Capacity and establishment rules govern the number of nonnative species in communities of ground-dwelling invertebrates.

Nonnative species are a key agent of global change. However, nonnative invertebrates remain understudied at the community scales where they are most likely to drive local extirpations. We use the North American NEON pitfall trapping network to document the number of nonnative species from 51 invertebrate communities, testing four classes of drivers. We sequenced samples using the eDNA from the sample's storage ethanol. We used AICc informed regression to evaluate how native species richness, productivity, habitat, temperature, and human population density and vehicular traffic account for continent-wide variation in the number of nonnative species in a local community. The percentage of nonnatives varied 3-fold among habitat types and over 10-fold (0%-14%) overall. We found evidence for two types of constraints on nonnative diversity. Consistent with Capacity rules (i.e., how the number of niches and individuals reflect the number of species an ecosystem can support) nonnatives increased with existing native species richness and ecosystem productivity. Consistent with Establishment Rules (i.e., how the dispersal rate of nonnative propagules and the number of open sites limits nonnative species richness) nonnatives increased with automobile traffic-a measure of human-generated propagule pressure-and were twice as common in pastures than native grasslands. After accounting for drivers associated with a community's ability to support native species (native species richness and productivity), nonnatives are more common in communities that are regularly seasonally disturbed (pastures and, potentially deciduous forests) and those experiencing more vehicular traffic. These baseline values across the US North America will allow NEON's monitoring mission to document how anthropogenic change-from disturbance to propagule transport, from temperature to trends in local extinction-further shape biotic homogenization.

Monitoring Arthropods in maize and pasture fields in São Miguel and São Jorge Islands: IPM-Popillia Project.

Background: The dataset presented here is an achievement of the H2020 European project "Integrated Pest Management of the Invasive Japanese Beetle, Popilliajaponica (IPM-Popillia)". This project addresses the challenge of a new risk to plant health in Europe, the invasion of the Japanese beetle, Popilliajaponica (Newman, 1838) (Coleoptera, Rutelidae) and provides an environmentally friendly IPM Toolbox to control the expanding pest populations across Europe. This study aims to present the records of terrestrial arthropod diversity with a special focus on four groups belonging to Carabids and Staphylinid beetles (Coleoptera), Opiliones and Anisolabididae (Dermaptera), collected with the potential to be used as biocontrol agents against P.japonica in future Integrated Pest Management programmes. A thorough sampling programme was conducted in maize and pasture fields in two Islands of the Azores (São Miguel and São Jorge) in the summer of 2022. New information: We provided an inventory of the arthropods recorded in two Azorean agroecosystems (maize and pasture fields) from São Miguel and São Jorge Islands. A total of ten maize and ten pasture fields were sampled and a total of 360 pitfall traps were installed, 216 in São Miguel and 144 in São Jorge, for seven consecutive days in August and September of 2022.We collected 18559 specimens belonging to the phylum Arthropoda, four classes, twelve orders, twenty-six families and forty morphospecies (two identified at the family level as carabid and Staphylinid larvae and 38 identified at the species level). We identified 38 taxa at the species level (n = 18281). Of the 38 identified taxa, 18 species were predators, 15 were plant feeders and five were omnivores. The 18 predators belong to the following families: 10 species were Carabidae, two Staphylinidae, one Anisolabididae, one Chrysopidae, one Leiobunidae, one Nabidae, one Phalangiidae and one Scathophagidae. Concerning the origin of the predators, we recorded five native species: two Carabidae, one Leiobunidae, one Scathophagidae and one Nabidae. The other 13 predator species were introduced or indeterminate.

Assessing the effects of climate change on arthropod abundance in Azorean pastures: PASTURCLIM project's baseline monitoring data.

Background: The data we present are part of the project PASTURCLIM (Impact of climate change on pasture's productivity and nutritional composition in the Azores). The project aims to assess the consequences of climate change (e.g. temperature increase) on the grass production and its quality for forage, as well as to assess changes in the arthropod communities associated with the Azorean intensive pastures. An in situ experiment was set up using Open Top Chambers (OTCs), in order to simulate an increasing of temperature (average of +1.2ºC) on pastures. In this contribution, we present the data relative to the arthropod sampling. New information: We provide an inventory of all arthropods recorded inside OTCs and in control plots in three intensively managed pastures dominated by grasses in Terceira Island (Azores): two of them dominated by ryegrass, Loliummultiflorum Lam. (Poaceae), located respectively at 186 m and 301 m above sea level; and one field dominated by common velvetgrass, Holcuslanatus L. (Poaceae), located at an altitude of 385 m.A total of 41351 specimens were collected. Organisms collected belong to four classes, 15 orders, 60 families and 171 species/morphospecies (including 34 taxa identified only at order, family or genus level). Therefore, for only 137 taxa, we have a scientific name associated (n = 38918). A total of 75% of the species (n = 129 species) are considered introduced (including all the species with indeterminate colonisation status that are possibly also exotic species (n = 7622)), representing 71% of the total abundance (n = 29664 specimens). A total of 19% of the species (n = 33 species) are considered native non-endemic representing 28% of the total abundance (n = 11608 specimens). Only one endemic species was sampled, the wolf spider Pardosaacorensis Simon, 1883 (1% of the species), representing 0.2% of the total abundance (n = 79 specimens). Spiders (5056 specimens) and beetles (18310 specimens) were the dominant taxa representing, respectively, 20 and 78 morphospecies.Since the main aim of this study was to have a better knowledge on arthropod communities present in Azorean pastures under a simulated temperature increase, the principal novelty of this paper is the contribution with distribution and abundance data to a baseline knowledge on the future consequences of climate changes on arthropod communities in Azorean pastures.

Desert Ants Learn to Avoid Pitfall Traps While Foraging.

Central-place foragers, such as social insects or nesting birds, repeatedly use the same routes from and to their nests when foraging for food. Such species forage more efficiently after accumulating experience. We examined, here, a relatively neglected aspect of such an improvement with experience-the avoidance of pitfall traps. Similar pits are built by antlions, which co-occur with the ants, but they also resemble other natural obstacles. We used the desert ant Cataglyphis niger, common in sandy habitats, and allowed it to forage for three successive runs for a food reward. Ant workers discovered food more slowly and in smaller numbers when pits were in their path. Pit presence also led to longer tracks by ants and slower movement. However, with experience, the ants fell into such pits less often and reached the food more quickly. To understand how past conditions affect current behavior, we investigated whether removing or adding pits led to a different result to that with a constant number of pits. Workers adjusted their behavior immediately when conditions changed. The only carryover effect was the longer tracks crossed by workers after pit removal, possibly resulting from the mismatch between the past and current conditions. Finally, the workers were more likely to fall into pits that were closer to the nest than those that were further away. This is a good example of the advantage that ambush predators can derive from ambushing their prey in specific locations.

Carabids species diversity in Mediterranean beech forests.

BACKGROUND: Carabid beetles are gaining more and more attention in applied studies on environmental monitoring or evaluation of natural resources, probably because they can be used as model organisms. Data on the biology and species richness and abundance of carabids could give valuable information in such applied studies, but online resources are not so informative, at least for Italy. To start filling this gap, a data table (Darwin Core formatted) was uploaded in GBIF database. The table is the result of a pitfall trapping survey of carabids living in a small part of the beech forest ecosystem of the Calabria Region (Italy). Amongst the collected species, few were very abundant, which are likely to be the characterising species of the studied ecosystem. NEW INFORMATION: Online datasets of Italian carabids are absent and information about the species biology, richness and abundance often lies in hard-copy papers. The dataset provided here is the first tentative approach, at least for the Italian fauna, to propose a formal structure for data on carabids acquired by field surveys and to give open access to these data. Furthermore, the need for new Darwin Core terms was commented upon briefly.

Ground beetles (Carabidae) in urban habitats of Kaluga City (Russia).

BACKGROUND: Ground beetles (Carabidae, Coleoptera) are one of the most species-rich and well-studied insect families. However, the number of published datasets is disproportionately low against the biodiversity of this group. According to GBIF, only a fifth of the percentage of all published data covers ground beetles. This article describes a sampling-event dataset providing primary data on ground beetles collected in urban and suburban habitats in Kaluga, a typical central Russian city. We surveyed habitats of different land-use types and the extent and intensity of anthropogenic influence: yards, gardens, quarries, small urban woodlands, grasslands and riparian habitats. Carabids were collected by pitfall traps during most of the vegetative season (mostly from late April - early May to at least early October) for 13 seasons between 1994 and 2015. In total, the dataset contains 189 carabid species and 79,091 specimens. The dataset provides information about species composition and abundance, habitat distribution, seasonal and long-term dynamics of carabid beetles in environments of different degrees of urbanisation. NEW INFORMATION: This dataset is the first sampling-event dataset about carabids in various urban habitats published through GBIF.

Direct and indirect effects of geographic and environmental factors on ant beta diversity across Amazon basin.

Understanding the direct and indirect effects of niche and neutral processes in structuring species diversity is particularly challenging because environmental factors are often geographically structured. Here, we used Structural Equation Modeling to quantify direct and indirect effects of geographic distance, the Amazon River's opposite margins, and environmental differences in temperature, precipitation, and vegetation density (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index-NDVI) on ant beta diversity (Jaccard's dissimilarity) across Amazon basin. We used a comprehensive survey of ground-dwelling ant species from 126 plots distributed across eight sampling sites along a broad environmental gradient. We found that geographic distance and NDVI differences were the major direct predictors of ant composition dissimilarity. The major indirect effect was that of temperature through NDVI, whereas precipitation neither had direct or indirect detectable effects on beta diversity. Thus, ant compositional dissimilarity seems to be mainly driven by a combination of isolation by distance (through dispersal limitation) and selection imposed by vegetation density, and indirectly, by temperature. Our results suggest that neutral and niche processes have been similarly crucial in driving the current beta diversity patterns of Amazonian ground-dwelling ants.

Monitoring Arthropods in Azorean Agroecosystems: the project AGRO-ECOSERVICES.

BACKGROUND: The data we present are part of the AGRO-ECOSERVICES project (Assessing ecosystem services and disservices provided by arthropod species in Azorean agroecosystems). The project aims to evaluate the relative importance of native and non-native organisms as ecosystem services (ES) and disservices (ED) providers, by combining novel, direct and quantitative tools for monitoring agro-biodiversity. Ecosystem services include evaluation of natural pest control by predation, seed predation on weed plants, pollination, decomposition and ecosystem disservices, herbivory and seed predation on crop plants. Active Aerial Searching (AAS) (only in maize-fields) and pitfall traps were used to sample the arthropod biodiversity (predatory spiders, true-bugs and beetles and main insect pests) on four agricultural habitats of Terceira Island, namely citrus orchards, low and high elevation maize fields and vineyards. NEW INFORMATION: We provided an inventory of all arthropods recorded in four Azorean agroecosystems (citrus orchards, low and high elevation maize fields and vineyards) from Terceira Island. A total of 50412 specimens were collected, belonging to four classes, 20 orders, 81 families and 200 identified species of arthropods. A total of 127 species are considered introduced (n = 22646) and 69 native non-endemic (n = 24117). Four endemic species were recorded with very few specimens (n = 14) and 3635 specimens belong to unidentified taxa recorded only at genus or family level. Five species are new records for Terceira Island, with Lagriahirta (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) being also a new record for the Azores. This publication contributes to a better knowledge of the arthropods communities present in agro-ecosystems of Terceira Island and will serve as a baseline for future monitoring schemes targeting the long-term change in arthropod diversity and abundance.

Ground beetle fauna (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of Mordovia State Nature Reserve (Russia).

BACKGROUND: Protected areas are organised in different climatic zones, which usually include typical ecosystems characteristic of certain climatic zones. In most cases, protected areas are biodiversity hotspots. These areas are benchmarks in terms of nature conservation and to determine their biological diversity is becoming an important task. It is important to investigate the carabid family of protected areas within the framework of understanding the overall biological diversity of these systems. In addition, ground beetles, as one of the largest groups of ground-based inhabitants, are indicators of the state of ecosystems and serve as markers of their well-being. NEW INFORMATION: We present 2,969 new occurrence records comprising 226 species of Carabidae, belonging to eight subfamilies, from the Mordovia State Nature Reserve (central Russia). Ten species are listed for the first time for the Mordovia State Nature Reserve fauna after previous research: Cicindelamaritima, Bembidionstriatum, Dyschiriusangustatus, Dyschiriusarenosus, Notiophilusaestuans, Bembidionargenteolum, Bembidionvelox, Bradycelluscaucasicus, Cymindisangularis and Syntomustruncatellus, five of which were first recorded for the Republic of Mordovia (Egorov et al. 2020). Previously, this information was not published anywhere and we wanted to make it available to everyone by embedding it in the global database on biodiversity (GBIF).

NEW DEFINITIVE HOST RECORD FOR CHORDODES MORGANI (NEMATOMORPHA) IN NEBRASKA WITH NOTES ON ECOLOGY.

The life cycle and ecology of the horsehair worm Chordodes morgani (Nematomorpha) in Nebraska remain unknown. To identify its definitive host, we installed a series of pitfall traps along 3 first-order streams at 4 sites: Elk Creek, Upper Elk Creek, Maple Creek, and West Oak Creek, all located northwest of Lincoln, Nebraska. In addition, we opportunistically hand-collected insects at these sites, including wood cockroaches (Parcoblatta virginica), and maintained them in the lab until they passed adult worms. Two of these field-collected wood cockroaches each yielded 1 adult worm, which was identified as C. morgani by microscopy, showing that P. virginica serves as a definitive host. Experimental infections of captive-reared Parcoblatta americana supported this result. The wood cockroach was found at all 3 creeks, but C. morgani was not found at West Oak Creek, suggesting that the definitive host does not limit the distribution of C. morgani. Physical properties of the streams were measured to examine how these properties influenced the distribution of the worm. Flow rate and pH differed between the 3 sites where C. morgani was found and the West Oak Creek site, suggesting an important role for these abiotic factors in the distribution of this horsehair worm species.

Characterization of edaphic fauna in different monocultures in Savanna of Piauí / Caracterização da fauna edáfica em diferentes monoculturas no Cerrado piauiense

Abstract Vegetation cover may show diversity and composition patterns of the soil invertebrate community, as a function of litter quantity and quality in a specific habitat. The objective of this work was to characterize the distribution of edaphic fauna in different monocultures. The study was carried out at Chapada Grande farm in Regeneração, PI. Four monoculture areas were chosen: no-tillage soybean, eucalyptus, pasture, and a preserved native cerrado forest. Soil fauna was collected in a dry and wet period by pitfall traps containing 4% formaldehyde. The edaphic fauna was evaluated by the number of individuals per trap per day, average richness and richness, Shannon diversity index and Pielou uniformity index. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and multivariate Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The highest number of individuals per day trap and of average richness were registered in the pasture, eucalyptus and forest areas in both periods, while soybean showed lower values with predominance of Coleoptera and Formicidae groups. The pasture and forest areas showed of higher Shannon index values in the two evaluated seasons, probably due to higher contributions organic residues in the soil that favors the shelter, feeding and reproduction conditions. Regarding the Pielou index, the soybean system showed higher values in this variable. The Aranae, Coleoptera, Formicidae and Diptera groups predominated in the humid period, while Coleoptera and Formicidae predominated in the dry period. Systems that generate greater accumulation of residues harbor a greater diversity of invertebrates of the edaphic fauna. Seasonality had an effect on all variables analyzed and the wet period showed more expressive values.

Resumo A cobertura vegetal pode mostrar padrões de diversidade e composição da comunidade de invertebrados do solo, em função da quantidade e qualidade da serapilheira em determinado habitat específico. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a distribuição da fauna edáfica em diferentes monocultivos. O estudo foi realizado na fazenda Chapada Grande no município de Regeneração, PI. Foram escolhidas quatro áreas de monocultivos: soja em sistema de plantio direto, eucalipto, pastagem, além de uma mata nativa de cerrado preservada. Foram realizadas coletas da fauna do solo, em período seco e úmido, por meio de armadilhas do tipo pitfall contendo 4% de formol. A fauna edáfica foi avaliada pelo número de indivíduos por armadilha por dia, riqueza e riqueza média, índice de diversidade de Shannon e índice de uniformidade de Pielou. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e à análise multivariada de Componentes Principais (ACP). O maior número de indivíduos por armadilha dia e de riqueza média foram registrados nas áreas pastagem, eucalipto e mata nos dois períodos, enquanto que a soja mostrou valores inferiores com predomínio dos grupos Coleoptera e Formicidae. As áreas de pastagem e mata mostraram maiores valores de índice de Shannon nas duas épocas avaliadas provavelmente em função de maiores aportes de resíduos orgânicos no solo que favorece as condições de abrigo, alimentação e reprodução. Em relação ao índice de Pielou o sistema com soja mostrou maiores valores nessa variável. Os grupos Araneae, Coleoptera, Formicidae e Diptera predominaram no período úmido, enquanto Coleoptera e Formicidae se destacaram no período seco. Sistemas que geram maior acúmulo de resíduos abrigam uma maior diversidade de invertebrados da fauna edáfica. A sazonalidade apresentou efeito sobre todas as variáveis analisadas sendo que o período úmido mostrou valores mais expressivos.

Influence of Cover Crop Termination on Ground Dwelling Arthropods in Organic Vegetable Systems.

A key aspect in cover crop management is termination before the cash crop is planted. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of termination methods on ground-dwelling arthropods. The conventional mechanical termination method-i.e., green manuring by means of a disc harrow-was compared to flattening using a roller crimper. Two different crop systems were investigated for two growing seasons; cauliflower was grown in autumn after the termination of a mixture of cowpea, pearl millet, and radish, and tomato was cropped in spring and summer after the termination of a mixture of barley and vetch. Ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), and spiders (Araneae) were sampled by means of standard pitfall traps throughout the growing season of both cash crops. The roller crimper increased the overall abundance of ground beetles in the first growing season of both cash crops, whereas in the second year, no significant effect could be detected. Rove beetles were more abundant in plots where the cover crops were terminated by the roller crimper. Finally, green manuring increased the abundance of spiders, especially on the first sampling date after cover crop termination. Albeit different taxa showed different responses, the termination of cover crops by a roller crimper generally increased the abundance of ground dwelling arthropods. Given that most of the sampled species were generalist predators, their increased abundance could possibly improve biological control.

Biodiversi-TEA-A quick and easy handling method for arthropod trap material in ethanol.

A quick and easy handling method for ethanol-preserved arthropods is presented, based on tea filter bags and holders. The method is especially suitable for short term storage of specimens resulting from Malaise traps, yellow pan traps and pitfall traps and can be used directly in the field, for subsequent transport and processing of specimens in the laboratory.

The genus Mecodema Blanchard 1853 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Broscini) from the North Island, New Zealand.

Mecodema (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Broscini) is a hyperdiverse endemic New Zealand genus of ground beetles with only a few geographically widespread species found throughout the two main islands, as well as many offshore islands. Using specimens from a number of private and institutional collections, in addition new specimens were acquired by extensive pitfall trapping, we describe or redescribe all of the known North Island Mecodema species. Additionally, we redescribe three South Island species from the former genus Metaglymma, as morphological evidence shows that these species are nested within Mecodema. Species descriptions are formed by using 128 morphological characters, which include external characters, as well as both male and female internal structures. There are four new combinations: Mecodema antarctica comb. n., M. aberrans comb. n., M. moniliferum comb. n. and M. tibiale comb. n. We synonymise M. occiputale under Mecodema curvidens, and M. sulcatum under Mecodema oblongum, and reinstate M. scitulum Broun (northwest Hunua Range, Auckland). Twenty four new species are described: Mecodema argentum sp. n., M. atuanui sp. n., M. dunnorum sp. n., M. genesispotini sp. n., M. godzilla sp. n., M. jacinda sp. n., M. kipjac sp. n., M. kokoroiho sp. n., M. mohi sp. n., M. ngaiatonga sp. n., M. ngaitahuhu sp. n., M. papake sp. n., M. perexiguus sp. n., M. rusticulus sp. n., M. temata sp. n., M. teparawhau sp. n., M. teroroa sp. n., M. tewhara sp. n., M. tuhoe sp. n., M. undecimus sp. n., M. wharekahika sp. n., M. xylanthrax sp. n., M. yconomus sp. n., M. zonula sp. n. North Island regional species endemism is very high in Northland (15/16 endemic species), with species becoming more widespread in the southern regions, e.g. Wellington only has two endemic species from a total of eight species. This research increases the total number of described Mecodema species to 102, and will allow a modern taxonomic framework for completion of the revision of the South Island species.

A Review of Sampling and Monitoring Methods for Beneficial Arthropods in Agroecosystems.

Beneficial arthropods provide many important ecosystem services. In agroecosystems, pollination and control of crop pests provide benefits worth billions of dollars annually. Effective sampling and monitoring of these beneficial arthropods is essential for ensuring their short- and long-term viability and effectiveness. There are numerous methods available for sampling beneficial arthropods in a variety of habitats, and these methods can vary in efficiency and effectiveness. In this paper I review active and passive sampling methods for non-Apis bees and arthropod natural enemies of agricultural pests, including methods for sampling flying insects, arthropods on vegetation and in soil and litter environments, and estimation of predation and parasitism rates. Sample sizes, lethal sampling, and the potential usefulness of bycatch are also discussed.

Beetles in bamboo forests: community structure in a heterogeneous landscape of southwestern Amazonia.

Amazonian bamboo forests dominated by large woody bamboo plants in the genus Guadua cover approximately 180,000 km2 and represent a key resource for many organisms. In southwestern Amazonia, native bamboo forests differ in structure, biodiversity, and growth dynamics from other forest types in the region. However, with the exception of a few species in which habitat specialization or a strong habitat association has been demonstrated, little is known about how bamboo forests influence animal community structure. In an effort to understand more about the animal assemblages associated with Amazonian bamboo forests, we characterized the structure of ground-dwelling beetle assemblages living in bamboo forests and adjacent terra firme forests in a lowland rainforest site in Peru. We conducted intensive pitfall trap surveys in 13 bamboo habitat patches and 13 adjacent terra firme habitat patches to determine if there were differences in the abundance and richness of beetle species in these two habitat types. Additionally, given that southwestern Amazonia experiences distinct dry and wet seasons, we conducted our study during the dry and wet season of one year to account for differences in seasonality. We found a distinct beetle assemblage associated with each forest type, and identified a set of dominant species that significantly contributed to the distinctness in beetle community structure between bamboo and terra firme forest. The terra firme forest had a greater number of rare species than the bamboo forest. Several beetle species exhibited a strong association with the bamboo forest, including a large species of Scarabaeidae that appears to be specializing on bamboo. We also found marked differences in beetle assemblages between dry and wet seasons. Our results support the prediction that beetle community structure in bamboo forest differs from that of terra firme in terms of species richness, abundance, and composition. Bamboo-associated animal communities require more exploration and study, and must be included in regional conservation plans seeking to protect entire animal communities in southwestern Amazonia.

Eficiencia de trampas de caída y suficiencia taxonómica en comunidades de arañas (Araneae) epigeas en tres ecorregiones del noroeste argentino / Efficiency of pitfall traps and taxonomic sufficiency for epigeal spider communities (Araneae) in three ecoregions of northwestern Argentina

Resumen El incremento de la degradación de los hábitats naturales ha fortalecido la necesidad de conocer y evaluar los patrones de biodiversidad; siendo los inventarios biológicos y la suficiencia taxonómica herramientas que permiten describir y monitorear la diversidad en cortos períodos de tiempo. El estudio de la araneofauna en el norte Argentino es escaso en particular en ecorregiones donde se considera prioritario conservar sus ambientes. Las arañas son utilizadas como taxón indicador para comparar patrones de biodiversidad, donde el estudio de las familias y de los gremios puede potencialmente servir como sustitutos ecológicos de las especies dando indicación del uso del hábitat y de las estrategias de forrajeo. En este estudio, analizamos la diversidad alfa y beta de las comunidades de arañas epigeas en diferentes ecorregiones de la provincia de Salta (Chaco Serrano, Monte de Sierras y Bolsones, y Puna) utilizando trampas de caída y muestreos en las cuatro estaciones del año; y testeamos si el nivel taxonómico familia, en el caso de las arañas, puede actuar como potencial sustituto del nivel especie en las evaluaciones rápidas de biodiversidad. Para ello, en cada ecorregión seleccionamos tres sitios ampliamente separados que fueron muestreados durante el otoño, invierno, primavera y verano del 2005-2007. En cada sitio se colocaron 10 trampas de caída separadas por 10 m a lo largo de una transecta lineal y con una actividad de 7 días por estación. Se recolectaron 886 arañas de 100 especies/morfoespecies correspondientes a 19 familias. La ecorregión Chaco (S = 56, N = 495) reportó la mayor riqueza de especies y abundancia comparada con el Monte (S = 44, N = 262) y la Puna (S = 23, N = 129). La completitud del inventario obtenido para cada ecorregión fue completa, superando el 70 %. La diversidad alfa y beta evidenciaron que las comunidades ecorregionales de arañas fueron diferentes. Las estaciones más frías (otoño e invierno) demostraron ser claves a la hora de evaluar la diversidad de arañas en las ecorregiones, aportando a la diversidad regional conjuntamente con la diversidad de las estaciones cálidas (primavera y verano). Además, el nivel taxonómico de familia evidenció reflejar, de igual manera que el nivel especie, los cambios en la diversidad alfa y beta. El uso de trampas de caída en todas las estaciones del año y el reconocimiento de las familias de arañas para la fauna epigea son de gran utilidad para realizar futuras evaluaciones rápidas de biodiversidad en el área en estudio; permitiendo así incorporar este grupo taxonómico en los estudios de monitoreo de biodiversidad que se lleven a cabo en estas ecorregiones.

Abstract The increased degradation of natural habitats has strengthened the need to know and assess biodiversity patterns. Particularly, the study of the spider fauna in the North of Argentina is scarce in ecoregions with priority interests of conservation. Generally, spiders are used as indicators to compare biodiversity patterns, and here we tested whether the spider family-level can act as a substitute of the species-level in biodiversity rapid assessments. For this, we analyzed the alpha and beta diversity of the epigeal spider communities in three separate sites of three ecoregions of Salta province (Chaco Serrano, Monte de Sierras and Bolsones, and Puna), during the fall, winter, spring and summer of 2005-2007. In each site, 10 pitfall traps, located along a linear transect and 10 meters apart, were placed for seven days per season of continuous activity. A total of 886 spiders were collected from 100 species/morphospecies of 19 families. The completeness of the inventory obtained for each ecoregion surpassed 70 %. The Chaco ecoregion (S = 56, N = 495) reported the highest species richness and abundance compared to Monte (S = 44, N = 262) and Puna (S = 23, N = 129). Alpha and beta diversity showed that ecoregional spider communities were different, sharing few species (0.7 %). The Chaco reported a high dissimilarity of its assemblage with respect to the other ecoregions. The colder seasons (autumn and winter) are important in assessing the diversity of spiders, contributing to regional diversity in conjunction with the diversity of warm seasons (spring and summer). Four guilds were reported (ground hunters, specialists, other hunters and ambush hunters), but the latter was absent in Monte, and the specialists dominated Chaco. Zodariidae was dominant in Chaco Serrano, where Leprolochus birabeni is an indicator of native environments. On the other hand, Lycosidae, Philodromidae, Anyphaenidae and Oonopidae were important for Monte and Puna. Year-round pitfall traps and identification of epigeal spider families are useful for biodiversity rapid assessments in this area. Like the species-level, the taxonomic family-level evidenced changes in alpha and beta diversity. This allows the inclusion of this taxonomic group for future biodiversity monitoring. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(1): 204-217. Epub 2018 March 01.

Range extension of the rare Peruvian fish-eating rat Neusticomys peruviensis (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in Peru / Rango de extensión de la rata acuática peruana Neusticomys peruviensis (Rodentia: Cricetidae) en Perú

Neusticomys peruviensis (Musser & Gardner 1974) is a semi aquatic rodent which belongs to the Ichthyomyini Tribe. It is an endemic species of Peru, previously known for three specimens: type specimen from Balta, another specimen from Rio Shesha, both from Ucayali department; and the third specimen from Pakitza (Madre de Dios department). We captured an additional specimen in Cusco Department. Its geographic distribution extends 84.15 km south of the previously known distribution range. This suggest that this species would have a broader distribution. More detailed studies are needed to know the ecology and distribution of these rodents.

Neusticomys peruviensis (Musser & Gardner 1974) es una especie de roedor acuático perteneciente a la tribu Icthyomyini, es una especie endémica de Perú. Fue previamente conocida por tres especímenes, el espécimen tipo proviene de Balta, otro espécimen del Rio Shesha, ambos ubicados en el departamento de Ucayali y un tercer espécimen de Pakitza (departamento de Madre de Dios). Nosotros capturamos un espécimen adicional en el departamento de Cusco, con esto se extiende su distribución geográfica a 82.15 km al sur de su rango de distribución. Se necesitan más estudios detallados para conocer la ecología y la distribución de este roedor

Higher Ant Diversity in Native Vegetation Than in Stands of the Invasive Arundo, Arundo donax L., Along the Rio Grande Basin in Texas, USA.

Our hypothesis was that there will be greater ant biodiversity in heterogeneous native vegetation compared with Arundo stands. Changes in ant biodiversity due to Arundo invasion may be one of the ecological changes in the landscape that facilitates the invasion of cattle fever ticks from Mexico where they are endemic. Ants collected in pitfall traps were identified and compared between native vegetation and stands of Arundo, Arundo donax L., monthly for a year at 10 locations. A total of 82 752 ants representing 28 genera and 76 species were collected. More ants were collected in the native vegetation which also had greater species richness and biological diversity than ants collected from Arundo stands. It is suggested that the greater heterogeneous nature of native vegetation provided greater and more predictable nourishment in the form of nectars and more abundant arthropod prey when compared with Arundo stands.

Differencial efficiency of two sampling methods in capturing non-volant small mammals in an area in eastern Amazonia / Diferenças na eficiência entre dois métodos de amostragem para capturar pequenos mamíferos não-voadores em uma área na Amazônia oriental

ABSTRACT This study was the first to evaluate the efficiency of trapping methods in the study of small mammals in the Carajás National Forest, southeastern Brazilian Amazon. It is an area with a unique vegetation type (metalofilic savannah or Canga). The aims of this study were to compare the efficiency of two trapping methods (i.e. live-traps and pitfalls), the bait types used, and evaluate if trapping success varied seasonally. We used four sampling grids, each with six parallel transects. The trap effort for live-traps and pitfalls was 51,840 trap*nights and 10,800 bucket*nights, respectively. We used three types of bait: a paste of peanut butter and sardines, bacon, and bananas. We placed one type of bait in each trap, alternating between points. We recorded 26 species of small mammals, 11 from the order Didelphimorphia and 15 from the order Rodentia. Pitfalls captured a higher number of species compared with live-traps. The capture rate, the mortality rate and the quantity of juveniles and adults did not differ significantly between methods. Capture rate for pitfalls differed significantly between seasons. The majority of species were captured by a single method. Species were equally attracted to the traps regardless of the type of bait used. Some of our results differed significantly from other studies in Amazonia and such variation should be taken into account when designing survey methods for Amazonian small mammals.

RESUMO Este estudo foi o primeiro a avaliar a eficiência de métodos de captura de pequenos mamíferos não-voadores na Floresta Nacional de Carajás, sudeste da Amazônia brasileira. É uma área que apresenta características fitofisionômicas exclusivas (savana metalófila ou Canga) e sofre pressão da atividade mineradora. Os objetivos desse estudo foram comparar a eficiência de dois métodos de captura e de três tipos de iscas, bem como se a eficiência dos métodos variou sazonalmente. Nós usamos quatro grades de amostragem, cada uma com seis trilhas paralelas. Capturas com armadilhas de gaiola (live-traps) e armadilhas de caída (pitfall traps) foram realizadas durante três estações secas e três úmidas. O esforço total de captura foi de 51.840 armadilhas*noite e 10.800 baldes*noite para live-traps e pitfalls, respectivamente. Três tipos de isca (pasta de amendoim com sardinha, bacon e banana) foram usadas de forma alternada em todas as armadilhas. Nós registramos 26 espécies de pequenos mamíferos, 11 da ordem Didelphimorphia e 15 da ordem Rodentia. Pitfalls capturaram mais espécies que live-traps. As taxas de captura e de mortalidade e a proporção de jovens e adultos não diferiram entre os métodos. O sucesso de captura diferiu sazonalmente apenas para pitfalls. A maioria das espécies foi capturada preferencialmente ou exclusivamente por um dos dois métodos. As espécies foram igualmente atraídas por todos os tipos de iscas. Nossos resultados diferiram de outros obtidos na Amazônia, o que deve ser levado em consideração em desenhos amostrais para pequenos mamíferos na região.