scholarly journals Habitat and Landform Types Drive the Distribution of Carabid Beetles at High Altitudes

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 142
Author(s):  
Mauro Gobbi ◽  
Marco Armanini ◽  
Teresa Boscolo ◽  
Roberta Chirichella ◽  
Valeria Lencioni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Total Activity ◽  
Carabid Beetles ◽  
Taxonomic Distinctness ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Activity Density ◽  
Sampling Points

The high altitude mountain slopes of the Dolomites (Italian Alps) are characterized by great habitat and landform heterogeneities. In this paper, we investigated the effect of a Nature 2000 habitat and landform types in driving the high altitude ground beetle (Carabidae) distribution in the Western Dolomites (Brenta group, Italy). We studied the carabid assemblages collected in 55 sampling points distributed in four Nature 2000 habitat types and four landform types located between 1860 and 2890 m above sea level (a.s.l.). Twenty-two species, half of them Alpine endemics, were sampled. Species richness and taxonomic distinctness did not show any significant difference among habitat types; conversely, these differences became significant when the landform type was considered. Total activity density and the frequency of brachypterous, endemic and predatory species showed significant differences between both habitat and landform types. An indicator species analysis identified twelve species linked to a specific habitat type and thirteen species linked to a specific landform type. A canonical correspondence analysis showed that altitude and vegetation cover drove the species distribution in each habitat and landform type while the aspect had a weak effect. Our results highlight the need for a geomorphological characterization of the sampling points when high altitude ground-dwelling arthropods are investigated.

scholarly journals Do properties and species of weed seeds affect their consumption by carabid beetles?

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (Suppl.) ◽  
pp. 37-48
Author(s):  
Hana Foffová ◽  
David A. Bohan ◽  
Pavel Saska
Keyword(s):  
Seed Coat ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Taraxacum Officinale ◽  
Carabid Beetles ◽  
Seed Selection ◽  
Seed Predators ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Anchomenus Dorsalis ◽  
Pterostichus Melanarius

Seed predators are an integral part of agroecosystems, where they can reduce the populations of weeds. The preference of predators for seeds and the observed predation rate may be affected by the properties of seeds (e.g. taxonomy, chemical composition, physical defence). In this work, we focused on seed consumption of Taraxacum officinale Web. and Stellaria media (L.) Vill., from France and the Czech Republic, by three species of ground beetle that are seed predators (Coleoptera: Carabidae): Poecilus cupreus (Linnaeus), Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger) and Anchomenus dorsalis (Pontoppidan). The seed species were offered in arenas, simultaneously, under three different experimental manipulations of moisture and seed coat conditions: dry and intact, water-imbibed and intact, and water-imbibed with a damaged seed coat. Seed consumption was checked after 0.5, 1, 2, 24, and 48 hours of exposure. Anchomenus dorsalis largely refused to feed on seeds. Taraxacum officinale seeds with damaged coats were most preferred by the remaining two species of carabids. The consumption by P. cupreus of T. officinale seeds with damaged coats increased from 0.18 % after 0.5 hours to 83.83 % after 48 hours, and by P. melanarius from 13.76 % after 0.5 hours to 76.77 % after 48 hours. Seeds of S. media were consumed less. There was a significant difference in consumption rates due to the country of origin of the seeds, but there were no differences between the carabid sexes. That carabids preferred water-imbibed and damaged seeds may suggest an involvement of olfactory clues in the seed selection process, and/or shorter seed-handling times.

scholarly journals The influence of habitat type on the distribution of carabid beetles in traditionally managed “dehesa” ecosystems in NW Spain

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Taboada ◽  
Johan Kotze ◽  
José Salgado ◽  
Reyes Tárrega
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Local Scale ◽  
Carabid Beetles ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Nw Spain ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Traditional Management ◽  
Specialist Species

We investigated the responses of carabid beetles to habitat type at the local scale in traditionally managed “dehesa” ecosystems in NW Spain. The beetles were sampled from two habitat types (central grassland and surrounding forested zone) of five “dehesa” ecosystems, from May to October 2004. Atotal of 4,374 carabid individuals and 55 species were captured using pitfall trapping. Most of the species were collected from both habitat types, probably due to open spaces created between old-growth trees in the forested zone. Differences in carabid assemblage composition were found mainly due to Harpalus species characteristic from the central grassland and a few forest specialist species exclusively found in the forested zone. The maintenance of the “dehesa” structure may be of importance for carabid species adapted to the variety of habitats created, and requires the continuation of traditional management practices.

scholarly journals Galba truncatula and Omphiscola glabra (Gastropoda, Lymnaeidae): present decline in populations living on sedimentary soils in central France

2018 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Gilles Dreyfuss ◽  
Philippe Vignoles ◽  
Daniel Rondelaud
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Galba Truncatula ◽  
The Past ◽  
Field Investigations ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Decline Rate ◽  
Breeding Farms

Field investigations in habitats colonized by Galba truncatula or Omphiscola glabra were carried out to determine if the number of habitats, their area and the number of overwintering snails had not changed over the past 20 years. These habitats were studied in 57 cattle- or sheep-breeding farms located in three French natural regions on sedimentary soils. Compared to the numbers of snail habitats recorded before 1998, the values observed in 2016–2017 were significantly lower, with an overall decline rate of 30% for G. truncatula and 38% for O. glabra. Variations in this decline rate were noted with the type of snail habitat and the largest decreases were observed for vernal pools in meadows. Significantly lower areas in 2016–2017 were noted in two habitat types (drainage furrows, road ditches) for G. truncatula and two other habitat types (drainage furrows, pond banks) for O. glabra. Significantly lower densities of overwintering snails were observed in 2016–2017 in G. truncatula habitats located in drainage furrows and road ditches, while no significant difference was noted for O. glabra, whatever the habitat type. Several causes were at the origin of this population decline and the most important were the present development of mechanical cleaning in road ditches, that of subsurface drainage in meadows and regular gyro-crushing of vegetation around pools in meadows. The data reported in this study confirm the decline that several authors have already noted for O. glabra in Western Europe. The results obtained for G. truncatula require reviewing the biogeographical status of this species and taking possible measures to ensure its conservation while taking into account its role as intermediate host in the F. hepatica cycle.

scholarly journals Pitfall trap efficiency: do trap size, collecting fluid and vegetation structure matter?

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matti Koivula ◽  
Johan Kotze ◽  
Laura Hiisivuori ◽  
Hannu Rita
Keyword(s):  
Propylene Glycol ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Carabid Beetles ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Trap Size

Apart from experimental design, the selection of pitfall trap size, collecting fluid and habitat type sampled may also influence the capture efficiency of the method. We combined three field studies from two very different geographic areas, in which the efficiency of pitfall traps, using carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), is evaluated. First, we showed that ethylene-glycol is a more efficient collecting fluid compared to commercial anti-freeze, paraffin and salt water in collecting beetles in a forest patch in South Africa. Second, we showed that larger traps (90 mm mouth diameter) are more efficient in collecting carabids than small traps (65 mm) in a meadow in Finland. We also showed that for these large traps, commercial vinegar was a better collecting fluid than propylene-glycol, but that for small traps, propylene-glycol was superior to vinegar in collecting carabids. Finally, we showed that the trappability of Pterostichus oblongopunctatus and Carabus hortensis differed in enclosures placed into two different habitat types (a forest and a clear-cut in Finland), while trappability did not differ significantly for two other species (Calathus micropterus and Pterostichus niger) in these habitat types. However, for the two Pterostichus species studied, the catches in traps placed in the centre of the enclosures were slightly higher in the clear-cut, compared to the forest, and catches were higher in enclosures with rich field-layer vegetation, compared to enclosures with poor vegetation. The three studies re-emphasise the uncertainties of using pitfall traps in ecological studies. However, with careful planning and standardisation to help avoid erroneous interpretations, pitfall trapping is an invaluable method for the field ecologist.

Movement patterns and relative abundance of coastal tailed frogs in clearcuts and mature forest stands

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 1131-1138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent M Matsuda ◽  
John S Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Ascaphus Truei ◽  
Drift Fence ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Direction Of Movement ◽  
Mature Stands ◽  
Capture Rates

Age-specific movements, abundance, and capture rates of coastal tailed frogs (Ascaphus truei Stejneger) were compared between clearcuts and mature forests in southwestern British Columbia, Canada, during 1998 and 1999 using pitfall traps and drift-fence arrays. Total frog abundance was similar in both habitat types. More adults were caught in mature stands than in clearcuts, but there was no significant difference for immatures. Analysis of numbers of frogs captured indicated that the direction of movement did not differ between habitat types for any age-class. Frogs were captured at similar frequencies across distance from stream in both habitats. These findings suggest that there are age-specific differences in tailed frog abundance in clearcuts along streams without riparian reserves relative to mature forests. Variation among sites had a greater influence than habitat type on the number of immatures. Low proportions of adults in clearcuts suggested that immatures may be transient or that they incurred high rates of mortality. Age-specific differences in habitat use by tailed frogs indicated that total numbers alone are insufficient to determine the effect of forest management on habitat suitability for tailed frogs.

scholarly journals Do the assemblages of benthic macroinvertebrates in nearshore waters of Western Australia vary among habitat types, zones and seasons?

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.D. Wildsmith ◽  
I.C. Potter ◽  
F.J. Valesini ◽  
M.E. Platell
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Benthic Macroinvertebrates ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Subtidal Zone ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Environmental Characteristics ◽  
Deposit Feeding ◽  
Number Of Individuals

Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled seasonally in the subtidal and upper and lower swash zones at two sites in each of six nearshore habitat types on the lower west coast of Australia. The habitat types, which differed mainly in the extent of their exposure to wave activity and whether sea grass and/or nearshore reefs were present, had been distinguished quantitatively using values for a suite of seven statistically-selected enduring environmental characteristics (Valesini et al., 2003). The core samples yielded 121 species representing eight phyla, among which the Polychaeta, Malacostraca and Bivalvia were the most speciose classes, contributing ∼38, 23 and 10%, respectively, to the total number of individuals. The total number of species and mean density of macroinvertebrates at the most protected habitat type (1), i.e. 70 and 209·2 individuals 0·1 m−2, respectively, were far greater than in any other habitat type. Habitat type influenced species composition to a greater extent than either zone or season. Furthermore, the extents of the differences among the species compositions of the six habitat types statistically matched the extents of the differences among the values for the suite of enduring environmental characteristics that distinguished each of those habitat types. Overall, the species composition at habitat type 1 was the most distinct, containing five abundant species of polychaetes that were adapted to deposit-feeding in calm waters with high levels of organic material and which were rare in all other habitat types. In contrast, the fauna at the most exposed habitat type was characterized by four crustacean species and a species of bivalve and polychaete, whose mobility and tough external surface facilitated their survival and feeding in turbulent waters. The zonal differences in faunal compositions among habitat types were greatest in the case of the subtidal zone. The faunal compositions differed among zones and seasons only at the most protected habitat type.

scholarly journals Responses of Bat Communities (Mammalia: Chiroptera) to Forest Loss and Habitat Conversion in Southern Cameroon

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 194008292110103
Author(s):  
Patrick Jules Atagana ◽  
Eric Moïse Bakwo Fils ◽  
Sevilor Kekeunou
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Habitat Transformation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Southern Cameroon ◽  
Habitat Conversion ◽  
Species Specific

We aimed to assess how bats are affected by habitat transformation by comparing bat assemblages in four habitat types: primary forest, secondary forest, cocoa plantations and human habitations in the Dja Biosphere Reserve of southern Cameroon. Bats were sampled in the four habitat types using mist nets. During 126 nights, a total of 413 bats were captured, belonging to four families, 16 genera and 24 species. Ninety three individuals (17 species) were captured in the primary forest, followed by plantations (105 individuals, 14 species), human habitations (159 individuals, 10 species), and secondary forest (55 individuals, eight species). Megaloglossus woermanni was recorded in all the four habitats, and was the most abundant species (105 individuals). The analysis of bat assemblage between habitat types showed a statistically significant difference in species composition. The distribution of the six most abundant species ( Epomops franqueti, Megaloglossus woermanni, Rousettus aegyptiacus, Dohyrina cyclops, Hipposideros cf. caffer and Hipposideros cf. ruber) was influenced by habitat types. Our results suggest that the decrease in species richness observed in disturbed habitats may be due to habitat perturbations of primary forest habitats. Therefore, it is important to examine the effects of habitat conversion at species level, as responses are often species-specific.

scholarly journals Recent Invasion of the Endemic Banggai Cardinalfish, Pterapogon kauderni at The Strait of Bali: Assessment of the Habitat Type and Population Structure

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Nyoman Giri Putra ◽  
I Dewa Nyoman Nurweda Putra
Keyword(s):  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Marine Organisms ◽  
Aquarium Trade ◽  
Small Populations ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Weight Relationship ◽  
Narrow Bay ◽  
Sexually Mature

The demands of marine organisms for the aquarium trade are remain high and seems continue to increase. Consequently, many of marine organisms has been spread out from its natural habitat as in the case of endemic Banggai cardinalfish, (Pterapogon kauderni). That has invaded “new” habitat since it being trade in 1995. In recent years, a small populations of P. kauderni is known to be exist in a narrow bay near the Gilimanuk harbor, Bali. An underwater visual fish census survey was conducted on June 2018 to estimate the habitat types and densities of P. kauderni.  Additionally, 23 specimens of P. kauderni were collected randomly in order to assess biological parameters such as the length-weight relationship. We successfully recorded 30 groups of P. kauderni that inhabit a shallow areas with a depth range between 0.5m to 2m. Of these, more than 90% of the groups were found to be associated with sea urchin (Diadema sp.) while the rest were found to live together with branching coral (Acropora sp.) and branching sponge (Ptylocaulis sp.). Total number of fish observed during the survey were 381 individuals. The fish density is 0.76 individu.m-2. Length-weight relationship showed that P. kauderni exhibit is negative allometry (b<3) which mean that the increase in length is faster than the weight gain. Interestingly, from the 23 specimens collected, none of these were sexually mature (SL<41 mm) which may indicated that the population of P. kauderni in Bali are under serious threats of exploitation.     

Is high-altitude mountaineering Russian roulette?

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward K. Cheng
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Failure Rate ◽  
Rate Model ◽  
Reliability Engineering ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Inference Techniques ◽  
Decreasing Failure Rate

AbstractWhether the nature of the risks associated with climbing high-altitude (8000 m) peaks is in some sense “controllable” is a longstanding debate in the mountaineering community. Well-known mountaineers David Roberts and Ed Viesturs explore this issue in their recent memoirs. Roberts views the primary risks as “objective” or uncontrollable, whereas Viesturs maintains that experience and attention to safety can make a significant difference. This study sheds light on the Roberts-Viesturs debate using a comprehensive dataset of climbing on Nepalese Himalayan peaks. To test whether the data is consistent with a constant failure rate model (Roberts) or a decreasing failure rate model (Viesturs), it draws on Total Time on Test (TTT) plots from the reliability engineering literature and applies graphical inference techniques to them.

scholarly journals Diet of otters (Lutra lutra) in various habitat types in the Pannonian biogeographical region compared to other regions of Europe

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2266 ◽  
Author(s):  
József Lanszki ◽  
István Lehoczky ◽  
Antoinette Kotze ◽  
Michael J. Somers
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Type ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Lutra Lutra ◽  
Fish Diet ◽  
Fish Farms ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Mediterranean Regions ◽  
Biogeographical Region ◽  
Study Sites

Knowledge of the effect of habitat type and region on diet and feeding behaviours of a species facilitates a better understanding of factors impacting populations, which contributes to effective conservation management. Using spraint analysis and relative frequency of occurrence data from the literature, we described the dietary patterns of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) in 23 study sites within the Pannonian biogeographical region in Hungary. Our results indicated that diet composition varied by habitat type and is therefore context dependant. The differences among habitat types were however lower than expected. We noticed a decline in the fish consumption with a concomitant increase in trophic niche breadth and amphibian consumption in rivers, ponds (fish farms), backwaters, marshes and small watercourses. The main differences in diet were not attributed to the consumption of primary and secondary food types (fish and amphibians), but rather to differences in other, less important food types (mammals, birds). Using hierarchical cluster analysis, rivers and ponds could clearly be separated from other habitat types. We found the main fish diet of otters in most of these areas consisted of small (<100 g), eurytopic, littoral and non-native, mostly invasive species. Dietary studies from 91 sites in six European biogeographical regions showed that fish are consumed most frequently in the Atlantic and Boreal, less in the Continental and Pannonian, and least in the Alpine and Mediterranean regions. Comparative analysis indicated that the Mediterranean region (with frequent crayfish consumption) and Alpine region (frequent amphibian consumption) cluster separate from the other regions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document