The influence of abrupt forest edges on praying mantid populations

Abstract

1. The concept of an ‘edge’ habitat that is influenced by the biotic and abiotic characteristics of neighbouring habitats is a broadly applied principle in ecology. 2. Ciulfina klassi Giglio-Tos (Mantodea: Liturgusidae) inhabit vertical tree trunk surfaces in a restricted patch of coastal Melaleuca woodlands in the world heritage listed Wet Tropics Region of far north Queensland, Australia. Preliminary observations suggested that abrupt forest edges may have a positive effect on population density in the praying mantis C. klassi. 3. During field surveys over a two-year period, mantid densities were found to be higher at forest edges than forest interiors. 4. Greater sapling recruitment at forest edges may contribute to this edge effect by providing dense patches of tree trunk habitats. 5. The population characteristics of C. klassi are also described here in the context of our current understanding of praying mantid life histories. Aspects of the ecology of this tropical praying mantis species contrast with what is already understood about previously studied temperate species.