Insect galls of the Tijuca National Park, Rio de Janeiro (RJ, Brazil): richness and characterization

A first-of-its-kind study of insect galls in the Tijuca National Park, Brazil's largest urban forest, revealed 72 distinct gall morphotypes across 43 plant species. The research identified Rubiaceae, Sapindaceae, Salicaeae, and Melastomataceae as the most gall-rich families, with Psychotria cf. bahiensis DC. (Rubiaceae) and Serjania sp. (Sapindaceae) emerging as 'super host' plants. Among the findings, five endemic Brazilian plant species harbored eight unique gall morphotypes, suggesting co-endemism in their gall-inducing insects—primarily Cecidomyiidae. While leaf galls were predominant, the study's data indicate a relatively lower gall richness compared to other Atlantic Forest regions. The research sheds light on the biodiversity and ecological dynamics of this UNESCO-listed site, offering insights into plant-insect interactions within urban ecosystems.

Maia, V. C., & Mendonça, I. B. (2024). Insect galls of the Tijuca National Park, Rio de Janeiro (RJ, Brazil): richness and characterization. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, 68(4). https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9665-rbent-2024-0066