Morphological and Behavioral Characterization of Army Ants (Dorylus spp.) in Rainforest Habitats of Akwa Ibom State, South South Nigeria

Army ants of the genus Dorylus are apex predators in forest floor communities, influencing prey abundance across multiple trophic levels through their mass raiding behavior. Their ecology in the remaining rainforests of Akwa Ibom State, South South Nigeria has not been formally documented. This study characterizes army ant morphology, colony structure, and behavioral patterns observed in rainforest fragments of Akwa Ibom State. Colonies will be located at eight forest sites in Uyo, Obot Akara, and Nsit Ibom LGAs through systematic transect searches. Worker castes will be sampled from active columns and measured morphometrically. Behavioral observations will record raid trajectory, prey spectrum, and activity periods. Interaction with other ground invertebrates, including beetle attendants and flies following columns, will be noted. Specimens will be deposited at the University of Uyo Natural History Collection. The study provides the first behavioral ecological data for Dorylus in Akwa Ibom State and contributes to understanding invertebrate community dynamics in Nigeria's coastal rainforests. Results will inform conservation assessments of invertebrate biodiversity in forest habitats threatened by oil palm expansion. Keywords: army ants, Dorylus, rainforest ecology, Akwa Ibom State, colony behavior