Spatial ecology of Puerto Rican boas (Epicrates inornatus, Boidae) was studied with radiotelemetry in a subtropical wet forest recovering from a major hurricane (7–9 yr previous) when Hurricane Georges struck. Different boas were studied during three periods relative to Hurricane Georges: before only; before and after; and after only. Mean daily movement per month increased throughout the three periods, indicating that the boas moved more after the storm than before. Radio‐tagged boas also became more visible to observers after the hurricane. Throughout the three periods, the sexes differed in movements, with males moving greater distances per move and moving more frequently than females. Males showed a bimodal peak of movement during April and June in contrast to the females’ July peak. Sexes did not differ in annual home range size, which had a median value of 8.5 ha (range = 2.0–105.5 ha, N = 18) for 95 percent adaptive kernal. Females spent more time on or below ground than did males, which were mostly arboreal. Trees used by boas had larger diameters and more vines than random trees. Hurricane winds that strip leaves, vines, and branches from trees may reduce cover for boas and limit access to arboreal sites, at least for several years until succession brings about recovery with increased vine growth. Boas were especially difficult to observe; telemetrically monitored boas were detected visually at an average of only 15 percent of their fix sites, indicating that the species is more abundant than generally perceived.RESUMENLa ecologia espacial de las boas Puertorriqueñas (Epicrates inornatus; Boidae) fue estudiada con radio telemetrfa en un bosque subtropical lluvioso, en recuperacion de un fuerte huracan (7–9 anos antes) cuando el Huracán Georges azotó la isla. Varias boas fueron estudiadas durante tres periodos relativos al Huracán Georges: antes, antes y después, y después del huracán. El desplazamiento diario promedio por mes se incrementó a lo largo de los tres periodos, indicando que las boas se desplazaron más después que antes de la tormenta. Las boas con radio transmisor eran más visibles a los observadores después del huracán. El desplazamiento de los sexos difirió a lo largo de los tres periodos, recorriendo los machos mayor distancia por movimiento y desplazándose con mayor frecuencia que las hembras. Los machos mostraron un desplazamiento bimodal, con picos en abril y junio, en contraste de las hembras donde el pico fue en julio. Los sexos no difirieron en el tamaño del territorio, el cual presenta una mediana de 8.5 ha (intervalo = 2.0–105.5 ha, N= 18) para el 95 por ciento adaptive kernal. Las hembras pasaron mayor tiempo encima o bajo tierra que los machos, los cuales eran principalmente arbóreos. Los árboles utilizados por las boas tenian un diámetro mayor y más lianas que árboles escogidos al azar. Los vientos huracanados que despojan a los árboles de sus hojas, lianas y ramas, pueden reducir la cobertura de las boas y limitar su acceso a ubicaciones arbóreas al menos por varies años hasta que la sucesión traiga consigo recuperación en incremento del crecimiento de lianas. Las boas estudiadas fueron especialmente dificiles de observar; boas seguidas con telemetria fueron detectadas visualmente en promedio en sólo el 15 por ciento de las veces buscadas, indicando que la especie posiblemente sea más abundante de lo que se percibe.
Abstract:The mite and fungal biota associated with the mountain pine beetle (MPB) (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopk.) may not be stable throughout an irruptive event. In congeneric beetles, variations in the frequency of their associated organisms affect population trends and similar effects may occur in MPB. We studied fungi and mite trends in a declining irruptive MPB population as it attacked three different pine hosts in the Colorado Front Range. During the study, we found two new associates including one biologically relevant mite and one beneficial blue-stain fungus. Fungi hyperphoretic on mites were also documented. This included beneficial and potentially detrimental species to the MPB. The frequency of several organisms varied between some years or pine hosts but not within male or female beetles. A large increase of Trichouropoda sp. and T. ips mites trended inversely with the declining beetle population, while a decrease in the beneficial blue-stain fungi trended similarly to the declining beetle population. We discuss the interactions and potential effects of phoretic biota in relation to (1) the MPB associates' population trends, (2) the MPB incursions into cooler areas, and (3) the redundancy of blue-stain fungi carried by the MPB holobiont. These findings increase our knowledge of the mechanisms that influence MPB populations.
Abstract:The Neotropical genus, Arachnocoris Scott groups thirteen species of specialized spider web-inhabiting damsel bugs (Nabidae) distributed from Panama to Brazil and the West Indies. We present new information on the web behavior of A. berytoides Uhler from Puerto Rico. Three different life stages were observed on the spider webs, suggesting this species likely depends on that microhabitat for all its life history stages. In addition to the modified tarsi described by Myers, we describe mimetic adaptations that may help it live a life in close association with its predacious host. Species in this genus are facultative kleptoparasites that are highly dependent on spider webs for obtaining their food. In Puerto Rico, Arachnocoris berytoides perhaps mimics multiple models through several types of mimicry including: Aposematic, Aggressive, Batesian-Wallacean, Wicklerian-Eisnerian, and possibly Mullerian-Batesian mimicry. An observation in which a male watched as females approach a food item might represent a type of mate guarding behavior not previously described in this genus.
The mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae (Coleoptera: Scolytinae), is an economically important bark beetle species with a wide geographic range spanning from the southwestern United States into northern Canada. This beetle causes extensive tree mortality to 13 pine species. Mites (Acari) are common and abundant symbionts of mountain beetles that may influence their fitness through positive and negative interactions. We present a unique assessment of the mite associates of mountain pine beetles using measures of alpha and beta diversity. We sampled phoretic mites from five beetle populations: Arizona, Colorado, South Dakota, Utah (USA), and Alberta (Canada) that varied in host tree species, local climate, and beetle population level. We collected 4848 mites from 8 genera and 12 species. Fifty to seventy percent of beetles carried mites in flight with the highest mite loads occurring in middle and southern populations; decreasing in northern populations. Mite assemblages (i.e., both richness and composition) varied along a south to north latitudinal gradient and were driven by species turnover (i.e., species replacement). Differences in mite composition increased with distance between populations. We discuss climatic variation, environmental filtering, and host tree differences as factors that could affect differences in mite composition between beetle populations and discuss implications for functional shifts. Our results could represent a model for estimating diversity patterns of mite symbionts associated with other major insect pests in coniferous forest systems.
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