Host specificity or habitat structure? - The epicortical beetle assemblages in an Australian subtropical rainforest
We have investigated the relative importance of bark roughness and host tree species in determining the diversity and make-up of coleopteran assemblages on the trunks of trees in sub-tropical rainforest in south-east Queensland, Australia. There are clear, statistically significant, patterns in the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science
2004-06-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Entomology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-200402-0011_Host_specificity_or_habitat_structure_-_The_epicortical_beetle_assemblages_in_an_Australian_subtropical_rainfo.php |
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| author | Florian MENZEL Roger L. KITCHING Sarah L. BOULTER |
| author_facet | Florian MENZEL Roger L. KITCHING Sarah L. BOULTER |
| author_sort | Florian MENZEL |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We have investigated the relative importance of bark roughness and host tree species in determining the diversity and make-up of coleopteran assemblages on the trunks of trees in sub-tropical rainforest in south-east Queensland, Australia. There are clear, statistically significant, patterns in the composition of the assemblages which reflect bark roughness. Rougher bark had associated greater species and family richness, a higher proportion of "rare" species, a higher value for Shannon diversity and lower values for the Simpson and Berger-Parker Index (measures of dominance within the sample). The data support strongly the idea that there is a bark-specific beetle assemblage. The rougher bark was associated with significantly greater numbers of an anobiid species, Dorcatoma sp., and of the latridiid species Aridius australicus. Rougher bark also harboured significantly larger species. The most likely explanation for this seems to be related to the physical heterogeneity and biological complexity of the habitat, presenting, as it does, greater opportunities for shelter, feeding specialisation and intra-species aggregation. Rougher bark contained a higher proportion of both predatory and xylophagous groups than did smoother categories. No clear influence of tree species could be detected although some trends were evident. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T23:58:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d4dc31fcb8b44774afb91933b6c19cf9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1210-5759 1802-8829 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T23:58:18Z |
| publishDate | 2004-06-01 |
| publisher | Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Entomology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d4dc31fcb8b44774afb91933b6c19cf92022-12-21T21:28:01ZengInstitute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of ScienceEuropean Journal of Entomology1210-57591802-88292004-06-01101225125910.14411/eje.2004.035eje-200402-0011Host specificity or habitat structure? - The epicortical beetle assemblages in an Australian subtropical rainforestFlorian MENZEL0Roger L. KITCHING1Sarah L. BOULTER2Australian School of Environmental Studies, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4207, AustraliaAustralian School of Environmental Studies, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4207, AustraliaAustralian School of Environmental Studies, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4207, AustraliaWe have investigated the relative importance of bark roughness and host tree species in determining the diversity and make-up of coleopteran assemblages on the trunks of trees in sub-tropical rainforest in south-east Queensland, Australia. There are clear, statistically significant, patterns in the composition of the assemblages which reflect bark roughness. Rougher bark had associated greater species and family richness, a higher proportion of "rare" species, a higher value for Shannon diversity and lower values for the Simpson and Berger-Parker Index (measures of dominance within the sample). The data support strongly the idea that there is a bark-specific beetle assemblage. The rougher bark was associated with significantly greater numbers of an anobiid species, Dorcatoma sp., and of the latridiid species Aridius australicus. Rougher bark also harboured significantly larger species. The most likely explanation for this seems to be related to the physical heterogeneity and biological complexity of the habitat, presenting, as it does, greater opportunities for shelter, feeding specialisation and intra-species aggregation. Rougher bark contained a higher proportion of both predatory and xylophagous groups than did smoother categories. No clear influence of tree species could be detected although some trends were evident.https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-200402-0011_Host_specificity_or_habitat_structure_-_The_epicortical_beetle_assemblages_in_an_Australian_subtropical_rainfo.phpcoleopteraalpha diversitybarkrainforestaustralia |
| spellingShingle | Florian MENZEL Roger L. KITCHING Sarah L. BOULTER Host specificity or habitat structure? - The epicortical beetle assemblages in an Australian subtropical rainforest European Journal of Entomology coleoptera alpha diversity bark rainforest australia |
| title | Host specificity or habitat structure? - The epicortical beetle assemblages in an Australian subtropical rainforest |
| title_full | Host specificity or habitat structure? - The epicortical beetle assemblages in an Australian subtropical rainforest |
| title_fullStr | Host specificity or habitat structure? - The epicortical beetle assemblages in an Australian subtropical rainforest |
| title_full_unstemmed | Host specificity or habitat structure? - The epicortical beetle assemblages in an Australian subtropical rainforest |
| title_short | Host specificity or habitat structure? - The epicortical beetle assemblages in an Australian subtropical rainforest |
| title_sort | host specificity or habitat structure the epicortical beetle assemblages in an australian subtropical rainforest |
| topic | coleoptera alpha diversity bark rainforest australia |
| url | https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-200402-0011_Host_specificity_or_habitat_structure_-_The_epicortical_beetle_assemblages_in_an_Australian_subtropical_rainfo.php |
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