Temporal patterns of diversity: assessing the biotic and abiotic controls on ant assemblages
Dunn R, Parker C, Sanders N. 2007. Temporal patterns of diversity: assessing the biotic and abiotic controls on ant assemblages. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 91(2):191-201
In this study, we use 12 months of data from 11 ant assemblages to test whether seasonal variation in ant diversity is governed by either the structuring influences of interspecific competition or environmental conditions. Because the importance of competition might vary along environmental gradients, we also test whether the signature of competition depends on elevation. We find little evidence that competition structures the seasonal patterns of activity in the ant assemblages considered, but find support for the effects of temperature on seasonal patterns of diversity, especially at low-elevation sites. Although, in general, both competition and the environment interact to structure ant assemblages, our results suggest that environmental conditions are the primary force structuring the seasonal activity of the ant assemblages studied here.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Dunn, Robert R; Parker, Charles R; Sanders, Nathan J
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, Ant Diversity, ATBI, Competition, GRSM-00277, Insect Studies, Invertebrate, Mid-domain Effect Null Model, Phenology, Southern Appalachian
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Terrestrial Invertebrates