Article
Ecology
Francois Brassard, Magen J. Pettit, Brett P. Murphy, Alan N. Andersen
Summary: Fire plays a dominant role in shaping faunal communities globally. However, our study shows that after 17 years of experimental fire treatments, fire has limited effects on ant communities, while woody cover is a strong predictor for ant species' responses.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Qianqian Zuo, Shaojun Wang, Ping Wang, Qianbin Cao, Shuang Zhao, Bo Yang
Summary: The study found that different feeding habits of underground-nesting ants can impact nitrogen mineralization in tropical forests, with honeydew-harvester ants having the most significant influence.
Article
Plant Sciences
Neha Mohanbabu, Michiel P. Veldhuis, Dana Jung, Mark E. Ritchie
Summary: Allocating plant defense traits depends on resource supply, herbivory, and other plant functional traits. However, integrating defense with resource acquisitive traits remains challenging.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kirrilly Pfitzner, Renee Bartolo, Tim Whiteside, David Loewensteiner, Andrew Esparon
Summary: The study used miniaturisation of hyperspectral sensors on drones to monitor non-native grass species, revealing subtle spectral differences that can be used to distinguish between species. The late dry season and end of the wet season provided the best timeframe for obtaining spectral data on non-native grass species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Patrick D. Milligan, Timothy A. Martin, Elizabeth G. Pringle, Corinna Riginos, Gabriella M. Mizell, Todd M. Palmer
Summary: The study shows that the common behavior of invasive ants, such as nesting near roots, can directly reduce carbon fixation and storage of Acacia drepanolobium saplings, affecting plant growth and development.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juliana Teixeira, Lara Souza, Soizig Le Stradic, Alessandra Fidelis
Summary: Fire is an important environmental factor in tropical savanna ecosystems, influencing functional diversity, carbon pools, and fluxes. The study found that fire promoted biomass increase, improved functional diversity, and had varying effects on carbon balance. However, the specific role of functional diversity and ecosystem structure in mediating the impact of fire on ecosystem functions needs further investigation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ashish N. Nerlekar, Avishkar Munje, Pranav Mhaisalkar, Ankila J. Hiremath, Joseph W. Veldman
Summary: The consequences of land-use change in western Maharashtra, India, result in declines in old-growth savannas and changes in plant communities, with decreased native species richness and cover, as well as increased cover of invasive species. Among the different land-use types, tillage agriculture has the greatest dissimilarity to old-growth savannas.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gabriella Damasceno, Alessandra Fidelis
Summary: The impacts of invasive alien species are influenced by their abundance and do not follow linear trends due to ecological interactions. Abundance-impact curves help inform management interventions by showing how per-capita impact changes as the invader becomes more abundant. This study found that increasing abundance of the invasive grass Urochloa decumbens had nonlinear effects on microhabitat properties, but linearly reduced temperature fluctuations. The invader had higher per-capita effects on native grasses at low abundance levels and on species richness at moderate invasion levels.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Filippo M. Bassi, Miguel Sanchez-Garcia, Rodomiro Ortiz
Summary: After two decades of debates, climate change is certain, food systems have shifted and hopes for GMOs have been mitigated. Plant breeding can increase genetic gains through improved accuracy of selection, promotion of useful genetic variance, and shorter recycling time. However, maintaining high selection intensity remains the biggest challenge. The future of plant breeders may rely more on genomic-based selection methods and big data, reducing field work time.
Article
Plant Sciences
Laura C. Leal, Anselmo Nogueira, Paulo E. C. Peixoto
Summary: This study investigated the outcome of protective mutualisms between ants and plants with extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) and found that both plant and ant traits influenced the mutualistic outcome. The combination of traits exhibited by the partners can vary in intricate ways and affect the impact of ant attendance on plants.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Shaohua Chen, Haikun Zhao, Graciela B. Raga, Philip J. Klotzbach
Summary: This study highlights the significant influences of tropical transbasin variability (TBV) and ENSO on tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific, eastern North Pacific, and North Atlantic Ocean basins. The modulation of TC counts varies in each basin due to different effects of TBV and ENSO, with low-level relative vorticity and large-scale factors playing important roles in regulating TC frequency.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Gabriel Marcacci, Catrin Westphal, Vikas S. Rao, Shabarish Kumar S., K. B. Tharini, Vasuki V. Belavadi, Nils Noelke, Teja Tscharntke, Ingo Grass
Summary: Urbanization is a complex and significant factor in shaping plant-pollinator networks, with seasonal dynamics and environmental filtering playing a larger role than spatial distance in determining interaction diversity. Furthermore, urbanization amplifies these dynamics, particularly in terms of seasonal turnover and native plant species.
Article
Economics
Brantley Liddle, Fakhri J. Hasanov, Steven Parker
Summary: This study examines whether road-fuel income and price elasticities have changed over time in middle-income countries. The findings suggest that while there is some temporal heterogeneity, it is less pronounced than the country-level heterogeneity. On average, the road-fuel income elasticity in middle-income countries ranges between 1 and 0.8, and the road-fuel price elasticity is close to -0.2. Additionally, there is no strong evidence indicating that road-fuel demand has become saturated or that efficiency improvements have made consumers less price sensitive in middle-income countries.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART A-POLICY AND PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tercia Strydom, Izak P. J. Smit, Navashni Govender, Corli Coetsee, Jenia Singh, Andrew B. B. Davies, Brian W. W. van Wilgen
Summary: Woody thickening or 'bush encroachment' is a global concern in savannas, and high-intensity fires were initially thought to reverse it. However, after 10 years of monitoring, it was found that the different fire treatments did not result in a significant difference in woody encroachment, indicating that high-intensity fires may not be an effective solution.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Yuhao Cai, Xiang Han, Haikun Zhao, Philip J. Klotzbach, Liguang Wu, Graciela B. Raga, Chao Wang
Summary: This study reveals an enhanced relationship between snow depth in the eastern Tibetan Plateau in January-March and the frequency of rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific during the following peak TC season. The correlation between these two factors is significant in recent years, but was insignificant in the past. The relationship is influenced by the presence of an anomalous anticyclone and the associated wind anomalies and cooler sea surface temperatures in the subtropical eastern North Pacific.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Isamara Mendes-Silva, Drielly Queiroga, Eduardo S. Calixto, Helena M. Torezan-Silingardi, Kleber Del-Claro
Summary: The Polistinae wasp Brachygastra lecheguana in the Brazilian tropical savanna utilizes a combination of visual, chemical, and possibly tactile cues to find endophytic weevil larvae inside floral buds. The use of multiple cues guarantees a high predation rate, potentially benefiting the reproduction of the host plant.
Review
Entomology
F. A. Schmidt, C. R. Ribas, R. M. Feitosa, F. B. Baccaro, A. C. M. de Queiroz, T. G. Sobrinho, Y. Quinet, K. S. Carvalho, T. Izzo, M. S. de Castro Morini, A. Nogueira, H. M. Torezan-Silingardi, J. L. P. Souza, M. A. Ulyssea, A. B. Vargas, W. Dattilo, K. Del-Claro, T. Marques, A. B. Moraes, L. Paolucci, A. M. Rabello, J. C. Santos, R. Solar, E. Z. de Albuquerque, F. Esteves, R. B. F. Campos, D. Lange, L. Nahas, I. A. dos Santos, R. R. Silva, S. A. Soares, G. P. Camacho, C. B. da Costa-Milanez, W. DaRocha, E. Diehl-Fleig, T. Frizzo, A. Y. Harada, F. Martello
Summary: Scientometric investigation and scientific production analysis are crucial for the advancement of science. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of ant diversity research in Brazil, revealing that the majority of studies focus on the Atlantic Forest and Amazon Forest biomes. Pitfall traps, direct sampling, and attractive baits are the most commonly used sampling techniques, and the main subjects of the papers include ant assemblage diversity and ant fauna surveys. The study provides valuable insights and recommendations for future research directions, and proposes the replication of similar studies in other regions to gain a global perspective on ant diversity research.
Article
Entomology
P. S. M. Jr Pacheco, D. Anjos, K. Del-Claro
Summary: In this study, the natural history of the ant Pseudomyrmex concolor nesting inside Tachigali myrmecophila in the Brazilian Amazon was investigated. The nest architecture, colony structure, and activity rhythm of P. concolor were described. It was found that the colony structure of P. concolor depends on plant traits and that mealybugs are their only food source. The ant has a bimodal cycle of activity and is mainly active during the rainy season nights in the Amazon.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Kleber Del-Claro, Diego Anjos, Helena Maura Torezan-Silingardi
Summary: The research reveals that Cephalotes pusillus ants prefer beetle frass, which is more attractive to workers in vulnerable conditions, leading them to nest in tubes with frass more quickly.
JOURNAL OF ETHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Leticia Rodrigues Novaes, Eduardo Soares Calixto, Larissa Alves-de-Lima, Marcos Lima de Oliveira, Kleber Del-Claro, Helena Maura Torezan-Silingardi
Summary: Road edge effects have direct and indirect influences on plant reproductive components, with varying species-specific responses. Wind-dispersed plants in a Brazilian savanna reserve are affected by road edge effects up to a distance of 30 meters.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Bruno de Sousa-Lopes, Marcelo Nogueira Rossi, Kleber Del-Claro
Summary: In animals, changes in color pigmentation are usually adaptive to environmental factors. The authors tested the thermal melanism hypothesis in a seed-beetle species and found that melanic beetles were larger and had an impact on seed germination and mortality. This study highlights the importance of plant varieties in driving the morphology of seed-beetles.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Renan Fernandes Moura, Cynthia Martins Villar Couto, Kleber Del-Claro
Summary: This study investigated the effects of ant nest abundance and richness on a Neotropical plant. The results showed that an increase in ant nest abundance reduced foliar herbivory and increased fruit production, while an increase in ant nest richness was associated with higher foliar herbivory and reduced fruit production. Furthermore, plants with higher leaf production and surrounded by more neighboring plants with extrafloral nectaries had reduced herbivory.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Antonio C. M. Queiroz, Tatianne G. Marques, Carla R. Ribas, Tatiana G. Cornelissen, Anselmo Nogueira, Fernando A. Schmidt, Rodrigo M. Feitosa, Tathiana G. Sobrinho, Yves Quinet, Fabricio B. Baccaro, Monica A. Ulyssea, Andre B. Vargas, Maria Santina C. Morini, Jorge L. P. Souza, Lucas N. Paolucci, Wesley Dattilo, Kleber Del-Claro, Denise Lange, Jean C. Santos, Rogerio R. Silva, Renata B. F. Campos, Emilia Z. Albuquerque, Thiago Izzo, Ananza M. Rabello, Ricardo R. C. Solar, Stela A. Soares, Karine S. Carvalho, Aline B. Moraes, Helena M. Torezan-Silingardi, Larissa Nahas, Iracenir Andrade dos Santos, Cinthia B. Costa-Milanez, Flavia Esteves, Tiago Frizzo, Ana Y. Harada, Wesley DaRocha, Eduardo Diehl-Fleig
Summary: This study quantitatively investigated the relationship between ant diversity and climatic seasonality based on published data on ant diversity collected in Brazil. The study found a clear pattern of higher ant abundance and richness in the wet/summer season compared with the dry/winter season. The study also highlighted the need for further research on temporal diversity patterns, including seasonal effects, in less investigated biomes.
Article
Parasitology
Victor Aguiar de Souza Penha, Fabricius Maia Chaves Bicalho Domingos, Alan Fecchio, Jeffrey A. Bell, Jason D. Weckstein, Robert E. Ricklefs, Erika Martins Braga, Patricia de Abreu Moreira, Leticia Soares, Steven Latta, Graziela Tolesano-Pascoli, Renata Duarte Alquezar, Kleber Del-Claro, Lilian Tonelli Manica
Summary: This study explored the relationship between avian life-history traits, climate, and the prevalence of Plasmodium and Parahaemoproteus parasites. The results showed that species inhabiting open habitats and species with longer incubation periods had higher parasite prevalence. Additionally, species without migratory behavior, engaging in mixed-species flocks, and with an omnivorous or animal-derived diet had higher prevalence of Plasmodium infection.
Article
Ecology
Renan Fernandes Moura, Kleber Del-Claro
Summary: Plants with extra-floral nectaries (EFNs) can share indirect defenses with neighboring plants by attracting mutualistic ants. Support plants with EFNs indirectly benefit EFN-bearing plants by sharing ant species composition. However, there were no differences in fruit production between the two groups of plants.
Article
Plant Sciences
Melina S. Galdiano, Eduardo S. Calixto, Helena M. Torezan-Silingardi
Summary: This study investigated the performance of Struthanthus polyanthus, a hemiparasitic plant, in three different host species. The results showed significant effects of host plants and abiotic variables on the hemiparasitic plant and its floral visitors. Host plants influenced the reproductive components of S. polyanthus and significantly affected the composition and behavior of its floral visitors. Additionally, abiotic factors influenced the time spent per flower and the number of flowers visited by the floral visitors of S. polyanthus.
Article
Ecology
Renan Fernandes Moura, Liegy Resende dos Santos, Vitor Miguel da Costa Silva, Roberth Fagundes, Kleber Del-Claro
Summary: Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) are nectar-secreting plant glands not related to pollination. They function as indirect defense by attracting predatory ants to protect plants from herbivores and distracting ants away from sap-sucking herbivores. This study found that EFNs can reduce plant damage by attracting predatory ants, but their effectiveness is enhanced when combined with the presence of sap-sucking herbivores.
ARTHROPOD-PLANT INTERACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Eduardo Soares Calixto, Kleber Del-Claro, Denise Lange, Judith Bronstein
Summary: Plants have evolved inducible defenses to minimize costs of constitutive defenses. However, this can leave them vulnerable between damage and defense onset. Little research has examined time course in inducible protective mutualism between ants and extrafloral nectary-bearing plants. This study evaluates extrafloral nectar production and ant attendance over time in response to different levels of herbivore damage in a Brazilian tree.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rodrigo M. Feitosa, Thiago S. R. Silva, Gabriela P. Camacho, Monica A. Ulyssea, Natalia Ladino, Aline M. M. Oliveira, Emilia Z. de Albuquerque, Carla R. Ribas, Fernando A. Schmidt, Maria Santina de C. Morini, Rogerio R. da Silva, Wesley Dattilo, Antonio C. M. de Queiroz, Fabricio B. Baccaro, Jean C. Santos, Karine S. Carvalho, Tathiana G. Sobrinho, Yves P. Quinet, Aline B. Moraes, Andre B. Vargas, Helena Maura Torezan-Silingardi, Jorge Luiz P. Souza, Tatianne Marques, Thiago Izzo, Denise Lange, Iracenir A. A. dos Santos, Kleber Del-Claro, Larissa Nahas, Lucas Paolucci, Stela A. Soares, Ana Y. Harada, Ananza M. Rabello, Cinthia B. da Costa-Milanez, Eduardo Diehl-Fleig, Renata B. F. Campos, Ricardo Solar, Tiago Frizzo, Wesley DaRocha, Anselmo Nogueira
Summary: This study analyzed 470 studies on Brazilian ant diversity published in the last 50 years and found that while most studies declared their identification methods, few provided complete data and correctly referenced taxonomic publications. However, there has been an increase in the number of specialists and institutions involved in ant identification in Brazil, as well as more studies explicitly presenting their taxonomic procedures.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)