Tree Species Affect Beetle Diversity on the Common Deciduous Dead Wood in Lithuanian Unmanaged Forests
Beetles living in dead wood are species-specific, suggesting that beetle diversity may vary between different deciduous tree species. However, the patterns of diversity variation among deciduous trees are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the diversity of beetles associated wit...
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/9/1836 |
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| author | Aistė Lekoveckaitė Maria Fernanda Torres Jimenez Giedrius Trakimas Romas Ferenca Virginija Podėnienė |
| author_facet | Aistė Lekoveckaitė Maria Fernanda Torres Jimenez Giedrius Trakimas Romas Ferenca Virginija Podėnienė |
| author_sort | Aistė Lekoveckaitė |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Beetles living in dead wood are species-specific, suggesting that beetle diversity may vary between different deciduous tree species. However, the patterns of diversity variation among deciduous trees are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the diversity of beetles associated with dead wood in the second decay stage in four protected areas of Lithuania, using trunk-emergence traps on <i>Alnus glutinosa</i> L., Gaertn. (black alder), <i>Betula</i> sp. L. (birch), <i>Fraxinus excelsior</i> L. (European ash), <i>Populus tremula</i> L. (European aspen), <i>Quercus robur</i> L. (common oak), and <i>Tilia cordata</i> Mill. (small-leaved linden). The findings of our study indicated variation in beetle diversity among the six tree species examined. We identified the greatest diversity of beetles in the decaying trunks of <i>Quercus robur</i>, followed by <i>T</i>. <i>cordata</i>, and <i>F</i>. <i>excelsior</i>. Our cluster analysis suggested a higher similarity in beetle diversity among tree species sharing the same type of bark; however, our db-RDA analysis showed that tree species explained more variance in the data than bark type. Our results support previous research highlighting the importance of dead wood species diversity in maintaining the diversity of beetles in forests. Within the context of current biodiversity decline, understanding the similarities or differences in beetle communities between tree species is key to tackling the loss of insect species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:45:21Z |
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| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:45:21Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-6e121c471f3d4ddc9d1e11dbfb7c5d902023-11-19T10:46:41ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072023-09-01149183610.3390/f14091836Tree Species Affect Beetle Diversity on the Common Deciduous Dead Wood in Lithuanian Unmanaged ForestsAistė Lekoveckaitė0Maria Fernanda Torres Jimenez1Giedrius Trakimas2Romas Ferenca3Virginija Podėnienė4Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, LT-10257 Vilnius, LithuaniaInstitute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, LT-10257 Vilnius, LithuaniaInstitute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, LT-10257 Vilnius, LithuaniaKaunas T. Ivanauskas Zoological Museum, LT-44253 Kaunas, LithuaniaInstitute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, LT-10257 Vilnius, LithuaniaBeetles living in dead wood are species-specific, suggesting that beetle diversity may vary between different deciduous tree species. However, the patterns of diversity variation among deciduous trees are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the diversity of beetles associated with dead wood in the second decay stage in four protected areas of Lithuania, using trunk-emergence traps on <i>Alnus glutinosa</i> L., Gaertn. (black alder), <i>Betula</i> sp. L. (birch), <i>Fraxinus excelsior</i> L. (European ash), <i>Populus tremula</i> L. (European aspen), <i>Quercus robur</i> L. (common oak), and <i>Tilia cordata</i> Mill. (small-leaved linden). The findings of our study indicated variation in beetle diversity among the six tree species examined. We identified the greatest diversity of beetles in the decaying trunks of <i>Quercus robur</i>, followed by <i>T</i>. <i>cordata</i>, and <i>F</i>. <i>excelsior</i>. Our cluster analysis suggested a higher similarity in beetle diversity among tree species sharing the same type of bark; however, our db-RDA analysis showed that tree species explained more variance in the data than bark type. Our results support previous research highlighting the importance of dead wood species diversity in maintaining the diversity of beetles in forests. Within the context of current biodiversity decline, understanding the similarities or differences in beetle communities between tree species is key to tackling the loss of insect species.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/9/1836barkbroadleavedColeopteradead wooddiversitysecond decay stage |
| spellingShingle | Aistė Lekoveckaitė Maria Fernanda Torres Jimenez Giedrius Trakimas Romas Ferenca Virginija Podėnienė Tree Species Affect Beetle Diversity on the Common Deciduous Dead Wood in Lithuanian Unmanaged Forests Forests bark broadleaved Coleoptera dead wood diversity second decay stage |
| title | Tree Species Affect Beetle Diversity on the Common Deciduous Dead Wood in Lithuanian Unmanaged Forests |
| title_full | Tree Species Affect Beetle Diversity on the Common Deciduous Dead Wood in Lithuanian Unmanaged Forests |
| title_fullStr | Tree Species Affect Beetle Diversity on the Common Deciduous Dead Wood in Lithuanian Unmanaged Forests |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tree Species Affect Beetle Diversity on the Common Deciduous Dead Wood in Lithuanian Unmanaged Forests |
| title_short | Tree Species Affect Beetle Diversity on the Common Deciduous Dead Wood in Lithuanian Unmanaged Forests |
| title_sort | tree species affect beetle diversity on the common deciduous dead wood in lithuanian unmanaged forests |
| topic | bark broadleaved Coleoptera dead wood diversity second decay stage |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/9/1836 |
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