Overview

• The Science paper sequenced genomes from more than 4,000 museum specimens representing over 100 Fijian ant species to infer community-wide trends.
• Researchers found declines in 79% of endemic species, with downturns beginning after human settlement roughly 3,000 years ago and accelerating over the past 300 years.
• Widespread Pacific ants and recent human-introduced species have expanded, especially in disturbed lowland habitats shaped by modern agriculture and trade.
• Analyses identified at least 65 colonization events, spanning ancient natural arrivals to recent, human-mediated introductions.
• The authors emphasize islands’ heightened vulnerability, the critical role of museum collections for biodiversity tracking, and the need for expanded monitoring such as OKEON.