Which South American countries constitute the native range of *Anoplolepis gracilipes*?
Answer
Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay
The original, native habitat for the species *Anoplolepis gracilipes*, commonly known as the yellow crazy ant, is confined to specific regions within South America. These regions include the countries of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Despite its origins in this area, the ant's current global presence is a result of human-assisted introductions, where it has been inadvertently transported through commercial activities, contaminating materials like soil, timber, and shipping containers. The lack of natural predators in these new environments allows for rapid establishment once introduced, contrasting with its status in its native range where ecological pressures likely keep its populations more controlled.
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