The Ant-like <i>Tachydromia</i> Complex in the Iberian Peninsula—Insights from Habitat Suitability Modelling for the Conservation of an Endemism (Diptera: Hybotidae)
Ant-like flies comprise nine Iberian endemic species of flightless <i>Tachydromia</i>. Severe knowledge gaps on distribution and ecological requirements hinder conservation assessments. Species distribution models were applied to unveil habitat suitability and to provide guidelines for f...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/12/1068 |
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| author | Ana Rita Gonçalves Carlos Vila-Viçosa João Gonçalves |
| author_facet | Ana Rita Gonçalves Carlos Vila-Viçosa João Gonçalves |
| author_sort | Ana Rita Gonçalves |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ant-like flies comprise nine Iberian endemic species of flightless <i>Tachydromia</i>. Severe knowledge gaps on distribution and ecological requirements hinder conservation assessments. Species distribution models were applied to unveil habitat suitability and to provide guidelines for future studies. An ensemble modeling approach combining ten different techniques was implemented with the biomod2 package. Occurrence data was partitioned into six sets, including two multi-species groups and four species. The most relevant drivers of habitat suitability are climate-related, followed by forest type and structure, according to well-defined biogeographic gradients. <i>T. lusitanica</i> and <i>T. ebejeri</i> are adapted to mild temperatures and high-humidity environments. Their distribution is connected to the Temperate–Eurosiberian life zone. <i>T. semiaptera</i> and <i>T. iberica</i> are adapted to progressively drier and hotter central and southern parts of the Iberian Peninsula, connected to transitional Temperate–submediterranean areas. Ant-like fly’ ranges overlap with deciduous/marcescent oak species, acting as suitable indicators of their presence in Iberia. Southern marcescent forests emerge as “islands” with particular interest for future prospections. Ant-like flies are threatened by several factors such as climate change and habitat destruction, including urbanization and forest fires. This study provides vital tools to better assess the ant-like flies’ conservation status and to manage their habitat. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:52:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-947d8267f1bb4bc09ed3687488b4d9fa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:52:51Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-947d8267f1bb4bc09ed3687488b4d9fa2023-11-23T08:52:25ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502021-11-011212106810.3390/insects12121068The Ant-like <i>Tachydromia</i> Complex in the Iberian Peninsula—Insights from Habitat Suitability Modelling for the Conservation of an Endemism (Diptera: Hybotidae)Ana Rita Gonçalves0Carlos Vila-Viçosa1João Gonçalves2Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Petrópolis, CP 478, Manaus CEP 69011-970, BrazilCIBIO (Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources)—InBIO (Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology), University of Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, PortugalCIBIO (Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources)—InBIO (Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology), University of Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, PortugalAnt-like flies comprise nine Iberian endemic species of flightless <i>Tachydromia</i>. Severe knowledge gaps on distribution and ecological requirements hinder conservation assessments. Species distribution models were applied to unveil habitat suitability and to provide guidelines for future studies. An ensemble modeling approach combining ten different techniques was implemented with the biomod2 package. Occurrence data was partitioned into six sets, including two multi-species groups and four species. The most relevant drivers of habitat suitability are climate-related, followed by forest type and structure, according to well-defined biogeographic gradients. <i>T. lusitanica</i> and <i>T. ebejeri</i> are adapted to mild temperatures and high-humidity environments. Their distribution is connected to the Temperate–Eurosiberian life zone. <i>T. semiaptera</i> and <i>T. iberica</i> are adapted to progressively drier and hotter central and southern parts of the Iberian Peninsula, connected to transitional Temperate–submediterranean areas. Ant-like fly’ ranges overlap with deciduous/marcescent oak species, acting as suitable indicators of their presence in Iberia. Southern marcescent forests emerge as “islands” with particular interest for future prospections. Ant-like flies are threatened by several factors such as climate change and habitat destruction, including urbanization and forest fires. This study provides vital tools to better assess the ant-like flies’ conservation status and to manage their habitat.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/12/1068species distribution modellinghabitat suitabilitynative oak forestsflightless |
| spellingShingle | Ana Rita Gonçalves Carlos Vila-Viçosa João Gonçalves The Ant-like <i>Tachydromia</i> Complex in the Iberian Peninsula—Insights from Habitat Suitability Modelling for the Conservation of an Endemism (Diptera: Hybotidae) Insects species distribution modelling habitat suitability native oak forests flightless |
| title | The Ant-like <i>Tachydromia</i> Complex in the Iberian Peninsula—Insights from Habitat Suitability Modelling for the Conservation of an Endemism (Diptera: Hybotidae) |
| title_full | The Ant-like <i>Tachydromia</i> Complex in the Iberian Peninsula—Insights from Habitat Suitability Modelling for the Conservation of an Endemism (Diptera: Hybotidae) |
| title_fullStr | The Ant-like <i>Tachydromia</i> Complex in the Iberian Peninsula—Insights from Habitat Suitability Modelling for the Conservation of an Endemism (Diptera: Hybotidae) |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Ant-like <i>Tachydromia</i> Complex in the Iberian Peninsula—Insights from Habitat Suitability Modelling for the Conservation of an Endemism (Diptera: Hybotidae) |
| title_short | The Ant-like <i>Tachydromia</i> Complex in the Iberian Peninsula—Insights from Habitat Suitability Modelling for the Conservation of an Endemism (Diptera: Hybotidae) |
| title_sort | ant like i tachydromia i complex in the iberian peninsula insights from habitat suitability modelling for the conservation of an endemism diptera hybotidae |
| topic | species distribution modelling habitat suitability native oak forests flightless |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/12/1068 |
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