Significance of forest ants as a keystone species / Ahmad Aizat Azuri, Sarina Hashim and Muzamil Mustaffa

Forest ants are a keystone species on earth, act as decomposers and predators by feeding on organic wastes, insects, or other dead organisms. They comprise a quarter of animal biomass in today’s tropical forest, and their profusion permeates the temperate zone where they are similarly integral. Briefly put, forest ants are ecosystem engineers, shaping forest community structure in innumerable ways. As a keystone species, the activities of the forest ants determine the community structure. They can create or modify habitats and can influence the interspecific interactions among the community. Nutrient requirements are crucial for the survival, growth, and reproductive success of organisms. Therefore, sharing food could be the key success of forest ants.