Ant Competition Drives Birds to Higher Elevations in Mountains

A study from the Indian Institute of Science found that aggressive Oecophylla ants at mountain bases drive insect-eating birds to higher elevations. This competition reduces insect populations, affecting bird diversity. Mountains, covering 25% of Earth's surface, house 85% of the world's bird, mammal, and amphibian species, stressing conservation importance.

A recent study by researchers at the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, has revealed that aggressive Oecophylla ants at the base of mountains are driving insect-eating birds to higher elevations.

The study found that these ants, known for preying on insects, could be the reason for the higher diversity of insect-eating birds at mid-elevations. Researchers utilized datasets from the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment to analyze bird species across 46 mountain regions, including the Himalayas and the Andes.

According to the study published in Ecology Letters, competition for food between ants and birds primarily affects insectivores, driving them to elevate around 960 meters. The findings underscore the complex biotic interactions shaping species diversity in mountain ecosystems, which house a significant portion of global biodiversity.

(With inputs from agencies.)