The response of ants to climate change

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 28(10), P. 3188 - 3205

Published: March 11, 2022

Abstract Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are one of the most dominant terrestrial organisms worldwide. They hugely abundant, both in terms sheer numbers and biomass, on every continent except Antarctica deeply embedded within a diversity ecological networks processes. also eusocial colonial organisms—their lifecycle is built labor sterile worker ants who support small number reproductive individuals. Given climatic changes that our planet faces, we need to understand how various important taxonomic groups will respond; this includes ants. In review, synthesize available literature tackle question. The answer complicated. ant has focused temperature, broadly ways which thermal may affect colonies, populations, communities. general, expect species living Tropics, thermally variable microhabitats, such as canopy leaf litter environments, be negatively impacted by rising temperatures. Species temperate zones those able buffer their nests soil or behaviorally avoid higher temperatures, however, likely unaffected even benefit from changed climate. How respond other abiotic drivers associated with climate change largely unknown, detail altered populations communities ramify through wider networks. We discuss eusociality allow adapt to, tolerate, solitary cannot identify key geographic phylogenetic hotspots vulnerability resistance. finish emphasizing research questions address moving forward so fully appreciate critical insect group ongoing crisis.

Language: Английский

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Bees display limited acclimation capacity for heat tolerance

Biology Open, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

ABSTRACT Bees are essential pollinators and understanding their ability to cope with extreme temperature changes is crucial for predicting resilience climate change, but studies limited. We measured the response of critical thermal maximum (CTMax) short-term acclimation in foragers six bee species from Greek island Lesvos, which differ body size, nesting habit, level sociality. calculated ratio as a metric assess capacity tested whether bees’ was influenced by size and/or CTMax. also assessed CTMax increases following acute heat exposure simulating wave. Average estimate varied among increased did not significantly shift treatment except sweat Lasioglossum malachurum. Acclimation averaged 9% it associated or Similarly, average increase exposure. These results indicate that bees might have limited enhance tolerance via prior exposure, rendering them physiologically sensitive rapid during weather events. findings reinforce idea insects, like other ectotherms, generally express weak plasticity CTMax, underscoring role behavioral thermoregulation avoidance temperatures. Conserving restoring native vegetation can provide temporary refuges

Language: Английский

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Land use planning and climate change adaptation in river-dependent communities in Nigeria

Environmental Development, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 49, P. 100970 - 100970

Published: Feb. 15, 2024

Land use planning and climate change adaptation are critical for ensuring sustainable development resilience in river-dependent communities Nigeria. This study examines land the Lower Niger River region of The research utilizes a mixed-methods approach. Data were gathered from 198 households through surveys, complemented by 17 qualitative interviews remote sensing techniques to assess dynamics community perceptions. Findings reveal notable trend where impoverished farmers face heightened vulnerability due financial constraints, hindering their adoption adaptive strategies. Specifically, more than half possess individual agricultural purposes yet lack resources effectively mitigate climate-related risks. Among studied communities, Odekpe emerged as particularly vulnerable, with prevalence at 32.3% higher exposure flood-prone zones. quantitative analysis delineates engagement management practices, showcasing proactive resource allocation conflict resolution efforts among over 60% participants. However, significant portion (57.6%) lacked awareness hydrological changes, potentially impeding effective measures. Further mapping revealed shifts cover, highlighting transition predominantly vegetated areas built-up regions past three decades. flood assessment maps underscored substantial across basin, especially downstream regions, indicating risks proximity heavy rainfall. Qualitative insights stakeholder identified challenges planning, including uncertain projections, insufficient data, institutional capacity conflicting priorities. Additionally, participants emphasized need resilient decisions address urbanization impacts, altered drainage patterns, diminishing green spaces. recommends several key actions enhance effectiveness region. These include imperative strengthen capacities, improve processes, integrate traditional knowledge practices into efforts, fortify legal frameworks governing use, prioritize promotion livelihoods local communities.

Language: Английский

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The Evolution and Ecology of Interactions Between Ants and Honeydew-Producing Hemipteran Insects

Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 53(1), P. 379 - 402

Published: Aug. 17, 2022

The interactions between ants and certain sap-feeding insects in the order Hemiptera are classic examples of food-for-protection mutualisms. In these associations, herbivorous hemipterans use a highly specialized, straw-like mouthpart to consume sap directly from plant phloem xylem and, as result, excrete sugar-rich waste product called honeydew. Ant foragers specialized adaptations collect share honeydew with nestmates exchange, protect against predators. two key innovations underlying this interaction—hemipteran feeding ant harvesting honeydew—have driven evolutionary success ecological dominance ants. These also carry unique costs benefits for each partner context dependent. Understanding factors mediating mutualism is critical, have broader consequences natural agricultural ecosystems which they embedded.

Language: Английский

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Machine Learning and Its Applications in Studying the Geographical Distribution of Ants

Diversity, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(9), P. 706 - 706

Published: Aug. 26, 2022

Traditional species distribution modelling relies on the links between and their environments, but often such information is unavailable or unreliable. The objective of our research to take a machine learning (ML) approach estimate ant richness in data-poor countries based published data broader described species. ML novel black box method that does not consider functional environment. Its prediction accuracy limited only by quality quantity records data. applied calculate global achieves 71.78% (decision tree), 70.62% (random forest), 71.09% (logistic regression), 75.18% (neural network) testing accuracy. results show some West African countries, predicted are 1.99 times as many currently recorded. These have lack observational data, policymakers may be overlooking areas require protection.

Language: Английский

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How Does Changing Environment Influence Plant Seed Movements as Populations of Dispersal Vectors Decline?

Plants, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12(7), P. 1462 - 1462

Published: March 27, 2023

Plants differ widely in their ability to find tolerable climatic ranges through seed dispersal, depending on life-history traits and habitat characteristics. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review dispersal mechanisms was conducted elucidate plant movements amid changing environments. Here, highest relative count of studies found Spain (16.47%), followed by Brazil (14.12%), USA (14.12%). The megadiverse, hotspot countries (e.g., Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, India, Indonesia) Africa (Tanzania, South Africa, Democratic Republic Congo) have very low no data about reviewed topic. effects land use changes, degradation/disturbances, climate, extreme weather conditions agents had share across topics countries. Plant diversity distribution anemochorous, endozoochorous, epizoochorous, hydrochorous, myrmecochorous, ornithochorous species are seriously affected environments due altered long-distance dispersal. fruit types commonly associated with endozoochory ornithochory achene, capsule, drupe, fleshy, nut fruits/seeds, whereas samara/winged seeds anemochory. present provides summary evidence how plants climate change as populations vectors decline. Finally, recommendations further study were made based identified knowledge gaps.

Language: Английский

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Fire ant nests: Abundance and size in crops under different agricultural management systems and landscape compositions

Agricultural and Forest Entomology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 24, 2025

Abstract The genus Solenopsis is widely distributed in the Neotropical region, mainly South America. In Brazil, species S. invicta and saevissima , known as fire ants, cause significant impacts, especially agricultural areas open environments with little vegetation. Soil cover environmental variables can influence dimensions occurrence of nests these species. Thus, this study assessed effect management (conventional or organic) dominant landscape (agricultural native vegetation) on rural properties “Cinturão Verde Paulista” southeastern Brazil. Our results indicate a higher abundance conventional management, while are more abundant organic management. morphological revealed that tallest predominantly found landscapes, whereas practices type appear to have no nesting dimensions. These findings contribute our understanding ecological dynamics . They also provide insights into potential strategies for population control highlight importance considering both systems factors when studying invasive species, such

Language: Английский

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Effect of Seasonal Variation on the Cuticular Chemical Composition of Atta laevigata (Smith 1858) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Journal of Chemical Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 51(1)

Published: Jan. 31, 2025

Language: Английский

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Induced drought in an Amazonian forest affects diversity but not foraging distance of generalist ants

Ecological Entomology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 6, 2025

Abstract Ongoing environmental change is forecast to lead lower precipitation and concomitant species losses in tropical regions. These may affect generalist that provide essential ecosystem services, such as controlling the rate at which nutrients become available for uptake by other organisms forests. Here, we use a long‐term (16 years) rainwater exclusion experiment primary Amazonian rainforest (Caxiaunã National Forest, Northern Brazil) test whether induced water stress (“drought”) affects richness of ants, their abundance (i.e., nest density), distance they detect food resources baits). The number ant colonies was reduced 50% drought‐induced plot, composition differed between control (typical moist forest) plots. Although ants nested both drought plots had shorter estimated foraging distances than habitat specialists, these detected baits not affected drought. We conclude extremely high diversity forest be able buffer detrimental effects on resource detection rates ants. Different were also functionally similar wet‐forest cannot forage under drier conditions.

Language: Английский

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Sugar‐Rich Resources Mediate Geographic Morphological Variation in a Dominant, Neotropical Savanna Ant

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 18, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim Trait variation across geographic gradients can reveal how species respond to different environmental settings, which is crucial under the growing threat of climate change. Although on basis evolutionary theory, patterns and drivers intraspecific functional remain largely underexplored. In ants, pilosity body size are morphological traits associated thermoregulation heat tolerance, critical concerns in context global warming. Here, we focused dominant ant Camponotus crassus investigate trait its potential a latitudinal gradient Brazilian Cerrado savanna. Location Taxon Mayr, 1862 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Methods We measured mesosoma C. multiple sites, evaluated their relationship with temperature, rainfall, solar radiation, vegetation sugar‐rich resource variables. also assessed genetic covariation search for possible phenotypic plasticity or adaptation . Results Only resources were found significantly influence pilosity. Specifically, negative between (i.e., proportion plants extrafloral nectaries hemipteran trophobionts) was found. No dissimilarities observed, suggesting plasticity. None variables significant predict size, while this positively covaried genetics. Main Conclusions Our findings suggest availability as factor change, hypothesis previously reported literature. emphasise importance examining large scales, particularly scenario rapid change current work covers still poorly investigated aspect tropical eusocial insects, sheds new light geographical major ecosystem.

Language: Английский

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