Richness of Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) depends on the area and habitat structure in semideciduous forest remnants

Abstract

The total area of a habitat patch can increase the local species richness both directly (through balance between immigration and extinction) and indirectly (by increasing the habitat heterogeneity and/or as an effect of sample effort). More heterogeneous environments present a wider variety of resources and conditions, allowing species to coexist through niche differentiation. This study shows that the diversity of Chrysomelidae depends on the area and habitat structure of semideciduous forest remnants. We sampled 16 remnants with Malaise traps in August 2012 to March 2013. In order to characterize the habitat, the area, structural heterogeneity of the understory, coverage and canopy height were measured. These variables were used in a path analysis to determine their direct and indirect effects on leaf beetle diversity. A total of 450 specimens from 99 species and five subfamilies were captured. The total area and the understory heterogeneity presented a positive effect on species richness, while canopy cover exerted a negative one. The canopy height only had a negative and indirect effect on leaf beetle richness. In such fragments with more area and more open spaces, plant abundance and richness tend to be higher and favor the coexistence of many Chrysomelidae species.

A pictorial key for the identification of beetle (Order: Coleoptera) and diversity study in selected area within Pelangai Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

“…sp., and Adoretus sp. This finding can be justified as they were all attracted to a habitat where herbaceous and shrubs plants are present (Teles et al 2019).…”

High turnover of Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) species in semideciduous forest remnants in an agricultural landscape

“…In Brazil, more than 6,000 species are registered from more than 550 genera (Sekerka et al 2017), however, in many states there is still a lack of knowledge about the diversity and ecological patterns of these insects, as in Mato Grosso do Sul. These insects are sensitive to environmental disturbances, respond to differences in habitat structural complexity (Linzmeier & Ribeiro-Costa 2009, Sandoval-Becerra et al 2018, Teles et al 2019 and have potential as bioindicators (Pimenta & De Marco 2015, Sánchez-Reyes et al 2019.…”