Eurac Research’s Institute for Alpine Environment has just announced a new discovery in the field of local biodiversity. The ant, Strumigenys baudueri has been documented for the first time in South Tyrol. The report, published in the journal Gredleriana, published by the Natural Science Museum of South Tyrol, is just the latest of several discoveries made within the framework of Biodiversity Monitoring South Tyrol project.

Authors of the study found four specimens of S. baudueri in soil samples from two vineyards in the Etsch Valley, one active vineyard in Nalles/Nals and one in an abandoned vineyard now the site of an arid meadow in Gargazonne/Gargazon.

S. baudueri is a small predatory ant that lives in the shelter of soil and plant litter. The elusiveness of the species makes it difficult to observe and study, and for this reason, little is known about its ecology and distribution. Until now, the Italian range of this ant included sunny meadows, deciduous forests and green urban areas of the major islands and the central and northern parts of the peninsula. “Finding this species in a vineyard, as well as in an arid meadow, in South Tyrol is a confirmation of its remarkable ability to adapt to the most diverse environments,” explains Elia Nalini, first author of the study.

The discovery came about as part of the Biodiversity Monitoring South Tyrol project which aims to monitor fauna and flora at more than 320 sites in South Tyrol. The project has already led to the identification of several species that were previously not thought to inhabit the province. “The finding of Strumigenys baudueri makes one wonder how much more there is to discover, even about relatively well-studied taxonomic groups such as ants,” says Elia Guariento, head of the newly published study.