Ants of Brazil: an overview based on 50 years of diversity studies

Systematics and Biodiversity, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 20(1), P. 1 - 27

Published: July 20, 2022

Despite the historical efforts to list and organize taxonomic knowledge about Brazilian ant fauna, most diverse in world, several gaps regarding species distribution data sampling coverage persist. In an attempt fill some of these gaps, we here apply a scientometric approach provide updated overview ants Brazil based on formal publications diversity territory. last 50 years, studies revealed 1130 species, corresponding around 70% known occur country. The biomes with highest number described recorded were, respectively, Amazon Forest (716 species), Atlantic (657 Cerrado (389 Caatinga (185 Pantanal (143 Pampa (86 species). Considering frequency unidentified genera Azteca, Hypoponera, Pheidole, Solenopsis represent main frontiers resolution, more than 80% their records associated morphospecies codes Brazil. Moreover, 7.5% papers presented inconsistences lists validity names, found for which taxa are geographically implausible. Besides demonstrating importance ecological Brazil, our findings highlight strong bias occurrence country, unevenly distributed across biomes. short, results constitute valuable information future projects taxonomy surveying natural areas.

Language: Английский

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Ant diversity decreases during the dry season: A meta‐analysis of the effects of seasonality on ant richness and abundance

Biotropica, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 55(1), P. 29 - 39

Published: Oct. 3, 2022

Abstract Tropical studies traditionally describe insect diversity variation throughout the year. The temporally structured responses of assemblages to climate seasonality vary across ecosystems due gradients resource availability and limiting ecological factors. These idiosyncratic might be particularly true vast geographical range Brazilian territory, including various environments that harbor one most diverse ant faunas worldwide. This study addressed relationship between climatic seasonality, performing a quantitative review published data on collected in Brazil. We investigated effect abundance richness described literature 47 papers 2000 2018. were developed mainly Atlantic Forest biome ants with pitfall traps soil/litter stratum. initially carried out vote‐counting procedure by comparing number significant results describing seasonal differences assemblage. found similar pattern abundance, richness, species composition seasons. However, when we performed meta‐analysis, observed clear higher wet/summer season compared dry/winter season. Our meta‐analysis reveals decreases dry season, strongly Cerrado biome. Additionally, point sampling effort biomes, indicating need for further investments focused temporal patterns, effects, assemblage biomes less so far. Portuguese is available online material.

Language: Английский

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Ant assemblages (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and spatial patterns of diversity along Cerrado remnants in Central-West Brazil

Brazilian Journal of Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 85

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Ants are a diverse and ecologically important group of social insects, playing key role in ecosystem functioning. However, significant gaps remain our understanding their distribution across the Brazilian biomes. In this study, we surveyed four sites within poorly sampled region Cerrado, located between Mato Grosso (MT) Goiás (GO) states Brazil. Using attractive baits for ants foraging on ground vegetation, conducted two rounds sampling 20 transects using 40 each, totaling 1,600 baits. We recorded 133 ant species from 34 genera 8 subfamilies. Myrmicinae Formicinae showed highest richness. The five most frequent were Camponotus Pheidole. Notably, 12 officially new records MT GO, including rare Cerrado’s myrmecofauna. Species richness per site ranged 59 to 80 species, with lowest occurring where all comprised only savanna habitat, while harboring forest habitats yielded higher counts, suggesting that vegetation heterogeneity promotes diversity. also more (118) than (78). There marked differences composition strata, highlighting vertical stratification communities. These findings improve diversity, but additional surveys needed better characterize myrmecofauna Cerrado. Furthermore, encourage biologists share consultancy lists, which could help fill many knowledge existing about biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Habitat structure shapes ant diversity in Amazonian white-sand ecosystems

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 144(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

Abstract White-sand ecosystems are one of the most distinctive vegetation types Amazon, but their arthropod diversity remains poorly studied. We compared ant assemblages open white-sand campinas and forests in two regions northern Brazilian Amazon to examine influence habitat structure location on taxonomic functional these organisms. Alpha arboreal ants tended be lower than forests. In contrast, alpha ground-dwelling was similar both habitats studied regions. The species composition highly distinct between study were within each region. Species strongly affected by Functional space also region structure, with morphological traits related vision (eye size), mobility (femur length) prey manipulation (mandible lengths) filtered mainly independently Our results highlight that structural complexity promotes greater diversity, whereas more influenced regional conditions, underscoring complex interplay ecological historical factors habitats.

Language: Английский

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Decoding sustainability: a tempting bibliometric review of blockchain in climate action for emerging trends and future directions

Benchmarking An International Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 4, 2025

Purpose In the volatile economic landscape, methods combining corporate acumen with environmental awareness need to be implemented. Adding contemporary technical breakthroughs, such as Blockchain, may increase long-term sustainability, accountability and stakeholder transparency. Blockchain’s decentralized nature immutability have turned theoretical frameworks into practical applications, ethical implementations large-scale solutions that enhance confidence. This study aims critically review convergence of blockchain technology (BCT) climate change by surveying existing literature. The aim is explore how BCT can help mitigate issues identify prospects for interdisciplinary collaboration technological integration. Design/methodology/approach WoS Scopus databases were used search query “Blockchain” AND “Climate Change,” 316 articles from 2017 2023 retrieved. Trends, methodologies distribution patterns analyzed these using Biblioshiny application developed within Bibliometric R package. Findings Analysis reveals huge promise counter change; interesting avenues global cooperation noted. report further acknowledged a tremendous amount research contribution nations France, China, Spain UAE. Trends regards prolific authors, their affiliations methodological strategies. New opportunities future trajectories are promise. Research limitations/implications results suggest improved innovation potential integrating research. will provide insights investors, governments researchers make informed decisions develop in action. Originality/value first presents groundbreaking bibliometric analysis BCT’s impact on change. Merging thorough literature innovative techniques fresh clusters promising growth. Discover today.

Language: Английский

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Testing the context dependence of ant nutrient preference across habitat strata and trophic levels in Neotropical biomes

Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 104(4)

Published: Jan. 24, 2023

Animals are integrated into the wider ecosystem via their foraging and behavior. The compensation hypothesis predicts that animals target efforts (i) toward nutrients scarce in environment (ii) not present usual diet of species, which varies across trophic levels. Understanding how for resources locally, such as habitat strata, levels will help to elucidate links between local communities ecological functions mediate. We examined whether relative resource use ants consistently along a strata gradient Neotropical biomes. placed 4500 baited tubes, each containing one five liquid (sugar, amino acid, lipid, sodium, distilled water) three (subterranean, epigaeic, arboreal) 60 transects Amazon, Atlantic Forest, Caatinga, Cerrado, Pampa, Pantanal assessed all among two different groups preference sugar increased from subterranean arboreal biomes, while lipids decreased at this also found general sugar-consuming foraged more less than predatory Conversely, we no consistency biomes nutrient acid sodium or Overall, our results indicate limitation stratum lipid on ground level strongly determines efforts-possibly because try fix dietary imbalances. Hence, findings suggest strong niche partitioning other large spatial scale processes influence dynamics.Os animais se integram nos ecossistemas pelos seus esforços e comportamento de forrageio. A hipótese da compensação prevê que os direcionam forrageio para nutrientes são escassos ambiente não estão presentes em sua dieta, variam entre níveis tróficos. Assim, entender como busca recursos varia localmente estratos tróficos, ajudará conexões o suas comunidades com funções ecológicas mediadas animais. Avaliamos uso relativo das formigas consistentemente um gradiente diferentes tróficos biomas Neotropicais. Disponibilizamos total 4.500 tubos contendo cinco líquidos (açúcar, aminoácido, lipídio, sódio água destilada) três (subterrâneo, epigéico arbóreo) transectos distribuídos Amazônia, Mata Atlântica, Pampa Pantanal. todas ao longo dos dois grupos biomas. preferência relativa por açúcar aumentou do estrato subterrâneo arbóreo todos biomas, enquanto lipídios diminuiu neste Também descobrimos que, geral, consumidoras procuram mais menos predadoras Por outro lado, encontramos consistência na nutricional aminoácidos ou No nossos resultados indicam limitação solo nível trófico determina fortemente forrageamento - possivelmente porque tentam corrigir desequilíbrios dieta. Portanto, nossas descobertas sugerem forte partição nicho outros processos grande escala espacial influenciam dinâmica sódio.

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How the Choice of Habitat and Sampling Technique Affects Biodiversity Knowledge: The Case of Cylindromyrmex (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in the Atlantic Forest

Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 71(1), P. e9548 - e9548

Published: Feb. 23, 2024

The Atlantic Forest is a biodiversity hotspot, and myrmecologists broadly study its numerous habitats. Even so, much of remains to be discovered, the choice collection methods habitats explored directly affect results obtained, especially in case species with cryptic habits, such as Cylindromyrmex ants. ant subfamily Dorylinae has 11 genera registered Neotropics, Mayr, 1870 being lineage region. present reports new records three 13 municipalities located southeastern Brazil. It also describes effect sampling techniques on records. 78 examined herein specimens belong C. brasiliensis Emery, 1901, brevitarsus Santschi, 1925, longiceps André, 1892, were collected manually or Malaise traps. Records are distributed along Espírito Santo state, tendency towards higher mountainous All this region associated hottest months highest rainfall, suggesting possible preference for nuptial flights summer. Most occurred forested areas (93%), whereas few urban (7%). Although manual collections traps not widely used research surveys diversity, these could potentially reveal essential findings ecology.

Language: Английский

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Ant rarity and vulnerability in Brazilian Atlantic Forest fragments

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 296, P. 110640 - 110640

Published: June 26, 2024

Language: Английский

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From species descriptions to diversity patterns: the validation of taxonomic data as a keystone for ant diversity studies reproducibility and accuracy

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2023

Research findings in natural sciences need to be comparable and reproducible effectively improve our understanding of ecological behavioural patterns. In this sense, knowledge frontiers biodiversity studies are directly tied taxonomic research, especially species-rich tropical regions. Here we analysed the information available 470 on Brazilian ant diversity published last 50 years. We aimed quantify proportion that provide enough data validate identification, explore frequency properly acknowledge their background, investigate primary resources for identification Brazil. found most (73.6%) explicitly stated methods used identify specimens. However, papers complete repository institutions vouchered specimens is vanishingly small (5.8%). Additionally, only 40.0% consistently presented taxon authorities years description, rarely referencing publications correctly. turn, number specialists consulted Brazil has increased years, along with procedures identification. Our highlight a shift between generations regarding recognition taxonomy as fundamental science, deepening biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Trends and gaps in the study of fire effects on plant–animal interactions in Brazilian ecosystems

Austral Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 49(1)

Published: Aug. 28, 2023

Abstract Plant–animal interactions are pervasive in terrestrial ecosystems. They hold relevant ecological information for guiding biodiversity conservation and restoration practices. Despite plant–animal being particularly sensitive to disturbance, the knowledge about how fire, a remarkable driver of changes ecosystem structure functioning, affects these relationships is still limited. In this sense, assessment studies investigate fire effects on through systematic review proves be guide future research agenda. study, we reviewed regarding conducted Brazil, which hosts many different fire‐prone fire‐sensitive ecosystems harbours several plant animal species. Supported by an integrative database, summarized main goals, methodologies, taxonomic groups used addressing pointed out some shortfalls that should avoid gaps they shall fulfil. sum, 39 published from 1995 2022 met our criteria inclusion database. Most them were Cerrado mainly evaluated ant–plant or plant–pollinator interactions. addition, generally designed with inappropriate experimental approaches commonly disregard attributes important drivers functioning. Altogether, shows evaluating topic present geographic bias, overlooks particular interactions, have superficial understanding Brazilian

Language: Английский

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