Factors Influencing the Distribution of Endemic Damselflies in Vanuatu.

Natalie A Saxton,Abigail M Dean,Seth M Bybee,Gareth S Powell,Colin R Jensen,Erica M Paxman

doi:10.3390/insects12080670

Abstract

Simple SummaryPredicting the distribution of endemic insects is vital to continual study and conservation efforts. Here we used ecological niche models and pH data to determine which environmental factors may be influencing the distribution of a group of damselflies in Vanuatu. We tested the utility of niche models in this context and found pH to be a strong predictor for this genus. Vanuatubasis Ober and Staniczek is a genus of damselfly endemic to Vanuatu. Little is known about the distribution and general natural history of the genus. We present the results of 14 weeks of fieldwork in Vanuatu to provide a better understanding of the biology of this genus. Specifically, we tested ecological niche models to predict the presence of Vanuatubasis throughout the region and explored how water pH may play a role in their distribution and ecology. The results of this fieldwork refined our model and further predicted the presence of this genus on additional islands. We also found stream pH as a strong predictor for the presence of Vanuatubasis, with their presence in alkaline streams significantly higher (p < 0.001). The mean pH for those streams where the genus was collected was 8.44 (n = 53).

Highlights

IntroductionThe ability to reliably predict and record the distribution of organisms is critical to both biodiversity research (e.g., taxonomy, systematics, phylogenetics) and conservation efforts [1,2]
The ability to reliably predict and record the distribution of organisms is critical to both biodiversity research and conservation efforts [1,2]
Vanuatubasis were collected on the islands of Aneityum, Efate, Espiritu Santo, and Malekula at 23 different sites across these islands during 2018

Summary

Introduction

The ability to reliably predict and record the distribution of organisms is critical to both biodiversity research (e.g., taxonomy, systematics, phylogenetics) and conservation efforts [1,2]. Recording distributions is important for organisms more vulnerable to extinction, such as highly endemic or rare species [3]. Freshwater ecosystems represent a fraction (~1%) of terrestrial area and are a major epicenter of animal diversity, with insects representing the majority of aquatic diversity (~80%; [4]). Island organisms are often highly unique and inhabit small areas, making them more prone to extinction [6,7]. Endemic aquatic insects in freshwater island habitats are potentially the animals most at risk of disappearing before they can be properly identified by science. Documentation of the natural history, distribution, and diversity of such species, or even groups of closely related species with similar ecologies, should be an urgent focus of biodiversity research

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