A Vertical stratification of arthropods in the dry ecosystems of Colombian Guyana: morphological patterns and their ecological implications

Abstract

Introduction: Despite growing interest by the ecosystems derived from the Guyanese formations, the vertical structure of the communities and relationships of the biota with the climatic conditions in these ecosystems are unknown. Objective: Characterize the structure and vertical composition of the arthropod fauna associated with three of the most representative ecosystems of the Northern area of the serranía de La Lindosa in Colombia based on morphological and ecological parameters. Methods: The arthropod fauna was sampled, from the subsurface soil level to the shrub and tree stratum. The fauna was determined up to the level of family or supraspecific group and the values of Alfa and Beta diversity were determined. Body length measurements were made, and the coloration and trophic level of each group were determined. Results: The composition and diversity of the arthropod fauna was different in each ecosystem and vertical stratum and most of the groups in all the ecosystems studied present low abundances. Groups of phytophagous and predatory habits were frequent in all ecosystems and the highest biomass of arthropod fauna comes from groups of polyphagous habits, of medium size and great abundance. Light and dark colorations are the most frequent in landscape-scale. Conclusion: The ecosystems studied are characterized by the low values of diversity and replacement and the large number of non-shared groups that apparently respond to the microclimatic characteristics; however, there are some generalities on a landscape scale such as the greater richness and abundance of groups in the intermediate strata, the greater proportion of groups with phytophagous habits and medium body sizes, and the predominance of dark colorations in the lower strata.

Bat functional traits associated with environmental, landscape, and conservation variables in Neotropical dry forests

“…The association between bats that emit qCF calls and canopy is likely due to an increase in insect food resources at this stratum (Jung et al, 2012;Marques et al, 2016). Although insect availability is higher at the canopy in tropical rainforests (Basset et al, 2003;De Souza Amorim et al, 2022), there is scarce and contrasting information on this issue in dry forests (Vega-Badillo et al, 2018;Camero-Rubio et al, 2021). Open spaces between tree crowns at the canopy result in less cluttered habitats, which are more suitable for foraging and flight maneuverability (Marques et al, 2016).…”