Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Faunal Diversity across Urban and Peri-Urban Habitats of Bolpur–Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India

Ants are among the most successful eusocial insects and serve as key ecological indicators in urban ecosystems. From April to November 2024, surveys were conducted across three distinct habitat types: the Urban core areas, Urban green open areas, and Peri-urban areas of Bolpur–Shantiniketan. Specimens were collected using pitfall traps and hand collection. A total of 564 individuals representing 24 species, 21 genera, and 5 subfamilies were recorded. Among these, Formicinae was the most dominant subfamily (11 species across 8 genera), followed by Myrmicinae and Ponerinae (5 species each). Dolichoderinae (2 species) and Pseudomyrmicinae (1 species) were comparatively less represented. Diversity indices revealed clear habitat-specific differences in ant richness. Peri-urban areas exhibited the highest diversity (Shannon–Wiener index, H′ = 2.672), followed by Urban green open areas, whereas the Urban core areas supported the lowest diversity. These results demonstrate that Peri-urban habitats function as vital areas for sustaining ant faunal diversity in Bolpur–Shantiniketan.