author(s)
BV Sonune, RJ Chavan

abstract
The study was carried outrnto investigate the diversity and distribution of ants in agriculture,rngrassland, forest and human habitats located around Gautala AutramghatrnSanctuary Dist. Aurangabad during February 2010 to January 2012. The ants werernrandomly collected from the study area, by all out search method. A total 17rnspecies of ants belonging to thirteen genera and six subfamilies such asrnFormicinae, Myrmicinae, Ponerinae, Dolichoderinae, Aenictinae andrnPseudomyrmicinae were reported from four different habitats of present studyrnarea. The subfamily Myrmicinae was found to be more diverse with 6 species, andrnthen followed by Formicinae with 4 species, Pseudomyrmicinae with 3 species,rnPonerinae with 6 species and Dolichoderinae & Aenictinae were found leastrndiverse with only one species each. Members of Formicinae, Myrmicinae andrnDolichoderinae were reported from all habitats but members of subfamilyrnPonerinae, Aenictinae and Pseudomyrmicinae were only reported from grasslandrnand forest habitats. A Genus Tetraponera is most diverse comprisingrnthree species then followed by Monomorium and Camponotus comprisingrntwo species each from the present study area were reported. A genus Tetraponerarnis most diverse with three species and is followed by Monomorium and Camponotusrneach with two species. The Shannon Weiner diversity index of forest andrngrassland habitat was found highest as compared to human and agriculturalrnhabitats. The genus Crematogaster was found to be most abundant.