ENDEMISM AND VULNERABILITY OF ANTS IN THE PHYTOPHYSIOGNOMIES OF THE BRAZILIAN ATLANTIC FOREST

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest encompasses a diversity of formations composed of a vast forest mosaic with remarkably distinct phytophysiognomies. This forest has historically experienced extensive habitat loss, leading to the urgent need for effective conservation measures. However, the lack of information on taxonomic diversity within the phytophysiognomies of the Atlantic Forest, particularly concerning invertebrates, hinders the development of efficient conservation strategies. We present here a systematic review of publications on ants across the different phytophysiognomies of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest over the past 105 years (1918–2023). In parallel, we indicated potentially endemic species for the forest and its phytophysiognomies. We compiled species occurrence records and spatial distribution data using on two ant databases and indicated potentially endemic species for the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and its phytophysiognomies. In total, we recorded 383 publications, with a significant increase beginning in the 2000s. Four phytophysiognomies were mentioned in the publications, with Ombrophilous Forest being the most studied (20.74% of publications). About 4% of the 1,109 analyzed species were classified as endemic to the Atlantic Forest, representing nine subfamilies and 30 genera, with most species belonging to Pheidole (22.45% of all species). A total of 38.78% of all species occurred in only one phytophysiognomy. According to the “Brazil Red Book of Threatened Species of Fauna” (Red Book), nine analyzed species are listed, of these five of which are threatened with extinction. Additionally, we identified potential biases and knowledge gaps in the available data.