BIOGEOGRAPHICAL ASPECTS OF THE ANT FAUNA OF CORSICA (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE)

Corsican myrmecofauna (26 genera, 83 species) is mostly European in ch aracteristics and shows very low endemism (only 3 endemic species). A comparison with 15 neighboring countries shows its particular similari ty with the faunas of Sardinia and Provence. Of the 83 species, 26 are widely distributed in most of these 15 countries. The origins of Cors ican ant populations are discussed. The development of a modern fauna in Corsica before the island became isolated from the continent, human activity, distinctive conquering capacities of ants, their strong abi lity to settle in many habitats, interspecific competition and the gre at diversity of landscapes of the island explain the present compositi on of the myrmecofauna of Corsica.