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A global database of ant species abundances
Author(s) -
Gibb Heloise,
Dunn Rob R.,
Sanders Nathan J.,
Grossman Blair F.,
Photakis Manoli,
Abril Silvia,
Agosti Donat,
Andersen Alan N.,
Angulo Elena,
Armbrecht Inge,
Arnan Xavier,
Baccaro Fabricio B.,
Bishop Tom R.,
Boulay Raphaël,
Brühl Carsten,
Castracani Cristina,
Cerda Xim,
Del Toro Israel,
Delsinne Thibaut,
Diaz Mireia,
Donoso David A.,
Ellison Aaron M.,
Enriquez Martha L.,
Fayle Tom M.,
Feener Donald H.,
Fisher Brian L.,
Fisher Robert N.,
Fitzpatrick Matthew C.,
Gómez Crisanto,
Gotelli Nicholas J.,
Gove Aaron,
Grasso Donato A.,
Groc Sarah,
Guenard Benoit,
Gunawardene Nihara,
Heterick Brian,
Hoffmann Benjamin,
Janda Milan,
Jenkins Clinton,
Kaspari Michael,
Klimes Petr,
Lach Lori,
Laeger Thomas,
Lattke John,
Leponce Maurice,
Lessard JeanPhilippe,
Longino John,
Lucky Andrea,
Luke Sarah H.,
Majer Jonathan,
McGlynn Terrence P.,
Menke Sean,
Mezger Dirk,
Mori Alessandra,
Moses Jimmy,
Munyai Thinandavha Caswell,
Pacheco Renata,
Paknia Omid,
PearceDuvet Jessica,
Pfeiffer Martin,
Philpott Stacy M.,
Resasco Julian,
Retana Javier,
Silva Rogerio R.,
Sorger Magdalena D.,
Souza Jorge,
Suarez Andrew,
Tista Melanie,
Vasconcelos Heraldo L.,
Vonshak Merav,
Weiser Michael D.,
Yates Michelle,
Parr Catherine L.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.1002/ecy.1682
Subject(s) - abundance (ecology) , ecology , range (aeronautics) , habitat , macroecology , geography , biomass (ecology) , sampling (signal processing) , assemblage (archaeology) , ecosystem , spatial ecology , community structure , species richness , biology , computer science , materials science , filter (signal processing) , composite material , computer vision
What forces structure ecological assemblages? A key limitation to general insights about assemblage structure is the availability of data that are collected at a small spatial grain (local assemblages) and a large spatial extent (global coverage). Here, we present published and unpublished data from 51 ,388 ant abundance and occurrence records of more than 2,693 species and 7,953 morphospecies from local assemblages collected at 4,212 locations around the world. Ants were selected because they are diverse and abundant globally, comprise a large fraction of animal biomass in most terrestrial communities, and are key contributors to a range of ecosystem functions. Data were collected between 1949 and 2014, and include, for each geo‐referenced sampling site, both the identity of the ants collected and details of sampling design, habitat type, and degree of disturbance. The aim of compiling this data set was to provide comprehensive species abundance data in order to test relationships between assemblage structure and environmental and biogeographic factors. Data were collected using a variety of standardized methods, such as pitfall and Winkler traps, and will be valuable for studies investigating large‐scale forces structuring local assemblages. Understanding such relationships is particularly critical under current rates of global change. We encourage authors holding additional data on systematically collected ant assemblages, especially those in dry and cold, and remote areas, to contact us and contribute their data to this growing data set.