Diet and foraging behavior in Brazilian Ponerinae ants: a comprehensive systematic review

This chapter provides a systematic review of the diet, period of activity, foraging strata and foraging strategy of Brazilian ants in the subfamily Ponerinae, synthesising over six decades of research. Ponerinae ants exhibit diverse foraging strategies, ranging from solitary foraging to mass group raids, and occupy varied ecological niches, from omnivory to highly specialist predation. Despite their biological and ecological importance, research has focused predominantly on a few genera, leaving significant knowledge gaps for smaller, cryptic, or nocturnal genera. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, this systematic review analysed 110 studies covering 65 species from 13 genera. The results highlight the evolutionary and ecological adaptations of Ponerinae ants, such as their recruitment strategies and prey specialisation. These findings emphasise their potential as models for studying social behaviour, phenotypic plasticity, and ecological interactions. However, most genera remain understudied, limiting comprehensive understanding. This review calls for expanded research efforts on neglected genera using modern tools and interdisciplinary collaboration. Additionally, it emphasises the applied relevance of studying Ponerinae ants, from biological pest control to forensic science, showcasing their broader scientific and economic significance.本章节对巴西隐翅蚁亚科（Ponerinae）蚂蚁的食性、活动时段、觅食层位与觅食策略展开系统性综述，整合了逾六十年的相关研究成果。隐翅蚁亚科蚂蚁展现出多样的觅食策略，从独自觅食到大规模群体突袭均有涉及，同时占据多样的生态位，食性从杂食性到高度特化的捕食性皆有分布。尽管该类群在生物学与生态学领域具有重要价值，但现有研究多集中于少数属，导致小型、隐秘或夜行性属级类群的相关知识存在显著空白。本综述遵循《系统综述与元分析优先报告条目》（Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses）指南，对覆盖13个属的65个物种的110项研究进行了分析。研究结果揭示了隐翅蚁亚科蚂蚁的进化与生态适应特征，例如其招募策略与猎物特化现象。这些研究结果凸显了该类群作为研究社会行为、表型可塑性与生态互作的模式生物的潜力。然而，绝大多数属级类群仍未得到充分研究，这限制了学界对该类群的全面认知。本综述呼吁借助现代研究工具与跨学科合作，加大对被忽视属级类群的研究投入。此外，本综述还强调了隐翅蚁亚科蚂蚁研究的应用价值，从生物害虫防治到法医学领域，彰显了其更广范围的科学与经济意义。