A comparison of two methods for quantifying ant diversity and community in an East Himalayan montane forest mosaic

Abstract Sampling efficiency, composition and detection biases associated with pitfall-trap and sample plot methods were compared at seven montane sites at Lasha Mountain, Yunnan, China. On average, sample plot samples contained 1.5 times more taxa than pitfall-trap samples; however, we found no significant difference between of alpha and beta diversity in pitfall-trap and sample plot site samples. Rarefaction-interpolations curves revealed significantly higher total diversity from sample plot methods; that sample plot methods would require three times more sampling to reach asymptote of true diversity; and that sample plot samples achieve higher sample coverage across sample sizes. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance showed community composition and dominant species differed between methods. Of all taxa collected, the two methods had 16 species in common, accounting for 52% of the total species; 29% were exclusive to sample plot samples and 16% were exclusive to pitfall traps. Implications for insect conservation: Our findings suggest that results from the two methods cannot be directly compared and are imperfect substitutes to one another. For long-term monitoring of biodiversity, we suggest integrating multiple complementary methods, including standardised active collection methods, such as the sample plot method, to achieve more complete representation of ant composition and diversity.