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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

A Method for Quantifying Foliage-Dwelling Arthropods
Published on: October 20, 2019
[Testing the energetic equivalence rule for litter ants: effects of different methods for abundance estimates in
André B Vargas1, Jarbas M Queiroz, Antônio J Mayhé-Nunes
1Programa de Pós-Graduaçao em Ciências Ambientais e Florestais, Univ. Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, 23890-971, Seropéddica, RJ. andrebvargas@yahoo.com.br
Abstract:
The Energetic Equivalence Rule (EER) states that species tend to consume energy independent of their body size. Here, the EER was tested for litter ants using body size and abundance data. Rainforest ants were obtained using pitfall traps and Winkler extractor. The abundance data from the Winkler extractions confirmed the EER, while the pitfall traps rejected it. Combination of abundance from pitfall catches and Winkler extractions either confirmed or rejected the EER. Further studies should focus on the interaction between sampling techniques and habitat types in the test of EER for ant communities.

