Richness of Termites and Ants in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil

Abstract

Previous studies on the effects of environmental factors, such as altitude, latitude, temperature, deforestation, forest fragmentation, fire, and flood on the community structure of termites and ants were conducted in various regions of Brazil; few of them were carried out in the southernmost Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Here we describe termites and ants diversity at different sites along the four geomorphologic units of this state. We recorded 16 taxa of termites, of which three are new state records, increasing to 19 the number of termite species known to occur in the state. Accordingly, we also found 73 species and 115 morphospecies of ants, of which only one was a new record, raising to 265 taxa the number of ant species known to occur in the state. As expected, we found a higher species richness of ants than termites. The low richness of both groups relative to other Brazilian regions could be a consequence of the subtropical to temperate climate in the state, since most portions of the state are below 30o latitude, the study areas be above 500 m altitude, and other environmental characteristics of each site. We suggest a positive relationship between species richness of termites and altitude, while ant richness indicated an inverse relationship. However, our data are not conclusive, due to the low number of replications in each altitude, particularly for termites. This study is unique in presenting an updated checklist of termites and ants in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Ground-Dwelling and Vegetation Ant Fauna in Southern Brazilian Grasslands

“…Discussion This study represents the first attempt to characterize the ant fauna from South Brazilian grasslands reaching sites distributed in two biomes sampled long-term in two target microhabitats. The survey presents the highest ant richness already recorded for these ecosystems, and also adds two new ant species records to Rio Grande do Sul state (based on Diehl et al, 2014 and 1929(Ant Maps, 2016Ant Wiki, 2016). Furthermore, a new species was found (Acanthoponera sp.…”

First standardized inventory of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the natural grasslands of Paraná: New records for Southern Brazil

“…For example, Diehl et al (2014) listed a total richness of 127 ant species in the inventory of Rio Grande do Sul state, fewer than the total recorded in PEG.…”

“…In the last years, only a few number of ant surveys were conducted in the Brazilian southern grasslands, all in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Diehl et al, 2005;Diehl et al, 2014;Albuquerque & Diehl, 2009;Rosado et al, 2012). Diehl et al (2005) found 60 species in a sampling expedition to three habitats within Itapuã State Park, a coastal area with sandy soil.…”

“…Rosado et al (2012) recorded 72 species using pitfall traps in 60 sampling points in each of three different grassland areas. The most recent comprehensive inventory of ant diversity in Rio Grande do Sul compiled data from 13 collection sites, including all the different physiognomies found in the state (Diehl et al, 2014) and five sampling methods: manual sampling, baits, Winkler extractors, pitfall traps, and underground traps.…”

Simple does not mean poor: grasslands and forests harbor similar ant species richness and distinct composition in highlands of southern Brazil

“…Less works called attention to animal species, which also occur as endemic in grasslands around the world (Bond & Parr 2010). Thus, surveys of arthropods richness and abundance can provide interesting data about the value of such grasslands for the conservation of animal diversity (Albuquerque & Diehl 2009, Azcárate & Peco 2012, Rosado et al 2012, Diehl et al 2014.…”