Ants (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Floresta da Tijuca sector, Parque Nacional da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A groundbreaking inventory of ants (Formicidae) in the Floresta da Tijuca sector of Parque Nacional da Tijuca, Brazil, reveals a striking diversity of 80 species, including 18 new records for this area and 37 for the entire park. This study significantly expands the known ant biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest biome, with one species' range extended northward and others adjusted southward or eastward. The research used pitfall traps and Winkler extractors across three preservation levels—primary forest, disturbed areas, and advanced restoration—showing that primary forests harbor the highest species richness, though this shifts seasonally in disturbed zones. Notably, Holcoponera moelleri emerged as the most abundant species, underscoring its ecological dominance. The findings highlight the park's critical role in conserving Neotropical ant diversity amid ongoing habitat fragmentation.

Silva, M. M., Mayhé Nunes, A., & Moreira, F. (2025). Ants (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Floresta da Tijuca sector, Parque Nacional da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Biodiversity Data Journal, 13. https://doi.org/10.3897/bdj.12.e132248