Elevational Patterns of Diversity and Abundance of Eusocial Paper Wasps (Vespidae) in Costa Rica

Kumar, Anjali; Longino, John T.; Colwell, Robert K.; O’Donnell, Sean

doi:10.1111/j.1744-7429.2008.00483.x

Cited by 47 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 55 publications

(72 reference statements)

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“…Typically, studies of assemblage (alpha) diversity along elevational gradients quantify or estimate species richness of assemblages as a function of elevation, then seek environmental or historical variables that best explain those patterns statistically (McCoy 1990, Samson et al 1997, Pyrcz and Wojtusiak 2002, Sanders 2002, Sanders et al 2003, McCain 2005, 2007a, 2007b, Herzog et al 2005, Oommen and Shanker 2005, Grytnes and Beaman 2006, Kluge et al 2006, Brehm et al 2007, Beck and Chey 2008, Kumar et al 2009. Between sea level and mountain-tops, richness may show a monotonic decline, a midelevation peak, or less often a more complex pattern (Rahbek 1995, McCain 2009.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Density compensation, species composition, and richness of ants on a neotropical elevational gradient

2011

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Abstract. The distribution of species on elevational gradients challenges our understanding of ecological processes, particularly in the context of biotic responses to climate change. We report here the distribution of leaf-litter ants on the Barva Transect, a continuous gradient of wet forest on Costa Rica's Atlantic slope. Seven sites were sampled, distributed from 50 to 2000 m. Worker density and microsite occupancy were high and relatively constant from 50 m to 1500 m and then abruptly dropped to near zero at 2000 m. Species density at the 1 m 2 scale was high and constant to 1070 m and then declined at higher elevations.Species richness of assemblages at the 1 km 2 scale was constant or rose slightly from 50 m to 500 m and then steeply declined. Because assemblage richness and species density declined more rapidly than worker density, density compensation with elevation is suggested and supported by a measure of mean population density. Statistically, temperature was the best predictor of both species richness and worker density. Relative humidity, soil nutrients, elevation-specific regional area, and the mid-domain effect were poor predictors of richness. Sites from 50 m to 500 m were similar in species composition. In contrast, assemblages at 1070 m, 1500 m, and 2000 m were highly differentiated. Thus elevational ranges were narrow for species at mid to upper elevations and broad for those at the lowest elevations. Density compensation at higher elevation suggests that if temperature or productivity are influencing the decline in diversity it must be indirectly through speciation and extinction processes, rather than by greater numbers of individuals. The broad ranges of lowland species may be a response to as yet unmeasured environmental factors (e.g., NPP) or to climate changes associated with the current interglacial period. Interglacial warming may have driven species to higher elevations, but the lack of competitors at the lower range margins may have allowed the lowest-elevation species to move upslope without a concomitant contraction of the lower range boundary. Global warming threatens a loss of narrowly-distributed montane species, but lowland biotic attrition may be ameliorated by range expansion among lowland species.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Density compensation, species composition, and richness of ants on a neotropical elevational gradient

2011

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“…Twelve species were unique to "São Gonçalo do Sapucaí" and only one to "Parque Estadual Serra do Brigadeiro" (Table 1). The occurrence of particular species in the habitats can be related to the presence of substrates with conditions specific to nesting, in addition to the favorable conditions of temperature and humidity required to the development of the immature ones (Dejean et al, 1998;Kumar et al, 2009;Souza et al, 2010;.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community of social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in areas of Semideciduous Seasonal Montane Forest

Souza¹,

Pires²,

Silva-Filho³

et al. 2015

Sociobiology

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“…In other social insects of order Hymenoptera, temperatures in nests are not only regulated by the presence of a protective cover, but also by the materials used in their construction, the physical location, and the individuals' metabolic activity (wiLsOn 1972;zmitrOwicz 2001). Another aspect that was discussed in an altitudinal study carried out in Central America (Kumar et al 2009) is the correlation between the colony foundation with elevation in altitudes above 1,600, demonstrating that in higher altitudes there is a predominance of species with foundation by swarming. Jeanne (1991) presents the advantages of this type of foundation compared to independent foundation wasps, in which the swarming model queen mortality is reduced, and queens are better protected within the colony which provides housing; it allows for establishment of more colonies; the swarm founding model usually involves multiple queens, and the rates of egg-laying and colony growth are high in comparison with species of independent foundation (wenzeL 1991; smitH et al 2001).…”

Section: E-issn 1983-0572mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to LawtOn et al (1987), the decline of species richness with increase in altitude is caused by the increase of climate severity, the reduction of habitable areas, and the reduction of diversity of resources and primary productivity. Adaptive factors related to food resources for life strategy are of crucial relevance (Fernandes & Price 1991), however, data for social wasps are scarce (Kumar et al 2009). …”

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confidence: 99%

Biodiversity of Social Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) at Altitudes Above 1600 Meters in the Parque Estadual da Serra do Papagaio, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

et al. 2015

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Abstract. The Parque Estadual da Serra do Papagaio is the largest area of natural preservation in the south of Minas Gerais, with areas of Floresta Atlantica, Floresta de Araucaria and Campos de Altitude. Although this is an area of biological importance, there are many groups that have not yet been studied there: for example social wasps, which are insects belonging to order Hymenoptera, family Vespidae, which play an important ecological role in different ecosystems. This study was carried out in the aforementioned natural preservation area at altitudes between 1600 and 2200 m in 20 days of sampling between July of 2013 and April of 2014, using active searches and attractive traps to record species. Twenty two species of social wasps were sampled, distributed in seven genera. This number is small compared to counts from other studies in this state, which is probably due to the high altitude of this area. There was a predominance of nests with protective casings in the most common species recorded, and the most populous species was Polybia fastidiosuscula Saussure, a finding that can be explained by the superior thermoregulation afforded by the nest casing. Two other common species were Mischocyttarus drewseni Saussure, and Mischocyttarus rotundicolis (Cameron), which have nests without casings; however, these species have dark coloration, as does the substrate used for nesting, and can therefore enhance retention of solar radiation; nevertheless, other biotic and abiotic factors could be involved.

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Elevational Patterns of Diversity and Abundance of Eusocial Paper Wasps (Vespidae) in Costa Rica

Cited by 47 publications

References 55 publications

Density compensation, species composition, and richness of ants on a neotropical elevational gradient

Density compensation, species composition, and richness of ants on a neotropical elevational gradient

Community of social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in areas of Semideciduous Seasonal Montane Forest

Biodiversity of Social Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) at Altitudes Above 1600 Meters in the Parque Estadual da Serra do Papagaio, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

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