Abstract
The knowledge of ant assemblages that occurs in Conservation Units in the Atlantic Forest domain is a priority, considering the number of endemic species and the impacts that this biome has been suffering. The aim of this study was to evaluate ant assemblages in the Turvo State Park, which is the largest conservation unit in the State of Rio Grande do Sul and presents an important role on biodiversity protection. Two samplings were conducted in 2019, one in the summer (January) and the other in the spring (November and December), at five sites 2 km apart, with pitfall traps (soil and canopy), sardine baits, glucose, beating net, sweeping net and manual collection. We sampled 121 species in the summer and 120 in the spring, totaling 163 ant species. A total of 78 species (47.8%) occurred in both sampling seasons. The richest genera in the study were Camponotus (S = 30), Pheidole (S = 23) and Linepithema (S = 11). Seventeen species were recorded for the first time for Rio Grande do Sul state. The results indicate that this is one of the most species-rich assemblages of ants ever surveyed in a conservation unit in southern Brazil. The study highlights the importance of Conservation Units as protected environments against habitat loss for ant biodiversity. The results of this study contribute to myrmecofauna knowledge and serve as a basis for environmental impact studies, management plans and conservation of Atlantic Forest remnants.
Highlights
The Brazilian biodiversity is one of the biggest in the world, given the presence of biomes such as the Atlantic Forest which concentrates high biodiversity and endemism
The knowledge of the remaining biodiversity in Biome Conservation Units such as in the fragmented Atlantic Forest becomes crucial for the creation and implementation of management and conservation plans
The aim of this study was to describe ant assemblages occurring in the deciduous seasonal forest of Turvo State Park, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, through different sampling methods in two sampling seasons
Summary
The Brazilian biodiversity is one of the biggest in the world, given the presence of biomes such as the Atlantic Forest which concentrates high biodiversity and endemism. The natural environments conversion into agro-ecosystems or urban areas results in fragmentation and loss of habitats and biodiversity. Whether by limiting gene flow or loss of habitats, biodiversity, especially endemic species of animals and plants are threatened (Kulevicz et al, 2020). The knowledge of the remaining biodiversity in Biome Conservation Units such as in the fragmented Atlantic Forest becomes crucial for the creation and implementation of management and conservation plans. The presence of ants provides interspecific interactions and indicates biodiversity (Silvestre et al, 2003). The knowledge of the ant fauna becomes important for the conservation of the environments where they live, providing subsidies for management and conservation plans
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