Data from: Evaluating community effects of a keystone ant, Azteca sericeasur, on Inga micheliana leaf litter decomposition in a shaded coffee agro-ecosystem

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">            Our research examined the effect of <i>Azteca sericeasur, </i>a keystone arboreal ant,<i> </i>on the decomposition of leaf litter of the shade tree, <i>Inga micheliana, </i>in coffee agro-ecosystems<i>. </i>This interaction is important in understanding the spatial heterogeneity in decomposition. We hypothesized that <i>A. sericeasur </i>could affect leaf litter decomposition by excluding other ants, which could release decomposers, like collembolans, from predation pressure. Determining the relative strengths of these interactions can illuminate the importance of <i>A. sericeasur </i>in decomposition and nutrient cycling processes.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">We assessed the ant and arthropod communities surrounding 10 pairs of trees, where each pair included one shade tree with an established <i>A. sericeasur </i>nest. Tuna baits were used in conjunction with pitfall traps to assess the ant and arthropod community, and litterbags with <i>I. micheliana </i>leaf litter were used to assess decomposition. The species richness of ants did not change in proximity to <i>A. sericeasur </i>nests, though the ant communities were distinct. Abundance of collembola and community composition of other invertebrates did not change with the presence of an <i>A. sericeasur </i>nest and there were no differences in leaf litter decomposition rates. This contradicts past studies that suggests <i>A. sericeasur </i>reduces species richness in its territory. We suggest that other ants may avoid <i>A. sericeasur </i>by moving within and beneath the leaf litter. Our results indicate there is no net effect of <i>A. sericeasur </i>on leaf litter decomposition.</p>