Beetle Species–Area Relationships and Extinction Rates in Protected Areas
The species–area relationship (SAR, i.e., the increase in species richness with area) is one of the most general ecological patterns. SARs can be used to calculate expected extinction rates following area (habitat) loss. Here, using data from Italian reserves, extinction rates were calculated for be...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/9/646 |
| _version_ | 1827705773989298176 |
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| author | Simone Fattorini |
| author_facet | Simone Fattorini |
| author_sort | Simone Fattorini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The species–area relationship (SAR, i.e., the increase in species richness with area) is one of the most general ecological patterns. SARs can be used to calculate expected extinction rates following area (habitat) loss. Here, using data from Italian reserves, extinction rates were calculated for beetle groups with different feeding habits: Carabidae (terrestrial predators), Hydradephaga (aquatic predators), coprophagous Scarabaeoidea (dung feeders), phytophagous Scarabaeoidea (herbivores), and Tenebrionidae (detritivores). The importance of other factors besides area (namely latitude and elevation) was investigated. Reserve area was recovered as an important predictor of species richness in all cases. For Carabidae, Hydradephaga, and Tenebrionidae, elevation exerted a negative influence, whereas latitude had a negative influence on coprophagous Scarabaeoidea and Tenebrionidae, as a consequence of current and historical biogeographical factors. Extinction rates were higher for dung beetles, due to their dependence on large grazing areas, and Tenebrionidae, due to their low dispersal capabilities. The lower extinction rates predicted for Carabidae, phytophagous Scarabaeoidea, and Hydradephaga can be explained by their higher dispersal power. If other variables besides area are considered, extinction rates became more similar among groups. Extinction rates by area loss are always relatively low. Thus, in reserves with few species, many local extinctions might be unnoticed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:10:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-412de5da926a4ee8bbcb3465b1823071 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:10:27Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-412de5da926a4ee8bbcb3465b18230712023-11-20T14:28:14ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502020-09-0111964610.3390/insects11090646Beetle Species–Area Relationships and Extinction Rates in Protected AreasSimone Fattorini0Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, ItalyThe species–area relationship (SAR, i.e., the increase in species richness with area) is one of the most general ecological patterns. SARs can be used to calculate expected extinction rates following area (habitat) loss. Here, using data from Italian reserves, extinction rates were calculated for beetle groups with different feeding habits: Carabidae (terrestrial predators), Hydradephaga (aquatic predators), coprophagous Scarabaeoidea (dung feeders), phytophagous Scarabaeoidea (herbivores), and Tenebrionidae (detritivores). The importance of other factors besides area (namely latitude and elevation) was investigated. Reserve area was recovered as an important predictor of species richness in all cases. For Carabidae, Hydradephaga, and Tenebrionidae, elevation exerted a negative influence, whereas latitude had a negative influence on coprophagous Scarabaeoidea and Tenebrionidae, as a consequence of current and historical biogeographical factors. Extinction rates were higher for dung beetles, due to their dependence on large grazing areas, and Tenebrionidae, due to their low dispersal capabilities. The lower extinction rates predicted for Carabidae, phytophagous Scarabaeoidea, and Hydradephaga can be explained by their higher dispersal power. If other variables besides area are considered, extinction rates became more similar among groups. Extinction rates by area loss are always relatively low. Thus, in reserves with few species, many local extinctions might be unnoticed.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/9/646species–area relationshipelevational gradientlatitudinal gradientreservesbiological conservationextinction rates |
| spellingShingle | Simone Fattorini Beetle Species–Area Relationships and Extinction Rates in Protected Areas Insects species–area relationship elevational gradient latitudinal gradient reserves biological conservation extinction rates |
| title | Beetle Species–Area Relationships and Extinction Rates in Protected Areas |
| title_full | Beetle Species–Area Relationships and Extinction Rates in Protected Areas |
| title_fullStr | Beetle Species–Area Relationships and Extinction Rates in Protected Areas |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beetle Species–Area Relationships and Extinction Rates in Protected Areas |
| title_short | Beetle Species–Area Relationships and Extinction Rates in Protected Areas |
| title_sort | beetle species area relationships and extinction rates in protected areas |
| topic | species–area relationship elevational gradient latitudinal gradient reserves biological conservation extinction rates |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/9/646 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT simonefattorini beetlespeciesarearelationshipsandextinctionratesinprotectedareas |