Vertical Stratification Responses of an Arboreal Dung Beetle Species to Tropical Forest Fragmentation in Malaysia

Fragmentation caused by linear infrastructures is a threat to forest-dwelling wildlife globally. Loss of canopy connectivity is particularly problematic for highly arboreal species such as those of the Neotropics. We explored the use of both natural canopy bridges (NCBs) and a semi-artificial one over a natural gas pipeline right-of-way (RoW) in the Peruvian Amazon to provide more information on both a proven and a novel solution to the problem of fragmentation. We monitored seven NCBs over 14 months and found crossing rates higher than previously recorded (57.70 crossings/100 trap nights by 16 species). We also constructed a semi-artificial canopy bridge (SACB) out of a liana and found it to be used quickly (seven days after installation) and frequently (90.23 crossings/100 trap nights—nearly nightly) by five species (two procyonids, one didelphid, one primate, and one rodent). This information contributes to our knowledge of mitigation solutions for fragmentation. As linear infrastructure grows globally, more solutions must be developed and tested.

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Biodiversity, conservation, and hotspot atlas of Costa Rica: a dung beetle perspective (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.1457.1.1 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 1457 (1) ◽

pp. 1-34 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

BERT KOHLMANN ◽

ÁNGEL SOLÍS ◽

ORTWIN ELLE ◽

XINIA SOTO ◽

RICARDO RUSSO

Keyword(s):

Information System ◽

Species Richness ◽

Costa Rica ◽

Gap Analysis ◽

Dung Beetle ◽

Costa Rican ◽

Beetle Species ◽

Conservation Areas ◽

High Species Richness ◽

Different Levels

This paper is an analysis of the distribution of areas of high species richness and endemicity based on dung beetles living in the different Holdridge life-zones of Costa Rica by using a geographic information system (GIS). Endemism was examined in relation to whether the species were shared with Nicaragua and/or Panama, or if they were strictly Costa Rican. The species composition of dung beetle distributions in the sampling areas and life-zones was evaluated. Species distribution was also analyzed in relation to altitudinal levels. The species richness and endemicity maps served as a base for doing a gap analysis and defining four different levels of high priority conservation areas. We also investigated what percentage of these priority areas is under some type of protection or conservation scheme and which of these areas should be enlarged. Also considered is the feasibility that these areas under protection have for enlargement, considering possible problems and interactions with present land-use. We include a list of all the recorded dung beetle species for Costa Rica, as well as their presence in the different Holdridge life-zones and their endemicity status. This study clearly demonstrates the need to include insects in biodiversity-endemicity studies because different and more detailed results are obtained in relation to vertebrate and plant-based studies.

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