Synthesis of the knowledge of braconids in Brazil: list of species, data gaps and spatial biases in the sampling

Abstract

Abstract Understanding the distributional patterns of species is a challenge to science, mainly because knowledge of the occurrence of species is often scarce and biased. This study aimed to compile available information on the distribution of braconids in Brazil and evaluate the sampling gaps and biases using accessibility metrics. The full dataset includes 2,280 records of 1,015 species of these wasps in Brazil, distributed in 28 subfamilies and 229 genera. Opiinae is the subfamily containing the largest number of records, while Doryctinae stands out in terms of species richness. The genus with the greatest number of records is Doryctobracon Enderlein 1920, while Opius Wesmael 1835 attracts attention for its number of species. Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti 1911) is the species with the largest number of records in all biomes. Most species records are from the Brazilian Southeast, especially from the Atlantic Forest. Data indicates accessibility bias towards roads, rivers, and urban centers. Implication to the conservation of insects: Our results compile the information available on the distribution of braconids in Brazil and, through them, we examined the extension of deficiencies in the sampling coverage to subsidize future studies and the prioritization of sampling areas, as well as important conservation strategies that are efficient for conservation.