Ants as Bioindicators of Habitat Conservation in a Conservation Area of the Atlantic Forest Biome

Authors

  • Junir Antonio Lutinski Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências da Saúde (PPGCS), Universidade Comunitária da Região de Chapecó-Unochapeco, Santa Catarina, Brasil
  • Cladis Juliana Lutinski Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul (UFFS), Biology Laboratory, SC-484, Km 2 - Fronteira Sul, Chapecó (SC), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1512-8763
  • Adriely Block Serena Universidade Comunitária da Região de Chapecó (Unochapeco), Biology Course, Anjo da Guarda Street, nº 295-D, Efapi, 89809-900, Chapecó (SC), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7442-4522
  • Maria Assunta Busato Health Sciences Postgraduate Program, Anjo da Guarda Street, nº 295-D, Efapi, 89809-900, Chapecó (SC), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0043-7037
  • Flávio Roberto Mello Garcia Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Institute of Biology, Dept. of Ecology, Zoology and Genetics, Lab. of insect ecology, 96010900, Mailbox: 354, Pelotas (RS) – Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0493-1788

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v71i1.9152

Keywords:

bioindicators, diversity, ecology, management

Abstract

Ants are used as bioindicators because they play diverse ecological roles in terrestrial ecosystems. Their richness, abundance, and broad geographic distribution allow these insects to be used to predict the conditions of environmental conservation. This study aimed to evaluate the bioindicator potential of the ant fauna in Parque Estadual do Turvo, Rio Grande do Sul. Sampling was carried out in two events, in January and November of 2019, using soil and canopy pitfall traps, sardine baits, glucose baits, an entomological umbrella, and a sweeping net. We verified the association of ant species to the sampled strata (soil and leaf litter and vegetation) through an Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). We identified 157 species belonging to 32 genera and eight subfamilies. The subfamily with the most outstanding richness was Myrmicinae, with 70 species, followed by Formicinae, with 40 species. The richest genera in the samples were Camponotus (S = 29), Pheidole (S = 23), and Linepithema (S = 11). Overall, 58 species occurred exclusively in the soil and leaf litter stratum and 23 in the arboreal stratum. Nine species had a significant indication value for the sampled strata, seven for soil and leaf litter, and two for the arboreal strata. The results show the potential of ant fauna as a basis for environmental impact studies and management and conservation plans in the southern Atlantic Forest biome.

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Published

2024-03-19

How to Cite

Lutinski, J. A., Lutinski, C. J., Serena, A. B., Busato, M. A., & Mello Garcia, F. R. (2024). Ants as Bioindicators of Habitat Conservation in a Conservation Area of the Atlantic Forest Biome. Sociobiology, 71(1), e9152. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v71i1.9152

Issue

Vol. 71 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Research Article - Ants

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Copyright (c) 2024 Junir Antonio Lutinski, Cladis Juliana Lutinski, Adriely Block Serena, Maria Assunta Busato, Flávio Roberto Mello Garcia

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