First records of two non-native ant species in Brazil: the starting point for avoiding biological invasions

Invasive species are one of the main threats to biodiversity, particularly in altered ecosystems like cities. They proliferate in altered ecosystems due to the absence of natural enemies, changes in habitat structure, resource availability, and disturbance regimes. While not all non-native species become invasive and some can integrate into ecosystems without causing harm, the potential damage they can cause necessitates prompt identification and monitoring to determine if management actions are required. Ants are among the world’s most destructive invasive species, because of their serious impact on biodiversity and/or human activities. Therefore, it is important to promptly identify the arrival of non-native species and understand whether management actions are necessary to prevent their invasion. Ants were sampled in 30 urban squares in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Eight non-native species were recorded, including <i>Pheidole moerens</i>, a Neotropical ant, and <i>Tetramorium lanuginosum</i>, a cosmopolitan one, both of which were recorded in Brazil for the first time. In this study, we analyze the distribution and status of these two species as invaders globally and the potential consequences.