. We hypothesized that A. sericeasur could affect leaf litter decomposition by excluding other ants, which could release decomposers, like collembolans, from predation pressure. Determining the relative strengths of these interactions can illuminate the importance of A. sericeasur in decomposition and nutrient cycling processes. We assessed the ant and arthropod communities surrounding 10 pairs of trees, where each pair included one shade tree with an established A. sericeasur nest. Tuna baits were used in conjunction with pitfall traps to assess the ant and arthropod community, and litterbags with I. micheliana leaf litter were used to assess decomposition. The species richness of ants did not change in proximity to A. sericeasur nests, though the ant communities were distinct. Abundance of collembola and community composition of other invertebrates did not change with the presence of an A. sericeasur nest and there were no differences in leaf litter decomposition rates. This contradicts past studies that suggests A. sericeasur reduces species richness in its territory. We suggest that other ants may avoid A. sericeasur by moving within and beneath the leaf litter. Our results indicate there is no net effect of A. sericeasur on leaf litter decomposition.本研究探讨了**丝光阿兹特克蚁（Azteca sericeasur）**——一种关键树栖蚂蚁——对咖啡农业生态系统中遮阴树种**米氏印加树（Inga micheliana）**枯落叶分解过程的影响。该物种互作对于解析分解过程的空间异质性具有重要研究价值。我们提出假说：丝光阿兹特克蚁可通过排斥其他蚂蚁类群，解除弹尾虫等分解者面临的捕食压力，进而影响枯落叶分解。明确这类互作的相对强度，有助于阐明丝光阿兹特克蚁在分解与养分循环过程中的关键作用。本研究针对10组配对样树开展调查，每组包含1株已形成稳定丝光阿兹特克蚁蚁巢的遮阴树。实验结合金枪鱼诱饵与地面节肢动物陷阱法调查蚂蚁及节肢动物群落，并采用装载米氏印加树枯落叶的分解袋评估分解速率。结果显示，尽管蚂蚁群落组成存在显著差异，但丝光阿兹特克蚁蚁巢周边区域的蚂蚁物种丰富度并无显著变化。弹尾虫的个体丰度以及其他无脊椎动物的群落组成，均未因丝光阿兹特克蚁蚁巢的存在而发生显著改变，枯落叶分解速率也未出现显著差异。这一结果与过往研究中“丝光阿兹特克蚁会降低其领地内物种丰富度”的结论相悖。我们推测，其他蚂蚁可能通过在枯落叶层内部及下方活动来规避丝光阿兹特克蚁。本研究结果表明，丝光阿兹特克蚁对枯落叶分解并无净效应。