163 impact the Red Imported Fire Ants in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau invasion has significant implications for the functional diversity of native ant communities. The disruption of functional diversity -defined as the range of different functions performed by species in an ecosystemcan lead to cascading effects on ecological processes. Functional diversity is critical for maintaining ecosystem stability and resilience, as well as processes such as nutrient cycling, seed dispersal and pest control. Solenopsis invicta disrupts such functions by outcompeting native ant species for resources and habitats, thus reducing the functional role of native species. Disharmonious associations between native ants can lead to underutilized resources, which invasive species exploit (Shea & Chesson, 2002). In areas where S. invicta is prevalent, there is a marked decline in the population of native ant species, resulting in disrupted ecological functions (Chan & Guénard, 2020). Wong et al. (2021) studied the impact of the RIFA invasion on functional traits of native ant communities in the tropical grasslands of Hong Kong by comparing invaded and uninvaded plots. While the invasion had a minimal effect on species functional richness, composition of native ant species. Narrow heads, shorter mandibles and higher functional redundancy characterized the species in invaded plots. This leads to the clustering of specific traits, resulting in functional homogenization. This indicates that the S. invicta invasion selectively disrupts the functional characteristics of native ant communities and reduces the presence of functionally unique species. altered the 2019; Wu et al., 2015). Overall, simpler habitats tend to lose more native species than complex habitats (Holway et al., 2002), a trend also observed in China where native ant diversity and evenness declined significantly in wastelands and lawns following S. invicta invasion, while in more complex habitats like lychee orchards, S. invicta’s populations were less dense (Wu et al., 2008). the RIFA 3.1.2 Impacts on Non-ant Invertebrate Fauna Moreover, significantly it Conversely, some native ant species appear to coexist with S. invicta in China by changing their behavior and food preferences to avoid confrontation. These native ants include species of the Pheidole and Monomorium genera, Tapinoma melanocephalum, and Paratrechina longicornis (Wu et al., 2015; Song et al., 2021). However, in areas with high S. invicta population density, all native ant species, except Tapinoma melanocephalum (although the exact native range of this later species remains highly uncertain), are displaced (Jiang et al., 2010). The presence of S. invicta has detrimental impacts on the native diversity of invertebrates (Hu & Frank, 1996). impact native Invasive ant species can negatively arthropod diversity by disrupting their reproductive cycles and foraging patterns. Native arthropod species may serve as decomposers, pollinators or seed dispersers, and the presence of invasive species may not replace these functions and services as effectively as provided by native arthropod species. The aggressive feeding behavior of S. invicta affects the abundance and diversity of native arthropod species other than ants, resulting in cascading effects on ecosystem health and trophic levels. For example, areas with relatively high populations of S. lower ground-dwelling invicta have arthropods such as beetles, spiders and springtails (Chen, 2008). The most seriously impacted arthropod groups are Hemiptera, Lepidoptera and Araneae, with a significant reduction in species richness (Huang et al., 2011). RIFA reduces the abundance and diversity of common prey organisms such as Lepidoptera larvae and their natural predators and parasitoids (Xi et al., 2010). Some native species, such as the beetle Xylotrupes gideon, have increased in response to the invasion, suggesting that the impact of invasive species may diminish over time (Xi et al., 2010). The 3.1.3 Impacts on Vertebrates Along with its negative impacts on invertebrates, S. invicta generates direct and indirect cascading effects on vertebrates, including ground-nesting birds, reptiles and small mammals. Direct impacts are primarily due to predation and aggressive interactions. Aggressive behavior and painful stings lead to higher mortality in young vertebrates. For example, RIFA is known to prey on the eggs and chicks of ground-nesting birds, leading to lower nesting numbers and chick survival, as observed in non-Asian regions (Haines et al., 2017). Similarly, amphibians and reptiles are particularly vulnerable during their egg and juvenile stages, when S. invicta attacks can lead to significant mortality. Studies conducted outside of China have shown that the ants infiltrate nests and sting young and defenseless organisms, often leading to physical injury, secondary infections and sometimes death from the venom (Wojcik et al., 2001). As in many other regions, the introduction of S. invicta in China could significantly affect the country’s significantly invasion of S. invicta has disrupted key mutualistic associations between organisms, leading to significant ecological imbalance (Tschinkel, 2013). For example, S. invicta has been shown to adversely affect ground and soil arthropod communities, which play essential roles in nutrient cycling, pest control and soil this structure maintenance. In agricultural settings, disruption is particularly evident. For example, in lychee orchards, banana plantations and cornfields, RIFA preys on arthropods like predatory beetles and spiders, leading to pest outbreaks (Ma, 2011). Studies have shown that while S. invicta does not significantly the pollination efficiency of Apis cerana, a key pollinator of B. napus, it does reduce the visitation rate of P. rapae by 29.5% in S. invicta-only and 22.4% in S. invicta-aphid plots (Wu et al., 2014).
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