Functional Groups of Terrestrial Invertebrates in the Leaf Litter of Atlantic Forest (Bahia, Brazil)

Abstract

The study conducted in a native fragment of the Atlantic Forest in Alagoinhas, Bahia, Brazil, aimed to evaluate the action of functional groups of terrestrial invertebrates and the effect of seasonality on their biodiversity. Over 6 months, researchers captured 166 invertebrates representing 9 orders and 17 families. The findings revealed a greater abundance of invertebrates (77) at the edge of the forest fragment. However, the indices of diversity, equity, and richness were similar between the fragment's edge and interior. Notably, at the edge, detritivores (such as little armadillos) and predators (including ants and spiders) exhibited dominance over other functional groups like phytophagous, saprophagous, coprophagous, and bioturbators. Predators of the orders Hymenoptera and Araneae were highlighted for their ecological importance, particularly in biological control, especially of detritivores. Interestingly, the study did not observe the effect of seasonality during the brief inventory period. This suggests that other factors may significantly influence the biodiversity of terrestrial invertebrates in the Atlantic Forest fragment in Bahia, Brazil.