Abstract
BackgroundRecently it has been proposed that the genetic diversity of foundation species influences the structure and function of the community by creating locally stable conditions for other species and modulating ecosystem dynamics. Oak species are an ideal system to test this hypothesis because many of them have a wide geographical distribution, and they are dominant elements of the forest canopy. In this study we explored the response of canopy arthropod community structure (diversity and biomass) to the level of genetic diversity of Quercus crassipes and Q. rugosa, two important canopy species. Also, we examined the effect of oak species and locality on some community structure parameters (diversity, biomass, rare species, and richness of arthropod fauna) of canopy arthropods. In total, 160 canopies were fogged in four localities at the Mexican Valley (ten trees per species per locality per season).Results Q. crassipes registered the highest number of rare species, diversity index, biomass, and richness in comparison with Q. rugosa. We found a positive and significant relationship between genetic diversity parameters and canopy arthropod diversity. However, canopy arthropod biomass registered an inverse pattern. Our results support the hypothesis that the genetic diversity of the host-plant species influences the assemblage of the canopy arthropod community.ConclusionsThe pattern found in our study provides a powerful tool when trying to predict the effects of the genetic diversity of the host-plant species on different community structure parameters, which permits assignment of a new conservation status to foundation species based on their genetic diversity.
Highlights
It has been proposed that the genetic diversity of foundation species influences the structure and function of the community by creating locally stable conditions for other species and modulating ecosystem dynamics
The aims of this study were to analyze the canopy arthropod community structure of Quercus crassipes and Q. rugosa from a genetic perspective, to answer the following questions: 1) Does the genetic diversity of host-plant species affect the arthropod community structure in terms of species diversity and biomass? 2) Does the canopy arthropod-community structure vary between oak host species and localities? We predict that more genetically diverse host plants should support more diverse communities because they offer a wider array of resources and conditions to be exploited
Genetic diversity of Quercus crassipes and Q. rugosa Genetic diversity analyses revealed that the expected heterozygosity was significantly higher in Q. crassipes than Q. rugosa populations [RAPDs (t = 3.59, P < 0.05); SSRs (t = 3.45, P < 0.05)] (Table 2)
Summary
It has been proposed that the genetic diversity of foundation species influences the structure and function of the community by creating locally stable conditions for other species and modulating ecosystem dynamics. These results suggest that a genetic perspective of the community may be applicable, but there is still little understanding about the relative importance of a genetically-based trait variation within the foundation species and other factors for structuring communities in natural conditions (Wimp et al 2007) These kinds of studies are valuable because they offer a realistic approach to processes that occur under natural conditions and the ability to span relatively large spatial or temporal scales, even when it is difficult to control variables related to the spatial location of host plants that can influence the abundance, distribution, and diversity of the species associated (Vellend and Geber 2005)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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
