Comparative diversity of Alticinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) between Çığlıkara and Dibek nature reserves in Antalya, Turkey

Abstract

Alticinae species composition, richness and abundance were investigated and compared between Ciglikara and Dibek nature reserves in Antalya, at the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The study was conducted in six sites, three for each area (C1–C3 for Ciglikara, D1–D3 for Dibek). The sites have different vegetation structure and degrees of altitudes: Ciglikara sites (altitudes 1500–1800 m a.s.l.) are dominated by Cedrus libani; Dibek sites (650–1550 m a.s.l.) by juniper and cedar. Collections, using sweep-net and aspirator, were carried out at 15-day intervals from 2005 to 2006. A total of 4,245 individuals belonging to 60 species of Alticinae were captured. Dibek was distinctly more diverse than Ciglikara in both years. D1, D3, C3 were the most diverse sites in 2005 while the diversity index values were higher for D1, D2, and D3 in 2006. Cluster analyses using Jaccard and Bray-Curtis indices revealed a high degree of similarity between Alticinae communities at sites D1, C3, and D2 in both years. Comparing Alticinae diversity among sites, the highest species richness and diversity was verified at D1, a forest area including mixed populations of Cedrus, Juniperus and Acer (altitude 1553 m a.s.l.). Factors influencing differences in Alticinae diversity among sites and nature reserves were discussed.