Macrobehaviour: behavioural variation across space, time, and taxa

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(12), P. 1177 - 1188

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

We explore how integrating behavioural ecology and macroecology can provide fundamental new insight into both fields, with particular relevance for understanding ecological responses to rapid environmental change. outline the field of macrobehaviour, which aims unite these disciplines explicitly, highlight examples research in this space. Macrobehaviour be envisaged as a spectrum, where ecologists macroecologists use data borrow tools approaches from one another. At heart interdisciplinary considers selection context large-scale factors lead systematic patterns variation across space, time, taxa, turn, influence macroecological processes. has potential enhance forecasts future biodiversity

Language: Английский

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Thermal tolerance regulates foraging behaviour of ants

Ecological Entomology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 47(3), P. 331 - 338

Published: Jan. 17, 2022

Abstract Theory suggests that performance increases with temperature up to an optimization point before rapidly decreasing as animal approaches its upper thermal limit. Here, we use the red harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex barbatus , test predictions about how daily fluctuations and tolerance combine influence one metric of performance—foraging. Over 2 years, tracked 322 foraging trips from 15 colonies in a mixed grass prairie southwestern Oklahoma. During each trip, measured surface temperature, distance, time, worker mass, seed tempo (i.e., running speed). To assess P . heat tolerance, CT max knock‐down resistance field‐collected workers lab. Trip but not decreased increasing resulting increased ants neared their 50°C. Knock‐down trials confirmed 50°C is limit, individuals showed survival 100% at 45°C 0% Worker size collected were unrelated temperature. Our results highlight drive activity, only by limiting also rates near If temperatures continue increase, ability this similar species may be restricted ever‐narrowing window effects potentially extending surrounding community.

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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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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Urbanization strengthens vertical stratification of ant nutrient preferences in a temperate forest ecosystem

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(3), P. e0320380 - e0320380

Published: March 28, 2025

Resource and nutrient availability varies spatially influences animal foraging patterns. Under the compensation hypothesis, animals should preferentially forage for most limiting in environment. Animal preferences have been well studied tropics, where terrestrial arboreal fauna are clearly differentiated limited by different nutrients. In temperate forests, vertical stratification of may be less pronounced its role ecology is poorly understood. Here, we examine preference patterns over a gradient forests nearby urban centers North Carolina, USA. Using bait-choice experiment novel bait design, measured ant community canopy on ground 83 trees across 14 sites assessed diversity composition. Ant did not differ strata or habitat types, but species turnover altered composition to create four distinct assemblages. ants prefer particular either stratum, likely due extensive strata. habitats, however, matched known from tropical systems: preferred protein, while carbohydrates. Rather than stratum-specific limitations, attribute differences changes native species’ intensity addition uniquely with specific preferences. These results underscore necessity testing ecological hypotheses biomes suggest that urbanization produce established via mechanisms.

Language: Английский

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A zoogeographic model for the evolution of diversity and endemism in Madagascar

Ecography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 8, 2025

The delineation of zoogeographic regions is essential for understanding the evolution biodiversity. Madagascar, characterized by high levels endemism and habitat diversity, presents unique challenges opportunities such studies. Traditional global classifications, largely based on vertebrates, may overlook finer‐scale patterns diversity. This study employs comprehensive ant distribution phylogenomic datasets to propose a refined model Madagascar. Utilizing phylogenetic Simpson's turnover, we identified three primary – Eastern, Northern, Western each distinct environmental profiles. Further subdivision revealed nine subregions, reflecting variations in elevation, net productivity, terrain ruggedness. Our findings highlight importance topographical barriers shaping diversity endemism. Notably, observed significant clustering lowland areas differences productivity elevation across regions. underscores value integrating data analyses provides nuanced framework investigating biodiversity offering insights into processes driving speciation island.

Language: Английский

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Ant diversity studies in Brazil: an overview of the myrmecological research in a megadiverse country

Insectes Sociaux, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 69(1), P. 105 - 121

Published: Feb. 1, 2022

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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Different feeding preferences for macronutrients across seasons and sites indicate temporal and spatial nutrient limitation in the black bog ant

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 204(4), P. 959 - 973

Published: April 1, 2024

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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