Aerial Dispersal Research Articles

Molecular verification of dispersal of phytoseiid mites from groundcover plants to tree leaves in Japanese peach orchards

A population survey of phytoseiid mites and of spider mites on randomly selected trees and their groundcover plant Paederia foetida L. (Rubiaceae) was conducted in Japanese peach orchards that used different pesticide practices. An organic orchard with wild groundcover and no synthetic chemicals used for pest control and a conventionally managed orchard with bare ground had no trees on which spider mite density was beyond the control threshold density (one mite per leaf). On the other hand, spider mite densities in some trees at conventionally managed orchards with wild groundcover were temporary beyond the control threshold level. The phytoseiid mite species composition on peach leaves estimated by previously established method using quantitative sequencing changed during the survey period and varied among orchards. PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal genes of Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida and Panonychus mori Yokoyama from three phytoseiid mite species, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), Amblyseius eharai Amitai and Swirski, and Euseius sojaensis (Ehara), collected on peach leaves was conducted. Results showed that the feeding preference for the three phytoseiid mite species was greater for T. kanzawai than for P. mori in the field. PCR amplification of the ITS sequences of Petrobia harti (Ewing) inhabiting Oxalis corniculata L. (Oxalidaceae) showed that phytoseiid mites move from groundcover plants to peach leaves, possibly through ambulatory and aerial dispersal.

Detection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores in the air across different biomes and ecoregions

Aerial dispersal of fungal spores is common, but the role of wind and air movement in dispersal of spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is largely unknown. Several studies have examined the possibility of AM fungal spores being moved by wind vectors without observing spores taken from the air environment. For the first time this study observed the presence of AM fungal spores in the air. The frequency of AM fungal spores in the air was determined in six North American biomes composed of 18 ecoregions. Multiple samples were taken from both the air and the soil at each location. AM fungal spores were found in high abundance in the soil (hundreds of spores per gram of soil), however, they were rarely found in the air (most samples contained no AM fungal spores). Furthermore, only the Glomus morphotype was found in the air, whereas spores in the soil were taxomomically more diverse (Glomus, Acaulospora, Gigaspora, Scutellospora morphotypes were observed). The proportion of Glomus spores in the air relative to Glomus spores in the soil was highest in more arid systems, indicating that AM fungi may be more likely to be dispersed in the air in such systems. Nonetheless, the results indicate that the air is not likely a dominant mode of dispersal for AM fungi.

Identifying Sources and Assessing Potential Risk of Exposure to Heavy Metals and Hazardous Materials in Mining Areas: The Case Study of Panasqueira Mine (Central Portugal) as an Example

The Sn-W Panasqueira mine, in activity since the mid-1890s, is one of the most important economic deposits in the world. Arsenopyrite is the main mineral present as well as rejected waste sulphide. The long history is testified by the presence of a huge amount of tailings, which release considerable quantities of heavy metal(loid)s into the environment. This work assesses soil contamination and evaluates the ecological and human health risks due to exposure to hazardous materials. The metal assemblage identified in soil (Ag-As-Bi-Cd-Cu-W-Zn; potentially toxic elements (PTEs)) reflects the influence of the tailings, due to several agents including aerial dispersion. PTEs and pH display a positive correlation confirming that heavy metal mobility is directly related to pH and, therefore, affects their availability. The estimated contamination factor classified 92.6% of soil samples as moderately to ultra-highly polluted. The spatial distribution of the potential ecological risk index classified the topsoil as being of a very high ecological risk, consistent with wind direction. Non-carcinogenic hazard of topsoil, for children (1–6 years), showed that for As the non-carcinogenic hazard represents a high health risk. The carcinogenic risks, both for children and adult alike, reveal a very high cancer risk mostly due to As ingestion.

Behaviour of coconut mites preceding take-off to passive aerial dispersal.

For more than three decades the coconut mite Aceria guerreronis Keifer is one of the most important pests of coconut palms and has recently spread to many coconut production areas worldwide. Colonization of coconut palms is thought to arise from mites dispersing aerially after take-off from other plants within the same plantation or other plantations. The underlying dispersal behaviour of the mite at take-off, in the airborne state and after landing is largely unknown and this is essential to understand how they spread from tree to tree. In this article we studied whether take-off to aerial dispersal of coconut mites is preceded by characteristic behaviour, whether there is a correlation between the body position preceding aerial dispersal and the direction of the wind, and whether the substrate (outer surface of coconut bracts or epidermis) and the wind speed matter to the decision to take-off. We found that take-off can sometimes be preceded by a raised body stance, but more frequently take-off occurs while the mite is walking or resting on its substrate. Coconut mites that become airborne assumed a body stance that had no relation to the wind direction. Take-off was suppressed on a substrate providing food to coconut mites, but occurred significantly more frequently on the outer surface of coconut bracts than on the surface of the fruit. For both substrates, take-off frequency increased with wind speed. We conclude that coconut mites have at least some degree of control over take-off for aerial dispersal and that there is as yet no reason to infer that a raised body stance is necessary to become airborne.

Multi-taxa trait and functional responses to physical disturbance.

Examining assemblage trait responses to environmental stressors extends our understanding beyond patterns of taxonomic diversity and composition, with results potentially transferable among bioregions. But the degree to which trait responses may be generalized across taxonomic groups remains incompletely understood. We compared trait responses among carabids, spiders and plants to an experimentally manipulated gradient of physical disturbance, replicated in open habitats within a forested landscape. Recolonization of recently disturbed habitats is expected to favour species with traits that promote greater dispersal ability, independent of taxa. We specifically predicted that physical disturbance would increase the representation of carabids with smaller body size, wings or wing dimorphism, spiders able to disperse aerially, and plants with therophyte life-history and wind-dispersed seed. We sampled 197 arthropod species (14,738 individuals) and 164 species of plant. The strength of association between each trait and the disturbance intensity was quantified by correlating matrices of species by traits, species abundance by sites and sites by environment, with significance assessed by comparison with a null model. Responses of biological traits varied among taxa but could be consistently interpreted in terms of dispersal ability. Trait shifts for carabid and plant assemblages were as predicted and correspond to those observed in other disturbance regimes. Assemblages after disturbance comprised smaller and winged carabids, and smaller plants with wind-dispersed seed, consistent with selection for species with better dispersal ability. In contrast, aerial dispersal did not appear important in spider recolonization, instead terrestrial dispersal ability was suggested by the increased abundance of larger-bodied and cursorial species. However, larger spider body size was also associated with an active-hunting strategy, also favoured in the post-disturbance environment. Trait-function linkage differed among taxa and was sometimes diffuse, with covariance among biological traits and the mapping of individual traits to multiple ecological functions. In particular, body size responses reflected correlations with life history, susceptibility to perturbation and dispersal ability that were inconsistent between the two arthropod groups. Selection of traits for assessment should therefore be taxa specific. Generalizations of trait responses across taxa should only be conducted where functional or ecological significance of assembly-level changes can be understood.

A comparative analysis of dispersal syndromes in terrestrial and semi-terrestrial animals.

Dispersal, the behaviour ensuring gene flow, tends to covary with a number of morphological, ecological and behavioural traits. While species-specific dispersal behaviours are the product of each species' unique evolutionary history, there may be distinct interspecific patterns of covariation between dispersal and other traits ('dispersal syndromes') due to their shared evolutionary history or shared environments. Using dispersal, phylogeny and trait data for 15 terrestrial and semi-terrestrial animal Orders (>700 species), we tested for the existence and consistency of dispersal syndromes across species. At this taxonomic scale, dispersal increased linearly with body size in omnivores, but decreased above a critical length in herbivores and carnivores. Species life history and ecology significantly influenced patterns of covariation, with higher phylogenetic signal of dispersal in aerial dispersers compared with ground dwellers and stronger evidence for dispersal syndromes in aerial dispersers and ectotherms, compared with ground dwellers and endotherms. Our results highlight the complex role of dispersal in the evolution of species life-history strategies: good dispersal ability was consistently associated with high fecundity and survival, and in aerial dispersers it was associated with early maturation. We discuss the consequences of these findings for species evolution and range shifts in response to future climate change.

The use of Numerical Weather Prediction and a Lagrangian transport (NAME-III) and dispersion (ASHFALL) models to explain patterns of observed ash deposition and dispersion following the August 2012 Te Maari, New Zealand eruption

The August 6, 2012 Te Maari, New Zealand eruption produced a very small ash-dominated plume (~230,000m3, 8–10km high) that was rapidly and widely dispersed, covering 1600km2 within an hour. This paper documents for the August 6, 2012 Te Maari eruption the upper level (troposphere) plume movement based on ash-detection algorithms applied to IR satellite imagery. It also presents the distribution of airborne ash and wind-influenced ashfall as determined by NAME-III aerial dispersion modelling using observed particle characteristics and grain size distribution measurements (that are also presented) and compares the ashfall with observations.The upper level (troposphere) ash movement was also evaluated from ash-detection algorithms, applied to infra-red satellite imagery and the resulting distributions were compared to those forecast by the numerical dispersion models. Forecasts of upper level ash-dispersion patterns explained the satellite imagery observations well, predicting the correct altitudes when using plausible ash size distributions and release levels. Patterns in proximal ashfall could only be partly explained by aerial dispersal of large particles released at low altitudes in the eruption column. The extreme distal (100–150km away) observed ashfall distributions also cannot be fully explained by NAME-III when using: reasonably prescribed initial particle size distributions, eruption column height, eruption timing, well forecast winds, and dry sedimentation processes. Aggregation and ice nucleation effects (observed in deposits) were not included in the ash dispersion model, but appear as a plausible mechanism to account for the observed fraction of wind dispersed ash particles <30μm deposited but not captured by the models.

Contrasted invasion processes imprint the genetic structure of an invasive scale insect across southern Europe.

Deciphering the colonization processes by which introduced pests invade new areas is essential to limit the risk of further expansion and/or multiple introductions. We here studied the invasion history of the maritime pine bast scale Matsucoccus feytaudi. This host-specific insect does not cause any damage in its native area, but it devastated maritime pine forests of South-Eastern France where it was detected in the 1960s, and since then reached Italy and Corsica. We used population genetic approaches to infer the populations' recent evolutionary history from microsatellite markers and Approximate Bayesian Computation. Consistent with previous mitochondrial data, we showed that the native range is geographically strongly structured, which is probably due to the patchy distribution of the obligate host and the limited dispersal capacity of the scale. Our results show that the invasion history can be described in three successive steps involving different colonization and dispersal processes. During the mid-XXth century, massive introductions occurred from the Landes planted forest to South-Eastern France, probably due to transportation of infested wood material after World War II. Stepping-stone expansion, consistent with natural dispersal, then allowed M. feytaudi to reach the maritime pine forests of Liguria and Tuscany in Italy. The island of Corsica was accidentally colonized in the 1990s, and the most plausible scenario involves the introduction of a limited number of migrants from the forests of South-Eastern France and Liguria, which is consistent with an aerial dispersal due to the dominant winds that blow in spring in this region.

Global Dispersant Stockpile: Part of the Industry Solution to Worst Case Scenario Readiness

ABSTRACT Within the oil industry, the lessons learned from the Macondo incident, have prompted an in depth look into readiness for worst case scenarios in the future, giving rise to a number of Joint Industry Projects. One such project was the development of response-ready subsea well capping devices. Another initiative highlighted the need for an available stockpile of dispersant. The needs for this dispersant stock stems from the unprecedented amounts of dispersant called on during the Macondo incident, for use on the surface and through the new subsea injector systems. Dispersant suppliers need several weeks to begin production, and ongoing supply flagged up limitations in acquiring some of the raw materials for manufacture. Oil Spill Response Ltd was given the responsibility of procuring and managing the stockpile for our member companies, as the project manager in charge of procurement and implementation. It made sense to utilize and expand on the logistics already in place for the dispersant stockpile. The dispersant purchased was 5000 cu.m. of the 3 dispersants with the widest global approval for use. The figure of 5000m3 was based on what was needed 30 days of subsea and aerial dispersant use during the Macondo incident. Unfortunately, following the incident, there were a number of 3rd party claims against the manufacturers of the dispersant. This prompted the dispersant suppliers to seek protection from the legal implications of dispersant use. Achieving this protection had to be practical for those purchasing dispersants , as well as robust enough that the dispersant suppliers were comfortable supplying their product. This resulted in a significant amount of months spent on legal negotiations. Once an agreement was reached on these issues were settled, and after the initial 30 days of dispersant for response is in place, the ongoing project will look at working with suppliers to establish stocks of raw materials and making production more reliable during an incident, as well as working with members of the industry on contingency planning and logistical considerations surrounding the stock. Companies who subscribed to the stockpile will have 5,000 cu.m. of dispersant, split into various locations around the globe, available for both small and large incidents. Future scope for the stockpile includes tabletop and mobilization exercises to test the speed and logistics of response in preparation for an incident, which the hope is, will never happen.

Source or sink? The role of soil and water borne inoculum in the dispersal of Phytophthora ramorum in Oregon tanoak forests

Management of invasive species requires confidence in the detection methods used to assess expanding distributions, as well as an understanding of the dominant modes of spread. Lacking this basic biological information, during early stages of invasion management choices are often driven by available resources and the biology of closely related species. Such has been the case for the management of the phytopathogen, Phytophthora ramorum, causal agent of sudden oak death (SOD) of oaks and tanoaks. To detect P. ramorum, The Oregon SOD eradication program has relied upon the aerial observation of dead, overstory tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus), an easily infected host widely distributed throughout the range of P. ramorum in Oregon. At risk is the possibility of misrepresenting the distribution of SOD, particularly if inoculum is predominately moved in soil and water, common dispersal pathways for other Phytophthora spp. To assess this risk, we performed surveys of understory vegetation in areas with a high risk of establishment of understory infection from soil and water sources: along roadsides within heavily trafficked areas with a history of SOD, and along streams known to contain P. ramorum inoculum. Additionally, we tested the alternative hypothesis of aerial dispersal, whereby infection in the understory would be spatially correlated with overstory mortality. Consistent with prior studies into the spatial structure of P. ramorum in Oregon, we found no evidence of understory infection in close proximity to roads in the absence of overstory mortality. Similarly, P. ramorum was only isolated from understory vegetation associated with streams when within close proximity to overstory sources, and more commonly further away from stream edges than within the splash and flood line. Both disease patterns are inconsistent with a dominate soil and water mediated dispersal mechanism. Rather, we found evidence supporting our alternative hypothesis of aerial dispersal whereby recovery of P. ramorum in the understory declined with increasing distance from the only known overstory source. These results support the use of aerial detection in describing the distribution of SOD in Oregon, and give further support to dispersal of inoculum in blowing fog or rain at scales not yet described for other forest Phytophthora species.

Spatial distribution of copper and pH in soils affected by intensive industrial activities in Puchuncaví and Quintero, central Chile

The soils of Puchuncavi and Quintero, in the coastal area of central Chile, have been exposed to atmospheric deposition of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and metal-rich particles from the Ventanas Industrial Complex. The objective of this study was to determine, using geostatistical tools, the spatial distribution of copper and pH in these soils. Using Universal Kriging tool for geostatistical interpolation, we generated maps of continuous distribution of Cu and pH in the soils. The distribution of these variables was related to the distance from the industrial complex and to the direction of the winds. The concentrations of Cu and acidity were higher in the surroundings to the industrial complex and in the direction of the dominant winds. Although the distributions of both variables were similar, there was no correlation between the distribution of Cu and pH, which could be due to the distinct aerial dispersion dynamics of the compounds, which causes a divergence in their deposition on the soil. Specifically, this could be due to the fact that SO 2 is smaller than the particulate matter that contains copper, so that it is capable of being dispersed over greater distances without being deposited on the soil.

Aerial Dispersal of Invertebrates and Mosses Close to a Receding Alpine Glacier in Southern Norway

The 73 km2 large Hardangerjøkulen glacier in alpine, south Norway is receding. By using sticky and fallout traps, we studied the aerial transport of invertebrates in a foreland with a well-documented succession of mites, springtails, spiders, and beetles. Since mosses are pioneer plants and also food for certain pioneer invertebrates, airborne fragments of mosses were also included in the study. Sampling on 3- to 6-year-old ground revealed aerial transport of several species of mites and springtails. During 4 weeks, the fallout of microarthropods was calculated at around 1000 specimens per m2. This number may depend strongly on local variations in climate and must be treated with care. Besides typical pioneer species, some species assumed to depend on older soil were also trapped. This indicates that the ability to survive is more limiting than the ability to disperse. A few spiders assumed to have the capability for “aerial ballooning” were trapped. Moss fragments, including bulbil diaspores, were common in both trap types. Diptera were sometimes taken numerously, and in sticky traps mainly in those facing away from the glacier. Most aerial transport occurred below 0.5 m height, and the presence of sand grains in sticky traps up to this level illustrated the mechanical force of wind transport. We conclude that aerial transport helps colonization of several non-flying pioneer organisms like mites, springtails, aphids, and mosses.

Reversible Inactivation and Desiccation Tolerance of Silicified Viruses

Long-distance host-independent virus dispersal is poorly understood, especially for viruses found in isolated ecosystems. To demonstrate a possible dispersal mechanism, we show that bacteriophage T4, archaeal virus Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus Kamchatka, and vaccinia virus are reversibly inactivated by mineralization in silica under conditions similar to volcanic hot springs. In contrast, bacteriophage PRD1 is not silicified. Moreover, silicification provides viruses with remarkable desiccation resistance, which could allow extensive aerial dispersal.

Spatial scale effects on taxonomic and biological trait diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates in Mediterranean streams

We examined the effect of spatial scale on aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in Mediterranean streams from six basins distributed across southern Europe, including Spain, France, Italy, and Greece. We classified the studied streams according to their long-term aquatic regime into the three following types: (i) permanent (P), (ii) intermittent with summer pools (I-P), and (iii) intermittent with summer dry channels (I-D). For each stream type, we analyzed taxonomic and trait diversity, as well as the composition of the macroinvertebrate community, following a spatially nested design at three spatial scales of analysis: microhabitat (substratum patches), mesohabitat (pools vs. riffles), and macrohabitat (streams). In order to assess intrinsic seasonal variability in streams from the Mediterranean region, 20 Surber samples were taken from each stream according to mesoand microhabitat frequency in the wet and the dry season during 2010. Given the need for adaptation to specific hydrological conditions and the fact that microhabitats should encompass the niche requirements of particular taxa, we hypothesized that this spatial scale would have a greater influence on macroinvertebrate taxa composition and biological traits than the other two larger spatial scales in intermittent streams. We observed that patterns in the relative importance of variance components across hierarchical spatial scales changed with time because low flow or droughts altered both mesohabitat prevalence and microhabitat composition. Our results confirm the importance of the microhabitat scale in I-P streams in the wet season but not in the dry one, when a loss of microhabitat diversity occurred. Stream-to-stream variability was more important in P and I-D streams. Our study also explored the relationships between traits and aquatic regimes. We found that aquatic macroinvertebrates inhabiting permanent streams exhibited traits related to the longer duration of life cycles in these rivers (e.g. large size of adult stages) and adaptations to flowing conditions (e.g. modes of aquatic dispersal), whereas aquatic macroinvertebrates inhabiting intermittent streams with summer pools had traits adapted to depositional conditions and ecological preferences for confined habitats (i.e. disconnected pools without flow). Finally, aquatic macroinvertebrates from intermittent streams with summer dry channels had adaptations conferring ability to survive periods with no water (e.g. modes of aerial dispersal, resistant stages). These results indicate that microhabitat conditions should not be neglected as they can play an important role in certain situations.

The presence of root-feeding nematodes – Not AMF – Affects an herbivore dispersal strategy

Plant quality and aboveground herbivore performance are influenced either directly or indirectly by the soil community. As herbivore dispersal is a conditional strategy relative to plant quality, we examined whether belowground biotic interactions (the presence of root-feeding nematodes or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) affect aerial dispersal of a phytophagous mite (Tetranychus urticae) through changes in performance of their host plant (Phaseolus vulgaris). Aerial dispersal strategies of mites were analyzed in wind-tunnel experiments, in which a unique mite pre-dispersal behavior (rearing) was assessed in relation to the presence of belowground biota on the host plant on which mites developed. Spider mite pre-dispersal behavior significantly increased with the experienced mite density on the host during development. Additionally, plants infected with root-feeding nematodes induced an increase of spider mite aerial dispersal behavior. The results highlight that belowground herbivores can affect population dynamics of aboveground herbivores by altering dispersal strategies.

Effectiveness and potential ecological effects of offshore surface dispersant use during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill: a retrospective analysis of monitoring data

The Special Monitoring of Applied Response Technologies (SMART) program was used during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill as a strategy to monitor the effectiveness of sea surface dispersant use. Although SMART was implemented during aerial and vessel dispersant applications, this analysis centers on the effort of a special dispersant missions onboard the M/V International Peace, which evaluated the effectiveness of surface dispersant applications by vessel only. Water samples (n = 120) were collected from background sites, and under naturally and chemically dispersed oil slicks, and were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (TPAHs), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), and a chemical marker of Corexit (dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, DPnB). Water chemistry results were analyzed relative to SMART field assessments of dispersant effectiveness ("not effective," "effective," and "very effective"), based on in situ fluorometry. Chemistry data were also used to indirectly determine if the use of dispersants increased the risk of acute effects to water column biota, by comparison to toxicity benchmarks. TPAH and TPH concentrations in background, and naturally and chemically dispersed samples were extremely variable, and differences were not statistically detected across sample types. Ratios of TPAH and TPH between chemically and naturally dispersed samples provided a quantitative measure of dispersant effectiveness over natural oil dispersion alone, and were in reasonable agreement with SMART field assessments of dispersant effectiveness. Samples from "effective" and "very effective" dispersant applications had ratios of TPAH and TPH up to 35 and 64, respectively. In two samples from an "effective" dispersant application, TPHs and TPAHs exceeded acute benchmarks (0.81 mg/L and 8 μg/L, respectively), while none exceeded DPnB's chronic value (1,000 μg/L). Although the primary goal of the SMART program is to provide near real-time effectiveness data to the response, and not to address concerns regarding acute biological effects, the analyses presented here demonstrate that SMART can generate information of value to a larger scientific audience. A series of recommendations for future SMART planning are also provided.

Evolutionary refugia and ecological refuges: key concepts for conserving Australian arid zone freshwater biodiversity under climate change

Refugia have been suggested as priority sites for conservation under climate change because of their ability to facilitate survival of biota under adverse conditions. Here, we review the likely role of refugial habitats in conserving freshwater biota in arid Australian aquatic systems where the major long-term climatic influence has been aridification. We introduce a conceptual model that characterizes evolutionary refugia and ecological refuges based on our review of the attributes of aquatic habitats and freshwater taxa (fishes and aquatic invertebrates) in arid Australia. We also identify methods of recognizing likely future refugia and approaches to assessing the vulnerability of arid-adapted freshwater biota to a warming and drying climate. Evolutionary refugia in arid areas are characterized as permanent, groundwater-dependent habitats (subterranean aquifers and springs) supporting vicariant relicts and short-range endemics. Ecological refuges can vary across space and time, depending on the dispersal abilities of aquatic taxa and the geographical proximity and hydrological connectivity of aquatic habitats. The most important are the perennial waterbodies (both groundwater and surface water fed) that support obligate aquatic organisms. These species will persist where suitable habitats are available and dispersal pathways are maintained. For very mobile species (invertebrates with an aerial dispersal phase) evolutionary refugia may also act as ecological refuges. Evolutionary refugia are likely future refugia because their water source (groundwater) is decoupled from local precipitation. However, their biota is extremely vulnerable to changes in local conditions because population extinction risks cannot be abated by the dispersal of individuals from other sites. Conservation planning must incorporate a high level of protection for aquifers that support refugial sites. Ecological refuges are vulnerable to changes in regional climate because they have little thermal or hydrological buffering. Accordingly, conservation planning must focus on maintaining meta-population processes, especially through dynamic connectivity between aquatic habitats at a landscape scale.

Corridor or drift fence? The role of medial moraines for fly dispersal over glacier

Corridors are often considered to promote dispersal between habitat patches. In this paper, we study whether or not corridors induce colonisation of nunataks (ice-free areas in glacier surroundings) by promoting dispersal from lowland to the nunataks. On outlet glaciers, debris originating from nunataks forms the so-called medial moraines that stretch from the nunataks down-glacier to the lowland, forming corridors of debris on the glacier. Aerial dispersal was determined with yellow sticky traps on the moraines, bare glacier and glacier foreland. Dipterans were sampled in pitfall traps on the nunataks. Flying insects that were present on the vegetated glacier foreland belonged to five orders, that is, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera and Trichoptera. On the glacier and medial moraines, however, mainly dipterans were present, with the majority of individuals found on the moraines. Hoverflies (Syrphidae) were abundant on the moraines and on the edges of nunataks close to the moraines, but were not present on the vegetated foreland. The origin of the hoverflies is thus not the nunataks and not the lowland. Rather, they are brought in by air currents towards the glacier, where they aggregate on a land type where they have a chance of survival, although it is not habitable. Thus, we conclude that the medial moraines do not function as regular corridors but as drift fences that direct the dispersal towards the adjacent land types, that is, the nunataks and the glacier foreland.

The aerial invertebrate fauna of subantarctic Macquarie Island

Aim The extent and diversity of invertebrate aerial dispersal both on remote islands and in polar regions has long been of interest to biogeographers. We therefore monitored the airborne dispersal of insects and other micro- and macroinvertebrates to and on Macquarie Island in order to assess (1) the magnitude and composition of local aerial dispersal activity by the island's invertebrate fauna, and (2) the potential for exotic arrival and establishment. Location Macquarie Island. Methods Two robust wind-traps were run year-round on Macquarie Island from 1991 to 1994 to collect airborne insects and other micro- and macroinvertebrates. Results More than 3000 invertebrates were caught in these traps over the sampling period in the most comprehensive aerial survey of subantarctic invertebrates to date. Representatives of seven orders of Insecta were captured: Psocoptera, Thysanoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. Other taxa captured included other arthropods (Arachnida and Collembola) but also terrestrial Gastropoda. Evidence of possible long-distance dispersal (LDD) was limited to two exotic catches (one species of Collembolon, and one species of Thysanoptera). The abundance and composition of indigenous invertebrates caught in the traps indicates that the frequency of short-distance dispersal (SDD) movements on the island far exceeds that which had previously been realized. Main conclusions More than half the total catch (53%) was of flightless (i.e. passively dispersed) invertebrates, with 84% of them flightless in one of the two traps. The extent of passive dispersal movements is consistent, with most invertebrates being widely distributed at a whole-island scale. Aerial dispersal may act as a conduit for non-indigenous arrivals but this occurs infrequently. Other explanations for exotic species in traps are equally likely. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to terrestrial invertebrate biogeography.

The wing morphology of limnephilid caddisflies in relation to their habitat preferences

Summary The aerial dispersal of merolimnic insects is a prerequisite for maintaining metapopulations and for colonising new habitats. Flight morphology, as one determinant of dispersal capacity, may be related to the distribution patterns and ecological preferences of aquatic insects, but empirical data for Trichoptera are scarce. This study aimed to provide flight morphological data for common European Trichoptera species in relation to their ecological preferences. We measured the flight morphology of 26 Central European species of Limnephilidae (Trichoptera) including wing length, wing width, wing area, relative wing length and the aspect ratio of the fore and hind wings (combined). There were strong relationships between forewing length and body length (r² = 0.884), wing width (r² = 0.960) and wing area (r² = 0.93) in the untransformed data. Species of the same genus may differ strongly in wing length, wing width and wing area; however, when the wing area is considered on the size‐independent scale of relative wing length, species of the same genus are more similar. Sexual dimorphism was species specific. Male wing dimensions exceeded those of females in all species that displayed significant differences between the sexes except in Parachiona picicornis. For aerodynamic indices such as aspect ratio, only 28 % of the studied species show sexual dimorphism; in Limnephilus fuscicornis and Potamophylax luctuosus, males exceed females, and in Drusus annulatus, Drusus discolor and Potamophylax cingulatus, females exceeded males. On the basis of our data, we conclude that females may be the primary dispersers in four of the 18 species for which sufficient data were available, whereas in two species males appear to be stronger dispersers. We found three different morphological blueprints in forewing length and wing width: Group 1 encompassed crenal‐inhabiting species with a distinct habitat preference for mineral habitats (low aspect ratio, small wings; e.g. D. discolor); group 2 comprised rhithral species without a distinct habitat preference (high aspect ratio, large wings; e.g. P. cingulatus); and group 3 encompassed species inhabiting lentic waters and preferring organic habitats (high aspect ratio, medium‐sized wings; e.g. Anabolia nervosa).