Connectivity Explains Local Ant Community Structure in a Neotropical Forest Canopy: A Large‐Scale Experimental Approach

We demonstrated that lianas shape arboreal ant communities by connecting neighboring tree crowns in a tropical forest in Panama. Removing lianas from trees resulted in a 35% reduction in ant species richness, primarily limiting broad‐ranging specialist predators. Connecting trees with ropes mitigated the loss of ant species observed following liana removal. Lianas also provide nest sites for arboreal ants; however, addition of nest sites had little effect on ant communities in trees with and without lianas. These results suggest that anticipated increases in liana abundance in tropical forests will likely increase local ant species richness and shift ant species composition. Photo credit: Benjamin J. Adams. Photo credit: Benjamin J. Adams. Photo credit: Benjamin J. Adams. Photo credit: Benjamin J. Adams. Photo credit: Benjamin J. Adams. These photographs illustrate the article “Connectivity explains local ant community structure in a Neotropical forest canopy: a large‐scale experimental approach” by Benjamin J. Adams, Stefan A. Schnitzer, and Stephen P. Yanoviak published in Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.267