Descripción
Registros
Los datos en este recurso de evento de muestreo han sido publicados como Archivo Darwin Core(DwC-A), el cual es un formato estándar para compartir datos de biodiversidad como un conjunto de una o más tablas de datos. La tabla de datos del core contiene 748 registros.
también existen 1 tablas de datos de extensiones. Un registro en una extensión provee información adicional sobre un registro en el core. El número de registros en cada tabla de datos de la extensión se ilustra a continuación.
Este IPT archiva los datos y, por lo tanto, sirve como repositorio de datos. Los datos y los metadatos del recurso están disponibles para su descarga en la sección descargas. La tabla versiones enumera otras versiones del recurso que se han puesto a disposición del público y permite seguir los cambios realizados en el recurso a lo largo del tiempo.
Versiones
La siguiente tabla muestra sólo las versiones publicadas del recurso que son de acceso público.
¿Cómo referenciar?
Los usuarios deben citar este trabajo de la siguiente manera:
Escobar-Ramírez S, Barreno M, Bassantes M, Moreno I, Flores-Males P T, Núñez M, van Klink R (2026). Ant communities in the Galápagos: A baseline for biodiversity monitoring. Version 2.1. GBIF Ecuador - TEST. Samplingevent dataset. https://doi.org/10.82631/hsbwnz
Derechos
Los usuarios deben respetar los siguientes derechos de uso:
El publicador y propietario de los derechos de este trabajo es GBIF Ecuador - TEST. Esta obra está bajo una licencia Creative Commons de Atribución/Reconocimiento-NoComercial (CC-BY-NC 4.0).
Registro GBIF
Este recurso ha sido registrado en GBIF con el siguiente UUID: ce4c964e-559d-4cd0-8687-6fb2819b60a8. GBIF Ecuador - TEST publica este recurso y está registrado en GBIF como un publicador de datos avalado por GBIF Ecuador.
Palabras clave
ant communities; Galápagos; invasive species; monitoring; Pacific islands; San Cristóbal; Samplingevent; Occurrence; Event; Taxonomy; Observation
Contactos
- Proveedor De Los Metadatos ●
- Originador ●
- Punto De Contacto
- Associate professor
- Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceánica
- +593 2 5061700
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1603-4710
- Originador
- Originador
- Associate Researcher
- Originador
- Associate Researcher
- Originador
- Originador
- Originador
Cobertura geográfica
The samples were taken in Evergreen Seasonal Forest and shrubland, Deciduous Forest, Mixed Forest, agricultural area (transitory crops, permanent crops, pastures, silvopastures) and urban areas in San Cristóbal island, province of Galapagos, Ecuador (Laso et al. 2020, Rivas-Torres et al. 2018).
| Coordenadas límite | Latitud Mínima Longitud Mínima [-0,959, -89,635], Latitud Máxima Longitud Máxima [-0,838, -89,388] |
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Cobertura taxonómica
This dataset contains records of ant (Insects: Hymenoptera: Formicidae) communities from San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos. The dataset includes species from the subfamilies Myrmicinae, Formicinae, Ponerinae, and Dolichoderinae. Genera recorded include Tetramorium Mayr, 1855; Hypoponera Santschi, 1938; Cyphomyrmex Mayr, 1862; Nylanderia Emery, 1906; Brachymyrmex Mayr, 1868; Solenopsis Westwood, 1840; Pheidole Westwood, 1839; Strumigenys Smith, 1860; Odontomachus Latreille, 1804; Wasmannia Forel, 1893; Monomorium Mayr, 1855; Tapinoma Foerster, 1850; Cardiocondyla Emery, 1869; Camponotus Mayr, 1861; Crematogaster Lund, 1831; Paratrechina Motschoulsky, 1863; and Rogeria Emery, 1894. Species names preceded by “cf.” indicate provisional identifications to the closest related species based on morphological characters where species-level certainty was not possible.
| Reino | Animalia |
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| Filo | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Orden | Hymenoptera |
| Familia | Formicidae |
Cobertura temporal
| Fecha Inicial / Fecha Final | 2023-01-05 / 2024-06-20 |
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Datos del proyecto
The Galápagos Islands, a globally recognized hotspot for biodiversity conservation and natural heritage, are increasingly threatened by exotic species such as invasive ants, which pose significant risks to native biodiversity and may disrupt ecosystem functioning and local livelihoods. This project aims to characterize the ant communities of San Cristóbal island along a disturbance gradient, providing the first systematic assessment of their diversity, composition, and potential responses to environmental change. The study will also evaluate the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of exotic ants on native and endemic biodiversity, as well as on local livelihoods. Ultimately, this research will contribute to the establishment of a long-term monitoring framework to identify and quantify the impacts of introduced ant species, supporting evidence-based management and conservation strategies in the Galápagos Archipelago.
| Título | Ant communities on San Cristóbal Island: contributions to understanding the ecological role of ants in the Galápagos |
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| Identificador | ANTGA |
| Fuentes de Financiación | Monitoring of ant communities on San Cristóbal Island was supported by Universidad San Francisco de Quito (COCIBA Grant No. 17814), the Galápagos Science Center (POA Grant No. 17895), the 2021 Research Partnership Grant from the Universität St. Gallen (HSG) – Leading House for the Latin American Region, and the 2022 Small Conservation Action Grant from Galapagos Conservancy. |
| Descripción del área de estudio | San Cristóbal Island, the easternmost island of the Galápagos Archipelago, Ecuador. The island covers approximately 558 km² and reaches a maximum elevation of 730 m at its central highlands. The Galápagos Islands have a seasonally dry tropical climate, with a warm–wet season from December to June and a cool, misty garúa season from July to November. San Cristóbal native ecosystems extend from coastal humid forest and shrubland at sea level to humid tallgrass in the highlands (~150 m a.s.l.). The landscape is predominantly covered by deciduous forest (≈68 % of the protected area), followed by deciduous shrubland (≈16 %), with smaller areas of evergreen seasonal forest and shrubland (~4 %) and humid tallgrass (~4 %). Other native vegetation types occur only in small, isolated patches (Rivas-Torres et al. 2018). Native vegetation occupies about 58% of the total study area, while invasive vegetation covers roughly 19%; pastures and crops account for around 11%, and mixed or pioneer vegetation represents approximately 10%, reflecting a mosaic landscape shaped by both agricultural use and biological invasions in the island’s highlands. Sampling sites were selected across different ecosystems, land cover types, and altitudinal zones (0–600 m). Field surveys were carried out between January 2023 and May–June 2024, covering both dry and wet seasons to account for seasonal variability in ant communities. San Cristóbal’s combination of geological history, size, proximity to the mainland, and long-term human influence makes it a key site for understanding ant ecology, evolution, biogeography, and the socio-economic impacts of invasive species. These data provide baseline information to support conservation, management, and ecological research in the unique island ecosystems of the Galápagos. |
Personas asociadas al proyecto:
Métodos de muestreo
Ant communities on San Cristóbal Island were sampled at 16 locations representing diverse habitats and altitudinal zones (0–600 m), following standardized methods based on the Ants of the Leaf Litter (ALL) framework (Agosti 2000), as commonly applied in ant community monitoring on islands worldwide (Borges 2025, Cerdá et al. 2012, Krushelnycky and Gillespie 2010, Wauters et al. 2016, Zhao et al. 2021) and adapted for the Galápagos to reduce logistical constraints, costs, and ecological impacts. A standardized design was consistently applied across all sites and years, combining two complementary methods: pitfall traps (PF) and manual collection (MAN). Each location was sampled once per year—first in January 2023 and then in May–June 2024. In 2023, locality AAM was sampled only via pitfall traps (no manual collection). Sampling was conducted during two daily periods, between 07:00–11:00 and 14:00–18:00 hours. To minimize potential sampling bias, both methodologies were applied interchangeably in the morning and afternoon across sites, altitudinal ranges, land-use types, protection statuses, and years.
| Área de Estudio | San Cristóbal Island, the easternmost island of the Galápagos Archipelago, Ecuador. The island covers approximately 558 km² and reaches a maximum elevation of 730 m at its central highlands. The Galápagos Islands have a seasonally dry tropical climate, with a warm–wet season from December to June and a cool, misty garúa season from July to November. San Cristóbal native ecosystems extend from coastal humid forest and shrubland at sea level to humid tallgrass in the highlands (~150 m a.s.l.). The landscape is predominantly covered by deciduous forest (~68 % of the protected area), followed by deciduous shrubland (~16 %), with smaller areas of evergreen seasonal forest and shrubland (~4 %) and humid tallgrass (~4 %). Other native vegetation types occur only in small, isolated patches (Rivas-Torres et al. 2018). Native vegetation occupies about 58% of the total study area, while invasive vegetation covers roughly 19%; pastures and crops account for around 11%, and mixed or pioneer vegetation represents approximately 10%, reflecting a mosaic landscape shaped by both agricultural use and biological invasions in the island’s highlands. Sampling sites were selected across different ecosystems, land cover types, and altitudinal zones (0–600 m). Field surveys were carried out between January 2023 and May–June 2024, covering both dry and wet seasons to account for seasonal variability in ant communities. The combination of geological history, size, proximity to the mainland, and long-term human influence makes this island a key site for understanding ant ecology, evolution, biogeography, and the socio-economic impacts of invasive species. These data provide baseline information to support conservation, management, and ecological research in the unique island ecosystems of the Galápagos. |
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| Control de Calidad | We undertook extensive checking to ensure consistency among the tables, where each eventID must be present in both the event and the occurrence table. We checked all taxonomic names and aligned them with accepted taxonomy (Bolton 2026). We checked for any duplicate or missing events and ensured that events at which no ants were observed were correctly included (scientificName = Formicidae and individualCount = 0). |
Descripción de la metodología paso a paso:
- PITFALL TRAPS (PF): At each location, a 100 m transect was established in accessible areas, or two parallel 50 m transects (at least 10 m apart) were established when the terrain did not allow a full linear transect. Traps were placed in a straight line, spaced at least 10 m apart where soil conditions allowed. Each trap consisted of a 7 oz polypropylene cup (7 cm diameter) filled with ~4 oz of 95% ethanol. Traps were fitted with a polystyrene lid held by galvanized steel wire to prevent rain and debris accumulation. Traps were left in place for ~24 hours, never exceeding 30 hours. No baits or attractants were used. If traps were broken or heavily disturbed, sampling was repeated, with the first attempt coded as PF(1) and the second as PF(2) (e.g., “2023-AUP-PF(1)-4”, “2023-AUP-PF(2)-4”). After sampling, each trap was stored in a Ziploc bag and transported to the laboratory on the same day. MANUAL COLLECTION (MAN): Ten manual collection stations were established between pitfall trap points at each locality. At each station, ants were collected through a 10-minute free-search effort by one person using forceps, aspirators, and brushes. The search involved overturning leaf litter, rocks, and other microhabitats to locate and collect ants. All collected individuals were preserved in Eppendorf tubes with 95% ethanol. SAMPLE LABELLING: All sample units were systematically labelled with year, site code, replicate number, and methodology to ensure traceability. Examples included: pitfall traps – “2023-AUP-PF(1)-4”; manual collection – “2023-BNC-MAN-7”; ad hoc collections – “2023-AAM-MAN-EXTRA-S. gem”. All collected individuals were preserved in Eppendorf tubes with 95% ethanol. SPECIMEN IDENTIFICATION: All collected specimens were identified to a species or morphospecies level, counted, and separated by caste (m = male, w = worker, q = queen). Identification was performed by ant specialists at the MHNGOV, ZSFQ, and INABIO museums in Ecuador. The published taxonomic references used for specimen identification are provided in the References section. SAMPLE STORAGE AND COLLECTION REPOSITORIES: Originally, all ant samples were stored in the Invertebrate Collection of the Museo de Zoología de la USFQ (ZSFQ). All bycatch samples from 2023 and 2024 were stored at the Laboratory of Terrestrial Ecology at the Galapagos Science Center (GSC). DNA BARCODING AND DATA DEPOSITION: For a subset of 75 specimens, COI-5P DNA barcodes were generated, and both GenBank accessions (see column "associatedSequences") and Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) are provided. All sequences were deposited in the Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) under the dataset DS-ANTGA (Escobar, 2025; BOLD dataset DS-ANTGA)
Datos de la colección
| Nombre de la Colección | Colección Invertebrados Museo Zoología de la USFQ |
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| Identificador de la Colección Parental | ZSFQ |
| Métodos de preservación de los ejemplares | Alcohol, Montado con alfileres |
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| Unidades curatoriales | Entre 17.900 y 18.000 individuos completos |
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Referencias bibliográficas
- Boer P, Loss AC, Bakker F, Beentjes K, Fisher BL (2020) Monomorium sahlbergi Emery, 1898 (Formicidae, Hymenoptera): a cryptic globally introduced species. ZooKeys 979: 87-97. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.979.55342
- Mackay, W. P.; Delsinne, T. 2009. A new species of carpenter ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Camponotus) from Paraguay with a key to the New World members of the maculatus species complex. Sociobiology 53:487-498.
- Herrera HW, Tocora MC, Fiorentino G, Causton CE, Dekoninck W, Hendrickx F. The ants of the Galápagos Islands (Hymenoptera, Formicidae): a historical overview, checklist, and identification key. Zookeys. 2024 Feb 13;1191:151-213. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1191.107324
- MacKay, W. P. 1995. New distributional records for the ant genus Cardiocondyla in the New World (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Pan-Pacific Entomologist 71:169-172.
- Longino, J. T. 2003a. The Crematogaster (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) of Costa Rica. Zootaxa 151:1-150 https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.151.1.1
- Snelling, Roy R, and John T Longino, 'Revisionary notes on the Fungus-growing Ants of the genus Cyphomyrmex, rimosus group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Attini)', in Diomedes Quintero, and Annette Aiello (eds), Insects of Panama and Mesoamerica: Selected Studies (Oxford, 1992; online edn, Oxford Academic, 31 Oct. 2023) https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198540182.003.0030
- Ants of Costa Rica: Hypoponera Key. (s. f.). Recuperado 20 de octubre de 2025, de https://ants.biology.utah.edu/genera/hypoponera/key.html
- Kallal, R.J. & Lapolla, J.S. (2012) Monograph of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World, Part II: Nylanderia in the Nearctic. Zootaxa, 3508 (1), 1–64. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3508.1.1
- Key to US Cardiocondyla species—AntWiki. (s. f.). Recuperado 20 de octubre de 2025, de https://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Key_to_US_Cardiocondyla_species
- França, E.C.B., Fernandes, I.O. & Bravo, J.E.L. (2024) Looking at upside-down ants: Taxonomic revision of the Neotropical species of Odontomachus Latreille, 1804 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae). Zootaxa, 5502 (1), 1–166. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5502.1.1
- Ortiz-Sepulveda, C.M., Van Bocxlaer, B., Meneses, A.D. et al. Molecular and morphological recognition of species boundaries in the neglected ant genus Brachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): toward a taxonomic revision. Org Divers Evol 19, 447–542 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13127-019-00406-2
- Pacheco, J. A., Mackay, W. P., & Lattke, J. (2013). The systematics and biology of the New World thief ants of the genus Solenopsis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (pp. 1-501). Lewiston, New York: Edwin Mellen Press. ISBN: 9780773443426
- Key to Neotropical and Nearctic Strumigenys—AntWiki. (s. f.). Recuperado 20 de octubre de 2025, de https://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Key_to_Neotropical_and_Nearctic_Strumigenys
- Key to US Tetramorium species—AntWiki. (s. f.). Recuperado 20 de octubre de 2025, de https://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Key_to_US_Tetramorium_species
- Cuezzo, F. D. C., Calcaterra, L., Chifflet, L., & Follet, P. (2015). Wasmannia Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in Argentina: Systematics and Distribution. Sociobiology, 62(2), 246-265. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v62i2.246-265
- Agosti, D.; Majer, J. D.; Alonso, L. E.; Schultz, T. R. (eds.) 2000. Ants. Standard methods for measuring and monitoring biodiversity. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, xix + 280 pp
- Krushelnycky, P.D., Gillespie, R.G. Sampling across space and time to validate natural experiments: an example with ant invasions in Hawaii. Biol Invasions 12, 643–655 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-009-9471-y
- Zhao, Y., Sanders, N. J., Liu, J., Jin, T., Zhou, H., Lu, R., Ding, P., & Si, X. (2021). β diversity among ant communities on fragmented habitat islands: The roles of species trait, phylogeny and abundance. Ecography, 44(10), 1568-1578. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.05723
- Cerdá, X., Angulo, E., Caut, S., & Courchamp, F. (2012). Ant community structure on a small Pacific island: Only one native species living with the invaders. Biological Invasions, 14(2), 323-339. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-011-0065-0
- Rivas-Torres, G. F., Benítez, F. L., Rueda, D., Sevilla, C., & Mena, C. F. (2018). A methodology for mapping native and invasive vegetation coverage in archipelagos: An example from the Galápagos Islands: An example from the Galápagos Islands. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment, 42(1), 83-111. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133317752278 (Original work published 2018)
- Escobar, S. (2025). First COI barcodes of the ants of the Galapagos. Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD). Dataset DS-ANTGA. https://doi.org/10.5883/DS-ANTGA
- Laso, F. J., Benítez, F. L., Rivas-Torres, G., Sampedro, C., & Arce-Nazario, J. (2020). Land Cover Classification of Complex Agroecosystems in the Non-Protected Highlands of the Galapagos Islands. Remote Sensing, 12(1), 65. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12010065
- Trueman, M., & d’Ozouville, N. (2010). Characterizing the Galapagos terrestrial climate in the face of global climate change. Galapagos Research, 67(26), 26-37.
- Paltán, H. A., Benitez, F. L., Rosero, P., Escobar-Camacho, D., Cuesta, F., & Mena, C. F. (2021). Climate and sea surface trends in the Galapagos Islands. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 14465. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93870-w
- Trueman, A., & D’Ozouville, N. (2010). Characterizing the Galapagos terrestrial climate in the face of global climate change. Galapagos Research, 67, 26–37.
Metadatos adicionales
| Agradecimientos | This work was supported by POA grants from the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) and COCIBA grants. We thank the Laboratory of Terrestrial Ecology (GSC), INABIO, the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory (USFQ), and the Laboratory of Terrestrial Zoology (iBIOTROP, USFQ) for access to facilities, equipment, and logistical support, with special thanks to Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia, Emilia Peñaherrera, Margarita López-García, Jorge Montalvo, and Maria Isabel Ojeda. We also acknowledge the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics for barcoding and sample processing and iDiv staff for support with data management and logistics. Research and genetic permits were granted by the Galapagos National Park and MAATE (PC-69-22, MAATE-DBI-CM-2021-0174, and MAE-DNB-CM-2020-0131). We thank Víctor E. Chocho for verifying the dataset as part of the official GBIF node for Ecuador. RvK and SER gratefully acknowledges the support of iDiv funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG– FZT 118, 202548816) |
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| Introducción | Ants are major ecological players in tropical island ecosystems, where they influence nutrient cycling, species interactions, and community structure (Aulus-Giacosa et al. 2024, Lach et al. 2010, Morrison 2016). In the Galápagos Archipelago, ant diversity, invasive species, and their ecological impacts have been documented through taxonomic surveys, checklists, historical expeditions, and focused ecological studies (Brandão and Paiva 1991, Herrera et al. 2020, Roque-Albelo and Causton 1999, Pezzatti et al. 1998), culminating recently in a comprehensive taxonomic and biogeographical synthesis of the archipelago’s Formicidae fauna (Herrera et al. 2024). These studies consistently emphasize the need for broader, standardized, community-level monitoring capable of capturing variation across habitats, elevations, and land-use types. As a result, key aspects of ant community dynamics—such as how assemblages respond to disturbance, track environmental gradients, and change through time – remain insufficiently quantified in this globally important island system. This dataset represents the initial phase of a long-term standardized monitoring program designed to document ant community composition, abundance, and spatial distribution across these contrasting environments. San Cristóbal Island provides a strategic setting for such monitoring due to its mosaic of protected areas, agricultural lands, and urban zones, coupled with steep climatic and elevational gradients (Benitez et al. in press, Rivas-Torres et al. 2018). The integration of COI-5P sequences provides molecular support for species delimitation and enhances the capacity to track introductions and detect cryptic diversity (Smith et al. 2005, Fisher and Smith 2008). Long-term, standardized monitoring programs are widely recognized as fundamental for detecting biodiversity change, shifts in community composition, and species responses to climate and land-use change (Lamarre et al. 2020, Sánchez Herrera et al. 2024). By providing a replicable baseline for ant assemblages across major land-use types on the island, this dataset contributes to understanding ant community dynamics in tropical island ecosystems and supports conservation and biosecurity stakeholders in early detection, management planning, and long-term ecological assessment for the archipelago. Future dataset releases will expand temporal coverage and enable the evaluation of ecological trends and invasion trajectories across years. |
| Propósito | The primary purpose of this dataset is to establish a comprehensive baseline of ant community composition and distribution across protected and non-protected areas of San Cristóbal, including urban and agricultural zones. Ants are a priority group for monitoring in the Galápagos because they are abundant, strongly interactive components of terrestrial ecosystems, and several invasive species —including Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger, 1863), Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius, 1804), and Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius, 1793)– are known or suspected to exert severe impacts on native arthropods, reptiles, birds, and even human activities. Native and endemic ant species also remain poorly documented, making baseline information particularly important in this biodiversity hotspot. San Cristóbal, one of the most human-influenced islands in the archipelago, provides an ideal setting to evaluate how ant communities respond to contrasting land uses and levels of protection. By documenting the presence and spatial distribution of invasive, native, and endemic species, this dataset provides the foundation for future analyses on invasive-species ecology, biotic interactions, and impacts on other arthropod groups. Over time, these data will enable long-term assessments of ant communities under climate change, inform conservation decision-making, and support integrated pest management on the island. In doing so, the dataset contributes both to local management needs and to a broader ecological understanding of island systems. |
| Descripción de mantenimiento | The database from "Ant Communities in the Galápagos: A Baseline for Biodiversity Monitoring" contains species occurrence and abundance data from ongoing monitoring across multiple habitats. The first released dataset corresponds to San Cristóbal Island, with additional localities and islands to be included in future updates. Field surveys are conducted annually, and the database is expected to be updated at least annually with new sampling events, or sooner if taxonomic revisions or error corrections are required. These updates ensure the dataset remains current, accurate, and reliable for research, conservation, and management purposes. |
| Identificadores alternativos | 10.82631/hsbwnz |
| ce4c964e-559d-4cd0-8687-6fb2819b60a8 | |
| http://patrimonio.ambiente.gob.ec/iptmae_test/resource?r=antga |