Insect Science, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Animal Science and Zoology, General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
18
Scopus Publications
346
Scholar Citations
7
Scholar h-index
5
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Where water meets rock: Ecological niches and diversity hotspots of hygropetric beetles in the Neotropics Janderson Batista Rodrigues Alencar, Fabrício Beggiato Baccaro, Cesar J. Benetti, Vinícius da Costa‐Silva, Neusa Hamada Ecological Entomology, 2026 Freshwater biodiversity is structured by climate and topography controls on moisture at fine scales. Hygropetric habitats (thin water films over rock) remain underrepresented in macroecology. We tested whether major Neotropical areas occupy distinct environmental space, whether hygropetric beetle genera show low niche overlap, and quantified richness in mountainous and topographically steep regions. We assembled 144 species in 15 genera across seven families from taxonomic literature, GBIF and targeted field sampling at 97 waterfalls and streams in the Brazilian Shield, including 66 new occurrences. Species distribution models, using five algorithms and predictors that included bioclimatic variables, elevation, compound topographic index and profile curvature, were cross‐validated. Multivariate analyses compared environmental space among provinces, and niche overlap metrics assessed intergeneric segregation. Major Neotropical areas occupied significantly different environmental space, and genera formed ecologically distinct groups with low niche overlap, indicating environmental partitioning and some convergence onto similar moisture and energy regimes across disjunct regions. Mountainous areas were richness hotspots, with Brazilian Shield representing 40% of species richness, Guiana Shield 33%, Andes 19% and Northern Neotropics 8%. Significance: Integrating macroecology, niche modelling and new field data yields a scalable approach to forecasting hygropetric biodiversity. It closes key knowledge gaps for Neotropical beetles and improves planning for freshwater biodiversity conservation.
Climate Change-Induced Distribution Shifts of Keratin-Feeding Beetle Omorgus (Omorgus) suberosus: Implications for Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea Conservation Janderson Batista Rodrigues Alencar, César Murilo de Albuquerque Correa, Fabrício Beggiato Baccaro, Catherine Sole, Vinícius da Costa‐Silva Animal Conservation, 2025 The sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz, 1829) is particularly threatened by egg predation from the invasive beetle Omorgus (Omorgus) suberosus (Fabricius, 1775). However, the impact of global climate change on the distribution and overlap of these species is still poorly understood. Our study aimed to predict the global distributions of O. suberosus and L. olivacea under various climate change scenarios, to examine their distribution overlap and to assess the conservation status of L. olivacea. We analysed a dataset of 2896 O. suberosus records and 15,329 L. olivacea records, using three modelling algorithms: Maximum entropy default (MXD), DOMAIN (DOM) and generalised linear models (GLM) to project their global distributions under the SSP2–4.5 and SSP5–8.5 scenarios. Results revealed shifts in the distribution of O. suberosus by 2100. As temperatures increased, the species expanded its range northward into Europe and North America, while substantial habitat losses occurred in tropical and subtropical regions. Under a mild climate change scenario (SSP2–4.5), the suitable habitat for O. suberosus decreased globally by 9.5%, whereas under a ‘business‐as‐usual’ scenario (SSP5–8.5) projected a 20.8% reduction. Our projections indicate that by 2100, L. olivacea will experience significant reductions in suitable coastal habitats under the SSP245 (12.11%) and SSP585 (24.63%) scenarios, with particularly severe losses in northern South America and southern Europe under SSP245 (12.11%). The overlap of O. suberosus and L. olivacea ranges indicates a significant decline. Under the SSP245 scenario for 2081–2100, the overlap area is projected to decrease by 20.66%. The SSP585 scenario forecasts a further reduction of 37.56%. Understanding the interactions between O. suberosus and L. olivacea is vital for guiding field studies and informing conservation strategies. Although our results suggest a reduction in the overlap of these species, the decline in the suitable area of L. olivacea raises concerns. Our findings emphasise the importance of targeted research and strategic management to mitigate the impacts of invasive species and climate change on vulnerable turtle populations globally.
Time and habitat structure shape insect acoustic activity in the Amazon Leandro A. Do Nascimento, Cristian Pérez-Granados, Janderson B. Rodrigues Alencar, Karen H. Beard Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, 2024 Insects are the most diverse animal taxon on Earth and play a key role in ecosystem functioning. However, they are often neglected by ecological surveys owing to the difficulties involved in monitoring this small and hyper-diverse taxon. With technological advances in biomonitoring and analytical methods, these shortcomings may finally be addressed. Here, we performed passive acoustic monitoring at 141 sites (eight habitats) to investigate insect acoustic activity in the Viruá National Park, Brazil. We first describe the frequency range occupied by three soniferous insect groups (cicadas, crickets and katydids) to calculate the acoustic evenness index (AEI). Then, we assess how AEI varies spatially and temporally among habitat types, and finally we investigate the relationship between vegetation structure variables and AEI for each insect category. Overall, crickets occupied lower and narrower frequency bands than cicadas and katydids. AEI values varied among insect categories and across space and time. The highest acoustic activity occurred before sunrise and the lowest acoustic activity was recorded in pastures. Canopy cover was positively associated with cricket acoustic activity but not with katydids. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of time, habitat and vegetation structure in shaping insect activity within diverse Amazonian ecosystems.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring’.
Modeling the current and projected distribution of Brazilian peppertree Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae) in the Americas R. S. Santos, J. B. R. Alencar, R. Gallo Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2024 Global biodiversity is under substantial threat due to biological invasions, a problem exacerbated by climate change. Such invasions have detrimental effects on the environment, economy, and human health, resulting in significant financial burdens. Recently, understanding these challenges has become a highlighted priority within the scientific community. This study focuses on the evaluation of Schinus terebinthifolia, native to South America, and its invasive spread into North and Central America, which has resulted in wide distribution and considerable impact. The primary objectives of this study include analyzing the potential distribution of the species under current and future climate scenarios, identifying the areas where its climatic niche is changing. Data collection encompassed a vast dataset of over 30,000 occurrence records of this species, from the following databases: (1) The Global Biodiversity Information Facility provided 22,163 records (GBIF), (2) The virtual Herbarium Reflora contributed 1,438 records, and NeoTropTree made available 6,591 records. Following a rigorous filtering process, 992 occurrences were considered for modeling. In this process, we utilized climate data and climate projections, employing various algorithms, with an emphasis on the consensus model methodology. The research results reveal a clear trend of reduced habitat suitability for S. terebinthifolia, especially under scenarios of high global warming. This accentuates the urgency of implementing emission control measures and mitigation strategies. Additionally, the study underscores the crucial importance of continuous monitoring, as well as actions for controlling and restoring affected ecosystems. The significant role played by S. terebinthifolia in both its native and invaded areas highlights the need for comprehensive management approaches. In the face of climate change and biodiversity threats, this study provides insightful observations on the dynamics of biological invasions. Success in addressing these issues relies on close cooperation between the scientific community, policymakers, land managers, and local communities. This collaboration is essential for guiding and conducting conservation and biodiversity management efforts in an ever-evolving world.
Predicting the South American invasion pathways of the mayfly Cloeon dipterum Linnaeus 1761 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) using species distribution models Paulo Vilela Cruz, Janderson Batista Rodrigues Alencar, Mylena Neves Cardoso, Fabrício Beggiato Baccaro Insect Conservation and Diversity, 2023 Cloeon dipterum is one of the rare exotic aquatic insect species found in the American continent. The species was recently introduced to Argentina. Apart from a few recent records concentrated in a small area in Argentina, there are no data available on its distribution on the continent. Using modelling techniques, we predicted for the first time the current and future areas of high invasion risk in South America. We produced species distribution models (SDMs) using six algorithms and based on 4672 occurrences and 20 environmental variables for both current conditions and future scenarios (GCMs: CanESM5 and MIROC6/SSPs: 2‐4.5 and 5‐8.5). The models predicted two large contiguous areas of high suitability and stability over time in all future forecasts (Paraná and coastal pathways), both of which are connected to the colonised area in Argentina and extend to Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. The models also identified two potential new areas for introduction, Patagonia (Chile and Argentina) and the northeast of Brazil. However, introduction is considered unlikely in the highly suitable area in the Brazilian Northeast due to the lack of connectivity with donor areas. Models provide specific regions that can be used to detect colonisation expansion and improve our ability to implement measures to prevent introduction. Our results provide evidence that C. dipterum will be a long‐term element of South American diversity. Its persistence in distinctive climatic scenarios may pose a threat to resident controphic species, such as Callibaetis .
Where water Meets rock: ecological niches and diversity hotspots of hygropetric beetles in the neotropics JBR Alencar, FB Baccaro, CJ Benetti, V da Costa‐Silva, N Hamada Ecological Entomology 51 (3), 502-516 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Small gains, large losses: range shifts of the hoverfly Dioprosopa clavata (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Syrphidae) to 2100 JBR Alencar, JP Nunes, MA do Nascimento, A Pereira-Colavite, ... International Journal of Biometeorology 70 (3), 71 , 2026 2026
Influence of canopy cover on the diversity of Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae) in an Atlantic forest fragment in Brejo Paraibano, Northeast Brazil MC de Oliveira Filho, JBR Alencar, AS Araújo, NS Soares, LS Ribeiro, ... International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 1-14 , 2026 2026
Climate Change‐Induced Distribution Shifts of Keratin‐Feeding Beetle Omorgus (Omorgus) suberosus: Implications for Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea Conservation JBR Alencar, CMA Correa, FB Baccaro, C Sole, V da Costa‐Silva Animal Conservation 28 (6), 803-816 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Estratégias para a conservação da flora ameaçada de extinção da Bacia do Alto Tocantins. M VERDI, TAF DÓRIA, F SALEME, RS ANDRADE, AB SAMPAIO, ... 2025
The Most Attractive Is Not Always the Preferred: Lessons From Necrophagous Dung Beetle Assemblages in a Region of the Central Amazon ML Costa, RP Salomão, JB Rodrigues Alencar, ... Ecology and Evolution 14 (12), e70766 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Rainy season decreases ground-dwelling ant richness, but increases the difference in species composition in a tropical relictual mountain forest A Dantas¹, RF Menezes², JD Ribeiro-Neto², JBR Alencar³, CH Brito Tropical Ecology 65 (4), 609-618 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Global predictive invasion modeling of Asian wood-wasp Eriotremex formosanus (Matsumura) (Hymenoptera: Siricidae): insights gained from Pinus L … JBR Alencar, A Clé Porto, D Dos Anjos Souza, DRR Fernandes Biological Invasions 26 (10), 3257-3269 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Modeling the current and projected distribution of Brazilian peppertree Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae) in the Americas RS Santos, JBR Alencar, R Gallo Brazilian Journal of Biology 84, e279769 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Taxonomic catalog of the Brazilian Fauna: Hydraenidae (Insecta: Coleoptera), diversity and distribution CJ Benetti, JBR Alencar, N Hamada Zoologia (Curitiba) 41, e23069 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Ecological niche modeling of two Microtheca Stål, 1860 species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomelinae) in the Americas: insights from Brassicaceae … JBR Alencar, A Sampaio, CRV da Fonseca International Journal of Biometeorology 68 (5), 891-898 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Modelando a distribuição atual e projetada da pimenta brasileira Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae) nas Américas RS Santos, JBR Alencar, R Gallo Brazilian Journal of Biology 84, e279769 , 2024 2024
Time and habitat structure shape insect acoustic activity in the Amazon LA Do Nascimento, C Pérez-Granados, JBR Alencar, KH Beard Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 379, 20230112 , 2024 2024 Citations: 16
Amazonian soundscapes: unravelling the secrets of insect acoustic niches in diverse habitats L Do Nascimento, C Pérez-Granados, JBR Alencar, K Beard EcoEvoRxiv , 2023 2023
Predicting the South American invasion pathways of the mayfly Cloeon dipterum Linnaeus 1761 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) using species distribution models PV Cruz, JBR Alencar, MN Cardoso, FB Baccaro Insect Conservation and Diversity 16 (4), 521-530 , 2023 2023 Citations: 7
Predicting the Potential Global Distribution of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) with Emphasis on the Americas Using an Ecological Niche … CVS De Aguiar, JBR Alencar, G da Silva Santana, BR Teles Neotropical Entomology 52 (3), 512-520 , 2023 2023 Citations: 8
Distribuição e taxonomia de besouros higropétricos (Insecta: Coleoptera) na Região Neotropical J Alencar Janderson Batista Rodrigues Alencar , 2023 2023
New species and new distributional records of the hygropetric water scavenger beetle genus Ephydrolithus Girón & Short (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) from the … JBR Alencar, MB Serra, AEZ Short, N Hamada Canadian Journal of Zoology 100 (12), 810-825 , 2022 2022 Citations: 5
Modeling potential invasion of stored-product pest Cryptamorpha desjardinsii (Guérin-Méneville, 1844)(Coleoptera: Silvanidae) with emphasis on newly recorded areas JBR Alencar, M Bento, T Yoshida, CRV da Fonseca, FB Baccaro Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology 25 (2), 101891 , 2022 2022 Citations: 7
New species and new distributional records of the hygropetric water scavenger beetle genus Oocyclus Sharp (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) from the Brazilian Shield JBR Alencar, AEZ Short, N Hamada Zootaxa 5087 (2), 275-305 , 2022 2022 Citations: 9
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
The effect of natural disturbances on forest biodiversity: an ecological synthesis MA Viljur, M Scott R Adámek, JBR Alencar, NA Barber, B Beudert, ... Biological Reviews , 2022 2022 Citations: 207
Time and habitat structure shape insect acoustic activity in the Amazon LA Do Nascimento, C Pérez-Granados, JBR Alencar, KH Beard Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 379, 20230112 , 2024 2024 Citations: 16
Conhecimento, percepção e uso de animais categorizados como “insetos” em uma comunidade rural no semiárido do estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil IF Montenegro, JBR Alencar, EF Silva, RFP Lucena, CH Brito Gaia Scientia Volume Especial-Populações tradicionais , 2014 2014 Citations: 16
Percepção e uso de “insetos” em duas comunidades rurais no semiárido do estado da Paraíba JBR Alencar, EF Silva, VM Santos, HKL Soares, RFP Lucena, CH Brito Biofar 9, 72-91 , 2012 2012 Citations: 16
Windthrows promote higher diversity of saproxylic beetles (Coleoptera: Passalidae) in a Central Amazon forest JBR Alencar, CRV da Fonseca, DM Marra, FB Baccaro Insect Conservation and Diversity 15 (1), 1-8 , 2021 2021 Citations: 14
New species and new distributional records of the hygropetric water scavenger beetle genus Oocyclus Sharp (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) from the Brazilian Shield JBR Alencar, AEZ Short, N Hamada Zootaxa 5087 (2), 275-305 , 2022 2022 Citations: 9
Predicting the Potential Global Distribution of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) with Emphasis on the Americas Using an Ecological Niche … CVS De Aguiar, JBR Alencar, G da Silva Santana, BR Teles Neotropical Entomology 52 (3), 512-520 , 2023 2023 Citations: 8
Predicting the South American invasion pathways of the mayfly Cloeon dipterum Linnaeus 1761 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) using species distribution models PV Cruz, JBR Alencar, MN Cardoso, FB Baccaro Insect Conservation and Diversity 16 (4), 521-530 , 2023 2023 Citations: 7
Modeling potential invasion of stored-product pest Cryptamorpha desjardinsii (Guérin-Méneville, 1844)(Coleoptera: Silvanidae) with emphasis on newly recorded areas JBR Alencar, M Bento, T Yoshida, CRV da Fonseca, FB Baccaro Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology 25 (2), 101891 , 2022 2022 Citations: 7
Beetle assemblage composition (Coleoptera) across the Borborema plateau in Northeastern Brazil JBR Alencar, CH de Brito, FB Baccaro, C de Lima Bicho Revista Caatinga 35 (1), 148-159 , 2022 2022 Citations: 7
Rainy season decreases ground-dwelling ant richness, but increases the difference in species composition in a tropical relictual mountain forest A Dantas¹, RF Menezes², JD Ribeiro-Neto², JBR Alencar³, CH Brito Tropical Ecology 65 (4), 609-618 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Ecological niche modeling of two Microtheca Stål, 1860 species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomelinae) in the Americas: insights from Brassicaceae … JBR Alencar, A Sampaio, CRV da Fonseca International Journal of Biometeorology 68 (5), 891-898 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Effect of structural variation of dead trunks on Passalid (Coleoptera: Passalidae) Assemblages in Central Amazonian Campinaranas JBR Alencar, CRV da Fonseca, FB Baccaro, M Bento, JM Ribeiro Neotropical Entomology 49 (3), 337-346 , 2020 2020 Citations: 6
New species and new distributional records of the hygropetric water scavenger beetle genus Ephydrolithus Girón & Short (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) from the … JBR Alencar, MB Serra, AEZ Short, N Hamada Canadian Journal of Zoology 100 (12), 810-825 , 2022 2022 Citations: 5
Global predictive invasion modeling of Asian wood-wasp Eriotremex formosanus (Matsumura) (Hymenoptera: Siricidae): insights gained from Pinus L … JBR Alencar, A Clé Porto, D Dos Anjos Souza, DRR Fernandes Biological Invasions 26 (10), 3257-3269 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Modeling the current and projected distribution of Brazilian peppertree Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae) in the Americas RS Santos, JBR Alencar, R Gallo Brazilian Journal of Biology 84, e279769 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
The Most Attractive Is Not Always the Preferred: Lessons From Necrophagous Dung Beetle Assemblages in a Region of the Central Amazon ML Costa, RP Salomão, JB Rodrigues Alencar, ... Ecology and Evolution 14 (12), e70766 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Taxonomic catalog of the Brazilian Fauna: Hydraenidae (Insecta: Coleoptera), diversity and distribution CJ Benetti, JBR Alencar, N Hamada Zoologia (Curitiba) 41, e23069 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Variações estruturais de troncos mortos e tempestades de vento afetam a diversidade de passalídeos (Scarabaeoidea, Passalidae) na Amazônia Central? JBR Alencar Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia-INPA , 2018 2018 Citations: 2
Where water Meets rock: ecological niches and diversity hotspots of hygropetric beetles in the neotropics JBR Alencar, FB Baccaro, CJ Benetti, V da Costa‐Silva, N Hamada Ecological Entomology 51 (3), 502-516 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1