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ABSTRACT
Ants plays a vital role in the ecosystem functioning and can serve as indicators of environmental health. The study site consists of two patches of lawn, one smaller in size and the other significantly larger. To assess ant diversity and abundance, the pitfall trap method was employed. transects were established in both patches, samples were taken to the laboratory for identification. Diversity and abundance of species was carried out using PAST software which revealed Tetramorium scrceiventre (Myrmicinae) as most abundant individual species and Odontomachus troglodytes (Ponerinae) as the least abundant species. This study revealed five species of ants distributed among five genera and three subfamilies (Formicinae, Myrmicinae and Ponerinae). Diversity indices revealed a heterogeneous community of ants dominated by Tetramorium serceiventre, while two species were rare. Other factors like species richness, evenness, dominance and abundance were recorded. According to the non- parametric estimates, Chao2 and Jackknife2 were between 84% and 100% of the ant species dwelling in the floor of the small lawn were captured, 58% and 84% of the ant species foraging within the large lawn were captured in this survey. This suggest that pitfall trap method is an efficient technique to sample and monitor ant species among crawling insects. Further research is needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms driving these observed differences which will provide needed information of proximity to other habitats, human activity and aid in the preservation of ant diversity and ecosystem functioning.
