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Article Reference Ant Diversity and Stratification in an Amazonian Rainforest
This study focuses on species occupying the three strata of an Amazonian rainforest: the ground and leaf litter, the understorey and the canopy. We employed only two sampling techniques: Winkler extraction for ground-dwelling ants and direct observations for understorey and canopy species on large branches cut off by a climber. We identified 494 ant species from 10 subfamilies and 77 genera over approximately 3.0 ha (Chao1 = 607 species; 95% CI: 566-670 species). Although we found fewer arboreal ants compared to approaches using insecticide fogging, this study confirms similarities between the ant diversity in Amazonian and Mesoamerican rainforests. The functional traits of these ants (i.e., diet, nest-site preference, population size of the colony) allowed us to identify seven clusters. Cluster 1 is a "hodgepodge" grouping arboreal or ground-dwelling species with different-sized colonies (76 species). Cluster 2 primarily includes small colonies of ground-nesting generalist feeders (142 species). Cluster 3 comprises all arboreal species from the understorey inhabiting myrmecophyte domatia or palm trees plus arboreal species with medium-sized colonies (37 species). Cluster 4 includes all territorially dominant arboreal ants plus one ground-dwelling species (21 species). All fungus-growing species belong to Cluster 5, which also contains ground-nesting generalist feeders and generalist predators (148 species). All doryline army ants are grouped in Cluster 6 along with one ponerine known for its nomadic behavior (15 species). Almost all specialized predators belong to Cluster 7 (55 species); however, Cluster 5 includes two ponerine species that prey exclusively on termites. Based on a nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), we confirmed that the position of these clusters corresponded fairly well to the three forest strata. Thus, analyzing functional traits enables the trophic position of most ants and their place in the vertical strata of Neotropical rainforests to be determined.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Article Reference Ant nests effect on organic matter, carbon, and nitrogen flux in the soil under grasses tufts in Lamto savannah (Côte d’Ivoire)
Ants are known to contribute to the physical and chemical improvement of the soil. In this context, the hypothesis put forward is that ants improve the nitrogen (N) supplementation necessary to ensure the high primary production measured in the Lamto savannah. Recent investigations in the humid savannah ecosystem showed that ant nests’ association with perennial grasses enhances their growth, productivity, and microorganism activity. This study aimed at understanding the effect of ant nests on organic matter (OM), carbon (C), and N flux beneath grass tufts. Under each grass tuft chosen to carry out this study, soil samples were taken from the depths of 0–10 cm using an auger at shrubby, clear grassy, and transitional grassy savannah. The analytical method by incineration of the loss on fire was used to determine the OM amount. The Kjeldahl method was used to determine the total N amount in the soil under grass tufts. The results showed that these components’ amount is higher beneath grass tufts associated with ant nests than those not associated with ant nests. The presence of ant nests increases OM and C amount in the soil under Hyparrhenia diplandra tufts than Andropogon schirensis, and Loudetia simplex tufts. In contrast, N amount is higher under L. simplex tufts than A. schirensis; but mean under H. diplandra. The carbon/nitrogen ratios less than 10 indicate high OM mineralization under grass tufts associated with ant nests. This provides the plants with an adequate supply of nutrients
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Article Reference Ant–plant relationships in the canopy of an Amazonian rainforest: the presence of an ant mosaic
Using different techniques to access the canopy of an Amazonian rainforest, we inspected 157 tree crowns for arboreal ants. Diversity statistics showed that our study sample was not representative of the tree and ant populations due to their high diversity in Amazonian rainforests, but permitted us to note that a representative part of territorially dominant arboreal ant species (TDAAs) was inventoried. Mapping of TDAA territories and use of a null model showed the presence of an ant mosaic in the upper canopy, but this was not the case in the sub-canopy. Among the TDAAs, carton-nesting Azteca dominated (52.98% of the trees) whereas ant-garden ants (Camponotus femoratus and Crematogaster levior), common in pioneer formations, were secondarily abundant (21.64% of the trees), and the remaining 25.37% of trees sheltered one of 11 other TDAAs. The distribution of the trees forming the upper canopy influences the structure of the ant mosaic, which is related to the attractiveness of some tree taxa for certain arboreal ant species and represents a case of diffuse coevolution.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2018
Article Reference Ant–plant relationships in an Amazonian rainforest understory: A network approach
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Article Reference Anthropogenic disturbance keeps the coastal seafloor biogechemistry in a transient state
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2018
Article Reference Anthropogenic signals in pollen diagrams from mountain environments: use of modern pollen/vegetation/land-use relationships in the French Alps
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications
Article Reference Octet Stream Anti-predator defence mechanisms in sawfly larvae of Arge (Hymenoptera, Argidae)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications
Article Reference Antibodies against medically relevant arthropod-borne viruses in the ubiquitous African rodent Mastomys natalensis
Author summary One of the main causes of zoonotic related human morbidity and mortality is the transmission of arthropod-borne viruses such as dengue virus, Yellow Fever virus, and chikungunya virus. These viruses cannot only infect humans but also livestock, pets, and wildlife, though our understanding of their non-human hosts remains limited. Rodents are thought to be an important host for these viruses because they can be abundant, often live near humans, and some are already known to be viral hosts. However, research has focused mostly on non-human primates, neglecting other potential wild hosts. To address this gap, we have developed a high-throughput antibody test to screen rodent blood against 15 different arboviruses. Our findings reveal that Mastomys natalensis, a common African rodent species, carries antibodies that (cross-)react against these viruses. We hypothesize that immunologically naïve juveniles may drive transmission, particularly during population outbreaks. These outbreaks coincide with environmental conditions that are favorable for mosquitoes, thus increasing the risk of spillover to humans, livestock, and wildlife. Understanding the role of rodents in arbovirus transmission dynamics is crucial for mitigating zoonotic disease risks.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Article Reference Antrobathynella stammeri (Jakobi, 1954) : The first record of bathynellacea (Crustacea : Syncarida) in Belgium
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications
Article Reference Ants impact the composition of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities of a myrmecophytic tank bromeliad
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2018