A5075772863- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Plant and animal studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Study of Mite Species
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
University of Florence
2020-2022
University of Lisbon
2020-2022
Texas Tech University
2016
Insects possess several physiological and morphological adaptations to high temperatures; in particular, critical thermal maxima may be of increasing importance as climates warm. We sought determine the relationship between body size red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta. Thermal were measured regressed against mass, tibial length, head width including eyes, total length individuals from 35 ant colonies within around Lubbock, Texas. Major media workers survived higher temperatures more...
The decomposition of beta-diversity (β-diversity) into its replacement (βrepl) and richness (βrich) components in combination with a taxonomic functional approach, may help to identify processes driving community composition along environmental gradients. We aimed understand which abiotic spatial variables influence ant β-diversity drive patterns Mediterranean drylands by measuring the percentage variation explained local environmental, regional climatic variables. found that primarily drove...
Mediterranean drylands are particularly vulnerable to predicted increases in aridity which expected have negative consequences for biodiversity. To understand the effects of climate change on ecosystems, a framework selection indicators based essential biodiversity variables (EBV) was proposed. In this framework, functional approach has been suggested because traits shown be sensitive small-scale environmental changes. Additionally, also associated with ecosystem-limiting processes. context,...
1. Different habitat types are generally associated with shifts in ant species and traits, even along a micro‐scale woodland–grassland gradient, biodiversity may change at the edge proximities as result of abiotic alterations. However, to best authors' knowledge, changes diversity this type gradient understudied, especially from functional perspective. 2. The authors sampled eight gradients Mediterranean ecosystem, each comprising 16 m, assess how diversity, community composition, structure,...
Semi-natural grasslands are characterized by high biodiversity and require multifaceted approaches to monitor their biodiversity. Moreover, comprise a multitude of microhabitats, making the scale investigation fundamental importance. Despite wide distribution, highly threatened considered conservation priority Directive no. 92/43/EEC. Here, we investigate effects small-scale ecological differences between two ecosites present within EU habitat Community Interest semi-natural dry on...
Despite several restrictions to their use, neonicotinoid insecticides are still widely employed worldwide. Residual sub-lethal amounts of these chemicals can have detrimental effects on the behavior non-target insects. Toxic economically important species such as bees been documented, but less is known about toxic action other social insects, ants. In this study, we assessed effect different doses imidacloprid ability colonies invasive ant Lasius neglectus select most profitable resource. We...
Abstract Stable isotope analysis of animal tissues is commonly used to infer diet and trophic position. However, it requires destructive sampling. The carbon isotopes from exhaled CO 2 non‐invasive can provide useful ecological information because isotopic signatures reflect the metabolism an animal. this methodology has rarely been on invertebrates never social insects. Here, we first tested whether method reflects differences in δ 13 C‐CO between workers Mediterranean ant Crematogaster...
Abstract Ants are widespread in all terrestrial habitats, and competitive interactions between species common. Although redistribution of food within a colony may buffer the negative effects temporary resource shortages, functionality can be compromised when famine is prolonged. One possible impairment fighting ability species, with cascade on community. Here, we investigated whether shortage alters workers three dominant Mediterranean area: invasive alien Lasius neglectus Linepithema humile...