First characterization of a taxonomically well‑resolved trophic network composed by host plants and gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in the Neotropical region

Authors

  • Walter Santos de Araújo Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS), Departamento de Biologia Geral. Montes Claros, MG, Brasil. Author http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0157-6151
  • Valéria Cid Maia Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Museu Nacional (MN), Departamento de Entomologia, Laboratório de Diptera. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. Author http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9396-5618

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/1807-0205/2021.61.34

Keywords:

Atlantic Forest, Cecidomyiidae, Diptera, Plant-galling interactions, Specificity

Abstract

In the present study we described the structure of a trophic network composed by gall-midge species (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and their host plants in the Restinga of Barra de Maricá (Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Species data were retrieved from literature and different topological descriptors (links per species, connectance, and modularity of interactions) were used. All gall-midge species were monophages, with connectance of 2.8% of the 2,016 possible interactions. The network of host plants and gall midges had low number of links per species and high modularity, which indicates high specificity and specialization of plant-galling interactions in the area. This is the first characterization of a trophic network with good taxonomic resolution for the Neotropical gall midges.

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Author Biography

  • Walter Santos de Araújo, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS), Departamento de Biologia Geral. Montes Claros, MG, Brasil.

    Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros

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Published

2021-03-31

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Original Article

How to Cite

First characterization of a taxonomically well‑resolved trophic network composed by host plants and gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in the Neotropical region. (2021). Papéis Avulsos De Zoologia, 61, e20216134. https://doi.org/10.11606/1807-0205/2021.61.34