Matthew T. Hamer

The University of Hong Kong | HKU

Swidden agriculture is a widespread subsistence farming method in the tropics, which is being intensified as human populations grow. This study is the first to investigate the impacts of land degradation from swidden upon ant species (both native and introduced) across the full degradation gradient, from forest, to tree fallows, to shrub fallows, t...

Abstract Aim Biogeographical regionalization is scant for most insect groups due to shortfalls in distribution and phylogenetic information, namely the Wallacean and Darwinian shortfalls respectively. Here, we focused on the European ants and compared new techniques to classical analyses based on regional lists and taxonomic methods. We asked the...

Cryptobiotic ants of the subfamily Amblyoponinae are notoriously difficult to collect and rarely addressed in faunal reviews. Database records are comparatively sparse with little literature regarding regional biogeography, and with most records associated with pristine natural habitats. We review the Amblyoponinae species of Hong Kong, a heavily u...

The ant genus Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 (Myrmicinae, Crematogastrini) is diverse with 498 species described. Species are distributed predominately within the northern hemisphere with species richness decreasing closer to the tropics; contrary to other ant genera overall. In Southeast Asia, richness is relatively low and knowledge on the genus remains...

Species of the ant genus Nylanderia constitute some of the most common ground dwelling Formicinae in tropical and subtropical areas. The genus includes numerous species introduced into new regions, especially within urban or disturbed environments. Here, we review the Nylanderia species found within Hong Kong and Macao, which are both highly urbani...

Aim Biogeographic regionalization has fascinated biogeographers and ecologists for centuries and is endued with new vitality by evolutionary perspectives. However, progress is scant for most insect groups due to shortfalls in distribution and phylogenetic information, namely Wallacean and Darwinian shortfalls respectively. Here, we used the western...

The Neotropical Pheidole punctatissima Mayr is recorded from one indoor site in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

Ants are continually introduced into regions outside of their natural biogeographic ranges via global trade. The genus Strumigenys Smith 1860 (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) are minute predators with a growing history of global introductions, although tropical introductions into temperate zones are rarely able to establish outside of heated infrastructure...

Linepithema iniquum (Mayr) is reported for the first time in the United Kingdom from heated tropical houses at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. The population is well established with workers and altes found in multiple greenhouses across the Garden with occasional workers found away from the artificial heated areas on warm summer days. Linepi...