The Ant-like Tachydromia Complex in the Iberian Peninsula — Insights from Habitat Suitability Modelling for the Conservation of an Endemism (Diptera: Hybotidae)
- 1. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Petrópolis. CP 478, CEP 69011-970, Manaus, Brazil
- 2. CIBIO (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, Portugal; MHNC-UP—Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Porto—PO Herbarium, University of Porto, Praça Gomes Teixeira, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- 3. CIBIO (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, Portugal; MHNC-UP—Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Porto—PO Herbarium, University of Porto, Praça Gomes Teixeira, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; proMetheus—Research Unit in Materials, Energy and Environment for Sustainability, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo (IPVC), Avenida do Atlântico, No. 644, 4900-348 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Description
Ant-like flies comprise nine Iberian endemic species of flightless Tachydromia. 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. T. lusitanica and T. ebejeri are adapted to mild temperatures and high-humidity environments. Their distribution is connected to the Temperate–Eurosiberian life zone. T. semiaptera and T. iberica 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.
Files
Files
(132.7 MB)
Name | Size | Download all |
---|---|---|
md5:92fccae25efc9d2d146f95c9e868ba64
|
28.2 MB | Download |
md5:d6e455f835e56af2242d88cf9bd183eb
|
104.5 MB | Download |
md5:6f7ce657236e7872a8e342d6507c4c8f
|
36.4 kB | Download |