Formidabel; Belgian Ants Database

Wouter Dekoninck; Dimitri Brosens

doi:10.15468/xdapub

Formidabel; Belgian Ants Database

Citation

Dekoninck W, Brosens D (2024). Formidabel; Belgian Ants Database. Version 5.3. Belgian Biodiversity Platform. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/xdapub accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-12-12.

Description

FORMIDABEL is a database of Belgian Ants containing more than 27.000 occurrence records. These records originate from collections, field sampling and literature. The database gives information on 76 native and 9 introduced ant species found in Belgium. The collection records originated mainly from the Ants collection in Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), the ‘Gaspar’ Ants collection in Gembloux and the zoological collection of the University of Liège (ULG). The oldest occurrences date back from May 1866, the most recent refer to August 2012. FORMIDABEL is a work in progress and the database is updated on a regular basis. Twice a year the database is updated with data from the North and the South of the country. The latest version of the dataset is publicly and freely accessible through this url: http://ipt.biodiversity.be/resource.do?r=formidabel. The dataset is also retrievable via the GBIF data portal through this link: http://data.gbif.org/datasets/resource/14697 A dedicated geo-portal, developed by the Belgian Biodiversity Platform is accessible at: http://www.formicidae-atlas.be FORMIDABEL is a joint cooperation of the Flemish ants working group "Polyergus" and the Wallonian ants working group "FourmisWalBru". The database was created in 2002 in the context of the preliminary red data book of Flemish Ants (Dekoninck et al. 2003). Later in 2005, data from the Southern part of Belgium; Wallonia and Brussels were added. Twice a year the database is updated with data from the North and the South of the country. FORMIDABEL is a work in progress and the database is updated on a regular basis. The latest version of the dataset is publicly and freely accessible through this url: http://ipt.biodiversity.be/resource.do?r=formidabel All the records in FORMIDABEL are georeferenced through the centroid coordinates of the corresponding UTM 5 Km square. Therefore, the uncertainty of these coordinates is 3.500 meters, the distance between the centre and the corner of the UTM square. FORMIDABEL follows the taxonomy of Seifert (2007) for most genera and Radchenko & Elmes (2010) only for the genus Myrmica. A dedicated geo-portal showing Formidabel records is accessible at: http://www.formicidae-atlas.be/

Purpose

The dataset was developed for the creation of the first Belgian ant Atlas

Sampling Description

Study Extent

The data was gathered in the context of the creation of the first Belgian Ant Atlas: "Verspreidingsatlas van de mieren van België - Atlas des fourmis de Belgique"

Sampling

Pitfall sampling; hand sampling; sifting, nest sampling

Quality Control

All the data was validated by the dataset curators

Method steps

A representative number of UTM squares has been sampled. A big portion of the data has been sampled by volonteers, another portion of the data originated from several projects and research programs. The data and specimens were send to the curators and after validation incorporated in the database.

Additional info

This dataset was originally created to develop the Belgian Ants Atlas. However, the dataset can be reused for a variety of purposes. Since the link between individual data records and underlined specimens (stored in multiple collections) is not recorded, we doubt if the dataset can be used for taxonomic or systematic studies. However, this being an occurrence dataset, it can be used for understanding species richness, distribution pattern and modeling studies such as ecological niche modeling. In order to enhance the confidence of use, we have documented the metadata as well as subjected the data records to a series of quality assessment and enhancement processes as described in the earlier section quality control description.

Taxonomic Coverages

The taxonomic coverage of this database spans the full range of ants pertaining to Belgium (outdoor living ant species and exotic introduced species). The determination level is species level and if appropriate also hybrid level. The taxonimic authority followed is: Seifert 2007 and Boer 2010

Artropoda
rank: phylum
Hexapoda
rank: subphylum
Insecta
rank: class
Hymenoptera
rank: order
Apocrita
rank: suborder
Vespoidea
rank: superfamily
Formicidae
rank: family

Geographic Coverages

Belgium is a small country in Western Europe. To the west, its 70 km coastline fronts the North Sea; to the north lies the Netherlands; to the east, Germany, and to the south, France and Luxembourg. Biologically, the fauna of eastern Belgium belongs to the Central European Province of the Eurasian (Palaearctic) Region. By contrast, the rest of the country primarily consists of an Atlantic fauna plus few Central European relict species. Politically and geographically, the country is divided into three parts: Flanders, Wallonia and the Brussels Capital Region. In Flanders (13,522 km² and population about 6 million people), to the north, soils are mainly sandy to loamy. Here, the most important habitats for ants are heathlands and dry grasslands. The Brussels Capital Region is a small region (162 km²) within Flanders and is entirely situated in the sandy loam area. In Wallonia (17,006 km² and about 3,5 million people), to the south, soils and habitats are more diverse, ranging from forests to rocky and calcareous grasslands on loam and chalky soils. Eastern Wallonia, near the German border, includes the Hautes Fagnes, a large area of bogs and peat with some typical ant species.

Bibliographic Citations

DEKONINCK W, MAELFAIT J-P, VANKERKHOVEN F & GROOTAERT P, 2005. – Remarks on the distribution and use of a provisional red list of the ants of Flanders (Formicidae, Hymenoptera). In PROCTER D & PT HARDING (Eds.). JNCC Report No. 367 Proceedings of IN Cardiff 2003, Red Lists for Invertebrates: their application at different spatial scales – practical issues, pragmatic approaches, 74-85 - http://hdl.handle.net/1854/LU-744142
DEKONINCK W, MAELFAIT J-P, VANKERKHOVEN F, BAUGNÉE J-Y, & GROOTAERT P, 2006. – An update of the checklist of the Belgian ant fauna with comments on new species for the country (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Belgium Journal of Entomology, 8: 27-41. -
DEKONINCK W, IGANCE D, VANKERKHOVEN F & WEGNEZ P, 2012. Verspreidingsatlas van de mieren van België/Atlas des fourmis de Belgique. Bulletin SRBE/KBVE, 148 (III): 91pp. -
SEIFERT B., 2007. – Die Ameisen Mittel-und Nordeuropas - Lutra Verlags- und Vertriebgesellschaft. Klitten, 368 pp. -
RADCHENKO A.G. & ELMES G.W., 2010. – Myrmica ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Old World. Fauna Mondi, Vol. 3, 789 pp. -
VANDENBUSSCHE V., 2002. – Systematiek van natuurtypes voor de biotopen heide, moeras, duin, slik en schor: deel 1: Inleiding. Brussels, Instituut voor Natuurbehoud. -
ZWAENEPOEL A., T’JOLLYN F., VANDENBUSSCHE V. & HOFFMANN M. 2002. – Systematiek van Natuurtypes voor de biotoop grasland. Brugge & Brussels, WVI & Instituut voor Natuurbehoud. -
DEKONINCK W, IGANCE D, VANKERKHOVEN F & WEGNEZ P, 2012. Verspreidingsatlas van de mieren van België/Atlas des fourmis de Belgique. Bulletin SRBE/KBVE, 148 (III): 94pp. -
DEKONINCK W, MAELFAIT J-P, VANKERKHOVEN F, BAUGNÉE J-Y, & GROOTAERT P, 2006. –An update of the checklist of the Belgian ant fauna with comments on new species for the country (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Belgium Journal of Entomology, 8: 27-41. - http://antweb.org/belgium/Belgiumants2006.pdf
BONDROIT J., 1909. – Les fourmis de Belgique. Annales de la Société royale belge d'Entomologie 1909, 53: 479-500. -
BONDROIT J., 1910. – Compte rendu d'une excursion aux environs de Hockai. Annales de la Société royale belge d'Entomologie, 54: 231-232. -
BONDROIT J., 1911. – Contribution à la fauna de Belgique, Notes diverses. Annales de la Société royale belge d'Entomologie, 55: 8-13. -
BONDROIT J., 1912. – Fourmis des Hautes Fagnes. Bulletin et Annales de la Société royale belge d'Entomologie, 56: 351-352. -
BONDROIT J., 1918. – Les Fourmis de France et de Belgique. Annales de la Société d'Entomologie de France, 87: 1-174. -
CAMMAERTS R. & CAMMAERTS M.-C., 1988. – Four ants (Hym.: Formicidae) new to the Belgian Fauna. Entomolgist's Record, 100: 37-38. -
DE BISEAU J-C & COUVREUR J.-M., 1994. – Fourmis (Formicidae). Faune de Belgique. Institut royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique,56 pp. -
DESSART P. & CAMMAERTS R., 1995. – Recaptures d'Hypoponera punctatissima enBelgique (Hymenoptera Formicidae Ponerinae). Bulletin S.R.B.E./K.B.V.E., 131: 487-489. -
GASPAR C., 1970. – Hymenoptera Formicidae: cartes 143-164. In Atlas Provisoire des Insectes de Belgique, cartes 101-200. Edité par J. LECLERCQ, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques de l’Etat, Zoologie générale et Faunistique, Gembloux. -
GASPAR C., 1970. – Hymenoptera Formicidae: cartes 15-30. In Atlas Provisoire des Insectes de Belgique, cartes 1-100. Edité par J. LECLERCQ, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques de l’Etat, Zoologie générale et Faunistique, Gembloux. -
GASPAR C., 1971. – Hymenoptera Formicidae: cartes 203-216. In Atlas Provisoire des Insectes de Belgique, cartes 201-300. Edité par J. LECLERCQ, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques de l’Etat, Zoologie générale et Faunistique, Gembloux. -
SCHOETERS E. & VANKERKHOVEN F., 2001a. – Onze mieren. Educatie Limburgs Landschap, Heusden-Zolder, 175 pp. -
VAN BOVEN J.K.A., 1947. – Liste de détermination des principales espèces de Fourmis belges (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Bulletin S.R.B.E./K.B.V.E., 83: 163-190. -
VAN BOVEN J.K.A., 1949. – Notes sur la faune des Hautes Fagnes en Belgique. Bulletin S.R.B.E./K.B.V.E., 85: 135-143. -
VAN BOVEN, J.K.A., 1970. – Vliesvleugelige insecten - Hymenoptera, Angeldragers - Aculeata, Mieren - Formicidae. Wetenschappelijke Mededelingen van de Koninklijke Nederlandse Natuurhistorische Vereniging, 30: 52 pp. -
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Contacts

Wouter Dekoninck
originator
position: Curator entomology collections
RBINS
Vautierstraat 29
Brussels
1000
Brussels Capital Region
BE
Telephone: 0032 (0) 2 627 42 98
email: wouter.dekoninck@naturalsciences.be
homepage: http://www.naturalsciences.be

Dimitri Brosens
originator
Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO) / Belgian Biodiversity Platform
BE
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0846-9116

Wouter Dekoninck
metadata author
position: Curator entomology collections
RBINS
Vautierstraat 29
Brussels
1000
Brussels Capital Region
BE
Telephone: 0032 (0) 2 627 42 98
email: wouter.dekoninck@naturalsciences.be
homepage: http://www.naturalsciences.be

François Vankerkhoven
custodian steward
position: Web designer and Data manager
Polyergus
Diest
Vlaams Brabant
BE
email: francois.vankerkhoven@formicidae.be
homepage: http://www.formicidae.be

Wouter Dekoninck
point of contact
position: Curator entomology collections
RBINS
Vautierstraat 29
Brussels
1000
Brussels Capital Region
BE
Telephone: 0032 (0) 2 627 42 98
email: wouter.dekoninck@naturalsciences.be
homepage: http://www.naturalsciences.be

Wouter Dekoninck
custodian steward
position: Curator entomology collections
RBINS
Vautierstraat 29
Brussels
1000
Brussels Capital Region
BE
Telephone: 0032 (0) 2 627 42 98
email: wouter.dekoninck@naturalsciences.be
homepage: http://www.naturalsciences.be

Philippe Wegnez
point of contact
position: President "FourmisWalBru"
FourmisWalBru
Herve
Liége
BE
email: wegnez.phil@skynet.be
homepage: http://www.fourmiswalbru.be

David Ignace
custodian steward
FourmisWalBru
Courcelles
Hainaut
BE
email: contact@insecto.be
homepage: http://www.fourmiswalbru.be

Dimitri Brosens
processor
INBO
Kliniekstraat
Brussels
1070
BE
email: dimitri.brosens@inbo.be

Wouter Dekoninck
administrative point of contact
position: Curator entomology collections
RBINS
Vautierstraat 29
Brussels
1000
Brussels Capital Region
BE
Telephone: 0032 (0) 2 627 42 98
email: wouter.dekoninck@naturalsciences.be
homepage: http://www.naturalsciences.be