Identifying rarity in insects: the importance of host plant range

Asymmetric constraints on limits to species ranges influence consumer‐resource richness over an environmental gradient

“…Our cross‐species analyses provide evidence for the role of ecological traits in governing the strength of the relationship between the distributions of consumers and their resources. More dispersive and abundant species were more likely to occupy a larger fraction of their host elevational range, presumably because of higher rates of host patch colonization and reduced rates of local extinction (Hanski, ; Hopkins et al ., ). The part of the host plant eaten also affected butterfly distribution: as expected, species whose juvenile stages feed on flowers–fruits had lower upper elevational limits than species feeding on leaves.…”

Niche width collapse in a resilient top predator following ecosystem fragmentation

“…For example, trophic generalists may be less susceptible to extinction (or extirpation) because of their ability to shift among alternative food resources (Purvis et al. 2000; Hopkins et al. 2002).…”

Sex differences in population genetics, home range size and habitat use of the parti-colored bat (Vespertilio murinus, Linnaeus 1758) in Switzerland and their consequences for conservation

“…When relevant resources decline, specialists seem to suffer more from habitat changes than generalists because they cannot switch to other available resources (Harcourt et al 2002;Hopkins et al 2002;Wilson et al 1999). …”