Exploring ant diversity with fuzzy logic and python

Abstract

Fuzzy logic can be used to identify patterns in the data, which can be used to better understand the diversity of a particular ecosystem. This study examines the diversity of ants in different sites of Palayamkottai using the Combined Effect Quantity Dependent Data Matrix (CEQD-Matrix). Initial raw data is collected and transformed into an Average Quantity Dependent Data matrix (AQD Matrix) by taking ants' names as rows and point count sites as columns. A defined quantity dependent data matrix (RQD Matrix) is then generated using mean and standard deviation methods. Finally, a Combined Effect Quantity Dependent Data matrix (CEQD Matrix) is produced to show the cumulative effect of all the entries. Python is used to generate the graphs of the RQD Matrix and CEQD Matrix. It was found that the species Tetraponera rufonigra predominantly occupied the all sites, followed by Oecophylla smaragdina. The matrix was also used to predict the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on the ant diversity.