First report about mining as a threat to Liometopum apiculatum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Altiplano Potosino

Abstract

This research identifies mining as a possible threat to Liometopum apiculatum Mayr, 1870 in the Altiplano Potosino thought the pollution assessment of potentially toxic elements in a mercury mining zone and the design of cartography about the distribution of this edible insect and potentially polluted mining sites. Pollution assessment in the mining zone consisted in the arsenic and mercury quantification in mining waste, soil, anthills, and worker ants from the mining zone and a reference site by atomic absorption spectrophotometry; the mining zone showed higher levels of both toxicants in all assessed components. The cartography revealed that most potentially polluted mining sites are located within the areas with the highest probability of distribution of L. apiculatum in the Altiplano Potosino.