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Journal ArticleDOI

Seasonality of Litter Insects and Relationship with Rainfall in a Wet Evergreen Forest in South Western Ghats

01 Jan 2009-Journal of Insect Science (Oxford University Press)-Vol. 9, Iss: 1, pp 46-46
TL;DR: The seasonality of litter insect abundance and its relationship with rainfall was analyzed in a wet evergreen forest on the windward side of south Western Ghats and Coleoptera was the dominant group in all seasons.
Abstract: The seasonality of litter insect abundance and its relationship with rainfall was analyzed in a wet evergreen forest on the windward side of south Western Ghats. Monthly litter samples were collected using Berlese funnels during 4 seasons of a year: southwest monsoon season June—August), northeast monsoon season (September—November), summer (March -May) and pre-summer season (December—February). Insect fauna as a whole showed no seasonal variation in abundance, however, some individual insect orders showed significant seasonal variation. Overall insect fauna and individual orders were distributed independently relative to rainfall. All insect orders with the exception of Psocoptera were present during all four seasons. Coleoptera (42%) was the dominant group in all seasons followed by Formicidae (12.3%), insect larvae (10.1%), Collembola (9.2%) and Thysanoptera (8.9%). Exceptionally high abundance of Ptiliidae contributed to the unprecedented abundance of litter Coleoptera. The aseasonality of litter insect fauna as a whole is attributed to year-round availability of rainfall and the absence of severe summer conditions.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Foraging observations on four groups of wild capuchins (Cebus capucinus) inhabiting a seasonally dry tropical forest found that the exploitation of embedded or mechanically protected invertebrates was concentrated during periods of fruit scarcity, which suggests that embedded insects are best characterized as a fallback food for capuchina.

100 citations


Cites background from "Seasonality of Litter Insects and R..."

  • ...While some invertebrates in primate habitats are present year-round, others, such as Lepidopteran larvae, can experience seasonal population explosions related to climatic variation (Janzen, 1973; Tauber et al., 1998; Campos et al., 2006; Isbell and Young, 2007; Anu et al., 2009)....

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  • ...201 others, such as Lepidopteran larvae, can experience seasonal population explosions related to climatic variation (Janzen, 1973; Tauber et al., 1998; Campos et al., 2006; Isbell and Young, 2007; Anu et al., 2009)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Significantly a greater frequency and higher abundance of arthropods belonging to Orthoptera, Blattaria, and Diptera occurred in pitfall-trapped samples and Psocoptera and Acariformes in Berlese-extracted samples than that obtained in the other two methods, indicating that both methods are useful, one complementing the other, eliminating a chance for possible under-representation of taxa in quantitative studies.
Abstract: The present study provides data to decide on the most appropriate method for sampling of ground-dwelling arthropods measured in a moist-deciduous forest in the Western Ghats in South India The abundance of ground-dwelling arthropods was compared among large numbers of samples obtained using pitfall trapping, Berlese and Winkler extraction methods Highest abundance and frequency of most of the represented taxa indicated pitfall trapping as the ideal method for sampling of ground-dwelling arthropods However, with possible bias towards surface-active taxa, pitfall-trapping data is inappropriate for quantitative studies, and Berlese extraction is the better alternative Berlese extraction is the better method for quantitative measurements than the other two methods, whereas pitfall trapping would be appropriate for qualitative measurements A comparison of the Berlese and Winkler extraction data shows that in a quantitative multigroup approach, Winkler extraction was inferior to Berlese extraction because the total number of arthropods caught was the lowest; and many of the taxa that were caught from an identical sample via Berlese extraction method were not caught Significantly a greater frequency and higher abundance of arthropods belonging to Orthoptera, Blattaria, and Diptera occurred in pitfall-trapped samples and Psocoptera and Acariformes in Berlese-extracted samples than that were obtained in the other two methods, indicating that both methods are useful, one complementing the other, eliminating a chance for possible under-representation of taxa in quantitative studies

57 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Inclusion of floatation method as a complementary method along with the Winkler extractor would enable a comprehensive quantitative survey of ground-dwelling arthropods in tropical montane cloud forests.
Abstract: Little is known about the ground-dwelling arthropod diversity in tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF) Due to unique habitat conditions in TMCFs with continuously wet substrates and a waterlogged forest floor along with the innate biases of the pitfall trap, Berlese funnel and Winkler extractor are certain to make it difficult to choose the most appropriate method to sample the ground-dwelling arthropods in TMCFs Among the three methods, the Winkler extractor was the most efficient method for quantitative data and pitfall trapping for qualitative data for most groups Inclusion of floatation method as a complementary method along with the Winkler extractor would enable a comprehensive quantitative survey of ground-dwelling arthropods Pitfall trapping is essential for both quantitative and qualitative sampling of Diplopoda, Opiliones, Orthoptera, and Diptera The Winkler extractor was the best quantitative method for Psocoptera, Araneae, Isopoda, and Formicidae; and the Berlese funnel was best for Collembola and Chilopoda For larval forms of different insect orders and the Acari, all the three methods were equally effective

55 citations


Cites background or methods from "Seasonality of Litter Insects and R..."

  • ...…capture of minor taxa (9 out of 24) among the different trap types are difficult to interpret because of their low frequency of occurrence and abundance possibly related to the low population densities of these taxa in the wet forests of the Western Ghats (Anu 2006; Vineesh 2007; Anu et al. 2009)....

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  • ...Non–significant differences in the capture of minor taxa (9 out of 24) among the different trap types are difficult to interpret because of their low frequency of occurrence and abundance possibly related to the low population densities of these taxa in the wet forests of the Western Ghats (Anu 2006; Vineesh 2007; Anu et al. 2009)....

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  • ...The pre-summer period was selected for cost estimation because in this period the highest ground dwelling arthropod abundance had been noted in the moist Western Ghats (Anu et al. 2009; Anu 2006; Vineesh 2007)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the dietary composition of urban G. tigrina using scat analyses, and the influence of predictable supplementary feeding stations on their feeding behavior in the suburbs of Kloof/Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Abstract: Knowledge of an urban carnivore’s foraging behavior is vital to understanding its ecology. This is particularly important as urbanization continues to convert natural habitats into human-altered landscapes. Over the past few years there have been increasing reports of large spotted genets (Genetta tigrina) foraging within suburbs of towns and cities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Consequently, we investigated the dietary composition of urban G. tigrina using scat analyses, and the influence of predictable supplementary feeding stations on their feeding behavior in the suburbs of Kloof/Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal. Prey items with the highest relative frequency of occurrence were invertebrates (42.5 %). In particular, their scats found in anthropogenic structures such as roofs and out buildings were dominated by cockroaches (Blattodea). Small mammals also formed an important component of the diet. Significant seasonal variation in diet was recorded. The highest recorded relative frequency of occurrence of reptiles in scats was during spring (8.6 %). The highest recorded relative frequency of occurrence of anthropogenic refuse in the scats was in winter (12.7 %) with pieces of plastic, elastic bands and cardboard present in the scats. Uncommon genet behavior recorded at artificial feeding stations included diurnal feeding patterns and multiple individuals feeding with no signs of aggression. The presence of pet food, invertebrates associated with anthropogenic structures, and anthropogenic pollution/waste in the diet of urban genets, as well as their ability to use supplemental feeding stations highlights their adaptability to make use of temporally or locally available food resources within the urban environment.

30 citations


Cites background from "Seasonality of Litter Insects and R..."

  • ...As mentioned during winter other prey items, such as invertebrates, generally become less abundant (Scholtz and Holm 1986; Anu et al. 2012)....

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  • ...Despite the reduction in abundance of insects during the cold winter periods (Scholtz and Holm 1986; Anu et al. 2012), invertebrates remained their dominant prey item in winter....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the relationship between occurrence patterns of large spotted genets (Genetta tigrina) with various environmental variables believed to influence their detection and site occupancy in an urban environment.
Abstract: Aspects influencing the distribution patterns of mammals are particularly important for species living in human altered landscapes. The current study investigated the relationship between occurrence patterns of large spotted genets (Genetta tigrina) with various environmental variables believed to influence their detection and site occupancy in an urban environment. Presence/absence data was collected from 28 camera trap stations between June 2012 and October 2013 in Kloof/Hillcrest suburbs, Durban, South Africa. Average estimated occupancy of G. tigrina was 0.62 ± 0.14 with a detection probability 0.19 ± 0.03. The naive occupancy was 0.607. Model selection indicated that bush cover and placement of camera traps on wide paths negatively influenced G. tigrina occupancy. Both winter and fringe habitats influenced the site occupancy of G. tigrina positively. Furthermore, bush cover was negatively associated with detection probability of G. tigrina. The current camera surveys provided baseline data for long-term species observations within suburban Kloof/Hillcrest. The present study indicated the importance of a variety of factors on the distribution of G. tigrina, particularly in landscapes where natural habitats are threatened with changing land use and increasing human populations.

28 citations


Cites background from "Seasonality of Litter Insects and R..."

  • ...During winter the main prey items of G. tigrina mainly invertebrates, become less abundant (Scholtz and Holm 1986; Anu et al. 2009)....

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References
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
24 Feb 2000-Nature
TL;DR: A ‘silver bullet’ strategy on the part of conservation planners, focusing on ‘biodiversity hotspots’ where exceptional concentrations of endemic species are undergoing exceptional loss of habitat, is proposed.
Abstract: Conservationists are far from able to assist all species under threat, if only for lack of funding. This places a premium on priorities: how can we support the most species at the least cost? One way is to identify 'biodiversity hotspots' where exceptional concentrations of endemic species are undergoing exceptional loss of habitat. As many as 44% of all species of vascular plants and 35% of all species in four vertebrate groups are confined to 25 hotspots comprising only 1.4% of the land surface of the Earth. This opens the way for a 'silver bullet' strategy on the part of conservation planners, focusing on these hotspots in proportion to their share of the world's species at risk.

24,867 citations


"Seasonality of Litter Insects and R..." refers background in this paper

  • ...…the tropical rain forests in the Western Ghats, a global hot spot of biodiversity and the only tropical forest ecoregion of the Indian Peninsula (Myers et al. 2000; WWF 2001) that is well known for regional variation in vegetation, rainfall patterns and topography (Nair 1991; Patwardhan and…...

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  • ...10pp. Journal of Insect Science 9:46, available online: insectscience.org/9.46 Journal of Insect Science | www.insectscience.org 1...

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  • ...However, quantitative studies investigating the seasonal variability of litter insect abundance and its link with rainfall are lacking from the tropical rain forests in the Western Ghats, a global hot spot of biodiversity and the only tropical forest ecoregion of the Indian Peninsula (Myers et al. 2000; WWF 2001) that is well known for regional variation in vegetation, rainfall patterns and topography (Nair 1991; Patwardhan and Asnani 2000)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that nature of unit variation is a naajor problenl in systematies, and that whether this variation is diserete, continuous, or in some other form, there is a need for appliGation of (uantitative and statistical methods.
Abstract: INTRODUCTION A renewed interest in objeetive and quantitative approaehes to the elassifieation of plant communities has led, within the past decade, to an extensive exalllination of systematic theory and technique. This examination, ineluding the work of Sorenson (1948), Motyka et al. (1950), Curtis & McIntosh (1951), Brown & Curtis (1952), Ramensky (1952), Whittaker (1954, 1956), Goodall (1953a, 1954b)? deVries (1953), Guinoehet (1954, 1955), Webb (1954), Eughes (1954) and Poore (1956) has acconlpanied theoretie studies in taxonomy [Fisher (1936), Womble (1951), Clifford & Binet (1954), Gregg (1954)] and in statisties (Isaaeson 1954). It is a Gonclusion of many of these studies that nature of unit variation is a naajor problenl in systematies, and that whether this variation is diserete, continuous, or in some other form, there is a need for appliGation of (uantitative and statistical methods. In eeologic elassifieation, an inereased use of ordinate systellls, sr hiGh has been stimulated by the developnlent of more effieient sampling teehniques and the collection of stand data on a large seale, has prompted the proposal of the term \"ordination\" ( Goodall 1953b ) . Goodall (1954a) has defined ordination as \"an arrangenlent of units in a unior multi-dinlensional order\" as synonylllous with \"Ordnung,\" (Ramensky

9,549 citations


"Seasonality of Litter Insects and R..." refers methods in this paper

  • ...The Bray-Curtis similarity index (Bray and Curtis 1957) was used to compare the similarity between the insect communities from different seasons followed by hierarchical agglomerative Cluster analysis using Primer v5....

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Book
01 Jan 1954
TL;DR: An introduction to the study of insects is presented, with some examples from the natural sciences, of birds, bees, and other insects that have been studied in detail.
Abstract: An introduction to the study of insects , An introduction to the study of insects , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی

2,130 citations

Book
01 Jan 1968

1,998 citations


"Seasonality of Litter Insects and R..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Therefore, the original evergreen character of the forests has changed to a semi-evergreen and deciduous condition (Champion and Seth 1968; Rodgers and Panwar 1988; Nair 1991)....

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  • ...…and Windsor 1985), 2) a peak in abundance during the wet season of North Queensland, Australia (Frith and Frith 1990), Atlantic coastal forest, south-east Brazil (Develey and Peres 2000), East Arc Mountains, Tanzania (Burgess et al. 1999), Tambopata Reserve, south-east Peru (Pearson and…...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Etude comparative de la duree des different stades de developpement en fonction des saisons in zone tropicale and en zone temperee.
Abstract: Etude comparative de la duree des differents stades de developpement en fonction des saisons en zone tropicale et en zone temperee

715 citations


"Seasonality of Litter Insects and R..." refers background in this paper

  • ...…of food resources are the important factors in triggering seasonal activity of insects in tropical regions (Tauber and Tauber 1976; Denlinger 1986; Wolda 1988; Basset 1991; Tanaka 2000; Kai and Corlet 2002; Pinheiro et al. 2002; Nahrung and Allen 2004; Nakamura and Numata 2006; Anu 2006; Danks…...

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  • ...Seasonal variation in abundance of tropical insects is a common phenomenon (Wolda 1988; Pinheiro et al. 2002)....

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  • ...On average, activity patterns of tropical species tend to be longer, the percentage of species active around the year higher, and the seasonal peaks less well defined relative to temperate insects (Wolda 1988)....

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  • ...The seasonality of litter insect abundance and its relationship with rainfall was analyzed in a wet evergreen forest on the windward side of south Western Ghats....

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  • ...…and Allen 2004; Nakamura and Numata 2006; Anu 2006; Danks 2006; Vineesh 2007), however, the onset of rain is the major factor (Levings and Windsor 1982, Levings and Windsor 1985; Lowman 1982; Wolda and Denlinger 1984; Wolda 1988; Boinski and Fowler 1989; Frith and Frith 1990; Sabu et al. 2008)....

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