Niche differentiation and fine-scale projections for Argentine ants based on remotely sensed data

Ecol Appl. 2006 Oct;16(5):1832-41. doi: 10.1890/1051-0761(2006)016[1832:ndafpf]2.0.co;2.

Abstract

Modeling ecological niches of species is a promising approach for predicting the geographic potential of invasive species in new environments. Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) rank among the most successful invasive species: native to South America, they have invaded broad areas worldwide. Despite their widespread success, little is known about what makes an area susceptible--or not--to invasion. Here, we use a genetic algorithm approach to ecological niche modeling based on high-resolution remote-sensing data to examine the roles of niche similarity and difference in predicting invasions by this species. Our comparisons support a picture of general conservatism of the species' ecological characteristics, in spite of distinct geographic and community contexts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Animals
  • Ants / physiology*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Ecosystem*
  • Japan
  • Models, Biological
  • North America
  • Portugal
  • South America
  • Spain