Ant community structure and response to disturbances in seasonal semideciduous forest and agricultural matrices in the Brazilian Cerrado
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
This study examines the structure of epigeic and arboreal ant communities in fragments of Seasonal Semideciduous Forest (SSF) and surrounding matrices (soybean and corn crops and fallow fields) in the Brazilian Cerrado. Ants were collected using baited traps placed along transects perpendicular to the forest fragments. Species specificity and habitat fidelity were evaluated using the indicator species index (IndVal). Environmental variables such as fragment size, litter quantity, and edge proximity did not significantly affect ant richness in SSF. However, non-parametric multidimensional scaling revealed clear differences in community structure between habitats (soil and canopy in SSF, and soil in matrices), and among the three land use states in the matrix (soybean, corn, or uncultivated). Rarefaction curves showed higher ant richness in SSF fragments, in soil and trees. Species composition differed across land uses, in the agricultural matrices, although overall richness did not vary significantly. Based on IndVal, five ant species were identified as indicators of SSF soil, and four as indicators of matrix soil. These patterns demonstrate how land use influences ant communities. Since ants perform vital ecological functions, such as nutrient cycling, seed dispersal and soil structuring, changes in their composition can reflect underlying shifts in ecosystem processes. The presence or absence of specific ant species thus serves as a reliable signal of environmental quality. This reinforces the value of ants as effective bioindicators and highlights the importance of conserving native forest fragments amid expanding agricultural landscapes.
Assis, D. S., Santos, I. A., Ramos, F. N., Barrios-Rojas, K. E., Majer, J. D., & Vilela, E. F. (2018). Agricultural matrices affect ground ant assemblage composition inside forest fragments. PLoS ONE, 13(5), e0197697. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197697 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197697
Baccaro, F. B., Feitosa, R. M., Fernandez, F., Fernandes, I. O., Izzo, T. J., Souza, J. L. P., & Solar, R. (2015). Guia para os gêneros de formigas do Brasil. INPA. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.32912
Baccaro, F. B., Ketelhut, S. M., & Morais, J. W. (2011) Efeitos da distância entre iscas nas estimativas de abundância e riqueza de formigas em uma floresta de terra-firme na Amazônia Central. Acta Amazonica, 41(1), 2011, 115-122. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0044-59672011000100013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0044-59672011000100013
Battirola, L. D., Marques, M. I., Adis, J., & Delabie, J. H. C. (2005). Composição da comunidade de Formicidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera) em copas de Attalea phalerata Mart. (Arecaceae), no Pantanal de Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brasil. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, 49(1), 107-117. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0085-56262005000100011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0085-56262005000100011
Bernardes Júnior, E. J., Rocha, E. C., Jesus, F. G., Oliveira, M. A., & Araújo, M. S. (2020). Dry forest fragmentation in Brazilian Cerrado and its effects on communities of ground foraging ants. Florida Entomologist, 103(2), 384-391. https://journals.flvc.org/flaent/article/view/114693/124824 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1653/024.103.0311
Büchi, L., & Vuilleumier, S. (2014). Coexistence of specialist and generalist species is shaped by dispersal and environmental factors. The American Naturalist, 183(5), 612-624. https://doi.org/10.1086/675756 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/675756
Carvalho, F. M. V., De Marco, P., & Ferreira, L. G. (2009). The Cerrado into-pieces: habitat fragmentation as a function of landscape use in the savannas of central Brazil. Biological Conservation, 142(7), 1392-1403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2009.01.031 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2009.01.031
Castro, F. S., Silva, P. G., Solar, R., Fernandes, G. W., & Neves, F. S. (2020). Environmental drivers of taxonomic and functional diversity of ant communities in a tropical mountain. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 13(4), 393-403. https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.12415 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.12415
Chao, A., Gotelli, N. J., Hsieh, T. C., Sander, E. L., Ma, K. H., Colwell, R. K., & Ellison, A. M. (2014). Rarefaction and extrapolation with Hill numbers: a framework for sampling and estimation in species diversity studies. Ecological Monographs, 84(1), 45-67. https://doi.org/10.1890/13-0133.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1890/13-0133.1
Costa, F. V., Blüthgen, N., Viana-Junior, A. B., Guerra, T. J., Spirito, L., & Neves. F. S. (2018). Resilience to fire and climate seasonality drive the temporal dynamics of ant-plant interactions in a fire-prone ecosystem. Ecological Indicators, 93, 247-255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.05.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.05.001
Coutinho, L. M. (2006). O conceito de bioma. Acta Botanica Brasilica, 20(1), 13-23. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-33062006000100002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-33062006000100002
Delabie, J. H. C., & Fowler, H. G. (1995). Soil and litter cryptic ant assemblages of Bahia cocoa plantations. Pedobiologia, 39(5), 423-433. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-4056(24)00209-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-4056(24)00209-9
Dufrêne, M., & Legendre, P. (1997). Species assemblages and indicator species: the need for flexible asymmetrical approach. Ecological Monographs, 67(3), 345-366. https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9615(1997)067[0345:SAAIST]2.0.CO;2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9615(1997)067[0345:SAAIST]2.0.CO;2
Evans, B. S., Kilpatrick, A. M., Hurlbert, A. H., & Marra, P. P. (2017). Dispersal in the urban matrix: assessing the influence of landscape permeability on the settlement patterns of breeding songbirds. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 5, e00063. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2017.00063 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2017.00063
Fahrig, L. (2003). Effects of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 34, 487-515. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.34.011802.132419 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.34.011802.132419
Fahrig, L. (2017). Ecological responses to habitat fragmentation per se. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 48, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110316-022612 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110316-022612
Fichaux, M., Béchade, B., Donald, J., Weyna, A., Delabie, J. H. C., Murienne, J., Baraloto, C., & Orivel, J. (2019). Habitats shape taxonomic and functional composition of Neotropical ant assemblages. Oecologia, 189, 501-513. 10.1007/s00442-019-04341-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-019-04341-z
Ganem, R. S., Drummond, J. A., & Franco, J. L. A. (2013). Conservation polices and control of habitat fragmentation in the Brazilian Cerrado Biome. Ambiente & Sociedade, 16(3), 99-118. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1414-753X2013000300007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1414-753X2013000300007
Hoenle, P. O., Staab, M., Donoso, D. A., Argoti, A., & Blüthgen, N. (2023). Stratification and recovery time jointly shape ant functional reassembly in a neotropical forest. Journal of Animal Ecology, 92(7), 1372-1387. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13896 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13896
Hsieh, T. C., Ma, K. H., & Chao, A. (2022). iNEXT: interpolation and extrapolation for species diversity. R package version 3.0.0 URL. http://chao.stat.nthu.edu.tw/wordpress/software-download/
Laurance, W F. (2008). Theory meets reality: how habitat fragmentation research has transcended island. biogeographic theory. Biological Conservation, 141(7), 1731-1744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2008.05.011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2008.05.011
Lessard, J. P., Stuble, K. L., & Sanders, N. J. (2020). Do dominant ants affect secondary productivity, behavior and diversity in a guild of woodland ants? Diversity, 12(12), 460. https://doi.org/10.3390/d12120460 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/d12120460
MacArthur, R. H., & Wilson, E. O. (1967). The theory of island biogeography. Princeton University Press.
Madureira, M. S., Sobrinho, T. G., & Schoereder, J. H. (2012). Why do ant species occur in the matrix and not in the forests? Invasion from other habitats or expansion from forest gaps (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology, 59(4), 1137-1149. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v59i4.513 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v59i4.513
Mahon, M. B., Penn, H. J., Campbell, K. U., & Crist, T. O. (2023). Differential patterns of taxonomic and functional diversity for two groups of canopy arthropods across spatial scales. Ecosphere, 14(11), e4700. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4700 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4700
Majer, J. D., Day, J. E., Kabay, E. D., & Perriman, W. S. (1984). Recolonization by ants in bauxite mines rehabilitated by a number of different methods. Journal of Applied Ecology, 21(1), 355-375. https://doi.org/10.2307/2403059 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2403059
Mariano, G. V. P., Barboza, F. S., Brito, A. P., Oliveira Júnior, V. D., Santos, A. F. S., Souza, F. M. S., Padilha, R. C., Silva Júnior, W. O., Rocha, E. C., & Vale, V. S. (2024). Edge effect in cerrado seasonal semideciduous forests, Ciencia Florestal, 34(2), 1-21, e67155. https://doi.org/10.5902/1980509867155 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5902/1980509867155
McGeoch, M. A., Rensburg, B. J. V., & Botes, B. (2002). The verification and application of bioindicators: a case study of dung beetles in a savanna ecosystem. Journal of Applied Ecology, 39(4), 661-672. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2664.2002.00743.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2664.2002.00743.x
Nascimento, I. C., Campiolo, S., & Delabie, J. H. C. (2007). Testando o índice “valor indicador individual” de Dufrêne & Legendre sobre uma grande série de dados de formigas da serapilheira do sudeste da Bahia. Biológico, 69(Suplemento 2), 49-52. http://www.biologico.agricultura.sp.gov.br/uploads/docs/bio/suplementos/v69_supl_2/p49-52.pdf
Oksanen, J., Blanchet, F. G., Kindt, R., Legendre, P., Minchin, P. R., O’Hara, R., B., Solymos, P., Stevens, M. H. H., Szoecs. E., Wagner, H., Barbour, M., Bedward, M., Bolker, B., Borcard, D., Borman, T., Carvalho, G., Chirico, M. & Caceres, M. (2025). Vegan: community ecology. R package version 2.7-1. https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=vegan
Oliveira, M. A., Della Lucia, T. M. C., Araújo, M. S., & Cruz, A. P. (1995). A fauna de formigas em povoamentos de eucalipto e mata nativa no Estado do Amapá. Acta Amazonica, 25(1-2), 117-126. https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-43921995252126 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-43921995252126
Oliveira, M. A., Gomes, C. F. F., Pires, E. M., Marinho, C. G. M., & Della Lucia T. M. C. (2014). Bioindicadores ambientais: insetos como um instrumento desta avaliação. Revista Ceres, 61, 800-807. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-737x201461000005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-737x201461000005
Palmer, M. A., & Febria, C. M. (2012). The heartbeat of ecosystems. Science, 336(6087), 1393-1394. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1223250 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1223250
R Development Core Team. (2022). R: a language and environment for statistical computing. [Sofware]. https://www.R-project.org/
Ribeiro, V. S., Paolucci, L. N., Schoereder, J. H., & Solar, R. R. C. (2022). Divergence of ant communities over time in a fragmented Atlantic Rain Forest landscape. Sociobiology, 69(3), e8099. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v69i3.8099 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v69i3.8099
Rodrigues, C. A., Araújo, M. S., Rocha, E. C., Silva, D. A. S., Martinelli, N. M., & Delabie, J. H. C. (2019). Vertical stratification of ant assemblage in Brazilian Savanna phytophysiognomies. Bosque, 40(3), 379-385. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0717-92002019000300379 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4067/S0717-92002019000300379
Rodrigues, P. J. F. P., & Nascimento, M. T. (2006). Fragmentação florestal: breves considerações teóricas sobre efeito de borda. Rodriguésia, 57(1), 63-74. https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860200657105 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860200657105
Silva, N.S., Maciel, E. A., Prado, L. P., Silva, O. G. M., Barbosa, D. A., Andrade-Silva, J., Souza-Campana, D. R., Silva, R. R., Brandão, R. F., Delabie, J. H. C., & Morini, M. S. C. (2024). Ant rarity and vulnerability in Brazilian Atlantic Forest fragments. Biological Conservation, 296, 110640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110640 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110640
Silvestre, R., Brandão, C. R. F., & Silva, R. (2003). Grupos funcionales de hormigas: el caso de los gremios del Cerrado. In F. Fernández (Ed.), Introducción a las hormigas de la región neotropical (pp. 101-136). Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander Von Humboldt. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235744600
Sobrinho T. G., & Schoereder, J. H. (2007). Edge and shape effects on ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) species richness and composition in forest fragments. Biodiversity and Conservation, 16, 1459-1470. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-006-9011-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-006-9011-3
Spiesman, B. J., & Cumming, G. S. (2008). Communities in context: the influences of multiscale environmental variation on local ant community structure. Landscape Ecology, 23, 313-325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-007-9186-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-007-9186-3
Strassburg, B. B. N., Brooks, T., Feltran-Barbieri, R., Iribarrem, A., Crouzeilles, R.,Loyola, R., Latawiec, A. E., Oliveira Filho, F. J. B., Scaramuzza, C. A. M., Scarano, F. R., Soares-Filho, B., & Balmford, A. (2017). Moment of truth for the Cerrado hotspot. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 1(4), 0099. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-017-0099 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-017-0099
Suguituru, S. S., Silva, R. R., Souza, D. R., Munhae, C. B., & Morini, M. S. C. (2011). Ant community richness and composition across a gradient from Eucalyptus plantations to secondary Atlantic Forest. Biota Neotropica, 11(1), 369-376. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1676-06032011000100034 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1676-06032011000100034
Tavares, P. D., Uzeda, M. C., & Pires, A. S. (2019). Biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes: the importance of the matrix. Floresta e Ambiente, 26(4), e20170664. https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087.066417 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087.066417
Tews, J., Brose, J., Grimm, V., Tielbörger, K., Wichmann, M. C., & Jeltsch, F. (2004). Animal species diversity driven by habitat heterogeneity/diversity: the importance of keystone structures. Journal of Biogeography, 31(1), 79-92. 2004. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0305-0270.2003.00994.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0305-0270.2003.00994.x
Tiede, Y., Schlautmann, J., Donoso, D. A., Wallis, C. B., Bendix, J., Brandl, R., & Farwig, N. (2017). Ants as indicators of environmental change and ecosystem processes. Ecological Indicators, 83, 527-537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.01.029 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.01.029
Wickham, H. (2016). ggplot2: Elegant graphics for data analysis. Springer-Verlag, New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24277-4_9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24277-4_9
Widenfalk, L. A., Malmström, A., Berg, M. P., & Bengtsson, J. (2016). Small-scale collembola community composition in a pine forest soil – Overdispersion in functional traits indicates the importance of species interactions. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 103, 52-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2016.08.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2016.08.006
- Lígia Alves de Paiva, Wanessa de Carvalho Resende, Cinthia Luzia Teixeira Silva, André Cirilo de Sousa Almeida, Paulo Cesar Ribeiro da Cunha, Flávio Gonçalves de Jesus, Resistencia de cultivares de frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris) a Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) , Revista Colombiana de Entomología: Vol. 44 No. 1 (2018)
Accepted 2025-05-10
Published 2025-07-31
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors retain the copyright on their work and are responsible for the ideas expressed in them. Once a manuscript is approved for publication, authors are asked for a publication license for the term of legal protection, for all territories that allows the use, dissemination and disclosure of the same.