Introduced ants in the United Arab Emirates.

Journal of Arid Environments (1997) 37: 505-512

Introduced ants in the United Arab Emirates

Cedric A. Collingwood*, Barbara J. Tigarf^: & Donat Agosti

*City Museum, Leeds, Municipal Buildings, Leeds LSI BAA, U.K.
fDepartment of Biological and Molecular Sciences, University of Stirling,

Stirling FK9 4LA, U.K.
^Department of Biology, Imperial College at Silwood Park, Ascot, Berks

SL5 7PY, U.K.

^American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79 th Street,

New York, U.S.A.

(Received 21 May 1997, accepted 27 June 1997}

Fifteen species of introduced ants, including eight cosmopolitan or tramp
species, are recorded for the first time in the United Arab Emirates. They are
Cardiocondyla emeryi, Camponotus compressus, Iridomyrmex anceps, Linepithema
humile, Monomorium destructor, Monomorium indicum, Pachycondyla sennaar-
ensis, Paratrechina flavipes, Paratrechina jaegerskioeldi, Paratrechina longicomis,
Pheidole teneriffana, Solenopsis geminata, Tapinoma melanocephalum, Tapinoma
simrothi and Tetramorium bicarinatum. A synopsis of their distribution, biology
and pest status is given. Introduced species contribute an unusually high
proportion of local ants and the ecological implications of their presence are
discussed, including displacement of native fauna and impact upon human
health. These ants abound in man-made, mesic environments and do not
reach the characteristic sandy deserts of the region. Most invasive species are
probably benign, but P.sennaarensis, M.destructor and S. geminata pose
potential problems as public health and nuisance pests. The highly
competitive 5. geminata and L. humile may also threaten the local entonao-
fauna and biodiversity.

1997 Academic Press Limited

Keywords: ants; Formicidae; tramp ants; introduced species; United Arab
Emirates; public health pests

Introduction

Since its formation in 1971 the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has developed rapidly.
Vast areas of desert are now cultivated and there are 100,000 ha of arable land,
producing 259,080 1 of vegetables in 1992, and 12 million date palms and 48 million
other trees (Anon, 1992). Over-use of water has resulted in a lowering of the water
table and an increase in ground-water salinity (Anon, 1993). Use of desalinated water
for irrigation is increasing and sewage is also used to irrigate parks and road-side
plantations. Development continues and large areas of desert are being converted to

0140-1963/97/030505 + 08 $25.00/0/ae970309

1997 Academic Press Limited

506 C. A. COLLINGWOOD ETAL

towns, farms, parks and forestry plantations, where water is no longer a confining
factor to life.

UAE has long been a centre for trade in the Middle East and many arthropods have
probably entered the country on imported goods. Live plants arrive by road from
Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan and by sea from Iran, Pakistan and India (Khan, 1983). The
increase in urban development and irrigated areas has also encouraged associated
arthropods, probably at the expense of the local desert fauna. Knowledge of the
ecology of the UAE is scant (Satchell, 1978) and the fauna, particularly invertebrates,
is poorly documented (Tigar, 1996). In 1993 only 14 species of ants were known
(Tigar & Collingwood, 1993), although over 70 species of ants have now been
recorded (D. Agosti, B. Tigar & C. Collingwood, unpublished data). Most of the
endemic Arabian ants are described and illustrated in Collingwood & Agosti (1996).
However in UAE, introduced and tramp species contribute an unusually high
percentage of local ants. Tramp ants are of particular concern because they are very
invasive. Here we describe and characterize these introduced species and discuss their
impact on man and the local ecosystem.

Material and methods

A survey of the ant fauna was undertaken in February and March 1995. Samples were
collected from all major habitats in the UAE, including open desert, desert margins,
mangrove, urban areas and irrigated parks, gardens, oases and arable land. The
localities visited and collection details are listed in Table 1. Voucher specimens are
kept at the American Museum of Natural History (New York, U.S.A.), the National
Avian Research Center (NARC) (Sweihan, UAE) and in the private collection of C.A.
Collingwood (U.K.).

Results

Fifteen introduced ant species, representing four families, were found and are listed in
taxonomic order below. Descriptions of their worldwide and local distributions,
biology, ecology and pest status are given. They include five species, Solenopsis
geminata (Fabricius, 1804), Tetramorium bicarinatum (Nylander, 1846), Iridomyrmex
anceps (Roger, 1863), Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868) and Camponotus compressus
(Fabricius, 1787), not previously recorded in Arabia.

Ponerinae
Pachycondyla sennaarensis (Mayr, 1862) (Local name: 'Samsun' ant)

Distribution. This is an African savanna species known from Arabia for the last 1 00
years. It is now spreading rapidly into most human settlements (Collingwood, 1985),
and is found along all major road-side developments, oases, plantations and urban
areas of UAE.

Biology and ecology. An aggressive ant with a painful sting, and a body length of
4-6 mm. It is a scavenger feeding on food refuse and arthropods. New colonies form
rapidly and alate queens are probably attracted to artificial lights. Humid soil
conditions are needed for nest building and the irrigation of road-side plantations,
gardens and parks seems especially conducive to the spread of this species. Nests are
very common in urban areas where they pose a potential health hazard. In Al Ain in

INTRODUCED ANTS IN UAE

1992 there were at least 30 cases of human allergic reaction and two deaths due to
anaphylactic shock following stings from P. sennaarensis (Dib et al., 1992). This species
also raids bee hives and destroys honey bees (Whitcombe, 1982).

Myrmicinae

Cardiocondyla spp.

Distribution. Cardiocondyla emeryi Forel, 1881, C. nuda (Mayr, 1866) and C.
wroughtonii (Forel, 1881) are well known tramp species which have been recorded in
other parts of the Arabian Peninsula (Collingwood & van Harten, 1994; Collingwood
& Agosti, 1996). In UAE C. emeryi was only collected from Ruwais.

Biology and ecology. Little is known about the biology of Cardiocondyla spp. They are
tiny, unobtrusive ants with a body length ranging from 1-5-2-5 mm. These ants have
little direct impact on the environment; however, they may compete with three similar
Arabian endemics: C. shuckardi Forel, 1881, C. gallagheri Collingwood & Agosti, 1996
and C. yemene Collingwood & Agosti, 1996.

Table 1. Collecting sites of ants in the United Arab Emirates

Location Longitude Latitude Habitat type Date visited Collector

Abu Dhabi

AlAin

Al Mudam
Baynunah
Dubai
Jumeira
Djebel Haffette
Hatta

Khor Kalba
Ras Ghanada

Ras al Khaimah

Remah

Ruwais

Sweihan

2430'N
2429'N
2414'N
2415'N
2413'N
2413'N
2413'N
2412'N
2456'N
2421'N
2515'N
2513'N
2402'N
2449'N
2507'N
2449'N
2449'N
2547'N
2410'N
2402'N
2402'N
2402'N
2431'N
2424'N

5421'E
5419'E
5541'E
5548'E
5542'E
5542'E
5540'E
5541'E
5548'E
5219'E
5516'E
5515'E
5547'E
5509'E
5613'E
5446'E
5446'E
5600'E
5418'E
5243'E
5242'E
5242'E
5516'E
5219'E

Park
Park
Garden
Oasis

Town house
Urban area
Urban area
Zoological garden
Desert margin
Sandy desert
Garden
Garden
Rocky outcrop
Stony desert
Coastal mangrove
Coastal village
Coastal village
Urban area
Hotel garden
Desert margin
Town house
Town house
Park
Desert margin

7 Mar 1995
Feb 1995

2 Mar 1995
15 Mar 1995

26 Feb 1995
6 Mar 1995
17 Mar 1995
2 Mar 1995

29 Mar 1991

8 Mar 1995
15 Apr 1991
10 Feb 1996
4 Mar 1995

12 Mar 1995

30 Mar 1991
May 1993
10 Mar 1995
30 Mar 1991
10 Mar 1995
8 Mar 1995

27 Feb 1995
10 Mar 1995

13 Mar 1995
1 Mar 1995

BJT = Barbara J. Tigar; CAC = Cedric A. Collingwood; CG= Christian Gross; DA = Donat Agosti;
VTS=VojinJ. Sliivic.

508 C. A. COLLINGWOOD ETAL.

Monomorium indicum Forel, 1902

Distribution. An Indian species that was repeatedly recorded in desert margins at
NARC (Sweihan) and public gardens in Abu Dhabi and Ruwais, as well as domestic
premises in Al Ain.

Biology and ecology. This species is of moderate size (2 -5-3 -5 mm long) and is a
nuisance pest in houses, as well as one of the most dominant species in parks in UAE.
Large colonies are established consisting of crater-shaped nests, often located around
the base of buildings and entrances.

Monomorium destructor (Jerdan, 1851)

Distribution. The origin of this cosmopolitan species is unknown but it is well
established throughout the Middle East (Collingwood, 1985). In UAE it is present in
a surprisingly wide range of habitats, especially irrigated gardens and disturbed
habitats close to water.

Biology and ecology. This species forms large colonies with several hundred workers.
Individuals are small with a body length of between 1-5-2-5 mm. It can be a nuisance
in and around houses and is known to destroy the insulation of electric cables.

Pheidole teneriffana Forel, 1893

Distribution. Of unknown origin, this ant is present throughout Arabia in parks and
gardens. It occurs on many islands worldwide and is thought to be continually
expanding its range. In UAE it was collected at Khor Kalba, Ras Ghanada, Ruwais,
Remah and Sweihan.

Biology and ecology. Very populous in irrigated gardens and along the coast where it
appears to be spreading rapidly, and might replace local species. Most workers are
about 3 mm long, however there are also a few larger headed workers, about 5 mm
long, that appear to act as guards.

Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius, 1804) (Common name: Fire ant)

Distribution. A Central American endemic that has been introduced into many
countries including Cyprus, the Philippines and the U.S.A. It was collected for the first
time in Arabia from Dubai.

Biology and ecology. This species is an aggressive predator, which probably alters the
local fauna through both predation and competition for food. In the U.S.A. this
species, together with the conspecific S. invicta (Buren), has dramatically changed the
local ant and insect fauna. Its sting causes painful pustules and there is also a low risk
of anaphylactic shock. It is an irritating nuisance to horses and cattle in the U.S.A. and
poses a similar risk to racing horses and camels in UAE. The body length of workers
varies from 3-7 mm.

Tetramorium bicarinatum (Nylander, 1846)

Distribution. A cosmopolitan tramp species often imported with plant material. It
occurs throughout Asia and the New World, is well established in the Southern U.S.A.
and may also occur in tropical Africa. The first record for Arabia is from a garden in
Fujairah.

INTRODUCED ANTS IN UAE

Biology and ecology. Tetramorium bicarinatum is probably a scavenger like most
species of Tetramorium and probably has little impact on the local fauna. Although it
forms large colonies it is not thought to pose a risk to public health. The body length
of workers is about 3-3 -5 mm.

Dolichoderinae

Iridomyrmex anceps (Roger, 1863)

Distribution. This species is widely distributed in India and also occurs in Iran (D.M.
Lay, pers. comm.). The first records for Arabia were collected from several gardens
and buildings in Al Ain.

Biology and ecology. This species favours man-made, mesic environments; however
its status as a pest is doubtful. Workers range from 3-5-4-5 mm in body length.

Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868) (formerly Iridomyrmex humile) (Common name:
Argentine ant)

Distribution. It is a native of Argentina with a global distribution in temperate
climates, especially Mediterranean-type ecosystems. Within the last 30 years it has
spread at an enormous rate through Europe, western Australia and California. The
first record for Arabia was from Al Ain.

Biology and ecology. Although they neither bite nor sting, these ants are very
competitive and represent a major threat to local faunas because they are very efficient
predators of invertebrates. They are small, about 2-3 mm long, and unicolonial with
many queens and a huge number of nests which are non-aggressive among themselves.
They extend their range by forming spreading colonies which act as a large front, with
ants forming columns up to a centimetre wide which appear as a continuous, fast-
moving stream. They are encouraged by the presence of irrigation. This species is
easily recognized by its behaviour and its strong odour when crushed. It is not a serious
household pest.

Tapinoma simrothi Krausse, 1911

Distribution. Widely distributed in the Mediterranean where it is one of the most
common coastal species. Thought to be spreading but its distribution in Arabia is
local. Found in parks in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.

Biology and ecology. Little is known but this species is neither polydomous nor
unicolonial and usually has two to three queens per colony. The body length of
workers is about 3-3 -5 mm.

Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius, 1793)

Distribution. This is a globally distributed species in warm climate countries. It is a
well established pest in some Arabian towns and has frequently been recorded from
Oman (Collingwood & Agosti, 1996).

Biology and ecology. This ant is very small, about 1-5 mm long, and is almost invisible
apart from its head which is seen as a black, fast moving dot. Sometimes it forms wide,
loose columns on walls. It can be very abundant and often infests houses, where it

C. A. COLLINGWOOD ETAL.

prefers sugary food sources. Some people suffer a slight, red irritation of the skin
following contact with this ant.

Formicinae
Camponotus compressus (Fabricius, 1787)

Distribution. A common Indian species which occurs in a wide range of ecosystems.
The first record for Arabia is from Al Ain where many males and some queens were
found under a packing crate.

Biology and ecology. This large, black ant feeds on aphids and often forms strong
colonies with several hundred workers. Individuals range from 7-1 8 mm long. If it
becomes well established, it could out-compete similar indigenous species, such as
Camponotus fellah Dalla Torre, 1893 or Camponotus xerxes Forel, 1904. It is not
normally recorded from houses.

Paratrechina flavipes (Smith, 1874)

Distribution. An oriental species of supposedly Japanese origin which has spread via
imported plant material to U.S.A. It is often found in greenhouses in Europe. This ant
has only recently been recorded in Arabia. It was found on several occasions in the
UAE, for example parks in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, Ras al Khaimah, Khor Kalba and
Jumeira.

Biology and ecology. This species is not considered to be a pest although it is common
in parks and gardens. Workers are small, with a body length of around 2-5 mm.

Paratrechina jaegerskioeldi Mayr, 1904

Distribution. Well known throughout the Middle East and probably distributed
through plant material. The first records for the UAE are from gardens in Abu Dhabi
and Al Ain, and from Khor Kalba.

Biology and ecology. This small ant, about 2-5 mm long, is a potential nuisance pest
and is frequently reported in Arabia infesting human habitation, especially kitchens
and bathrooms. It often occurs outside in irrigated and shaded areas.

Paratrechina longicomis (Latreille, 1802)

Distribution. A cosmopolitan species of unknown origin and probably the most
widely distributed tramp ant. This species is well established on farms, oases and
irrigated areas across Arabia. It was abundant in hotels' gardens and parks throughout
the UAE including Ruwais, Al Ain and Al Mudam, and probably occurs in all irrigated

Biology and ecology. This species generally lives outside although in temperate
regions it sometimes occurs in warm houses. It is small, between 2- 5-3 mm long, but
very conspicuous because of its dark brown to black coloration. It is very fast moving
and commonly forms wide but thinly populous trails up to 0-5 m wide over walls and
floors.

INTRODUCED ANTS IN UAE 5 1 1

Discussion

The occurrence of so many tramp species, including five new records for Arabia, is
alerting and points to a strong effect on the local fauna, especially in areas of high
human impact. UAE might be expected to have fewer species than neighbouring
Oman and Saudi Arabia because of its smaller size and strictly arid climate, but the
paucity of records for the region makes comparisons difficult. However, the number of
thermophile or heat-adapted, desert species recorded for UAE is less than a third of the
entire Arabian ant fauna (Collingwood & Agosti, 1996) and the impact of introduced
ant species may be more far-reaching because species diversity is initially low.

Some ants are particularly invasive. Linepithema humile is recorded from California,
Portugal, Spain and southern France and has recently reached Genoa, Italy (V.
Raineri, pers. com.). Its dominance where it occurs contrasts with its almost complete
absence along the North African Mediterranean coast which is probably due to
competition with T. simrothi (Bernard, 1976). Similarly, although it is widespread in
western Australia, competition from local Iridomyrmex species is thought to prevent its
spread into undisturbed habitats. In the UAE, L. humile probably does not compete
directly with local ants for modified or disturbed habitats, as in California and western
Australia (Ward, 1987), but may be better at establishing colonies in altered habitats.
The negative effect of introduced species often goes unnoticed until it is too late to
prevent their spread. For example, in Hawaii L. humile is considered a threat to local
pollinators on which the endemic silversword (Argyroxiphium spp.) plants depend.
Attempts at control are being suggested in the protected areas to which this rare plant
is now confined (Woolliams, 1995). Insect pollinators are important for commercial
crops and native plants alike.

The only ants which represent a serious danger to human health are P. sennaarensis
and S. geminata. The former is well known to the local population, as suggested by its
common name 'Samsun'. It does not sting unless seriously threatened but is a nuisance
pest and frequently lives in gardens close to habitation. A species closely related to 5.
geminata, S.invicta, has successfully colonized the southern U.S.A., and has almost
out-competed the entire local ant fauna, even altering the local insect diversity (das
Gupta Jusino-Atresino & Phillips, 1994; Vinson, 1994). Its control has proved
difficult, even in the technologically sophisticated and highly regulated U.S.A.
(Williams, 1994). Solenopsis geminata could cause similar problems in UAE if it occurs
more widely than currently known. The colonies found in Dubai have been the subject
of a control programme by the local Public Health Department.

We know nothing about the origin of UAE's introduced ants or their subsequent
development and spread. However, they now contribute about 20% of all ant species
recorded in the UAE (D. Agosti, B. Tigar & C. Collingwood, unpublished data). Their
occurrence is highly variable but they are most abundant in relatively mesic
environments. Other ants recorded for the UAE are generally found in areas of natural
or only slightly disturbed vegetation and introduced ants show an almost complete
dominance in areas intensively used and modified by man. For example, during a
2-year study of ground dwelling invertebrates at five desert locations in Abu Dhabi
Emirate 1246 records of ants were collected representing over 39,000 specimens, but
no introduced species was recorded (Tigar & Osborne, in press). Man-altered habitats
are still increasing in UAE, providing further opportunities for the invasion of
successful cosmopolitan species of many animals and plants.

Although quarantine regulations can prevent the invasion of introduced species,
boats still carry goods from Asia directly to the centre of Dubai. This city has many
attractive, irrigated parks and gardens that would provide an easy foothold into Arabia
for further invasive species. Local environmental departments should develop routine
monitoring programmes for species such as the fire ant or they may enter unnoticed
before their harmful effect on local ecology or public health is realized. Information on

512 C. A. COLLINGWOOD ETAL.

Arabian entomofauna is still scarce and there is also a need for information on desert
biodiversity in the light of considerable habitat alteration.

We thank the National Avian Research Center, Sweihan and the American Museum of Natural
History for support. Extra ant material was provided by Dr Vojin Sljivic and Christian Gross.
Vojin Sljivic is also thanked for his useful discussions on P. sennaarensis and S. geminata. Maggie
Black, Matt Love, Will Mitchell, Dr Patrick Osborne and Donna Sargeant helped to collect ants
in the field.

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