Literature DB >> 35437406

SLAM Project - Long Term Ecological Study of the Impacts of Climate Change in the Natural Forest of Azores: II - A survey of exotic arthropods in disturbed forest habitats.

Paulo A V Borges1,2,3, Lucas Lamelas-Lopez1, Peter E Stüben4, Alejandra Ros-Prieto1, Rosalina Gabriel1,3,2, Mário Boieiro1,2,3, Noelline Tsafack1,5, Maria Teresa Ferreira5.   

Abstract

Background: The data we present consist of an inventory of exotic arthropods, potentially invasive, collected in exotic and mixed forests and disturbed native forest patches of the Azores Archipelago. The study was carried out between 2019 and 2020 in four islands: Corvo, Flores, Terceira and Santa Maria, where a total of 45 passive flight interception SLAM traps were deployed, during three to six consecutive months. This manuscript is the second contribution of the "SLAM Project - Long Term Ecological Study of the Impacts of Climate Change in the Natural Forest of Azores". New information: We provide an inventory of terrestrial arthropods belonging to Arachnida, Diplopoda, Chilopoda and Insecta classes from four Azorean islands. We identified a total of 21,175 specimens, belonging to 20 orders, 93 families and 249 species of arthropods. A total of 125 species are considered introduced, 89 native non-endemic and 35 endemic. We registered 34 new records (nine for Corvo, three for Flores, six for Terceira and 16 for Santa Maria), of which five are new for Azores, being all exotic possibly recently introduced: Dieckmanniellusnitidulus (Gyllenhal, 1838), Gronopsfasciatus Küster, 1851, Hadroplontustrimaculatus (Fabricius, 1775), Hypurusbertrandi (Perris, 1852) (all Coleoptera, Curculionidae) and Cardiocondylamauritanica Forel, 1890 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). This publication highlights the importance of planted forests and disturbed native forest patches as reservoirs of potentially invasive arthropods and refuges for some rare relict endemic arthropod species. Paulo A. V. Borges, Lucas Lamelas-Lopez, Peter E. Stüben, Alejandra Ros-Prieto, Rosalina Gabriel, Mário Boieiro, Noelline Tsafack, Maria Teresa Ferreira.

Entities:  

Keywords:  Arthropoda; Azores; Macaronesia; SLAM traps; endemic species; exotic forest; exotic species; inventory; long-term sampling

Year:  2022        PMID: 35437406      PMCID: PMC8983640          DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.10.e81410

Source DB:  PubMed          Journal:  Biodivers Data J        ISSN: 1314-2828


Introduction

Arthropod communities, particularly insects, are being affected by unprecedented and rapid population declines (Hallmann et al. 2017, Sánchez-Bayo and Wyckhuys 2019, Cardoso et al. 2020, Harvey et al. 2020Cowie et al. 2022). The most important causes for this biodiversity loss are habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, climate change and the introduction and spread of invasive species (Russell et al. 2017, Borges et al. 2019a). In this context, the biodiversity of oceanic islands has been especially and dramatically affected by these drivers as consequence of human colonisation, global trade and tourism (Triantis et al. 2010, Borges et al. 2019b, Cowie et al. 2022, Stüben 2022). In the case of Azores islands, since Portuguese settlement in the 15th century, the original landscape was strongly altered by replacing pristine and native forest areas with exotic tree plantations, crops, pastures and urban areas (Triantis et al. 2010, Borges et al. 2019b, Norder et al. 2020). Currently, the remaining native forest covers only about 5% of the total surface of the Archipelago, being restricted to the higher elevation and inaccessible areas of the islands (Gaspar et al. 2008, Triantis et al. 2010, Stüben and Borges 2019, Norder et al. 2020). Native forest destruction (Triantis et al. 2010) and the consequent lack of connectivity between forest patches (Aparício et al. 2018), climate change (Ferreira et al. 2016) and invasive species are the main factors that contribute to arthropod decline in Azores (Stüben 2003, Stüben 2004, Borges et al. 2019b). Previous studies demonstrated that endemic species of Azorean arthropods are restricted mainly to native vegetation dominated habitats, while introduced species usually occupy human-altered habitats (Cardoso et al. 2009, Florencio et al. 2015, Florencio et al. 2016). Additionally, the proportion of introduced arthropod species in Azores is higher than native (around 60%) and, due to the higher adaptability to environmental conditions of many introduced species, they represent one of the main threats to indigenous biota in the native forest areas (Borges et al. 2019b). Moreover, Tsafack et al. (2021) showed the importance of isolated and small native forest patches, as well exotic and mixed forests close to native areas, which can function as refuges for native and rare endemic species, playing a relevant role for conservation of native biota outside Azorean protected areas. This publication is the second data paper of the project “SLAM Project - Long Term Ecological Study of the Impacts of Climate Change in the Natural Forest of Azores” (see first in Costa and Borges 2021) that aims to monitor the distribution and abundance of arthropods in native forests from Azores using SLAM traps (Sea, Land and Air Malaise traps). Additional publications, using data coming from this project, tested specific ecological questions, namely patterns of seasonal variation on species abundance (Borges et al. 2017), patterns of temporal beta diversity in native and exotic species (Matthews et al. 2018), the potential decline of endemic insects (Borges et al. 2020), patterns of arthropod diversity in Azorean urban gardens (Arteaga et al. 2020), patterns of species richness and beta diversity in a small elevational gradient (de Vries et al. 2021) and the investigation of the role of small lowland patches of exotic forests as refuges for rare endemic Azorean arthropods (Tsafack et al. 2021). In this second data paper, we aim to: i) survey arthropods in exotic and mixed forests and small disturbed remnants of native forests; ii) investigate the occurrence and current distribution of exotic (potentially invasive) arthropods in those habitats; and also iii) investigate the occurrence of rare endemic arthropods in those habitats.

General description

Purpose

This publication provides an inventory of arthropods present in exotic and mixed forests of four Azores Islands (Corvo, Flores, Terceira and Santa Maria), as well as from small remnants of disturbed native forests in three Islands (Flores, Terceira and Santa Maria).

Additional information

The data we present are part of the long-term project SLAM (Long Term Ecological Study of the Impacts of Climate Change in the Natural Forest of Azores) that started in 2012 aiming to understand the impact of biodiversity erosion drivers on Azorean native forests (Azores, Macaronesia, Portugal). Passive flight interception SLAM traps (Sea, Land and Air Malaise traps) are being used to sample native forest plots in several Azorean islands (Costa and Borges 2021).

Project description

Title

SLAM Project II - A survey of exotic and endemic arthropods in Azorean disturbed Azorean forest habitats

Personnel

The project was conceived and led by Paulo A.V. Borges. Fieldwork: Corvo Island - Alejandra Ros-Prieto, Maria Teresa Ferreira, Mário Boieiro, Paulo A. V. Borges, Rosalina Gabriel; Flores Island - Alejandra Ros-Prieto, Maria Teresa Ferreira, Mário Boieiro, Paulo A. V. Borges, Rosalina Gabriel; Terceira Island - Alejandra Ros-Prieto, Paulo A. V. Borges, Rosalina Gabriel; Santa Maria Island - Alejandra Ros-Prieto, Nelson Moura, Paulo A. V. Borges, Rosalina Gabriel. Parataxonomists: Alejandra Ros-Prieto, Jonne Bonnet and Sébastien Lhoumeau. Taxonomists: Paulo A. V. Borges, Mário Boieiro and Peter E. Stüben. Voucher specimen management was mainly undertaken by Alejandra Ros-Prieto and Paulo A. V. Borges.

Study area description

The study area comprises Corvo, Flores, Terceira and Santa Maria Islands, in the Azores Archipelago, located in the North Atlantic, roughly at 38°43'21"N 27°13'14"W and 38°27'30"N 28°19'22"W (Fig. 1). The climate is temperate oceanic, with regular and abundant rainfall, high levels of relative humidity and persistent winds, mainly during the winter and autumn seasons. The exotic forests are located at lower and mid-elevations and are dominated mainly by Vent., spp., D.Don, R.Br. and Aiton. The studied native forests are located at several elevations and are mainly dominated by Hochst. ex Seub., (Seub.) Franco, Gand. and (Hochst. ex Seub.). Mixed forests included both exotic and native tree species.
Figure 1.

The Azores Archipelago location (Credit: Enésima Pereira, Azorean Biodiversity Group).

Design description

Passive flight interception SLAM traps (Sea, Land and Air Malaise traps) (Fig. 2) were used to sample 45 sites in the four study Islands (Corvo (n = 1), Flores (n = 5), Santa Maria (n =16) and Terceira (n = 23)) with one trap being set up at each plot. Although this protocol was originally developed to sample flying arthropods, by working as an extension of the tree, non-flying species can also crawl into the trap (Borges et al. 2017), enhancing the range of groups that can be sampled by this technique. Recent studies have used this sampling technique to study diversity and abundance variations in the communities of arthropod on Azorean native areas (Borges et al. 2017, Matthews et al. 2018, Borges et al. 2020, de Vries et al. 2021, Tsafack et al. 2021). The samples were collected every three or six months depending on sites. The collected specimens were sorted to morphospecies and posteriorly identified at species level by an expert taxonomist in laboratory.
Figure 2.

Passive flight interception SLAM trap (Sea, Land and Air Malaise traps) (Credit: Paulo A. V. Borges).

Funding

Portuguese National Funds, through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, within the project UID/BIA/00329/2013-2023. Direcção Regional do Ambiente - PRIBES (LIFE17 IPE/PT/000010) (2019-2020). Direcção Regional do Ambiente – LIFE-BETTLES (LIFE18 NAT_PT_000864) (2020-2024). AZORESBIOPORTAL –PORBIOTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072) (2019-2022). The database management and Open Access was funded by the project “MACRISK-Trait-based prediction of extinction risk and invasiveness for Northern Macaronesian arthropods” Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia FCT - PTDC/BIA-CBI/0625/2021 (2022-2024).

Sampling methods

Study extent

The study was conducted in four Islands of the Azores Archipelago, Corvo, Flores, Terceira and Santa Maria. The sampled habitats included exotic, mixed and disturbed native forest patches (Table 1).
Table 1.

List of the 45 sampled sites in the Corvo (n = 1), Flores (n = 5), Santa Maria (n =16) and Terceira (n = 23) Islands. Information about LocationID, Locality, decimal coordinates and elevation in metres are provided.

IslandHabitatLocation IDLocalityLatitudeLongitudeElevation
CorvoMixed Forest - Picconia, PittosporumCOR-CORO-Z-16Coroa do Pico 39.68854 -31.09191 248
FloresExotic Forest - CryptomeriaFLO-LAFLOR-T29Lajes- Estação Florestal 39.39416 -31.20682 315
FloresExotic Forest - CryptomeriaFLO-MAPS-TT25Criptomérias ao lado do T16 39.48697 -31.18462 607
FloresNative ForestFLO-NFFR-T-07Encosta Caldeira Funda 39.40324 -31.2175 381
FloresNative ForestFLO-NFMA-T-08Morro Alto Este 39.46003 -31.20941 769
FloresMixed ForestFLO-PDEL-Z-11Ponta Delgada Km18_Mata das Acácias 39.50744 -31.2017 106
Santa MariaNative Forest - Erica, PicconiaSMR_PRIBS_T01Ponta do Pinheiro 37.00336 -25.12854 192
Santa MariaMixed Forest - Erica, Picconia, HedychiumSMR_PRIBS_T02Miradouro Pedra Rija 36.97597 -25.07578 355
Santa MariaMixed Forest - Picconia, Pittosporum, PinusSMR_PRIBS_T03Piedade 36.93424 -25.0668 184
Santa MariaMixed Forest - Laurus, Pittosporum, Picconia, IlexSMR_PRIBS_T04Setada 36.95356 -25.07398 374
Santa MariaNative Forest - Laurus, Erica, IlexSMR_PRIBS_T05Casas Velhas 36.95375 -25.07494 377
Santa MariaMixed Forest - Picconia, Pittosporum, Erica, Hedychium, VacciniumSMR_PRIBS_T06Fontinhas Florestal 36.96325 -25.07505 406
Santa MariaMixed Forest - Picconia, PittosporumSMR_PRIBS_T07Miradouro Espigão 36.98215 -25.0488 191
Santa MariaMixed Forest - Erica, Picconia, PittosporumSMR_PRIBS_T08Estação Loran 37.00931 -25.05792 164
Santa MariaMixed Forest - Erica, Cryptomeria, HedychiumSMR_PRIBS_T10Piquinhos 36.97206 -25.08278 420
Santa MariaMixed Forest - Picconia, PittosporumSMR_PRIBS_T11Lapa 36.94849 -25.02598 221
Santa MariaMixed Forest - Acacia, PicconiaSMR_PRIBS_T12Monteiro 36.97013 -25.10942 191
Santa MariaExotic Forest - AcaciaSMR_PRIBS_T13Aeroporto 36.97048 -25.1549 112
Santa MariaExotic Forest - PittosporumSMR_PRIBS_T14Figueiral 36.94919 -25.12562 142
Santa MariaMixed ForestSMR_PRIBS_T15Ribeira dos Lemos 37.00141 -25.14769 61
Santa MariaNative Forest - Erica, PicconiaSMR_PRIBS_T16Caldeira 36.99592 -25.09864 304
Santa MariaMixed Forest - Picconia, Erica, Laurus, Vaccinium, Hedychium, MyrcideSMR-NFPA-T-01 (SMR_PRIBS_T09)Pico Alto T01 36.97804 -25.08756 460
TerceiraExotic Forest - PittosporumTER_PRIBS_T02Universidade 38.65868 -27.23262 43
TerceiraExotic Forest - PittosporumTER_PRIBS_T04Mata Estado Veredas 38.69814 -27.2421 450
TerceiraExotic Forest - PittosporumTER_PRIBS_T07Pittosporum Carpintaria dos Biscoitos 38.79017 -27.24136 93
TerceiraExotic Forest - PittosporumTER_PRIBS_T08Caldeira Lajes 38.77705 -27.11853 18
TerceiraNative Forest - JuniperusTER_PRIBS_T11Juniperal Trilho das Bestas 38.7087 -27.19133 521
TerceiraNative Forest - EricaTER_PRIBS_T12Erical Trilho das Bestas 38.70957 -27.18324 462
TerceiraNative Forest - JuniperusTER_PRIBS_T13Terra-Brava Rocha Cedrorum 38.74598 -27.19762 652
TerceiraExotic Forest - Cryptomeria, CallunaTER_PRIBS_T14Pico Alto Cryptomeria_Calluna 38.75212 -27.20132 584
TerceiraExotic Forest - Pittosporum, EucalyptusTER_PRIBS_T15Eucaliptal Agualva 38.77109 -27.1934 344
TerceiraExotic Forest - PittosporumTER_PRIBS_T17Pittosporum_Eucalito Pizza-UT 38.75087 -27.07099 87
TerceiraExotic Forest - PittosporumTER_PRIBS_T19Pittosporum Maria Vieira 38.65377 -27.08076 102
TerceiraExotic Forest - EucalyptusTER_PRIBS_T20Ermida Penha França 38.66603 -27.23969 118
TerceiraExotic Forest - Eucalyptus, AcaciaTER_PRIBS_T22Eucalipto_Acacia_Canada Entre Picos 38.6615 -27.26605 78
TerceiraExotic Forest - Eucalyptus, HedychiumTER_PRIBS_T23Eucalipto_Echinodium Escampador 38.70309 -27.27717 340
TerceiraExotic Forest - Pittosporum, BetulaTER_PRIBS_T24Betulas_Lagoa das Patas 38.71833 -27.28923 524
TerceiraExotic Forest - EucalyptusTER_PRIBS_T27Eucaliptal_Gruta Chocolate 38.77696 -27.25107 298
TerceiraExotic Forest - Pittosporum, EucalyptusTER_PRIBS_T28Eucaliptal_Pico Rachado_Altares 38.76211 -27.30704 522
TerceiraMixed Forest - Eucalyptus, EricaTER-ACAR-T-25 (TER_PRIBS_T10)Eucaliptal Algar do Carvão 38.72638 -27.22258 530
TerceiraExotic Forest - PittosporumTER-CABI-T166 (TER_PRIBS_T06)Caparica - Biscoitos 38.77094 -27.26185 331
TerceiraExotic Forest - AcaciaTER-FTER-T-36 (TER_PRIBS_T09)Fontinhas 1 38.73765 -27.13681 245
TerceiraNative Forest - Laurus, EricaTER-MATE-T-13 (TER_PRIBS_T01)Matela 1 38.70063 -27.26074 392
TerceiraExotic Forest - CryptomeriaTER-MNEG-T-62 (TER_PRIBS_T05)Lagoa do Negro 38.73977 -27.26341 571
TerceiraExotic Forest - PittosporumTER-POSA-T172 (TER_PRIBS_T03)Posto Santo 38.68365 -27.24457 246

Sampling description

A total of 45 passive flight interception SLAM traps (Sea, Land and Air Malaise traps) were used to sample the plots in the four study Islands, with one trap being set up at each plot. Trap size is of approximately 110 x 110 x 110 cm. The trap functions on the basis of intercepting arthropods that crawl up the mesh and then fall inside the sampling recipient, which is filled with propylene glycol (pure 1,2-propanodiol) (Borges et al. 2017). A total of 19 SLAM traps were deployed in exotic forest areas, eight on native forest patches and 18 on mixed forests. The trap samples were collected every three months in Flores and Corvo and six months in Terceira and Santa Maria. In Corvo Island, one trap was available in a mixed forest (Fig. 3; Table 1). In Flores Island, five traps were available in both exotic forests and native forests (Fig. 4; Table 1). In Santa Maria Island, a total of 16 traps were available with only three located in disturbed native forest patches (Fig. 5; Table 1). Finally, in Terceira Island, 23 traps were available with only four in disturbed native forest patches (Fig. 6; Table 1).
Figure 3.

Map with the location of the sampling sites in Corvo Island, Azores. Codes of sites as in Table 1 (Land-use data extracted from Cruz et al. 2007) (Credit: Enésima Pereira, Azorean Biodiversity Group).

Figure 4.

Map with the location of the sampling sites in Flores Island, Azores. Codes of sites as in Table 1 (Land-use data extracted from Cruz et al. 2007) (Credit: Enésima Pereira, Azorean Biodiversity Group).

Figure 5.

Map with the location of the sampling sites in Santa Maria Island, Azores. Codes of sites as in Table 1 (Land-use data extracted from Cruz et al. 2007) (Credit: Enésima Pereira, Azorean Biodiversity Group).

Figure 6.

Map with the location of the sampling sites in Terceira Island, Azores. Codes of sites as in Table 1 (Land-use data extracted from Cruz et al. 2007) (Credit: Enésima Pereira, Azorean Biodiversity Group).

Quality control

All sampled individuals were first sorted by trained paratoxonomists (see list above). All specimens were allocated to a taxonomic species by Paulo A. V. Borges. Despite the uncertainty of juvenile identification, juveniles are also included in the data presented in this paper, since the low diversity allowed a relatively precise identification of this life-stage in Azores.

Step description

At the laboratory, specimen sorting and arthropod identification followed standard procedures during the last 20 years or arthropod surveys in Azores. First, a combination of morphological and anatomical characters and reproductive structures was used for morphospecies creation. After, morphospecies were sent to experts for proper identification. With this procedure, a reference collection was made for all collected specimens by assigning them a morphospecies code number and respective taxonomic name and depositing them at the Dalberto Teixeira Pombo Insect Collection, University of Azores. Colonisation status of the species was obtained from the last updated checklist of Azorean arthropods (Borges et al. 2010).

Geographic coverage

Description

Corvo, Flores, Terceira and Santa Maria Islands, in the Azores Archipelago (Portugal).

Coordinates

36.90597988519294 and 39.740986355883564 Latitude; -31.2945556640625 and -24.949951171875 Longitude.

Taxonomic coverage

The following Classes and Orders are covered: : ; ; : ; ; ; : ; : ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; .

Collection data

Collection name

Entomoteca Dalberto Teixeira Pombo (DTP); University of Azores

Collection identifier

DTP

Specimen preservation method

All specimens were preserved in 96% ethanol.

Curatorial unit

Curator: Paulo A. V. Borges

Usage licence

Usage licence

Creative Commons Public Domain Waiver (CC-Zero)

Data resources

Data package title

A survey of exotic arthropods in disturbed Azorean forest habitats using SLAM traps.

Resource link

http://ipt.gbif.pt/ipt/resource?r=pribes_exotic_arthropods

Alternative identifiers

https://www.gbif.org/dataset/020231d8-39b6-478f-ac24-715bf97c8ef4

Number of data sets

2

Data set 1.

Data set name

Event Table

Data format

Darwin Core Archive format

Number of columns

24

Character set

UTF-8

Download URL

http://ipt.gbif.pt/ipt/resource?r=pribes_exotic_arthropods

Data format version

version 1.5

Description

The dataset was published in Global Biodiversity Information Facility platform, GBIF (Borges et al. 2022). The following data table includes all the records for which a taxonomic identification of the species was possible. The dataset submitted to GBIF is structured as a sample event dataset that has been published as a Darwin Core Archive (DwCA), which is a standardised format for sharing biodiversity data as a set of one or more data tables. The core data file contains 45 records (eventID). This IPT (Integrated Publishing Toolkit) archives the data and thus serves as the data repository. The data and resource metadata are available for download in the Portuguese GBIF Portal IPT (Borges et al. 2022).

Data set 2.

Occurrence Table Darwin Core Archive format 30 UTF-8 https://www.gbif.org/dataset/020231d8-39b6-478f-ac24-715bf97c8ef4 version 1.5 The dataset was published in Global Biodiversity Information Facility platform, GBIF (Borges et al. 2022). The following data table includes all the records for which a taxonomic identification of the species was possible. The dataset submitted to GBIF is structured as an occurrence table that has been published as a Darwin Core Archive (DwCA), which is a standardised format for sharing biodiversity data as a set of one or more data tables. The core data file contains 2095 records (occurrenceID). This IPT (Integrated Publishing Toolkit) archives the data and thus serves as the data repository. The data and resource metadata are available for download in the Portuguese GBIF Portal IPT (Borges et al. 2022).

Additional information

We collected a total of 27,958 specimens (Suppl. material 1; Borges et al. 2022) from which it was possible to identify to species level 76% of the specimens (21,175) (Table 2). These identified specimens belong to 20 orders, 93 families and 249 species of arthropods. A total of 125 species are considered introduced, 89 native non-endemic and 35 endemic (Table 2). Additionally, a total of 147 taxa were recorded at genus, family or order level (Suppl. material 1).
Table 2.

List of arthropod species collected in four islands of Azores, between 2019 and 2020 using SLAM traps. The list includes individuals identified at species-level. Scientific name, colonization status (CS: intr – introduced; nat - native non-endemic; end - endemic) and abundance per island (COR - Corvo; FLO - Flores; TER - Terceira; SMR - Santa Maria). Bold scientific names constitute new records for the Azores and bold numbers new records for a given island.

ClassOrderFamilyScientific NameCSCORFLOTERSMR
Arachnida Araneae Agelenidae Tegenariapagana C.L. Koch, 1840intr1181
Arachnida Araneae Agelenidae Textrixcaudata L. Koch, 1872intr3
Arachnida Araneae Araneidae Agalenatearedii (Scopoli, 1763)intr1
Arachnida Araneae Araneidae Araneusangulatus Clerck, 1757intr1
Arachnida Araneae Araneidae Gibbaraneaoccidentalis Wunderlich, 1989end5853
Arachnida Araneae Araneidae Mangoraacalypha (Walckenaer, 1802)intr1
Arachnida Araneae Araneidae Zygiellax-notata (Clerck, 1757)intr4
Arachnida Araneae Cheiracanthiidae Cheiracanthiumerraticum (Walckenaer, 1802)intr22
Arachnida Araneae Cheiracanthiidae Cheiracanthiumfloresense Wunderlich, 2008end5
Arachnida Araneae Cheiracanthiidae Cheiracanthiummildei L. Koch, 1864intr 28 39
Arachnida Araneae Clubionidae Clubionaterrestris Westring, 1851intr61
Arachnida Araneae Clubionidae Porrhoclubionadecora (Blackwall, 1859)nat15843
Arachnida Araneae Clubionidae Porrhoclubionagenevensis (L. Koch, 1866)intr 15 194147
Arachnida Araneae Dictynidae Emblynaacoreensis Wunderlich, 1992end3
Arachnida Araneae Dictynidae Lathysdentichelis (Simon, 1883)nat2167
Arachnida Araneae Dictynidae Nigmapuella (Simon, 1870)intr61
Arachnida Araneae Dysderidae Dysderacrocata C.L. Koch, 1838intr57049
Arachnida Araneae Gnaphosidae Marinarozeloteslyonneti (Audouin, 1826)intr1
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Acorigoneacoreensis (Wunderlich, 1992)end1351
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Agynetafuscipalpa (C. L. Koch, 1836)intr11
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Canariphantesacoreensis (Wunderlich, 1992)end1
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Canariphantesrelictus Crespo & Bosmans, 2014end2
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Erigoneautumnalis Emerton, 1882intr123
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Erigonedentipalpis (Wider, 1834)intr21
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Lessertiadentichelis (Simon, 1884)intr 3
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Microlinyphiajohnsoni (Blackwall, 1859)nat348
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Miniciafloresensis Wunderlich, 1992end2
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Nerieneclathrata (Sundevall, 1830)intr 2 1
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Oedothoraxfuscus (Blackwall, 1834)intr8
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Palliduphantesschmitzi (Kulczynski, 1899)nat2
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Pelecopsisparallela (Wider, 1834)intr2
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Prinerigonevagans (Audouin, 1826)intr1
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Savigniorrhipisacoreensis Wunderlich, 1992end301977
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Tenuiphantesmiguelensis (Wunderlich, 1992)nat316
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae Tenuiphantestenuis (Blackwall, 1852)intr61734621
Arachnida Araneae Mimetidae Erofurcata (Villers, 1789)intr10
Arachnida Araneae Oecobiidae Oecobiusnavus Blackwall, 1859intr13
Arachnida Araneae Pisauridae Pisauraacoreensis Wunderlich, 1992end57
Arachnida Araneae Salticidae Macaroeriscata (Blackwall, 1867)nat56
Arachnida Araneae Salticidae Macaroerisdiligens (Blackwall, 1867)nat6173
Arachnida Araneae Salticidae Neonacoreensis Wunderlich, 2008end1
Arachnida Araneae Salticidae Phidippusaudax (Hentz, 1845)intr3
Arachnida Araneae Salticidae Pseudeuophrysvafra (Blackwall, 1867)intr1
Arachnida Araneae Salticidae Salticusmutabilis Lucas, 1846intr3
Arachnida Araneae Segestriidae Segestriaflorentina (Rossi, 1790)intr101
Arachnida Araneae Tetragnathidae Metellinamerianae (Scopoli, 1763)intr12
Arachnida Araneae Tetragnathidae Sancusacoreensis (Wunderlich, 1992)end110
Arachnida Araneae Theridiidae Cryptachaeablattea (Urquhart, 1886)intr31
Arachnida Araneae Theridiidae Lasaeolaoceanica Simon, 1883end21
Arachnida Araneae Theridiidae Rugathodesacoreensis Wunderlich, 1992end7817
Arachnida Araneae Theridiidae Steatodagrossa (C. L. Koch, 1838)intr11
Arachnida Araneae Theridiidae Steatodanobilis (Thorell, 1875)intr1010
Arachnida Araneae Theridiidae Theridionmusivivum Schmidt, 1956nat93
Arachnida Araneae Thomisidae Xysticuscor Canestrini, 1873nat1
Arachnida Opiliones Leiobunidae Leiobunumblackwalli Meade, 1861nat13857 3
Arachnida Opiliones Sclerosomatidae Homalenotuscoriaceus (Simon, 1879)nat124
Arachnida Pseudoscorpiones Chthoniidae Chthoniusischnocheles (Hermann, 1804)intr7
Arachnida Pseudoscorpiones Chthoniidae Ephippiochthoniustetrachelatus (Preyssler, 1790)intr113729
Arachnida Pseudoscorpiones Neobisiidae Neobisiummaroccanum Beier, 1930intr113
Chilopoda Geophilomorpha Linotaeniidae Strigamiacrassipes (C.L. Koch, 1835)nat3
Chilopoda Lithobiomorpha Lithobiidae Lithobiuspilicornispilicornis Newport, 1844nat137
Chilopoda Scolopendromorpha Cryptopidae Cryptopshortensis (Donovan, 1810)nat1
Chilopoda Scutigeromorpha Scutigeridae Scutigeracoleoptrata (Linnaeus, 1758)intr 1 4 27148
Diplopoda Julida Blaniulidae Blaniulusguttulatus (Fabricius, 1798)intr1
Diplopoda Julida Blaniulidae Nopoiuluskochii (Gervais, 1847)intr4
Diplopoda Julida Julidae Ommatoiulusmoreleti (Lucas, 1860)intr3816623
Diplopoda Polydesmida Paradoxosomatidae Oxidusgracilis (C.L. Koch, 1847)intr111
Diplopoda Polydesmida Polydesmidae Polydesmuscoriaceus Porat, 1870intr51
Insecta Archaeognatha Machilidae Diltasaxicola (Womersley, 1930)nat858216
Insecta Archaeognatha Machilidae Trigoniophthalmusborgesi Mendes, Gaju, Bach & Molero, 2000end15
Insecta Blattodea Blattellidae Lobopteradecipiens (Germar, 1817)nat1
Insecta Blattodea Corydiidae Zethasimonyi (Krauss, 1892)nat812779
Insecta Coleoptera Anthicidae Hirticollisquadriguttatus (Rossi, 1792)nat18
Insecta Coleoptera Apionidae Aspidapionradiolus (Marsham, 1802)nat625
Insecta Coleoptera Apionidae Kalcapionsemivittatumsemivittatum (Gyllenhal, 1833)nat271
Insecta Coleoptera Brentidae Dieckmanniellusnitidulus (Gyllenhal, 1838) intr 5
Insecta Coleoptera Carabidae Anisodactylusbinotatus (Fabricius, 1787)intr1
Insecta Coleoptera Carabidae Dromiusmeridionalis Dejean, 1825intr112
Insecta Coleoptera Carabidae Notiophilusquadripunctatus Dejean, 1826nat1
Insecta Coleoptera Carabidae Olisthopusinclavatus Israelson, 1983end1
Insecta Coleoptera Carabidae Stenolophusteutonus (Schrank, 1781)nat2
Insecta Coleoptera Cerambycidae Monochamusgalloprovincialis (Olivier, 1795)intr 1
Insecta Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Chaetocnemahortensis (Fourcroy, 1785)intr41
Insecta Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Chrysolinabankii (Fabricius, 1775)nat1
Insecta Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Epitrixcucumeris (Harris, 1851)intr71
Insecta Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Epitrixhirtipennis (Melsheimer, 1847)intr 1 41
Insecta Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Longitarsuskutscherae (Rye, 1872)intr1138
Insecta Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Psylliodeschrysocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758)intr18
Insecta Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Psylliodesmarcida (Illiger, 1807)nat 1 340
Insecta Coleoptera Coccinellidae Clitostethusarcuatus (Rossi, 1794)intr1
Insecta Coleoptera Coccinellidae Noviuscardinalis (Mulsant, 1850)intr932
Insecta Coleoptera Coccinellidae Rhyzobiuslitura (Fabricius, 1787)nat1
Insecta Coleoptera Coccinellidae Rhyzobiuslophanthae (Blaisdell, 1892)intr11
Insecta Coleoptera Coccinellidae Scymnusinterruptus (Goeze, 1777)nat52
Insecta Coleoptera Coccinellidae Stethoruspusillus (Herbst, 1797)nat12
Insecta Coleoptera Corylophidae Sericoderuslateralis (Gyllenhal, 1827)intr89172
Insecta Coleoptera Cryptophagidae Cryptophaguscellaris (Scopoli, 1763)intr13
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Brachyperamultifida (Israelson, 1984)end7
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Brachytemnusporcatus (Germar, 1823)intr2
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Calacallessubcarinatus (Israelson, 1984)end198619
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Cathormioceruscurvipes (Wollaston, 1854)nat4
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Charagmusgressorius (Fabricius, 1792)intr17
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Coccotrypescarpophagus (Hornung, 1842)intr7
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Dichromacallesdromedarius (Boheman, 1844)intr1
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Gonipterusplatensis (Marelli, 1926)intr47
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Gronopsfasciatus Küster, 1851 intr 4
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Hadroplontustrimaculatus (Fabricius, 1775) intr 1
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Hypurusbertrandi (Perris, 1852) intr 1
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Mecinuspascuorum (Gyllenhal, 1813)intr174
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Mogulonesgeographicus (Goeze, 1777)intr2
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Naupactuscervinus (Boheman, 1840)intr4923
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Otiorhynchuscribricollis Gyllenhal, 1834intr194
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Otiorhynchusrugosostriatus (Goeze, 1777)intr1
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Pseudophloeophagustenaxborgesi Stüben, 2022nat1426012
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Rhopalomesitestardyi (Curtis, 1825)nat24
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Sitonadiscoideus Gyllenhal, 1834intr9
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Sitonalineatus (Linnaeus, 1758)intr1
Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Xyleborinusalni Nijima, 1909intr2
Insecta Coleoptera Dryopidae Dryopsalgiricus (Lucas, 1846)nat21
Insecta Coleoptera Dryopidae Dryopsluridus (Erichson, 1847)nat18
Insecta Coleoptera Elateridae Aeolusmelliculusmoreleti Tarnier, 1860intr1
Insecta Coleoptera Elateridae Athousazoricus Platia & Gudenzi, 2002end21
Insecta Coleoptera Elateridae Heteroderesazoricus (Tarnier, 1860)end113047
Insecta Coleoptera Elateridae Heteroderesvagus Candèze, 1893intr2
Insecta Coleoptera Elateridae Melanotusdichrous (Erichson, 1841)intr1
Insecta Coleoptera Histeridae Carcinopspumilio (Erichson, 1834)intr1
Insecta Coleoptera Hydrophilidae Cercyonhaemorrhoidalis (Fabricius, 1775)intr5
Insecta Coleoptera Latridiidae Cartoderebifasciata (Reitter, 1877)intr211
Insecta Coleoptera Latridiidae Cartoderenodifer (Westwood, 1839)intr161
Insecta Coleoptera Latridiidae Metophthalmusoccidentalis Israelson, 1984end15
Insecta Coleoptera Leiodidae Catopscoracinus Kellner, 1846nat8033
Insecta Coleoptera Malachiidae Attaluslusitanicuslusitanicus Erichson, 1840nat4
Insecta Coleoptera Mycetophagidae Litargusbalteatus Le Conte, 1856intr3
Insecta Coleoptera Mycetophagidae Typhaeastercorea (Linnaeus, 1758)intr31
Insecta Coleoptera Nitidulidae Brassicogethesaeneus (Fabricius, 1775)intr6
Insecta Coleoptera Nitidulidae Carpophilusfumatus Boheman, 1851intr1
Insecta Coleoptera Nitidulidae Epuraeabiguttata (Thunberg, 1784)intr13
Insecta Coleoptera Nitidulidae Phenolialimbatatibialis (Boheman, 1851)intr2
Insecta Coleoptera Nitidulidae Stelidotageminata (Say, 1825)intr19106
Insecta Coleoptera Phalacridae Stilbustestaceus (Panzer, 1797)nat1625
Insecta Coleoptera Ptiliidae Ptenidiumpusillum (Gyllenhal, 1808)intr347
Insecta Coleoptera Ptinidae Anobiumpunctatum (De Geer, 1774)intr269
Insecta Coleoptera Ptinidae Calymmaderussolidus (Kiesenwetter, 1877)intr1
Insecta Coleoptera Rutelidae Popilliajaponica Newman, 1838intr 1 6
Insecta Coleoptera Scraptiidae Anaspisproteus Wollaston, 1854nat1242901
Insecta Coleoptera Silvanidae Cryptamorphadesjardinsii (Guérin-Méneville, 1844)intr1
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Aleocharabipustulata (Linnaeus, 1760)intr1912
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Aloconotasulcifrons (Stephens, 1832)nat381
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Amischaanalis (Gravenhorst, 1802)intr1
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Astenuslyonessius (Joy, 1908)nat23
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Athetaaeneicollis (Sharp, 1869)intr179
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Athetafungi (Gravenhorst, 1806)intr 5 1358282
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Carpelimuscorticinus (Gravenhorst, 1806)nat22
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Coproporuspulchellus (Erichson, 1839)intr5
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Cordaliaobscura (Gravenhorst, 1802)intr2
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Euconnusazoricus Franz, 1969end1 2
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Gyrohypnusfracticornis (Müller, 1776)intr2
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Hypomedondebilicornis (Wollaston, 1857)nat1
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Notothectadryochares (Israelson, 1985)end1
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Ocypusaethiops (Waltl, 1835)nat1
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Oligotapumilio Kiesenwetter, 1858nat54
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Phloeonomuspunctipennis Thomson, 1867nat1
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Proteinusatomarius Erichson, 1840nat42
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Rugilusorbiculatus (Paykull, 1789)nat21
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Sepedophiluslusitanicus Hammond, 1973nat1
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Stenomastaxmadeirae Assing, 2003nat 4
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Tachyporuschrysomelinus (Linnaeus, 1758)intr12214
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Tachyporusnitidulus (Fabricius, 1781)intr6442
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Trichiusaimmigrata Lohse, 1984intr1
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Trichophyapilicornis (Gyllenhal, 1810)nat 1
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Xantholinuslongiventris Heer, 1839intr1
Insecta Coleoptera Tenebrionidae Lagriahirta (Linnaeus, 1758)intr 382
Insecta Coleoptera Teredidae Anommatusduodecimstriatus (Müller, 1821)intr2
Insecta Coleoptera Zopheridae Tarphiusrufonodulosus Israelson, 1984end6
Insecta Dermaptera Anisolabididae Euborelliaannulipes (Lucas, 1847)intr7
Insecta Dermaptera Forficulidae Forficulaauricularia Linnaeus, 1758intr5817
Insecta Hemiptera Anthocoridae Anthocorisnemoralis (Fabricius, 1794)nat1 3
Insecta Hemiptera Anthocoridae Brachystelesparvicornis (A. Costa, 1847)nat2
Insecta Hemiptera Anthocoridae Buchananiellacontinua (White, 1880)intr2
Insecta Hemiptera Anthocoridae Oriuslaevigatuslaevigatus (Fieber, 1860)nat2415
Insecta Hemiptera Aphididae Cinarajuniperi (De Geer, 1773)nat424252
Insecta Hemiptera Cicadellidae Aphrodeshamiltoni Quartau & Borges, 2003end41
Insecta Hemiptera Cicadellidae Eupteryxazorica Ribaut, 1941end146410723
Insecta Hemiptera Cicadellidae Eupteryxfilicum (Newman, 1853)nat3943
Insecta Hemiptera Cicadellidae Euscelidiusvariegatus (Kirschbaum, 1858)nat23
Insecta Hemiptera Cicadellidae Sophoniaorientalis (Matsumura, 1912)intr4
Insecta Hemiptera Cixiidae Cixiusazofloresi Remane & Asche, 1979end45
Insecta Hemiptera Cixiidae Cixiusazomariae Remane & Asche, 1979end278
Insecta Hemiptera Cixiidae Cixiusazoterceirae Remane & Asche, 1979end968
Insecta Hemiptera Delphacidae Kelisiaribauti Wagner, 1938nat218
Insecta Hemiptera Flatidae Cyphopterumadcendens (Herrich-Schäffer, 1835)nat144161349
Insecta Hemiptera Flatidae Siphantaacuta (Walker, 1851)intr136 260
Insecta Hemiptera Liviidae Strophingiaharteni Hodkinson, 1981end340192
Insecta Hemiptera Lygaeidae Kleidocerysericae (Horváth, 1908)nat13811
Insecta Hemiptera Lygaeidae Nysiusatlantidum Horváth, 1890end12
Insecta Hemiptera Microphysidae Loriculaelegantula (Bärensprung, 1858)nat27776
Insecta Hemiptera Miridae Campyloneuravirgula (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1835)nat1128
Insecta Hemiptera Miridae Heterotomaplanicornis (Pallas, 1772)nat1
Insecta Hemiptera Miridae Monalocorisfilicis (Linnaeus, 1758)nat81005
Insecta Hemiptera Miridae Pilophorusconfusus (Kirschbaum, 1856)nat133
Insecta Hemiptera Miridae Pilophorusperplexus Douglas & Scott, 1875nat1
Insecta Hemiptera Miridae Pinalitusoromii J. Ribes, 1992end11835
Insecta Hemiptera Miridae Taylorilygusapicalis (Fieber, 1861)intr1
Insecta Hemiptera Nabidae Nabispseudoferusibericus Remane, 1962nat117
Insecta Hemiptera Pentatomidae Piezodoruslituratus (Fabricius, 1794)nat1
Insecta Hemiptera Psyllidae Acizziauncatoides (Ferris & Klyver, 1932)intr288 23
Insecta Hemiptera Reduviidae Empicorisrubromaculatus (Blackburn, 1889)intr23
Insecta Hemiptera Rhyparochromidae Aphanusrolandri (Linnaeus, 1758)nat1
Insecta Hemiptera Rhyparochromidae Beosusmaritimus (Scopoli, 1763)nat2
Insecta Hemiptera Rhyparochromidae Emblethisdenticollis Horváth, 1878nat1
Insecta Hemiptera Rhyparochromidae Eremocorismaderensis (Wollaston, 1858)nat 1 13
Insecta Hemiptera Rhyparochromidae Plinthisusbrevipennis (Latreille, 1807)nat2
Insecta Hemiptera Rhyparochromidae Plinthisusminutissimus Fieber, 1864nat1
Insecta Hemiptera Rhyparochromidae Scolopostethusdecoratus (Hahn, 1833)nat2371
Insecta Hemiptera Saldidae Saldulapalustris (Douglas, 1874)nat2
Insecta Hemiptera Tingidae Tingisauriculata (A. Costa, 1847)intr1
Insecta Hemiptera Triozidae Triozalaurisilvae Hodkinson, 1990nat5659
Insecta Hymenoptera Apidae Bombusruderatus (Fabricius, 1775)intr6
Insecta Hymenoptera Apidae Bombusterrestris (Linnaeus, 1758)intr1612
Insecta Hymenoptera Formicidae Cardiocondylamauritanica Forel, 1890 intr 1 4
Insecta Hymenoptera Formicidae Hypoponeraeduardi (Forel, 1894)nat 1 123173
Insecta Hymenoptera Formicidae Hypoponerapunctatissima (Roger, 1859)intr2
Insecta Hymenoptera Formicidae Lasiusgrandis Forel, 1909nat3138856348
Insecta Hymenoptera Formicidae Linepithemahumile (Mayr, 1868)intr55199
Insecta Hymenoptera Formicidae Monomoriumcarbonarium (F. Smith, 1858)nat786310
Insecta Hymenoptera Formicidae Plagiolepisschmitzii Forel, 1895nat 18 343
Insecta Hymenoptera Formicidae Temnothoraxunifasciatus (Latreille, 1798)nat 18
Insecta Hymenoptera Formicidae Tetramoriumbicarinatum (Nylander, 1846)intr 230
Insecta Hymenoptera Formicidae Tetramoriumcaespitum (Linnaeus, 1758)nat524
Insecta Hymenoptera Formicidae Tetramoriumcaldarium (Roger, 1857)intr121 2
Insecta Isoptera Kalotermitidae Kalotermesflavicollis (Fabricius, 1793)intr10
Insecta Neuroptera Hemerobiidae Hemerobiusazoricus Tjeder, 1948end23115
Insecta Orthoptera Gryllidae Eumodicogryllusbordigalensis (Latreille, 1804)intr1
Insecta Orthoptera Tettigoniidae Phaneropteranana Fieber, 1853nat1
Insecta Phasmatodea Phasmatidae Carausiusmorosus (Sinéty, 1901)intr13
Insecta Psocodea Caeciliusidae Valenzuelaburmeisteri (Brauer, 1876)nat13635
Insecta Psocodea Caeciliusidae Valenzuelaflavidus (Stephens, 1836)nat51471374
Insecta Psocodea Ectopsocidae Ectopsocusbriggsi McLachlan, 1899intr12329815
Insecta Psocodea Ectopsocidae Ectopsocusstrauchi Enderlein, 1906nat92325
Insecta Psocodea Elipsocidae Elipsocusazoricus Meinander, 1975end5523107
Insecta Psocodea Elipsocidae Elipsocusbrincki Badonnel, 1963end126271
Insecta Psocodea Epipsocidae Bertkauialucifuga (Rambur, 1842)nat239
Insecta Psocodea Psocidae Atlantopsocusadustus (Hagen, 1865)nat37451
Insecta Psocodea Trichopsocidae Trichopsocusclarus (Banks, 1908)nat856618143
Insecta Thysanoptera Aeolothripidae Aeolothripsgloriosus Bagnall, 1914nat 1
Insecta Thysanoptera Phlaeothripidae Hoplothripscorticis (De Geer, 1773)nat 3 12
Insecta Thysanoptera Thripidae Heliothripshaemorrhoidalis (Bouché, 1833)intr 8 4
Insecta Thysanoptera Thripidae Hercinothripsbicinctus (Bagnall, 1919)intr2
Insecta Trichoptera Limnephilidae Limnephilusatlanticus Nybom, 1948end31
Just considering the 249 arthropod species identified at archipelago level, the five most abundant species were the native bug (Herrich-Schäffer, 1835) (n = 1707), the ants Forel, 1909 (n = 1273) and (F. Smith, 1858) (n = 1096), the endemic cixiid Remane & Asche, 1979 (n = 968) and the native harvestmen Meade, 1861 (n = 873) (Table 2). At island scale, the native ant was also one of the most abundant arthropods in Corvo (n = 31) and Santa Maria (n = 348). Curiously, in both Islands, one of the two most abundant species represent a new island record, being the exotic spider (L. Koch, 1866) (n = 15), new for Corvo and the exotic (possibly invasive) beetle (Linnaeus, 1758) (n =382), new for Santa Maria. In Flores, the native (Banks, 1908) (n = 143) and the endemic Ribaut, 1941 (n = 23) were the most abundant arthropod species. Finally, in Terceira, the native and endemic , respectively (n = 1613) and (n = 968), were the most abundant species (Table 2).

New Azores species records

In this study, we registered a total of 34 new records for one or more islands of Azores (nine for Corvo, three for Flores, six for Terceira and 16 for Santa Maria), of which the curculionids (Gyllenhal, 1838), Küster, 1851, (Fabricius, 1775) and (Perris, 1852) are new records for Azores. In addition, the ant Forel, 1890 (, ) is also a new record for Azores. All these species are exotics, possibly recently introduced. (Gyllenhal, 1838) (: ) is mainly widespread in the Mediterranean Region and lives monophagously on various (e.g. L.). The record on Santa Maria (Azores) probably refers to (Schrank) Litv. or Banks & Solander. The species was also introduced on five of the seven Canary Islands, where it lives on L., on which one of us (PS) was able to reliably detect it on La Gomera. Characteristic features: Head, funicle and club of antennae mainly black; elytra in front of the white, V-shaped transverse mark with a dark spot on the front third of the sutural strip (see Fig. 7); 1.4 – 2.1 mm (Stüben 2022).
Figure 7.

(: ) (Credit: Peter E. Stüben).

Küster, 1851 The genus (: : ) includes about 20 Palaearctic species, mainly from the arid regions of North Africa and is only represented with certainty on the Canary Islands by the species . The determination of the specimen of , a male, recorded at the airfield of Santa Maria (Azores) in December 2019, must be checked again by a specialist of this group. The biology of these terricolous, flightless species is largely unknown, although they are often found near and . Carry-over with soil is conceivable. Characteristic features of compared to (Fabricius, 1775): elytra shorter, hardly narrowing towards the apex (subparallel); pronotum wider, strongly widened in the front third (see Fig. 8); length: 2.2–3.2 mm (Stüben 2022).
Figure 8.

Küster, 1851 (: : ) (Credit: Peter E. Stüben).

(Fabricius, 1775) Both European species, and (: ) live on thistles. The latter lives on plants of the genus , mainly and . The single specimen (see Fig. 9) was sampled at Piquinhos, mixed forest with the presence of W.M.Curtis. differs from the very similar species by the beige to greyish-brown (not completely white) suture interval of the cruciform elytral spot (Stüben et al. 2014, Stüben 2022).
Figure 9.

(Fabricius, 1775) (: ) (Credit: Peter E. Stüben).

(Perris, 1852) (Perris, 1852) (: ) (see Fig. 10), originally a Mediterranean, now nearly cosmopolitan species, which lives monophagously on L. The species was first reported from the Macaronesian Islands by García et al. (2016), collected in the Escuela de Capacitación Agraria near Tacoronte on Tenerife in 2015. The species also occurs in Cape Verde (São Tiago: S. Jorge; Colonnelli 1990) and on the Azores (Terceira: Caldeira Lajes). A characteristic feature is the strongly thickened hind femora (see Fig. 10; Stüben et al. 2012, Stüben 2022).
Figure 10.

(Perris, 1852) (: ) (Credit: Peter E. Stüben). The scale refers to the insect. The photo of the plants refers to L., in which the species lives as monophagous.

Forel, 1890 This ant species is native to northern Africa, Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, but has been introduced in many other regions, including the United States of America, Mexico, Zimbabwe, several European countries and many islands worldwide (Wetterer 2012, Janicki et al. 2016, Seifert et al. 2017). In Macaronesia, was perviously known to occur in Madeira and the Canary Islands (Espadaler 2008, Báez and Oromí 2010). These ants are small, inconspicuous and can be separated from other species using a combination of morphometric characters (Seifert 2003, Seifert et al. 2017) (see Fig. 11). They form polygynous colonies and mating occurs inside the nests (Seifert et al. 2017). These characteristics and their ability to co-exist with other aggressive invasive ant species, like the Argentine ant , are important to explain their ecological success and ongoing spread (Wetterer 2012). However, contrary to other exotic ant species, does not seem to have significant ecological impacts on native biodiversity (Wetterer 2012).
Figure 11.

(Forel, 1890) (). Specimen CASENT0746634 from AntWeb.org (Credit: Zach Lieberman).

Conservation remarks

This publication highlights the importance of exotic and mixed forest areas, as well as small native disturbed forest patches as potential reservoirs of both exotic potentially invasive species, as well as rare endemic species (see also Tsafack et al. 2021). The high abundance of several native non-endemic (e.g. ; , , , ) and endemic species (e.g. , , , ) (Table 2) in these habitats is noteworthy. Within endemics, we wish to comment on the recently-described subspecies Stüben, 2022 (: ) (Fig. 12). This subspecies, common in many islands of the Azores, was described only in 2022 (Stüben 2022). The nominotypic taxon occurs on Madeira. Accordingly, material of from trap findings and in collections from the Azores must be assigned to this new subspecies. Type locality of is on São Jorge (Vigia da Baleia), but perhaps the subspecies occurs on all islands of the Azores. Apart from clear molecular differences in the mitochondrial COI gene (Stüben et al. 2012), this subspecies of the Azores differs from the nominotypic taxon on Madeira in the following characteristics: elytral striae more strongly and deeply punctured and the interstriae much narrower than in the sister taxon from Madeira; aedeagus narrower (see Fig. 12, Stüben and Borges 2019, Stüben 2022).
Figure 12.

Stüben, 2022 (: ) (Credit: Peter E. Stüben).

Several other rare endemic species were found in this study (see list below), which highlights the importance of expanding surveys in Azores to small isolated forest patches in order to find relict populations of rare endemic species: - (Wunderlich, 1992) (, ). This rare spider is usually found in pristine native forests and is considered Vulnerable (VU) by IUCN (Borges and Cardoso 2021b). In the current study, we sampled a single specimen in a disturbed mixed forest of spp. and at Terceira Island located near a native forest at Pico Rachado. - Crespo & Bosmans, 2014 (, ). Another very rare species, classified as Critically Endangered (CR) (Borges and Cardoso 2021a). The species was found originally in high elevation at Santa Maria Island (Crespo et al. 2014), but in our study, two females were found at Piedade (PRIBS_T03_12_2019) at low elevation in a mixed forest of , and sp. The species possibly has a larger distribution than originally recorded. - Israelson, 1983 (, ). This is a very rare ground-beetle classified as Critically Endangered (CR) by IUCN (Borges 2018) and currently occurring only in exotic forests (dominated by , spp.). In this study, the unique specimen was sampled in Monteiro (SMR_PRIBS_T12). - Platia & Gudenzi, 2002 (, ) (Fig. 13). This is a relatively rare species known from Flores, Graciosa, Terceira and S. Miguel Islands. Considered Endangered by the IUCN (Borges and Lamelas-López 2017a), this species tends to occur at low elevations in disturbed exotic forests. In the current study, we found the species in three places all at mid-elevations (300-500 m) and in three types of forest, one plantation of (Mistérios Negros; TER-MNEG-T-62 corresponding also to code TER_PRIBS_T05), a mixed forest dominated by spp. (Escampadouro; TER_PRIBS_T23) and a mixed forest dominated by (Mata do Estado; TER_PRIBS_T04). At least in Terceira Island, the species seems to be more widespread than previously assumed.
Figure 13.

Platia & Gudenzi, 2002 (, ) (Credit: Enésima Pereira, Azorean Biodiversity Group).

- (Israelson, 1984) (= (Israelson, 1984)) (, ) (Fig. 14). This is a particularly rare curculionid beetle classified as Critically Endangered (CR) (Borges and Lamelas-López 2017b). Previously, it was sampled at high elevation at Pico Alto in Santa Maria Island. In the current survey, we sampled this species in three sites, Estação Loran (SMR_PRIBS_T08), Piquinhos (SMR_PRIBS_T10) and Figueiral (SMR_PRIBS_T14) expanding the range of the species to lower elevations and to different types of forest.
Figure 14.

(Israelson, 1984) (= (Israelson, 1984)) (, ) (Credit: Peter E. Stüben).

- Israelson, 1984 (, ) (Fig. 15). This is a rare ironclade beetle also Critically Endangered (CR) (Borges and Lamelas-López 2018) that is associated with the canopies of native trees (e.g. ) and under-bark of dead trees, both in native and exotic forests (dominated by sp. and ). In the current study, one specimen was collected in mixed forests of , and at three locations at high elevation (Piquinhos and Fontinhas forest areas).
Figure 15.

Israelson, 1984 (, ) (Credit: Erno-Endre Gergely; Azorean Biodiverity Group).

Patterns of invasion

The main aim of this study was to investigate the importance of disturbed native forest patches and exotic vegetation areas as potential reservoirs of exotic potentially invasive arthropods. As expected, we found a large number of exotic species, some of them new for Azores, as listed above. In addition to the 125 species identified as introduced (Table 2), many more are waiting a proper identification (Suppl. material 1). In previous studies, we identified thirteen widespread exotic arthropods as new records for Azores (Borges et al. 2013) and some previously unknown exotic species in Azorean urban gardens (Arteaga et al. 2020). This clearly indicates that there is an ongoing continuous flux of new introductions in Azores. Some of the introduced species found in the current study are a matter of concern for nature conservation in the Azores Archipelago and their populations should be monitored. For instance, (Linnaeus, 1758) (, ) that was recently recorded as new for Azores and found originally at Terceira Island (Borges et al. 2021), is expanding dramatically in Santa Maria. In Santa Maria, we found it everywhere at all elevations and habitats. This seems to be a recent introduction in Azores and the impact of this species is still unknown. The Australian exotic planthopper (Walker, 1851) (, ) was recorded originally for Azores in 2013 (Borges et al. 2013) and is expanding rapidly in several Azorean islands with potential impacts on agriculture. In our study, we found it quite abundant in many sites at Terceira and Santa Maria Islands. The expansion of the snout beetle (Marelli, 1926) (, ) that was found in several sites at Terceira Island is also of concern. This species was originally recorded for Azores by Borges et al. (2013) and is currently known also from São Miguel Island. In potential expansion in Terceira (and also known from Pico) is the two-spotted leafhopper (Matsumura, 1912) (; ) (Tarantino et al. 2022). This species is native to south-east Asia and is a highly polyphagous pest, considered an invasive species that affects crops as well as endemic plants (Tarantino et al. 2022). Several exotic ant species have been recorded in the Azores (Espadaler 2010) and, here, we report new findings at both island and archipelago levels that highlight their rapid spread. Jointly with the first record of for Azores, we found that two exotic species ( and ) are now present in Santa Maria. Both and do not seem to have significant impacts on native biodiversity (Wetterer 2012, Wetterer and Hita Garcia 2015), but and, particularly, the Argentine ant , are serious threats to island native invertebrates and natural ecological processes and have also been reported as agricultural pests (Wetterer 2009, Wetterer et al. 2009). The severe consequences of Argentine ant invasion on local biodiversity have been reported from many areas around the world, including oceanic islands, but their effects remain poorly understood in Macaronesian archipelagos (Holway et al. 2002, Wetterer and Espadaler 2010, Boieiro et al. 2018a, Boieiro et al. 2018b). Finally, it is important to highlight that, amongst the most abundant introduced species in our study, several are listed in the TOP100 worst invasive species of Azores and Macaronesia (Silva et al. 2008), namely the woodlouse spider C.L. Koch, 1838, the Argentine ant (Mayr, 1868) and the millipede (Lucas, 1860). Our study stresses the need for arthropod biodiversity monitoring in different habitats of oceanic islands as an important strategy for early detection of invasive species that may have severe impacts on the environment, economy and human well-being (see also Borges et al. 2018). It also allows us to assess changes on species abundance and distribution, thus providing valuable information to support decision-making by conservation managers. Complete list of species and morphospecies. Excel Complete list of arthropod species collected in four islands of Azores, between 2019 and 2020 using SLAM traps. The list includes individuals identified at species-level and also Morphospecies. Abundance per island (COR - Corvo; FLO - Flores; TER - Terceira; SMR - Santa Maria) is provided. File: oo_639564.txt
RankScientific NameCommon Name
order Araneae Spiders
order Opiliones Harvestmen
order Pseudoscorpiones Pseudoscorpions
class Chilopoda Centipedes
class Diplopoda Millipedes
order Archaeognatha Bristletails
order Blattodea Cockroaches
order Coleoptera Beetles
order Dermaptera Earwig
order Hemiptera Bugs
order Hymenoptera Ants
order Isoptera Termites
order Neuroptera Lacewings
order Orthoptera Grasshoppers, crickets
order Phasmatodea Stick insects
order Psocodea Booklice
order Thysanoptera Thrips
order Trichoptera Caddisflies
Data set 1.
Column labelColumn description
idUnique identification code for sampling event data.
eventIDIdentifier of the events, unique for the dataset.
samplingProtocolThe sampling protocol used to capture the species.
sampleSizeValueThe numeric amount of time spent in each sampling.
sampleSizeUnitThe unit of the sample size value.
eventDateDate or date range the record was collected.
yearYear of the event.
minimumElevationInMetresThe lower limit of the range of elevation (altitude, usually above sea level), in metres.
verbatimEventDateThe verbatim original representation of the date and time information for an Event. In this case, we use the season and year.
habitatThe habitat of the sample.
locationIDIdentifier of the location.
islandGroupName of archipelago.
islandName of the island.
countryCountry of the sampling site.
countryCodeISO code of the country of the sampling site.
stateProvinceName of the region of the sampling site.
municipalityMunicipality of the sampling site.
localityName of the locality.
decimalLatitudeApproximate centre point decimal latitude of the field site in GPS coordinates.
decimalLongitudeApproximate centre point decimal longitude of the field site in GPS coordinates.
geodeticDatumThe ellipsoid, geodetic datum or spatial reference system (SRS) upon which the geographic coordinates given in decimalLatitude and decimalLongitude are based.
coordinateUncertaintyInMetresUncertainty of the coordinates of the centre of the sampling plot in metres.
coordinatePrecisionA decimal representation of the precision of the coordinates given in the decimalLatitude and decimalLongitude.
georeferenceSourcesA list (concatenated and separated) of maps, gazetteers or other resources used to georeference the Location, described specifically enough to allow anyone in the future to use the same resources.
Data set 2.
Column labelColumn description
idUnique identification code for sampling event data.
typeType of the record, as defined by the Public Core standard.
licenceReference to the licence under which the record is published.
institutionIDThe identity of the institution publishing the data.
institutionCodeThe code of the institution publishing the data.
collectionIDThe identity of the collection publishing the data.
collectionCodeThe code of the collection where the specimens are conserved.
basisOfRecordThe nature of the data record.
occurrenceIDIdentifier of the record, coded as a global unique identifier.
recordedByA list (concatenated and separated) of names of people, groups or organisations who performed the sampling in the field.
organismQuantityA number or enumeration value for the quantity of organisms.
organismQuantityTypeThe type of quantification system used for the quantity of organisms.
sexThe sex and quantity of the individuals captured.
lifeStageThe life stage of the organisms captured.
establishmentMeansThe process of establishment of the species in the location, using a controlled vocabulary: in the GBIF database, we used the Borges et al. (2010) original data: 'native', 'introduced', 'endemic'.
eventIDIdentifier of the events, unique for the dataset.
identifiedByA list (concatenated and separated) of names of people, groups or organisations who assigned the Taxon to the subject.
dateIdentifiedThe date on which the subject was determined as representing the Taxon.
identificationRemarksInformation about morphospecies identification (code in Dalberto Teixeira Pombo Collection).
scientificNameComplete scientific name including author and year.
kingdomKingdom name.
phylumPhylum name.
classClass name.
orderOrder name.
familyFamily name.
genusGenus name.
specificEpithetSpecific epithet.
infraspecificEpithetInfrapecific epithet.
taxonRankLowest taxonomic rank of the record.
scientificNameAuthorshipName of the author of the lowest taxon rank included in the record.
  9 in total

1.  On three endemic species of the linyphiid spider genus Canariphantes Wunderlich, 1992 (Araneae, Linyphiidae) from the Azores archipelago.

Authors:  Luís Carlos Crespo; Robert Bosmans; Pedro Cardoso; Paulo A V Borges
Journal:  Zootaxa       Date:  2014-07-28       Impact factor: 1.091

2.  International scientists formulate a roadmap for insect conservation and recovery.

Authors:  Jeffrey A Harvey; Robin Heinen; Inge Armbrecht; Yves Basset; James H Baxter-Gilbert; T Martijn Bezemer; Monika Böhm; Riccardo Bommarco; Paulo A V Borges; Pedro Cardoso; Viola Clausnitzer; Tara Cornelisse; Elizabeth E Crone; Marcel Dicke; Klaas-Douwe B Dijkstra; Lee Dyer; Jacintha Ellers; Thomas Fartmann; Mathew L Forister; Michael J Furlong; Andres Garcia-Aguayo; Justin Gerlach; Rieta Gols; Dave Goulson; Jan-Christian Habel; Nick M Haddad; Caspar A Hallmann; Sérgio Henriques; Marie E Herberstein; Axel Hochkirch; Alice C Hughes; Sarina Jepsen; T Hefin Jones; Bora M Kaydan; David Kleijn; Alexandra-Maria Klein; Tanya Latty; Simon R Leather; Sara M Lewis; Bradford C Lister; John E Losey; Elizabeth C Lowe; Craig R Macadam; James Montoya-Lerma; Christopher D Nagano; Sophie Ogan; Michael C Orr; Christina J Painting; Thai-Hong Pham; Simon G Potts; Aunu Rauf; Tomas L Roslin; Michael J Samways; Francisco Sanchez-Bayo; Sim A Sar; Cheryl B Schultz; António O Soares; Anchana Thancharoen; Teja Tscharntke; Jason M Tylianakis; Kate D L Umbers; Louise E M Vet; Marcel E Visser; Ante Vujic; David L Wagner; Michiel F WallisDeVries; Catrin Westphal; Thomas E White; Vicky L Wilkins; Paul H Williams; Kris A G Wyckhuys; Zeng-Rong Zhu; Hans de Kroon
Journal:  Nat Ecol Evol       Date:  2020-02       Impact factor: 15.460

Review 3.  The Sixth Mass Extinction: fact, fiction or speculation?

Authors:  Robert H Cowie; Philippe Bouchet; Benoît Fontaine
Journal:  Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc       Date:  2022-01-10

4.  The colonisation of exotic species does not have to trigger faunal homogenisation: lessons from the assembly patterns of arthropods on oceanic islands.

Authors:  Margarita Florencio; Jorge M Lobo; Pedro Cardoso; Mário Almeida-Neto; Paulo A V Borges
Journal:  PLoS One       Date:  2015-05-29       Impact factor: 3.240

5.  More than 75 percent decline over 27 years in total flying insect biomass in protected areas.

Authors:  Caspar A Hallmann; Martin Sorg; Eelke Jongejans; Henk Siepel; Nick Hofland; Heinz Schwan; Werner Stenmans; Andreas Müller; Hubert Sumser; Thomas Hörren; Dave Goulson; Hans de Kroon
Journal:  PLoS One       Date:  2017-10-18       Impact factor: 3.240

6.  Monitoring Arthropods in Azorean Agroecosystems: the project AGRO-ECOSERVICES.

Authors:  Paulo A V Borges; Rui Nunes; Lucas Lamelas-López; Enésima Pereira; Ricardo Costa; Paulo Monjardino; David H Lopes; António Onofre Soares; Artur Gil; François Rigal; Marco Ferrante; Gabor L Lövei
Journal:  Biodivers Data J       Date:  2021-12-09

7.  SLAM Project - Long Term Ecological Study of the Impacts of Climate Change in the natural forest of Azores: I - the spiders from native forests of Terceira and Pico Islands (2012-2019).

Authors:  Ricardo Costa; Paulo A V Borges
Journal:  Biodivers Data J       Date:  2021-09-01
  9 in total

北京卡尤迪生物科技股份有限公司 © 2022-2023.