Arthropod community structure along a latitudinal gradient: Implications for future impacts of climate change

Andrew, Nigel R; Hughes, Lesley

doi:10.1111/j.1442-9993.2005.01464.x

Author(s)

Andrew, Nigel R

Hughes, Lesley

Publication Date

2005

Abstract

The structure of free-living arthropod communities on the foliage of 'Acacia falcata' was assessed along an extensive latitudinal gradient in eastern Australia. We hypothesized that abundance and biomass of arthropods within feeding groups would increase from temperate latitudes towards the tropics. We also hypothesized that the ratio of carnivores to herbivores would be consistent along the latitudinal gradient. Three sites at each of four latitudes, spanning 9° and 1150 km (Batemans Bay, Sydney, Grafton, Gympie in Australia), were sampled every season for 2 years, using pyrethrum knockdown. Abundance and biomass (based on dry weight) of arthropods within eight feeding groups were measured. The relative size of the feeding groups, and the ratio of carnivores to herbivores were then compared among latitudes and seasons. We found no consistent north to south (tropical to temperate) change in feeding group structure in terms of abundance. A weak latitudinal trend was evident for predator biomass, consisting of a reduction from north to south, but no significant trends in biomass for other feeding groups were found. Relative abundance and relative biomass of both carnivores and herbivores, as well as the ratio of carnivores to herbivores were consistent among latitudes. Finally, we compared a subset of these data to arthropod communities found on congeneric host species at individual sites along the latitudinal gradient. Overall, 68% of comparisons showed no significant differences in abundance or biomass within different feeding groups between host plants and among latitudes. We conclude that arthropod communities show consistencies among latitudes and between congeneric host species, in terms of feeding group and trophic structure. These results have implications for predicting the impacts of future climate change on arthropod communities.

Citation

Austral Ecology, v.30, p. 281-297

ISSN

1442-9993

1442-9985

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/2860

Language

en

Publisher

Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Title

Arthropod community structure along a latitudinal gradient: Implications for future impacts of climate change

Type of document

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	Andrew, Nigel R Hughes, Lesley
Publication Date	2005
Abstract	The structure of free-living arthropod communities on the foliage of 'Acacia falcata' was assessed along an extensive latitudinal gradient in eastern Australia. We hypothesized that abundance and biomass of arthropods within feeding groups would increase from temperate latitudes towards the tropics. We also hypothesized that the ratio of carnivores to herbivores would be consistent along the latitudinal gradient. Three sites at each of four latitudes, spanning 9° and 1150 km (Batemans Bay, Sydney, Grafton, Gympie in Australia), were sampled every season for 2 years, using pyrethrum knockdown. Abundance and biomass (based on dry weight) of arthropods within eight feeding groups were measured. The relative size of the feeding groups, and the ratio of carnivores to herbivores were then compared among latitudes and seasons. We found no consistent north to south (tropical to temperate) change in feeding group structure in terms of abundance. A weak latitudinal trend was evident for predator biomass, consisting of a reduction from north to south, but no significant trends in biomass for other feeding groups were found. Relative abundance and relative biomass of both carnivores and herbivores, as well as the ratio of carnivores to herbivores were consistent among latitudes. Finally, we compared a subset of these data to arthropod communities found on congeneric host species at individual sites along the latitudinal gradient. Overall, 68% of comparisons showed no significant differences in abundance or biomass within different feeding groups between host plants and among latitudes. We conclude that arthropod communities show consistencies among latitudes and between congeneric host species, in terms of feeding group and trophic structure. These results have implications for predicting the impacts of future climate change on arthropod communities.
Citation	Austral Ecology, v.30, p. 281-297
ISSN	1442-9993 1442-9985
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/2860
Language	en
Publisher	Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Title	Arthropod community structure along a latitudinal gradient: Implications for future impacts of climate change
Type of document	Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

Arthropod community structure along a latitudinal gradient: Implications for future impacts of climate change

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