Local stochastics and ecoclimatic situation shape phytophagous chafer assemblage composition.

ABSTRACT: Very little is known about factors determining the assemblage structure of megadiverse polyphagous-herbivore scarab chafers in the tropics (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Here, we examined the composition of Sri Lankan chafer assemblages and investigated whether it is influenced more by the general ecoclimatic situation, macrohabitat, or indetermined stochastic biotic and abiotic factors of each locality. We also explored the influence of the latter on separate lineages and general body size. Based on dedicated field surveys conducted during the dry and wet seasons, we examined 4847 chafer individuals of 105 species sampled using multiple UV-light traps in 11 localities covering different forest types and altitudinal zones. Assemblages were assessed for compositional similarity, species divers

SUBMITTER: Ranasinghe UGSL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10175718 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature