Ant Fauna in Megadiverse Mountains: a Checklist for the Rocky Grasslands

Authors

  • Fernanda Vieira Costa Federal University of Minas Gerais
  • Rayana Mello Federal University of Minas Gerais
  • Tate Corrêa Lana Federal University of Minas Gerais
  • Frederico de Siqueira Neves Federal University of Minas Gerais

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v62i2.228-245

Keywords:

Ant checklist, altitudinal gradient, campos rupestres, Espinhaço Mountains

Abstract

The rocky grasslands, environments locally known as campos rupestres, occur mainly along the Espinhaço Mountains and are considered local centers of biodiversity and endemism in Brazil. However, knowledge of ant species richness (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in this kind of environment is still poor. Aiming at filling this gap, we compiled information from empirical studies and literature records. We found a total of 288 species of 53 genera and eight subfamilies recorded in rocky grasslands. Myrmicinae and Formicinae were the most representative subfamilies, with 53% and 18% of the total species richness, respectively. The genera with the largest number of species were Pheidole (41) and Camponotus (40). This large number of ant species recorded for the rocky grasslands surpasses those found in other studies conducted in several different places. Ant species richness decreased with altitude; most species occur below 800 m a.s.l. (171), and only a few species occur above1600 m a.s.l. (17). Some genera occur only at a specific altitude (e.g., Azteca and Dolichoderus at 800/900 m a.s.l.; Leptogenys and Labidus at 1400 m a.s.l.), which points out to the potential use of ants as biological indicators. Our results suggest that the rocky grasslands favor high ant diversity. The patterns of ant richness associated with the altitude gradient reinforce the idea of considering the rocky grasslands as priority areas for biological conservation. Moreover, we observed a lack of records on the occurrence of most ant species considered in the present study (93%), which shows that Brazilian myrmecologists need to invest more in taxonomy, management, and data sharing.

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Author Biographies

Fernanda Vieira Costa, Federal University of Minas Gerais

Institute of Biological Sciences/ Insect Ecology' Lab/ Ecology of Mutualism' Lab

Rayana Mello, Federal University of Minas Gerais

Graduate School in Ecology, Conservation, and Wildlife Management, Insect Ecology Lab.

Tate Corrêa Lana, Federal University of Minas Gerais

Graduate School in Ecology, Conservation, and Wildlife Management, Insect Ecology Lab.

Frederico de Siqueira Neves, Federal University of Minas Gerais

Graduate School in Ecology, Conservation, and Wildlife Management, Insect Ecology Lab.

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Published

2015-06-30

How to Cite

Costa, F. V., Mello, R., Lana, T. C., & Neves, F. de S. (2015). Ant Fauna in Megadiverse Mountains: a Checklist for the Rocky Grasslands. Sociobiology, 62(2), 228–245. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v62i2.228-245

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Section

Research Article - Ants

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