Diversity of geometrid moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) along an Afrotropical elevational rainforest transect

被引:70
作者
Axmacher, JC
Holtmann, G
Scheuermann, L
Brehm, G
Müller-Hohenstein, K
Fiedler, K
机构
[1] Univ Bayreuth, Chair Biogeog, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany
[2] Univ Bayreuth, Chair Anim Ecol 1, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany
关键词
diversity; edge effect; elevation; Mt; Kilimanjaro;
D O I
10.1111/j.1366-9516.2004.00101.x
中图分类号
X176 [生物多样性保护];
学科分类号
090705 ;
摘要
Geometrid moths were investigated at 26 sites on 9 elevational levels along an elevational transect at Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), stretching from the fine-grained mosaic of small agroforest plots with combined cultivation of trees, shrubs and crops at 1650 m through mountain rainforest to heathland at 3300 m. We sampled moths manually at light between 19 : 00 and 22 : 00 in the rainy seasons of March to May and October to January in the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. Along the transect, the composition of moth communities changed from a domination by Sterrhinae and Ennominae to a dominance of Larentiinae with increasing elevation. Overall, alpha diversity was very low compared to other tropical mountain regions. Fisher's alpha showed a maximum of 30 in the agroforest mosaic at 1650 m and decreased to values around 12 in the mountain rainforest. Communities of geometrid moths within the forest belt were significantly dissimilar from communities outside the forest. The diversity patterns on Mt. Kilimanjaro can be related to the young age, island-like position and history of the mountain. These factors have led to the formation of a homogeneous upper mountain rainforest habitat which in turn houses homogeneous moth communities with a low diversity compared to habitats at lower elevations. Here, a heterogeneous habitat mosaic allowing the intrusion of savannah species into this former forest habitat may account for an increased diversity. In the heath zone above the forest, climatic conditions are very harsh, permitting only few specialists to thrive in this ericaceous woodland. Edge effects were discernible at the forest-heathland boundary where some moth species from heathland invaded the closed forest. At the boundary between agroforest and a forest mosaic of exotic Acacia and Eucalyptus forest plantations and natural mountain forest, diversity values remained low as the dominant species Chiasmia fuscataria accounted for far higher proportions than other dominant species in any of the other habitats.
引用
收藏
页码:293 / 302
页数:10
相关论文
共 62 条
  • [1] AXMACHER J, 2003, THESIS U BAYREUTH BA
  • [2] Diverging diversity patterns of vascular plants and geometrid moths during forest regeneration on Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
    Axmacher, JC
    Tünte, H
    Schrumpf, M
    Müller-Hohenstein, K
    Lyaruu, HVM
    Fiedler, K
    [J]. JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, 2004, 31 (06) : 895 - 904
  • [3] From forest to farmland: diversity of geometrid moths along two habitat gradients on Borneo
    Beck, J
    Schulze, CH
    Linsenmair, KE
    Fiedler, K
    [J]. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY, 2002, 18 : 33 - 51
  • [4] Faunal composition of geometrid moths changes with altitude in an Andean montane rain forest
    Brehm, G
    Fiedler, K
    [J]. JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, 2003, 30 (03) : 431 - 440
  • [5] Unique elevational diversity patterns of geometrid moths in an Andean montane rainforest
    Brehm, G
    Süssenbach, D
    Fiedler, K
    [J]. ECOGRAPHY, 2003, 26 (04) : 456 - 466
  • [6] Beta diversity of geometrid moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in an Andean montane rainforest
    Brehm, G
    Homeier, J
    Fiedler, K
    [J]. DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS, 2003, 9 (05) : 351 - 366
  • [7] BREHM G., 2002, THESIS U BAYREUTH BA
  • [8] Diversity of moths in forest plantations and natural forests in Sabah
    Chey, VK
    Holloway, JD
    Speight, MR
    [J]. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH, 1997, 87 (04) : 371 - 385
  • [9] CLARKE KR, 2002, PRIMER 5 WINDOWS VER
  • [10] Colwell R.K., 2000, EstimateS: statistical estimation of species richness and shared species from samples software and user's guide