Notes on ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Akrotiri UK Sovereign Base Area (Cyprus)

The Akrotiri UK Sovereign Base Area (UK SBA) is located at the southernmost point of the island of Cyprus and is considered a biodiversity hotspot for migrating birds. It includes the largest complex of wetlands and designated RAMSAR sites of the island. In the framework of Darwin Plus project DPLUS200 we surveyed the ant biodiversity of Akrotiri SBA. Results of this study include the collection and identification of more than 6,000 specimens belonging to a total of 52 taxa, amounting to 59% of the 88 species of ants currently known from the island. Amongst these, Tetramorium anatolicum, is recorded for the first time from the island of Cyprus, while the morphospecies Lepisiota cf. melas, Solenopsis cf. santschii and Tetramorium cf. staerckei are also reported for the first time despite some uncertainty over their identification. Despite its small size (123 km2), the Akrotiri SBA is shown as a diverse area, hosting a large number of both “rare” and endemic ant taxa. Nevertheless, the collection of eight non-native species, including the first report of established populations of Wasmannia auropunctata, is concerning given the conservation status of the region. The biodiversity and distribution of species is further discussed alongside notes on the management of selected invasive species, i.e. Wasmannia auropunctata, and conservation of endemic species e.g. Oxyopomyrmex pygmalioni.