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The assumption that differences in species' traits reflect their different niches has long influenced how ecologists infer processes from assemblage patterns. For instance, many assess the importance of environmental filtering versus classical limiting-similarity competition in driving biological invasions by examining whether invaders’ traits are similar or dissimilar to those of residents, respectively. However, mounting evidence suggests that hierarchical differences between species' trait values can distinguish their competitive abilities (e.g. for the same resource) instead of their niches. Whether such trait-mediated hierarchical competition explains invasions and structures assemblages is less explored. We integrate morphological, dietary, physiological and behavioural trait analyses to test whether environmental filtering, limiting-similarity competition or hierarchical competition explain invasions by fire ants on ant assemblages. We detect both competition mechanisms; invasion success is not only explained by limiting similarity in body size and thermal tolerance (presumably allowing the invader to exploit different niches from residents), but also by the invader's superior position in trait hierarchies reflecting competition for common trophic resources. We find that the two mechanisms generate complex assemblage-level functional diversity patterns—overdispersion in some traits, clustering in others—suggesting their effects are likely missed by analyses restricted to a few traits and composite trait diversity measures.

In the past few decades, sampling of leaf litter with Winkler extractors revealed how abundant and ubiquitous ants from the genus Strumigenys are. It is now known that this genus has the third greatest number of species within the Formicidae family. However, very few subterranean species are known, which may be due to the current under-sampling of the soil stratum. Here, a holistic sampling approach, including the use of subterranean traps, was employed in Macao SAR, China. Subterranean traps allowed the collection of a new cryptic ant species: Strumigenys subterranea Brassard, Leong & Guénard, sp. nov. Moreover, extensive sampling of the leaf litter in secondary forests provided four new species records for the genus. The list of Macanese Strumigenys is here updated, elevating the known diversity in Macao to nine species. Furthermore, to facilitate further research on ants of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a key to the 29 Strumigenys species known from the region is provided. Lastly, recommendations for sampling methods to assess ant biodiversity underground are discussed. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of using extensive sampling methods, and suggests that relatively small patches of secondary forests within cities can hold a surprisingly high diversity as well as some undescribed species.

The continuous increase in urbanization has been perceived as a major threat for biodiversity, particularly within tropical regions. Urban areas, however, may still provide opportunities for conservation. In this study focused on Macao (China), one of the most densely populated regions on Earth, we used a comprehensive approach, targeting all the vertical strata inhabited by ants, to document the diversity of both native and exotic species, and to produce an updated checklist. We then compared these results with 112 studies on urban ants to illustrate the dual roles of cities in sustaining ant diversity and supporting the spread of exotic species. Our study provides the first assessment on the vertical distribution of urban ant communities, allowing the detection of 55 new records in Macao, for a total of 155 ant species (11.5% being exotic), one of the highest species counts reported for a city globally. Overall, our results contrast with the dominant paradigm that urban landscapes have limited conservation value but supports the hypothesis that cities act as gateways for exotic species. Ultimately, we argue for a more comprehensive understanding of ants within cities around the world to understand native and exotic patterns of diversity.

Despite its small size, Hong Kong hosts a surprising level of ant diversity. Through faunal studies on arthropods conducted in Hong Kong over recent years, a new record and species of the genus Ponera have been discovered, which are introduced here. Poneraguangxiensis Zhou, 2001 is reported for the first time from Hong Kong, and Poneratudigongsp. nov. is here described as a new species, easily distinguishable from other Ponera species and unique within the genus for its four mandibular teeth.

Understanding how species’ phenotypic differences affect competition is key to explaining community assembly and predicting biodiversity responses. Many studies overlook the variable effects that species’ trait differences can have on the direction of competitive exclusion, which reverses depending on the specific mechanism at play. We performed a comprehensive trait-based study of an ant invasion integrating morphological, dietary, physiological and behavioral analyses. We found that trait differences between invasive and resident species were not only associated with niche differences which promoted the coexistence of dissimilar species, but also competitive ability differences which acted in the opposite fashion. Furthermore, competition along separate trait axes led to complex and contrasting patterns in the invaded assemblages, where species were at once similar (clustered) in some traits but also dissimilar (overdispersed) in others. Our results reveal that different aspects of phenotype may distinctly modulate the effect of competition in structuring ecological communities and functional diversity.

Upper thermal limit (UTL) is a key trait in evaluating ectotherm fitness. Critical Thermal maximum CTmax, often used to characterize the UTL of an organism in laboratory setting, needs to be accurate to characterize this significant and field-relevant threshold. The lack of standardization in CTmax assays has, however, introduce methodological problems in its measurement and incorrect estimation of species upper thermal limit; with potential major implications on the use of CTmax in forecasting community dynamics under climate change. In this study we ask if a satisfactory ramping rate can be identified to produce accurate measures of CTmax for multiple species.We first identified the most commonly used ramping rates (i.e. 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 °Cmin−1) based on a literature review, and determined the ramping rate effects on CTmax value measurements in 27 ant species (7 arboreal, 16 ground, 4 subterranean species) from eight subfamilies using both dynamic and static assays. In addition, we used field observations on multiple species foraging activity in function of ground temperatures to identify the most biologically relevant CTmax value to ultimately develop a standardized methodological approach.Integrating dynamic and static assays provided a powerful approach to identify a suitable ramping rate for the measurements of CTmax values in ants. Our results also showed that among the values tested the ramping rate of 1 °Cmin−1 is optimal, with convergent evidences from CTmax values measured in laboratory and from foraging thermal maximum measured in the field. Finally, we illustrate how methodological bias in terms of physiological trait measurements can also affect the detection of phylogenetic signal (Pagel’s λ and Bloomberg’s K) in subsequent analyses.Overall, this study presents a methodological framework allowing the identification of suitable and standardized ramping rates for the measurement of ant CTmax, which may be used for other ectotherms. Particular attention should be given to CTmax values retrieved from less suitable ramping rate, and the potential biases that functional trait based research may induce on topics such as global warming, habitat conversion or their impacts on analytical interpretations on phylogenetic conservatism.

A trap-jaw ant Anochetus lanyuensis sp. nov., belonging to the graeffei species group Brown, 1978, is described on the basis of worker and gyne castes from Orchid Island (Lanyu), Taiwan. A. lanyuensis sp. nov. is easily distinguishable from the other species in the graeffei species group by the large size of its eye, longitudinal striae on the pronotal disc, and concave dorsal margin of the petiolar node in the frontal view.

Ants are a highly diverse group that not only are often strongly associated with certain habitat types, but also can be found on carcasses and, therefore, in crime scenes. In the present study, a survey of the necrophilous ants in Taiwan was conducted and a preliminary species checklist was provided for the first time. The aim of this study was primarily to offer information on Taiwanese ant species of forensic significance. A total of 50 ant species/morphospecies from 26 genera were collected from large scale regions in Taiwan using combination pig liver bait and pitfall traps, bringing the Taiwanese necrophilous ants up to 55 species from 33 genera within the known Taiwanese ant fauna of 288 species from 71 genera. Seventeen species found in this study are tramp or potentially exotic species, which often dominated the baits. Use of pitfall traps increased the diversity of ants collected relative to hand-collecting from the carcass, adding useful data. These necrophilous ants may play important roles in carcass decomposition and can be useful in reconstructing crime scenes, as certain ants are more common in certain habitat types. This checklist and accompanying habitat information of these ants is likely the first such comprehensive data in Taiwan applying ants to the field of forensic entomology.

Ponera is a widespread genus of litter and soil ants. The highest diversity of the genus is found in Asia, with Taiwan and Japan being two of the most species-rich regions. Here, we systematically review the taxonomy of the 16 Taiwanese and Japanese Ponera species, two of which are new species from Taiwan: Ponera terayamai sp. n. and P. wui sp. n. A new key for Ponera species of East Asia is presented.

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Ponera guangxiensis Zhou, 2001 Figs 1-13 Ponera guangxiensis Zhou, 2001: 37-18, figs 33-34. Type locality: Huashuichong Natural Protection Area, Guangxi Province, China. Images of type material examined: 1 paratype worker, 31 VIII 1998, Huashuichong Natural Protection Area (ca. 24.4246°N, 111.2276°E), Guangxi, China, SY Zhou leg. Non-type material examined: 1 worker, 1 alate queen, 1 male (colony: CML12ix17-Col.22; OMNH: LCM00052 _1 alate queen, LCM00053 _ 1 male, LCM00054 _ 1 worker), Vietnam, Lạng SƠn Province, Mount Mau Son, 21.8370°N, 106.9139°E, ca. 990 m alt., 12 IX 2017, CM Leong leg. – 9 workers, 1 dealate queen, 1 alate queen, 9 pupae, 2 larvae (CML13ix17- Col. 21; NMNS: LCM00055 _ 1 worker, LCM00056 _ 1 worker), Vietnam, Lạng SƠn Province, Mount Mau Son, 21.8417°N, 106.9419°E, ca. 904 m alt., 13 IX 2017, CM Leong leg. – 5 workers, 1 dealate queen, 9 alate queens, 1 male, 13 pupae (CML15ix17- Col. 07; MHNG: LCM00058 _ 1 worker, LCM00057 _ 1 worker; IEBR: LCM00059 _1 alate queen, LCM00060 _1 dealate queen; OMNH: LCM00061 _ 1 male, LCM00062 _ 1 pupa, LCM00063 _ 1 larva), Vietnam, Lạng SƠn Province, Mount Mau Son, 21.8525°N, 106.9454°E, ca. 866 m alt., 15 IX 2017, CM Leong leg. Species diagnosis: Ponera guangxiensis Zhou, 2001 can be distinguished from the other congeners by a combination of the following characteristics in the worker: masticatory margin of mandible edentate except for the apical and two preapical teeth; antennal scape, when laid backward, not reaching the posterior corner of head, with the remaining distance of head to posterior corner of head about 5% of the scape length; antennal club five-merous; metanotal groove distinct and thin; petiolar node in dorsal view semicircular, with strongly and roundly convex anterior margin, and almost straight and roundly concave posterior margin, in lateral view with posteromedian portion of the dorsum slightly sloping posteroventrad; petiolar node in lateral view slightly higher at the anterodorsal corner than at the posterodorsal corner; subpetiolar process with distinct posteroventral teeth. Description of the worker Measurements and indices: Workers (n = 5): HL 0.55- 0.57; HW 0.45-0.52; SL 0.36-0.38; PrW 0.38-0.41; WL 0.75-0.82; PeH 0.39-0.41; PeNL 0.19-0.21; PeW 0.32- 0.34; CI 81-92; SI 72-83. Head: Head in full-face view with posterior margin straight to slightly convex; lateral margin weakly convex (Fig. 1). Eye small; the longest axis having 5-7 minute ommatidia. Anterior clypeal margin with median blunt tooth (Fig. 2A). Masticatory margin of mandible edentate, except for three large teeth in the apical part (one apical and two preapical teeth; Fig. 2B). Antennal scape, when laid backward, not reaching the posterior corner of head, with remaining distance of head to posterior corner about 5% of scape length; ratio of the length of antennal segment VI-X approximately 1.00: 1.25: 1.67: 2.64: 3.07 (n = 5). Mesosoma: Dorsum of mesosoma slightly convex in lateral view (Fig. 3A). Pronotal disc in dorsal view with broadly convex anterior margin (Fig. 2C). Promesonotal articulation distinct but weakly incised (Figs 2E, 3A). Metanotal groove distinct and forming a narrow suture (Fig. 2C, E). Propodeal dorsum in dorsal view moderately broad; posterodorsal corner of propodeum broadly round in lateral view. Metasoma: Petiolar node in dorsal view semicircular, ca. with a few superficial hair pits; posterior face shining and smooth. Abdominal tergum III weakly and sparsely punctate (interval ca. 0.018 mm; diameter = 0.011 mm). Setation: Body densely covered with short pubescence (Figs 1-3). Each antennomere with many decumbent long hairs which increase in number through the apex. Anterior clypeal margin with a series of erect hairs including two very long erect hairs (Fig. 2B). Ventral face of mandible with many long and erect hairs. Petiolar dorsum with several long and erect hairs (Fig. 3A); subpetiolar process with few long erect hairs (Fig. 2F). Gastral sterna and gastral terga V-VII with many long erect hairs (Fig. 3B). Color: Body brown; antenna, mandible, clypeus, legs and posterior half of gaster yellowish orange (Figs 1, 3). 0.5 times as long as wide, with roundly convex anterior margin and almost straight posterior margin (Figs 2D, 3B), with posteromedian portion of the dorsum slightly sloping posteroventrad. Petiolar node in lateral view with straight anterior margin, slightly convex posterolateral margin and convex dorsal margin, with its anterodorsal corner slightly higher than posterodorsal corner (Figs 2F, 3A). Subpetiolar process in lateral view with mediumsized posteroventral teeth (Fig. 2F), medium-sized fenestra, and very weakly concave ventral margin. Abdominal tergum III in dorsal view distinctly broader than length (the ratio = 77-83%; n = 5). Sculpture: Body sculpture as shown in Figs 1, 2 and 3. Dorsum of head capsule strongly and densely punctate (Fig. 2A); the intervals between punctures (ca. 0.010 mm; n = 5) much greater than the diameter of punctures (ca. 0.005 -0.007 mm; n = 5). Mandible smooth and shining with a few superficial hair pits on the lateral surface. Mesosomal dorsum weakly punctate; the density sparser in mesosomal dorsum than in dorsum of head capsule; intervals between punctures ca. 0.013 mm and diameter of punctures ca. 0.005 -0.007 mm in pronotal disc (n = 5), and intervals between punctures ca. 0.015 mm and diameter of punctures 0.006 -0.008 mm in mesonotum and propodeal dorsum (n = 5). Lateral face of pronotum very weakly punctate but shining. Mesopleuron with punctate upper portion and weakly striate lower portion. Metapleuron with smooth upper portion, and punctate lower portion. Most portion of propodeum sparsely punctate. Propodeal declivity smooth and shining. Anterior and lateral faces of petiolar node sparsely and very weakly punctate; dorsal face smooth and shining Description of the gyne Measurements and indices: Gynes (n = 3): HL 0.60-61; HW 0.54-0.57; SL 0.40-0.43; PrW 0.50-0.52; WL 0.93- 1.02; PeH 0.46-0.47; PeNL 0.22; PeW 0.37-0.38; CI 91- 93; SI 71-78. Body: In overall morphology similar to the worker (Figs 4-5). Antennal scape, when laid backward, not reaching the posterior corner of head, with the remaining distance about 5% of the scape length; ratio of the length of antennal segments VI-X approximately 1.00: 1.23: 1.51: 2.33: 2.96 (n = 3). Pronotal disc in dorsal view with broadly convex anterior margin. Mesoscutum well developed and large (Figs 4B, 5B), with moderately broad and deep scutoscutellar sulcus from which transscutal line runs laterad. Mesoscutellar disc suboval with moderately convex anterior and posterior margins. Oblique mesopleural sulcus in lateral view almost straight and incised (Figs 4A, 5A). Upper metapleuron suboval and narrowed ventrad, weakly separated from lower metapleuron by a sulcus. Propodeal corner in lateral view broadly round. Petiolar node in dorsal view semicircular, ca. 0.5 times as long as wide, with strongly and roundly convex anterior margin, and roundly concave posterior margin (Figs 4B, 5B), with posteromedian portion of the dorsum slightly sloping posteroventrad. Petiolar node in lateral view with straight anterior and posterior margins; blunt apex; anterodorsal corner little higher than posterodorsal corner (Figs 4A, 5B). Subpetiolar process with medium-sized teeth, small fenestra, straight ventral margin. Abdominal tergum III in dorsal view distinctly broader than length (the ratio = 78-82%; n = 3). Wings: Forewing (Fig. 6A) Rsf1 short and forming a blunt angle with Mf1; Mf1 straight and 3 times as long as Rsf1. Mf2 very short, 0.20 times as long as Rs+M; Rs+M running almost at right angle to 1m-cu; dc1 cell subrectangular, with Cu a little longer than Mf1; 2rsm and 2r-rs oriented at slightly different angles and diverging; Rsf4 and Rsf2-3 forming an blunt angle; the junction of Mf1 and Cu present distad to the junction of M+Cu and cu-a; cell smc2 narrowing toward Mf2, with bluntly angulate distal corner formed by Rsf4 and 2rs-m; smc2 cell 0.5 times as long as cell mc1. Hindwing (Fig. 6B): Vein A reaching wing outer margin of wing, but Rsf, Cuf, Mf almost reaching outer margin. Description of the male Measurements and indices: Male (n = 1): HL 0.49; HW 0.51; SL 0.06; PrW 0.56; WL 0.98; PeH 0.33; PeNL 0.18; PeW 0.22; CI 106; SI 11. Head: In full-face view of head (Fig. 7) suboval, broader than long (CI: 106). Gena and lateral portion of clypeus forming a distinctly angulate corner. Median portion of clypeus convex, weakly raised dorsad and forming a diamond-shaped mound; anterior clypeal margin straight. Compound eye large; the longest axis about 0.23 mm, with 25 ommatidia. Median ocellus circular, about 0.06 mm in maximum diameter; lateral ocelli subcircular, about 0.06 mm in maximum diameter. Mandible reduced, triangular with sharp apex; mandalus large and subcircular. Palp formula: 4, 2. Antennal scape very short; the ratio of the length of antennal segments I–XIII approximately 1.0: 1.1: 2.7: 2.8: 2.6: 2.7: 2.6: 2.8: 2.7: 3.70: 3.1: 2.8: 3.1: 5.1 (n = 1). Mesosoma: Mesoscutum well developed and large (Fig. 8B), with broad and deep scutoscutellar sulcus from which transscutal line runs laterad. Mesoscutellar disc sub-trapezoidal with straight anterior margin. Oblique mesopleural sulcus distinct in lateral view. Upper metapleuron suboval, distinctly separated from lower metapleuron by a sulcus. Propodeal corner in lateral view broadly round. Metasoma: Petiolar node cone-like (Fig. 8A), with steeply sloping anterior margin and ventral posterior margin, in dorsal view oval, broader than long. Subpetiolar process triangular, with indistinct fenestra, with acute anteroventral and round posteroventral corners. Abdominal sternum III prora in lateral view blunt. Posteromedian portion of abdominal tergum VIII acutely sharpened, forming median spine as long as its nearby erect hairs. Fore, middle and hind legs each with a single pectinate tibial spur; middle tibial spur approximately 3 times as large as those of fore and hind legs. Sculpture: Head weakly and evenly punctate; clypeus evenly punctate. Pronotal dorsum and mesonotum with relatively sparse punctures. Propodeal dorsum smooth. Mesosoma in lateral view with very scattered punctures. Propodeal declivity smooth. Petiolar node with dorsal and posterior faces smooth and shiny, and lateral face with few punctures. Abdominal tergum III evenly punctate. Setation: Head covered densely with short sub-erect hairs; clypeus with a few long and decumbent hairs. Compound eyes with dense and very short erect hairs (Fig. 6). Mesosoma, petiole and gaster covered densely with short and decumbent/suberect background hairs; petiolar node hairy in anterior face, and propodeal declivity and posterior face of petiole glabrous. Wings: Similar to those of gyne, as shown in Fig. 9. Color: Body color blackish brown (Figs 7, 8); antennae and legs dark brown; mandibles blackish yellow. Genitalia (dissected): Pygostyle digitiform, with 7-8 long erect hairs (Fig. 10A). Apical part of abdominal sternum IX (Fig. 10B) triangular, with angulate apex, ventrally with sparse hairs. Genital capsule almost as long as broad, broadest at the midlength of basimere (Fig. 10C, D), in lateral view subtriangular, distinctly longer than high (Fig. 10E); parameral process in lateral view subtrapezoidal with well protruding posterodorsal corner; telomere in lateral view forming an obtuse dorsomedial process (Fig. 10E), then tapering apicad, with the apex blunt and round (Fig. 10E). Volsella with well developed cuspis and digitus; digitus in mesal view thick at the base, narrowed and bent ventrad in the apical 2/3; cuspis elongate and spatulate (Fig. 10F, G). Valviceps subdivided into distinct apical and ventral lobes by a deep and round apicoventral notch (Fig. 10H); apical lobe broadly and roundly produced apicad; ventral margin of ventral lobe weakly and roundly convex, with ca. 10 small denticles; valvura weakly curved. Description of the pupa (worker) Pupa enclosed by a cocoon. Cocoon yellowish brown, with a dark-brown circular meconium in the anal area. Diameter of cocoon largest around the thorax of pupa, about 0.44 mm (Fig. 11 A-B). Description of the larva (expectedly final instar; but sex and caste unknown) Body shape pogonomyrmecoid (sensu Wheeler & Wheeler, 1976). Head subtrapezoidal (Fig. 12C), with posterior margin straight, with lateral margin well convex. Tentorial pit weakly incised. Labrum thin, with straight anterior margin. Labium well developed, subtrapezoidal, with a pair of labial palps. Each maxilla with 2 palps. Mandible well sclerotized, pogonomyrmecoid (sensu Wheeler & Wheeler, 1976), with a total of 3 teeth.Antenna with base weakly raised. Thoracic segment I (TI) with ca. 12 slender and simple subcones which are arranged as a single whorled series. Each of TII-TIII and AI-AVII with ca. 20 slender and simple subcones which are arranged as double whorled series dorsally and a single whorled series ventrally. Each of AVI-AVII additionally with a pair of glutinous tubercles. The remainder of abdominal segments (after AVII) with increasing numbers of slender and simple subcones. Head with a few erect hairs (ca. 30 hairs). Body color yellowish white. Distribution and nesting sites: Guangxi Province, China and Lạng Son Province, Vietnam (new record). The nests of P. guangxiensis were found inside the rotten wood, under the moss or under the stone in humid environments (Fig. 14)., Published as part of Chi-Man, Leong, Chung-Chi, Lin, Shiuh-Feng, Shiao, Dai Dac, Nguyen & Katsuyuki, Eguchi, 2018, Taxonomic notes on Ponera guangxiensis Zhou, 2001 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae), with a new distribution record from Vietnam and the first description of queen, male, and larva, pp. 201-215 in Revue suisse de Zoologie 125 (2) on pages 202-212, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1414195, {"references":["Zhou S. Y. 2001. Ants of Guangxi. Guangxi Normal University Press, Guilin, China, 255 pp.","Wheeler G. C., Wheeler J. 1976. Ant larvae: review and synthesis. Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Washington 7: 1 - 108."]}

The Taiwanese species of the ant genus Technomyrmex are revised with recently collected material. Five species are recognised, three in the T. albipes species group and two in the T. bicolor species group, including one new species, T. formosensis sp. nov., and two newly recorded species. The occurrence of T. albipes, previous records of which were based on misidentifications, is confirmed for the first time in Taiwan. The structure of genitalia is compared between winged and wingless males of T. brunneus.

The present study is based on oribatid mite materials (Acari, Oribatida) collected from Macao SAR, southern China during 2016 to 2018. A list of identified taxa, including 25 species from 23 genera and 14 families, is presented; of these, 11 species and 1 genus are recorded for the first time in the fauna of this country, and 1 species is recorded for the first time in the Oriental region. The taxonomic data on two species of the family Galumnidae is provided. A new species, Dimiodiogalumna ilhaverdeensis Ermilov sp. nov. is described; it differs from Dimidiogalumna comoroensis Mahunka, 1994 by the presence of four pairs of notogastral porose areas and one strium on genital plates, and the absence of ridges on anal plates. The systematic placement of Acrogalumna bipartita Aoki & Hu, 1993 is discussed, resulting in the following taxonomic proposal: Allogalumna bipartita (Aoki & Hu, 1993) comb. nov.; the supplementary description of this species is presented based on specimens from China.

A new species of the genus Meristolohmannia (Oribatida: Lohmanniidae) is described from litter of a secondary forest in Macao of southern China; M. macaoensis Ermilov sp. nov. differs from M. abbreviata Chen, Yang & Xie, 2010 by the comparatively longer rostral setae than the lamellar, interlamellar and posterior exobothridial setae, bothridial setae with well-developed branches, reticulate notogaster surface, number and morphology of subcapitular setae, nine pairs of genital setae and the smaller body size. An identification key to the known species of Meristolohmannia is provided. Lohmannia (Lohmannia) corallium Nakatamari, 1982 is recorded in the Oriental region for the first time; its supplementary description is provided based on material from China, and the revised diagnostic traits for this species are also proposed.