5 Conclusion
Our study revealed high spatial variation in ant communities in both
horizontal and vertical dimensions over small spatial scales. We
detected increasing difference in assemblage composition across vertical
forest strata, but no effects of horizontal distance on assemblage
turnover across trees. We also found higher horizontal turnover in ant
assemblages than vertical turnover at short scales. These patterns are
associated with variation in air temperature and relative humidity.
Connectivity may also play a role in shaping the high turnover of ant
assemblages horizontally. Although we found no evidence for patterns
congruent with the presence of an ant mosaic, we are unable to rule out
potential influences from other biotic factors that are correlated with
abiotic gradients. Our findings highlight the necessity of considering
species turnover in multiple spatial dimensions, and furthermore reveal
the importance of microhabitat complexity in maintaining high
biodiversity in tropical forest. Such insights will be vital for future
preservation of the biodiversity of highly diverse tropical forests
under anthropogenic global change impacts.