The arthropod community of an Australian rainforest tree: Abundance of component taxa, species richness and guild structure

Abstract

Abstract The arthropod community within the crowns of Argyrodendron actmophyllum (Sterculiaceae) in a subtropical rainforest near Brisbane, Australia, was investigated during a 2 year study using interception traps and restricted canopy fogging. The total arthropod density was 34 individuals m−2 of leaf area. Spiders, psyllids, thrips, psocids and chrysomelids were most abundant. The most diverse families included Curculionidae, Cicadellidae, Staphylin‐idae, Cerambycidae, Theridiidae, and Chrysomelidae. The arboreal community of A. actinophyllum exhibited several features common to arthropod communities from temperate and tropical rainforest trees. Affinity with temperate trees was suggested by the relatively high densities of certain species, by high proportions (in terms of individuals) of sap‐suckers and non‐insect predators, and by a low proportion of ants. Affinity with tropical rainforest trees was expressed by high proportions of scavenging fauna, particularly wood‐eaters and fungalfeeders.