Abstract
Why is biological diversity distributed in the way that it is? This question has been central to ecology and biogeography for centuries and is of great importance for pure and applied reasons. I use a functional trait view of ecology to complement standard sampling protocols to better understand the distribution and structure of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) diversity across mountains. I use a long-term dataset of ant diversity and abundance, combined with a recently collected morphological trait dataset to examine how the alpha and beta diversity of ants responds to changes in temperature along an extensive elevational gradient in southern Africa. In addition, I link morphological thermoregulatory traits to each other and to the environment with a new database of ant elevational abundances from across the globe. Finally, I analyse how physiological thermal tolerances vary and constrain foraging patterns in montane ants. I find that temperature is a strong driver of both alpha and beta diversity patterns. In addition, morphological traits such as colour and body size are found to have a significant relationship to ambient temperatures. This relationship also implies that the relative abundances of different ant species change depending on their thermoregulatory traits (colour and body size) and the surrounding thermal environment. Furthermore, the critical thermal minimum (CTmin) of the ant species investigated and the lowest environmental temperatures are found to be key in constraining foraging activity patterns. The data presented here strengthen and link existing ideas about how thermoregulation can influence ecological communities and also suggests important ways in which diversity patterns may change in the future.
Highlights
The diversity of life on Earth is vast and not evenly distributed
I have used a combination of macroecological tools and detailed field observations and experiments to test some unresolved ideas in ecology and biogeography
I have used different kinds of data and approaches that combine to show that it is the ability of different species to respond to temperature that influences assemblage structure and diversity patterns
Summary
The diversity of life on Earth is vast and not evenly distributed. This fact has fascinated biogeographers for centuries. An understanding of these patterns of diversity, and the processes that generate and maintain them, is important for two reasons. The distributions of organisms are a fundamental component of their biology and are inherently interesting. The patterns of biodiversity through space and time simultaneously tell us about the evolutionary past, ecological present and potential future of species and ecological communities. In order to manage and protect species, and the crucial ecosystem functions that they provide, we need to understand their current distributions, how these combine to generate patterns of diversity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
