Kretzer and Cully looked at the effects of prairie dogs on species composition and abundance of ants in the shortgrass prairies of Cimmarron National Grassland of Kansas. Two species of ant (P. occidentalis and P. barbatus) were found in less abundance on prairie dog colonies than on the surrounding grassland, while P. rugosus was more abundant within the colonies. The authors conclude that P. occidentalis and P. barbatus prefer areas of less disturbance than that of P. rugosus. Prairie dogs are known to drastically alter the vegetative structure and species composition, of both plants and animals in the areas they occupy.
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