Our research examined the effect of Azteca sericeasur, a keystone arboreal ant, on the decomposition of leaf litter of the shade tree, Inga micheliana, in coffee agro‐ecosystems. This interaction is important in understanding spatial heterogeneity in decomposition. We hypothesized that A. sericeasur could affect leaf litter decomposition by excluding other ants, which could release decomposers, like collembolans, from predation pressure. Determining the relative strengths of these interactions can illuminate the importance of A. sericeasur in decomposition and nutrient cycling processes. We assessed the ant and arthropod communities surrounding 10 pairs of trees, where each pair included one shade tree with an established A. sericeasur nest. Tuna baits were used in conjunction with pitfall traps to assess the ant and arthropod community, and litterbags with I. micheliana leaf litter were used to assess rates of decomposition. The species richness of ants did not change in proximity to A. sericeasur nests, though the ant communities were distinct. Abundance of Collembola and community composition of other invertebrates did not change in the presence of A. sericeasur nests, and there were no differences in leaf litter decomposition rates. This contradicts past studies that suggest A. sericeasur reduces ant species richness in its territory. We suggest that other ants may avoid A. sericeasur by moving within and beneath the leaf litter. Our results indicate that there is no net effect of A. sericeasur on leaf litter decomposition.

中文翻译：

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在有阴影的咖啡农业生态系统中评估基石蚂蚁Azteca sericeasur对Inga micheliana叶凋落物分解的社区影响

我们的研究检查了基调树栖蚂蚁Azteca sericeasur对咖啡农业生态系统中遮荫树Inga micheliana的凋落物分解的影响。这种相互作用对于理解分解中的空间异质性很重要。我们假设A. sericeasur可能会通过排除其他蚂蚁来影响叶片凋落物的分解，而其他蚂蚁可能会从捕食压力中释放分解菌，例如collembolans。确定这些相互作用的相对强度可以阐明丝孢曲霉在分解和养分循环过程中的重要性。我们评估了围绕10对树木的蚂蚁和节肢动物群落，其中每对包括一个树荫下的树A. sericeasur巢。金枪鱼诱饵与陷阱陷阱结合使用以评估蚂蚁和节肢动物群落，而带有I. micheliana叶垃圾的垃圾袋则用于评估分解率。尽管蚂蚁群落是不同的，但在靠近A. sericeasur巢的地方，蚂蚁的物种丰富度没有变化。在有A. sericeasur巢的情况下，Collembola的丰度和其他无脊椎动物的群落组成没有变化，叶片凋落物分解速率也没有差异。这与过去的研究表明A. sericeasur降低了其领土上的蚂蚁物种丰富度相矛盾。我们建议其他蚂蚁可以避免A. sericeasur通过在叶子凋落物内部和下面移动。我们的结果表明，A。sericeasur对叶片凋落物的分解没有净作用。