International Journal of Biology Research

Authors
Mery Crestina Rumbay, Jantje Pelealu, Jimmy Posangi, Christina L Salaki, Mokosuli Yermia Semuel

Abstract
Rangrang ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) are included in the order Hymenoptera. The ants were arboreal and generally form nesting on the leaves of the forest, but nowadays they are mostly found in urban or rural areas in Manado city. This study was conducted to determine the morphological characteristics of Rangrang ants from two different habitat, namely around the hospital (RS) and around the garbage disposal site (TPA) in the city of Manado. Morphological characterization using a digital microscope equipped with measurement software. Accuracy of measurements on a micrometer (µm) scale. Twelve main morphological characters were measured. The measurement results were analyzed descriptively. The similarity of morphometric characters was analyzed using multivariate analysis, namely cluster analysis. The results of this study showed that the qualitative morphological characteristics of the body color, shape of the ant organ of the two populations of the RS and TPA did not have a significant difference. Differences are shown in quantitative morphological characteristics. Rangrang ants from hospitals have an average body length greater than that of ant ants from the TPA population. Based on cluster analysis, the morphological characters of LTTT and LTTB are the highest morphological characters in the equation between the RS and TPA populations. While the highest morphological characters are the difference between PT and PSCA.