scholarly journals Evergreen Abundance Drives Ground Beetle Diversity And Density In Eastern Temperate Forests

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janey R. Lienau ◽  
Robert W. Buchkowski ◽  
Meghan G. Midgley
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Tree Diversity ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Insect Community ◽  
Insect Communities ◽  
Community Patterns ◽  
Plant Soil ◽  
Evergreen Tree

Abstract Purpose: Soil insects mediate plant-soil interactions by fragmenting and decomposing litter that forms the base of soil food webs and through predator-prey interactions. Plant communities, in turn, shape soil insect communities via the quality, availability, and diversity of their litters. However, these drivers have rarely been examined in concert even though describing soil insect community patterns is critical for mitigating the effects of global environmental changes. Methods: Here, we evaluated the effects of tree diversity, density, and functional groups on ground beetle (Carabidae) diversity, density, and community composition in four eastern temperate forest sites in the National Ecological Observatory Network. Results Though we expected that higher tree diversity and density would, respectively, lead to higher diversity and density ground beetle communities, we found little evidence to support this hypothesis. Instead, evergreen tree abundance strongly shaped ground beetle diversity, density, and community composition. Specifically, evergreen plots as defined by National Land Cover Database hosted lower density ground beetle communities than deciduous plots. Similarly, ground beetle Shannon diversity and density decreased as the relative abundance of evergreen tree species increased. Conclusions: Although further study is needed to explicitly link litter quality with soil insect communities, the resource environments created by trees with varying leaf habits appear to be a dominant force driving ground beetle community diversity and density patterns.

scholarly journals INTERPLAY BETWEENSENECIO JACOBAEAAND PLANT, SOIL, AND ABOVEGROUND INSECT COMMUNITY COMPOSITION

Ecology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 87 (8) ◽  
pp. 2002-2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Martijn Bezemer ◽  
Jeffrey A. Harvey ◽  
George A. Kowalchuk ◽  
Hanna Korpershoek ◽  
Wim H. van der Putten
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Insect Community ◽  
Plant Soil

scholarly journals Establishing insect community composition using metabarcoding of soil samples, and preservative ethanol and homogenate from Malaise trap catches: surprising inconsistencies between methods

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Marquina ◽  
Rodrigo Esparza-Salas ◽  
Tomas Roslin ◽  
Fredrik Ronquist
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Malaise Trap ◽  
Insect Community ◽  
Insect Communities ◽  
Target Dna ◽  
Dna Metabarcoding ◽  
Alternative Approaches ◽  
Trap Catches

AbstractDNA metabarcoding allows the analysis of insect communities faster and more efficiently than ever before. However, metabarcoding can be conducted through several alternative approaches, and the consistency of results across methods has rarely been studied. We compare the results obtained by DNA metabarcoding of the same communities using two different markers – COI and 16S – and three different sampling methods – homogenized Malaise trap samples (homogenate), preservative ethanol from the same samples, and soil samples. Our results indicate that COI and 16S offer partly complementary information on Malaise trap samples, with each marker detecting a significant number of species not detected by the other. Different sampling methods offer highly divergent estimates of community composition. The community recovered from preservative ethanol of Malaise trap samples is quite distinct from that recovered from homogenate. Small and weakly sclerotized insects tend to be overrepresented in ethanol, with some exceptions that could be related to taxon-specific traits. For soil samples, highly degenerate COI primers pick up large amounts of non-target DNA and only 16S provides adequate analyses of insect diversity. However, even with 16S, very little overlap in MOTU content was found between the trap and the soil samples. Our results demonstrate that no metabarcoding approach is all-comprehensive in itself. For instance, DNA extraction from preservative ethanol is not a valid replacement for destructive bulk extraction but a complement. In future metabarcoding studies, both should ideally be used together to achieve comprehensive representation of the target community.

scholarly journals Plant trichomes and a single gene GLABRA1 contribute to insect community composition on field-grown Arabidopsis thaliana

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Sato ◽  
Rie Shimizu-Inatsugi ◽  
Misako Yamazaki ◽  
Kentaro K. Shimizu ◽  
Atsushi J. Nagano
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Natural Variation ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Insect Community ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Insect Communities ◽  
As Species ◽  
Distant Field ◽  
Diverse Plant

AbstractBackground: Genetic variation in plants alters insect abundance and community structure in the field; however, little is known about the importance of a single gene among diverse plant genotypes. In this context, Arabidopsis trichomes provide an excellent system to discern the roles of natural variation and a key gene, GLABRA1, in shaping insect communities. In this study, we transplanted two independent glabrous mutants (gl1-1 and gl1-2) and 17 natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana to two localities in Switzerland and Japan.Results: Fifteen insect species inhabited plant accessions, with 10–30% broad-sense heritability of community indices being detected, such as species richness and diversity. The total abundance of leaf-chewing herbivores was negatively correlated with trichome density at both the field sites, while glucosinolates had variable effects on leaf chewers between the two sites. Interestingly, there was a parallel tendency for the abundance of leaf chewers to be higher on gl1-1 and gl1-2 than for their different parental accessions, Ler-1 and Col-0, respectively. Furthermore, the loss of function in the GLABRA1 gene significantly decreased the resistance of plants to the two predominant chewers, flea beetles and turnip sawflies.Conclusions: Overall, our results indicate that insect community composition on A. thaliana is heritable across two distant field sites, with GLABRA1 playing a key role in altering the abundance of leaf-chewing herbivores. Given that such a trichome variation is widely observed in Brassicaceae plants, the present study exemplifies the community-wide impact of a single plant gene on crucifer-feeding insects in the field.

scholarly journals Distinct soil bacterial patterns along narrow– and broad–scale elevational gradients in grassland of the Mt. Tianshan, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Li ◽  
Jiandong Sheng ◽  
Yunhua Liu ◽  
Junhui Cheng ◽  
Zongjiu Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Community ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Bacterial Community Composition ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Elevational Gradients ◽  
Community Patterns ◽  
Hump Pattern ◽  
Bacterial Patterns ◽  
Broad Scale

Abstract Bacteria plays a crucial role in soil biogeochemical cycles, bacterial elevational patterns have been well studies over the past decade, but the elevational pattern and its driver poorly understood. To determine the distribution patterns of bacterial composition and diversity across narrow– and broad–scale elevational gradients, we collected soil samples from 22 sites in the grasslands of Mt. Tianshan along three elevational transects and the whole elevation transect: (1) 6 sites at 1047 m – 1587 m, (2) 8 sites at 876 m – 3070 m, and (3) 8 sites at 1602 m – 2110 m. We found a hump pattern of the bacterial community diversity on the whole elevation transect, while not have observed consistent patterns in separately elevation transect. Bacterial community composition based on phylum differed with transects and elevation sites. Furthermore, heatmap analysis showed that pH and MAT significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with bacterial community composition, dominant bacterial phylum and class significantly influenced soil pH. Therefore, our results suggested that soil property plays the most important role in shaping bacterial community patterns in grassland of Mt. Tianshan.

scholarly journals Invertebrate Assemblages on Biscogniauxia Sporocarps on Oak Dead Wood: An Observation Aided by Squirrels

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1124
Author(s):  
Yu Fukasawa
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Stage ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Dead Wood ◽  
Forest Biodiversity ◽  
Insect Community ◽  
Insect Communities ◽  
Invertebrate Assemblages ◽  
Diverse Groups ◽  
Important Habitat

Dead wood is an important habitat for both fungi and insects, two enormously diverse groups that contribute to forest biodiversity. Unlike the myriad of studies on fungus–insect relationships, insect communities on ascomycete sporocarps are less explored, particularly for those in hidden habitats such as underneath bark. Here, I present my observations of insect community dynamics on Biscogniauxia spp. on oak dead wood from the early anamorphic stage to matured teleomorph stage, aided by the debarking behaviour of squirrels probably targeting on these fungi. In total, 38 insect taxa were observed on Biscogniauxia spp. from March to November. The community composition was significantly correlated with the presence/absence of Biscogniauxia spp. Additionally, Librodor (Glischrochilus) ipsoides, Laemophloeus submonilis, and Neuroctenus castaneus were frequently recorded and closely associated with Biscogniauxia spp. along its change from anamorph to teleomorph. L. submonilis was positively associated with both the anamorph and teleomorph stages. L. ipsoides and N. castaneus were positively associated with only the teleomorph but not with the anamorph stage. N. castaneus reproduced and was found on Biscogniauxia spp. from June to November. These results suggest that sporocarps of Biscogniauxia spp. are important to these insect taxa, depending on their developmental stage.

scholarly journals Collection of Environmental Variables and Bacterial Community Compositions in Marian Cove, Antarctica, during Summer 2018

Data ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Hyo-Ryeon Kim ◽  
Jae-Hyun Lim ◽  
Ju-Hyoung Kim ◽  
Il-Nam Kim
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Community ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Marine Bacteria ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Bacterial Community Composition ◽  
Composition Data ◽  
Decomposition Of Organic Matter ◽  
Class Level ◽  
Earth’S Climate

Marine bacteria, which are known as key drivers for marine biogeochemical cycles and Earth’s climate system, are mainly responsible for the decomposition of organic matter and production of climate-relevant gases (i.e., CO₂, N₂O, and CH₄). However, research is still required to fully understand the correlation between environmental variables and bacteria community composition. Marine bacteria living in the Marian Cove, where the inflow of freshwater has been rapidly increasing due to substantial glacial retreat, must be undergoing significant environmental changes. During the summer of 2018, we conducted a hydrographic survey to collect environmental variables and bacterial community composition data at three different layers (i.e., the seawater surface, middle, and bottom layers) from 15 stations. Of all the bacterial data, 17 different phylum level bacteria and 21 different class level bacteria were found and Proteobacteria occupy 50.3% at phylum level following Bacteroidetes. Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria, which belong to Proteobacteria, are the highest proportion at the class level. Gammaproteobacteria showed the highest relative abundance in all three seawater layers. The collection of environmental variables and bacterial composition data contributes to improving our understanding of the significant relationships between marine Antarctic regions and marine bacteria that lives in the Antarctic.

scholarly journals Tree Diversity Reduces Fungal Endophyte Richness and Diversity in a Large-Scale Temperate Forest Experiment

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric A. Griffin ◽  
Joshua G. Harrison ◽  
Melissa K. McCormick ◽  
Karin T. Burghardt ◽  
John D. Parker
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Diversity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Fungal Endophytes ◽  
Fungal Endophyte ◽  
Tree Diversity ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
And Function

Although decades of research have typically demonstrated a positive correlation between biodiversity of primary producers and associated trophic levels, the ecological drivers of this association are poorly understood. Recent evidence suggests that the plant microbiome, or the fungi and bacteria found on and inside plant hosts, may be cryptic yet important drivers of important processes, including primary production and trophic interactions. Here, using high-throughput sequencing, we characterized foliar fungal community diversity, composition, and function from 15 broadleaved tree species (N = 545) in a recently established, large-scale temperate tree diversity experiment using over 17,000 seedlings. Specifically, we tested whether increases in tree richness and phylogenetic diversity would increase fungal endophyte diversity (the “Diversity Begets Diversity” hypothesis), as well as alter community composition (the “Tree Diversity–Endophyte Community” hypothesis) and function (the “Tree Diversity–Endophyte Function” hypothesis) at different spatial scales. We demonstrated that increasing tree richness and phylogenetic diversity decreased fungal species and functional guild richness and diversity, including pathogens, saprotrophs, and parasites, within the first three years of a forest diversity experiment. These patterns were consistent at the neighborhood and tree plot scale. Our results suggest that fungal endophytes, unlike other trophic levels (e.g., herbivores as well as epiphytic bacteria), respond negatively to increasing plant diversity.

An island biogeography model for beta diversity and endemism: The roles of speciation, extinction and dispersal

2015 ◽  
Vol 08 (01) ◽  
pp. 1550011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youhua Chen
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Beta Diversity ◽  
Island Biogeography ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Community Patterns ◽  
Speciation Rate ◽  
Immigration Rate ◽  
Extinction Rates

A community composition island biogeography model was developed to explain and predict two community patterns (beta diversity and endemism) with the consideration of speciation, extinction and dispersal processes. Results showed that rate of speciation is positively and linearly associated with beta diversity and endemism, that is, increasing species rates typically could increase the percentage of both endemism and beta diversity. The influences of immigration and extinction rates on beta diversity and endemism are nonlinear, but with numerical simulation, I could observe that increasing extinction rates would lead to decreasing percentage of endemism and beta diversity. The role of immigration rate is very similar to that of speciation rate, having a positive relationship with beta diversity and endemism. Finally, I found that beta diversity is closely related to the percentage of endemism. The slope of this positive relationship is determined jointly by different combinations of speciation, extinction and immigration rates.

Spatial and seasonal variability of emergent aquatic insects and nearshore spiders in a subtropical estuary

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha J. Zapata ◽  
S. Mažeika P. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Insects ◽  
High Salinity ◽  
Aquatic Insect ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Insect Community ◽  
Insect Communities ◽  
Low Salinity ◽  
Subtropical Estuary ◽  
Adult Aquatic Insects

Variability in the density and distribution of adult aquatic insects is an important factor mediating aquatic-to-terrestrial nutritional subsidies in freshwater ecosystems, yet less is understood about insect-facilitated subsidy dynamics in estuaries. We surveyed emergent (i.e. adult) aquatic insects and nearshore orb-weaving spiders of the families Tetragnathidae and Araneidae in a subtropical estuary of Florida (USA). Emergent insect community composition varied seasonally and spatially; densities were lower at high- than low-salinity sites. At high-salinity sites, emergent insects exhibited lower dispersal ability and a higher prevalence of univoltinism than low- and mid-salinity assemblages. Orb-weaving spider density most strongly tracked emergent insect density rates at low- and mid-salinity sites. Tetragnatha body condition was 96% higher at high-salinity sites than at low-salinity sites. Our findings contribute to our understanding of aquatic insect communities in estuarine ecosystems and indicate that aquatic insects may provide important nutritional subsidies to riparian consumers despite their depressed abundance and diversity compared with freshwater ecosystems.

Temporal patterns in the macrobenthic communities of the Hawkesbury estuary, New South Wales

1987 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 607
Author(s):  
AR Jones
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Temporal Patterns ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Community Patterns ◽  
Low Salinity ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Physicochemical Factors ◽  
Number Of Individuals

Temporal patterns in number of species, number of individual animals and community composition of the soft-sediment zoobenthos of the Hawkesbury estuary are described and related to physicochemical factors. Replicate grabs were taken at 3-month intervals over 3 years (1977-1979) from sites located in three zones: the lower, middle and upper reaches. The number of species and number of individuals showed significant seasonal and annual differences in all zones. However, the pattern of these differences varied among sites and seasonal differences were not repeatable over years. Similarly, differences in community composition as revealed by classification were not seasonal. In the middle and lower reaches, these differences were apparently caused by the over- riding influence of non-seasonal climatic events, i.e. a major flood in 1978 and a drought throughout 1979. In the first two sampling following the flood, sample values for the numbers of both species and individuals were usually lowest and community composition was distinct from pre-flood and drought times. During the drought, the number of species was usually high and community composition relatively distinct. Whereas the number of species and community composition groupings were both significantly related to river discharge, the number of individuals was significantly correlated with temperature. All community variables were sometimes significantly related to salinity. The identity of numerically dominant species, as determined by Fager rankings, varied among times in both the lower and middle reaches. However, the polychaete Nephtys australiensis and the bivalve mollusc Notospisula trigonella were highest ranked overall in both zones. Community patterns in the low-salinity upper reaches differed from those further downstream by showing little change in numbers of species and community composition following the flood. Only the number of species was significantly correlated with any of the measured physicochemical variables, this being partly due to an influx of species during the drought. Furthermore, the upstream community was always dominated by the polychaete Ceratonereis limnetica and was thus the only community that could be characterised by a single species.

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