Insect functional traits reveal processes that shape niche differentiation patterns.

ABSTRACT: Functional traits allow ecologists to infer processes that structure ecological communities and quantify interactions between trophic levels. Insects are a ubiquitous group that exhibits a variety of functional traits, and studying these traits could prove useful for understanding insect community assembly. We use insect trait measurements, community sampling along a disturbance gradient, and a cafeteria-style feeding assay to elucidate the mechanisms that govern insect herbivore community assembly processes. Using a trait principal component analysis, we first identified life history trade-offs between herbivore feeding and nutrition based on 3 traits measured on 14 grasshopper species collected across 30 pine savanna field sites. In the field, we tested hypotheses regarding how competiti

SUBMITTER: Grosdidier R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12370786 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature