Tourist species bias estimates of extrapolated species density in dispersive taxa: a case study from a litter beetle assemblage in temperate woodland

Extrapolative nonparametric estimators of species density are commonly used in community ecology. However, they are dependent on either (1) their use on non-dispersive taxa, or (2) the ability to separate tourists from residents in dispersive taxa. We undertook ten years of leaf litter sampling in an ancient woodland in the New Forest, Southern England. We identified all the beetles from those samples and assigned them a residency status (residents, stratum tourists, and habitat tourists). Extrapolations, using the Chao 2, first- and second-order jackknife, and bootstrap approaches, of all sampled beetles all showed large overestimates of species richness when compared with extrapolations based on just residents. We recommend that the estimators should be used with caution as estimates of actual species density for dispersive taxa unless the natural history of most species in a community is well known. This applies especially to tropical ecosystems where many species have not been described. This reinforces the need for more descriptive natural history.

Effects of the Invasive Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) on Ant Community Composition on UF Campus

Invasive species are a serious threat to Florida’s native ecosystems and can have significant economic impacts. The invasive little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) was first observed on the University of Florida’s campus in the Field and Fork Gardens in Summer 2018 and a targeted eradication of this population began in Fall 2018. This project aimed to compare ant community composition in invaded and uninvaded areas to better understand how ant invasions affect native ant communities. For comparison with Field and Fork Gardens invaded sites, four additional sites on UF’s campus were surveyed for ants through leaf litter sampling. Samples were sorted and all ants identified to the genus level; samples from invaded sites were identified to species. In samples from invaded sites, the community had lower species richness and a lower relative abundance of ant species compared to uninvaded communities. Determining how the invasion of the little fire ant affects ant communities is important as invasive ants do not fill the same ecosystem roles as native ants, such as seed dispersal and mutualist interactions. Data on community composition in uninvaded areas could be useful in efforts to restore a site after eradication has been achieved.

Produção e acúmulo de serapilheira em áreas de restauração florestal no Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of litter and litterfall as ecological indicators in three sites in restoration process located in Ivinhema, Jateí and Caarapó – Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, after 12, 13 and 16 years of implantation, respectively. The objective was also to obtain Pearson's simple linear correlation) between monthly litterfall with environmental variables of rainfall and air temperature. To litterfall sampling, 15 litter traps were used (0.80 m x 0.80 m) and, for litter sampling, six collections were carried out in each restoration site, in December 2016, using a frame (0.64 m2). The samples were separated into three components: leaves, twigs, reproductive material (flowers and fruits). The high litter amount, in the three sites evaluated (Ivinhema 9.4 Mg ha-1; Jatéi 5.5 Mg ha-1; and Caarapó 7.1 Mg ha-1), demonstrates the importance of litterfall and litter as an indicator for the stages initial succession in restored forests. There were weak correlations between litter and environmental variables, being negative for air temperature and positive for rainfall.This study aimed to evaluate the potential of litter and litterfall as ecological indicators in three sites in restoration process located in Ivinhema, Jateí and Caarapó – Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, after 12, 13 and 16 years of implantation, respectively. The objective was also to obtain Pearson's simple linear correlation) between monthly litterfall with environmental variables of rainfall and air temperature. To litterfall sampling, 15 litter traps were used (0.80 m x 0.80 m) and, for litter sampling, six collections were carried out in each restoration site, in December 2016, using a frame (0.64 m2). The samples were separated into three components: leaves, twigs, reproductive material (flowers and fruits). The high litter amount, in the three sites evaluated (Ivinhema 9.4 Mg ha-1; Jatéi 5.5 Mg ha-1; and Caarapó 7.1 Mg ha-1), demonstrates the importance of litterfall and litter as an indicator for the stages initial succession in restored forests. There were weak correlations between litter and environmental variables, being negative for air temperature and positive for rainfall.

Semut Subfamili Myrmicinae di Suaka Alam Maninjau Utara Selatan, Kabupaten Agam, Sumatera Barat

Research about inventory of ants Myrmicinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Nature Reserve Maninjau Utara-Selatan, Agam, West Sumatra was conducted from June to December 2015 by using the "Quadra protocol" which consist of a combination of four methods: free collection, leaf litter sampling, soil sampling, honey bait. A total of 19 species, 9 genera, 5 tribe were collected. Pheidole was found as genus with the highest number of species (9 species), followed by Crematogaster (3 species).

Insect Response to the 1988 Fires in Yellowstone National Park

Collection of insect abundance and distribution data for the 1990 field season in Yellowstone National Park was initiated in early June, using several methods: litter sampling, pit traps, sweeping and Malaise traps. Final collections were made during the first week of September.