Abstract
The abundance of Coleoptera, Diptera and Collembola on different species of fungi was investigated in relation to the size and abundance of fungal resources at different spatial scales; i.e., the size of the fungal fruiting body, the quality of resource in terms of number of conspecific sporophores growing within a radius of 50 cm, crowding of the clumps of fruiting bodies, and the quality of resource within a plot (20 m Ă 30 m). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the influential spatial scale varied among the arthropod orders. The amount of resource at the scale of a clump made a significant contribution to the abundance of Coleoptera, and the fruiting body size significantly affected the abundance of Diptera on each fungal species. Collembolan abundance was significantly affected by the crowding of the clumps of fruiting bodies and the number of fruiting bodies per plot. These results suggest that the spatial distribution of fungal fruiting bodies may determine whether they are selected by arthropods visited.
Highlights
It is reported that the composition and abundance of mycophagous arthropod species differs on different species of fungi (Kimura et al, 1977; Wheeler & Blackwell, 1984; Toda et al, 1999)
A number of other examples suggesting the importance of landscape can be found in the literature (e.g., Lindenmayer & Nix, 1993; Pearson, 1993; Pearson et al, 1995; Bolger et al,. 1997). It is rarely considered in studies on the abundance of mycophagous arthropods recorded on different species of fungi, Worthen (1989) showed that the number of fungi-visiting mycophagous insects increases with host resource density
The present study aims to evaluate how the abundance of fungal resources at different spatial scales affects how frequently they are visited by Coleoptera, Diptera and Collembola
Summary
It is reported that the composition and abundance of mycophagous arthropod species differs on different species of fungi (Kimura et al, 1977; Wheeler & Blackwell, 1984; Toda et al, 1999). This is largely due to differences in the chemical qualities of the host species, but the size of fruit bodies may affect arthropod abundance. It is rarely considered in studies on the abundance of mycophagous arthropods recorded on different species of fungi, Worthen (1989) showed that the number of fungi-visiting mycophagous insects increases with host resource density
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call