Patterns of Ant Diversity in the Natural Grasslands of Southern Brazil.

In the south of Brazil, grasslands are naturally widespread over two different biomes, the Pampa in the southernmost region and within the Atlantic Forest in the northern portions. The natural grasslands of the state of Paraná comprise a very particular physiognomy composed of two distinct formations: the Campos Gerais and the grasslands of the southwest. The first is located in the edge of the second plateau of Paraná state, comprising a great diversity of environments. The grasslands of the southwest are more homogeneous, with a continuous herbaceous stratum dominating the landscape. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the patterns of species richness and composition of ants, an ecologically prominent group, along the natural grasslands of Paraná. We also intended to compare the faunal similarity between the two different grassland formations. For that, four different Conservation Unities were sampled along a latitudinal gradient. A remarkable total of 245 ant species was recorded, and the results indicate that species richness decreases as latitude increases along the grasslands of Paraná. There were clear differences in species composition between these two grasslands formations, given the significative number of endemic species in each of these two grassland formations. Ten species were recorded for the first time in the state of Paraná, of which three also for the first time in the Southern Region of Brazil. Overall, our study contributes to a better understanding about the diversity and composition of ant communities in subtropical grasslands.

Additions to the taxonomy of Gnamptogenys Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ectatomminae) with an updated key to the New World species.

This study aimed to raise and address nomenclatural issues surrounding Neotropical species in the genus Gnamptogenys, in addition to describing new species accumulated in myrmecological collections. New and reinstated names recognized here include G. pernambucana (Santschi) sp. rev., stat.n., G. lenis sp. n., G. latistriata sp. n., and G. avus sp. n. The queen and intercaste of G. lavra Lattke and the queen of G. pernambucana are described for the first time. For these five species we provide complete descriptions and diagnoses, comments on taxonomy and natural history, distribution data, and high-resolution images, including the first images of G. lavra. An updated identification key for all the Neotropical species of Gnamptogenys is also provided, including the new and revived species as well as G. aspera Morgan and G. pilosa Lattke, not present in previous keys for the genus.

First checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of French Guiana.

We provide here a checklist of the ants of French Guiana, an overseas department of France situated in northern South America, with a very low human population density and predominantly covered by old-growth tropical rainforests. Based on 165 scientific papers, specimens deposited in collections, and unpublished surveys, a total of 659 valid species and subspecies from 84 genera and 12 subfamilies is presented. Although far from complete, these numbers represent approximately 10% of the ant diversity known to occur in the Neotropical realm. Additionally, three ant genera and 119 species are reported for the first time for French Guiana. Finally, five species are recognized as erroneous records for the the department in the literature. This checklist significantly expands the basic knowledge of the ants in the Guiana Shield, one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots.