Pitfall Trap Method Research Articles

Effects of habitat fragmentation on species diversity of ground dwelling beetles in the Thousand-Island Lake region, Zhejiang, China.

The ground dwelling beetles on 20 land-bridge islands and 8 mainland sites in the Thousand-Island Lake region were collected by pitfall trap methods for six times from July 2012 to April 2014 (in three seasons, spring, summer and autumn). The species abundance, composition, diversity and seasonal dynamics of ground dwelling beetles were analyzed. Besides, the relationship between island spatial attributes (e.g., island area and isolation) and the diversity of ground dwe-lling beetles were studied. There were 3370 litter-dwelling beetle individuals belonging to 26 families and 101 species.For species richness of ground dwelling beetles, there were significant diffe-rences between the large islands and mainland sites, the mean density on small islands was significantly higher than on mainland sites. The species turnover was higher among mainland sites than among islands. The species richness on islands was significantly associated with island area, and the density was significantly associated with the distance to mainland. The species richness of islands in summer was higher than that in spring and autumn. Shannon, Simpson and Pielou indices of islands and mainlands were all highest in summer and lowest in autumn.

Spider fauna (Araneae) of the Sieraków Landscape Park (Central Poland) – preliminary data

The paper presents preliminary data on araneofauna of the selected habitats in the Sieraków Landscape Park, where spiders have not yet been studied. The fauna was sampled by sweep net and pitfall trap methods in crop fields, forest and in the ecotone zones: forest/crop field and forest/lake. It was found 44 spider species and four genera represented by young specimens, i.e. Metellina sp., Neriene sp., Haplodrassus sp. and Xysticus sp. The largest number of taxa (24) was found in the forest/lake ecotone, and the smallest one (10) in the crop field, 200 m distant from the forest. The recorded spiders belong to the common species, but they were characteristic for their biotopes.

Surveillance Studies on Spiders In AL-Gharbia Province (Egypt)

Spiders are one of the more diverse arthropod taxa, ranking seventh in global diversity, which makes them a fascinating group to study. The correct identification of many spider species is considered problematic due to complex variation in morphology. The Egyptian spider fauna are incompletely revised due to plenary studies on this group in Egypt from different localities. Samples of spiders were collected during 6 months (from 20/2/2016 till 2O/8/2016) from six different sites represented AL-Gharbia Province (30.881°N, 31.06°E) which is located in the north of the Arab Republic of Egypt about 90 km north of Cairo, and 120 km south east of Alexandria. Sampling of spiders using hand picking, sweep net and pitfall trap methods revealed total 157 specimens. A proposed key was designed to facilitate identification of the collected families, genera and species using their taxonomic characteristics of each. The present study results showed that, list of total 15 families, 19 genera and 15 species were recorded.

Diversity and equitability of insect pests and natural enemies in brinjal field treated with insecticide

Experiment was conducted during winter season to study the diversity and equitability of insect pest species and natural enemies in insecticide treated brinjal fields. Highest number of insect pests were recorded in` Tracer 45 SC, Bactoil (Bt), Nimbicidene 0.03 EC and lowest was in Necstar-50 EC and Proclaim-5 SG treated plots. The highest total abundance of insect pest was recorded in the plots treated with Bactoil and Tracer-45 SC and lowest total abundance was in Helicide (HNPV), Proclaim-5 SG and Booster-10 EC treated plots. The diversity index and equitability of insect pest species were highest in the plots treated with Nimbicidene 0.03 EC and Bactoil in visual search and sweep net methods while Bactoil and Booster 10 EC in pitfall trap method. However, lowest diversity index and equitability were obtained from the plots treated with Booster 10 EC, Proclaim-5 SG, Necstar-50 EC, Tracer-45 SC in visual search and sweep net methods but also in plots treated with Nimbicidene 0.03 EC in pitfall trap method. In case of natural enemies, the highest number of families were recorded in Tracer-45 SC, Nimbicidine 0.03 EC and Bactoil treated plots while lowest was in Helicide, Booster 10 EC, Proclaim-5 SG and Necstar-50 EC treated plots. The highest total abundance of natural enemy was recorded in the plot treated with Bactoil and Tracer-45 SC while lowest abundance was in the plot treated with Necstar-50 EC and Boster-10 EC. The diversity index and equitability of natural enemies were the highest in the plots treated with Proclaim-5 SG, Bactoil, Helicide and Necstar-50 EC in visual search, sweep net method and pitfall trap method while lowest was in Booster 10 EC, Tracer-45 SC treated plots in visual search method, Booster 10 EC and Nimbicidene 0.03 EC treated plots in sweep net method, Necstar-50 EC and Nimbicidene 0.03 EC treated plots in pitfall trap method. Bactoil and Tracer-45 SC were relatively safe for natural enemies and therefore would be fit well into integrated pest management (IPM) against BSFB of brinjal crop.Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 4(1): 71-80, 2015 (June)

Influence of Agriculture on Diversity and Abundance of Macroscopic Ground Crawling Terrestrial Arthropods in Mweka, Kilimanjaro

This study assessed the influence of agricultural activities on macroscopic terrestrial ground crawling arthropods around Mweka. We specifically assessed abundance and diversity of macroscopic ground crawling arthropods in cultivated and natural sites of the study area. Pitfall trap method was used during data collection. In cultivated and natural areas, we placed six stations randomly, totaling 12 stations in the study area. In each station, one 4×3 grid of pitfall trap was placed. We used Shannon-Wiener (H’) and Simpson (D) diversity indices to determine arthropods diversity in cultivated and natural areas. Abundance was obtained by summing up the number of individuals in each station to get station abundance and the area abundance was obtained by totaling the number of individuals obtained in each station. Abundance of arthropods did vary significantly between natural area (81.6%) and cultivated area (18.4%) at t=3.955, P=0.0005, df=10. Similarly, higher diversity of arthropods was recorded in natural area (H’=2.25; D=0.87) than in cultivated area (H’=1.20, D=0.53) and it varied significantly H’: t=3.955, P=0.0027, df=10; D: t=3.306, P=0.0079, df=10. Anthropogenic factors associated with cultivation and heterogeneity of habitats was responsible for variations in arthropods abundance and diversity between cultivated and natural areas of Mweka. Therefore, conservation awareness is necessary to the farmers as their activities have impacts in species abundance and diversity.

THE DIVERSITY OF REPTILES ON SEVERAL HABITAT TYPES IN CAMPUS AREA OF SRIWIJAYA UNIVERSITY INDRALAYA, OGAN ILIR

The Diversity of Reptiles on Several Habitat Types in Campus Area of Sriwijaya University Indralaya, Ogan Ilir was aimed to determine the diversity of amphibian species present in this area. The research has been done in March until May 2015, in the campus of the Sriwijaya University, Indralaya. The method in this study is use the transect method by placing seventh transect line on line with the direction of cutting contour lines. Data collection techniques using the Visual Encounter Survey (VES) and Pit-Fall Trap method in combination with the Straight Line Method and Fence (Drift Fence). Results from this study recorded 11 species of amphibians from five families of the Anura Order. Average diversity index at Sriwijaya University Indralaya region is 1.70 which fall into the medium category. Keywords : Sriwijaya university, amphibians, transect,diversity

THE DIVERSITY OF AMPHIBIANS IN CAMPUS AREA OF SRIWIJAYA UNIVERSITY INDRALAYA, OGAN ILIR, SOUTH SUMATERA

The study is diversity of amphibians in campus area of sriwijaya university indralaya, ogan ilir, south sumatra was aimed to determine the diversity of amphibian species present in this area. The research has been done in March until May 2015, in the campus of the Sriwijaya University, Indralaya. The method in this study is use the transect method by placing seventh transect line on line with the direction of cutting contour lines. Data collection techniques using the Visual Encounter Survey (VES) and Pit-Fall Trap method in combination with the Straight Line Method and Fence (Drift Fence). Results from this study recorded 11 species of amphibians from five families of the Anura. Average diversity index at Sriwijaya University Indralaya region is 1.70 which fall into the medium category. Keywords : Sriwijaya university, amphibians, transect,diversity

Landscape pattern affects species composition and abundance of ground-dwelling predator

Commercial wheat farms were studied in Yinchuan Plain of Northwest China to assess the effects of two agro-farming systems on ground-dwelling predators. Pitfall trap methods were employed to investigate ground-dwelling predators during a four-year study from 2009 to 2012. Results showed that 9 species of ground-dwelling predators (Calosma maderae, Chlaenius pallipes, Dolichus halensis, Scarites terricola, Pterostichus gebleri, Harpalus crates, Pardosa astrigera, Erigonidium graminicolum, and Erigone prominens) dominated in the total 49 species captured. The structurally complex landscape (CL) supported significantly higher species diversity of ground-dwelling predators than that in structurally simple landscape (SL). Furthermore, there were also significant differences in population density and richness of ground-dwelling predators between CL and SL system. Finally, an inventory of ground-dwelling predators associated with different agricultural management systems was developed based on experimental collection, and it will serve as the basis for the sustainable pest management in Northwest China.

Litter as an Important Resource Determining the Diversity of Epigeic Ants in the South-Central Part of Bahia State, Brazil

This study evaluates the richness and composition of the epigeic ant fauna in two Caatinga areas (site 1: Brejo Novo and 2: Frizuba) within a transitional region (between the Caatinga and the Decidual Atlantic Forest) in the Municipality of Jequié, state of Bahia, Brazil. Ants were sampled using pitfall traps and Winkler extractor method in 50 randomly chosen points, totalizing a sampling area of 12.5 ha per site. Overall, we identified 60 species belongingto 27 genera. The most speciose genera were Pheidole, Camponotus, and Solenopsis (with five species each) followed by Wasmannia and Cephalotes (four species each). Pheidole sp1. was the most frequent species (occurring in approximately 60% of the samples). Since site 1 did not possess a litter layer (and therefore could not be sampled by the Winkler extractor) comparisons between the two areas were made using only the data provided by the pitfalltrap method. The Simpson diversity indexes calculated for sites 1 and 2 were 0.87 and 0.89, respectively, and showed no statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.417). The Jaccard coefficient revealed only 35.5% similarity in species composition between the two areas. The results suggest that the presence of litter contributed to increased species richness (the Winkler method added 28 species in the sum total of species collected) and “shaped” a distinct faunal composition of the area. The present study is the first ant fauna inventory in the region and reveals an unexplored conservation potential for the Decidual Forest and the Caatinga of northeastern Brazil.

INTERCROPPING EFFICIENCY AND ITS EFFECTS ON SOIL FAUNA POPULATIONS IN EGYPT

Intercropping of non-legume plant with a legume crop is proving a successful system for better use of nutrients by plants, particularly in nitrogen deficient soils. Such a system may affect soil fauna activity. The present experiment was conducted at Fayoum Governorate (Egypt) in order to study the impact of wheat intercropped with faba bean on soil fauna populations. Cultivation period was between November 2010 and April 2011. Five treatments were designed: (1) wheat alone, (2) faba bean alone, (3) wheat intercropped with faba bean (1:1), (4) wheat intercropped with faba bean (2:1), and (5) wheat intercropped with faba bean (1:2). Soil fauna were collected monthly during the cultivation period by means of the pitfall trap method. Data of soil fauna populations were statistically treated by advanced multivariate statistical methods, correspondence analysis and ascending hierarchic classification. Soil fauna were dominated by Collembola, spiders, Diptera, Aphididae, Formicidae, Orthoptera and Coleoptera. Generally, intercropping increased soil fauna populations. This increase was associated with wheat intercropped with more rows of faba bean. These populations were also increased as the age of plants increased. The percentages of trophic groups including: herbivores, carnivores and detritivores were also discussed.

Biodiversity of Soil Arthropods in Nigerian Institute for oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Nigeria

A survey of soil arthropod fauna inhabiting Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) was carried out from July-September 2012, with a view to determine the diversity and distribution of soil arthropods of the area. Two study stations were identified at the area, namely; Station one (Plantation site) and Station two (Control site). One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven (1877) individual soil arthropods were recorded from both stations. These individuals were represented in 4 classes, 11 orders and 21 families which were collected and extracted using the pitfall trap method and the Berlese Tullgren Extractor Funnel. Data collected from the study stations were subjected to appropriate statistical analyses which included Simpson’s index (Ds), the Shannon Wiener index (H’), the Shannon Diversity T-test and Evenness (E) to determine the diversity of the soil arthropod fauna. Station one (Plantation site), was the most diverse station (Ds=2.99) and (H’=1.84) while station two (Control site) having (Ds= 2.94) and (H’= 1.69) is the least diverse station which may be as a result of anthropogenic activities. The Order Hymenoptera and Family Formicidae (50.5%) and (38.7%) respectively were the dominant and abundant group in both stations with the Order Crustacea and Family Armadillidae (22.2%) and (1.63%) respectively were the least dominant and abundant in both stations. The soil arthropod fauna correlated positively with the soil organic carbon (r=0.16), soil moisture content (r= 0.26) and soil pH (r=0.60) while the soil temperature correlated negatively (r= -0.89) in both stations. This implies that soil arthropods increase with increasing soil moisture content and decreasing soil temperature. © JASEM

Perbedaan Kualitas Lahan Apel Sistem Pertanian Intensif dengan Sistem Pertanian Ramah Lingkungan (Studi Kasus Di Kelompok Tani Makmur Abadi Desa Tulungrejo Kecamatan Bumiaji Kota Batu)

The aim of this research to analyze the difference of apple farm quality the influence of intensification of agriculture system with environmentally-friendly of agriculture system. A descriptive field research was conducted in June until August 2012. The soil samples were taken in each location by using disturb sample method. The Arthropods sample were taken every five days for five time by using pitfall trap method with five transek in each location.The research applied a qualitative and quantitative-descriptive. The farm quality were comparison soil quality analyze and compositions of ground Arthropods. The composition of ground Arthropods were analyzed using Important Value Index and the diversities were analyzed by using Shannon Wiener Index. The result showed that farm quality with environmentally-friendly of agriculture system was better than intensification of agriculture system. The ground Arthropods collected at 150 pitfall trap in environmentally-friendly of agriculture system were 15.079 individual while those in intensification of agriculture system were 9.461 individual. Based on Important Value Index (40,83-64,31), Collembolla ordo Entomobryidae family dominated in each location. Based on Shannon Wiener Index that diversity of ground Arthropods in intensification of agriculture system (H’= 1,58-2,04) was greater than environmentally-friendly of agriculture system (H’= 1,56- 1,99), but both of them at medium criteria. Keywords : farm quality, agriculture system, Arthropods composition

Seasonal Distribution and Diversity of Ground Arthropods in Microhabitats Following a Shrub Plantation Age Sequence in Desertified Steppe

In desertified regions, shrub-dominated patches are important microhabitats for ground arthropod assemblages. As shrub age increases, soil, vegetation and microbiological properties can change remarkably and spontaneously across seasons. However, relatively few studies have analyzed how ground arthropods respond to the microhabitats created by shrubs of different plantation ages across seasons. Using 6, 15, 24 and 36 year-old plantations of re-vegetated shrubs (Caragana koushinskii) in the desert steppe of northwestern China as a model system, we sampled ground arthropod communities using a pitfall trapping method in the microhabitats under shrubs and in the open areas between shrubs, during the spring, summer and autumn. The total ground arthropod assemblage was dominated by Carabidae, Melolonthidae, Curculionidae, Tenebrionidae and Formicidae that were affected by plantation age, seasonal changes, or the interaction between these factors, with the later two groups also influenced by microhabitat. Overall, a facilitative effect was observed, with more arthropods and a greater diversity found under shrubs as compared to open areas, but this was markedly affected by seasonal changes. There was a high degree of similarity in arthropod assemblages and diversity between microhabitats in summer and autumn. Shrub plantation age significantly influenced the distribution of the most abundant groups, and also the diversity indices of the ground arthropods. However, there was not an overall positive relationship between shrub age and arthropod abundance, richness or diversity index. The influence of plantation age on arthropod communities was also affected by seasonal changes. From spring through summer to autumn, community indices of ground arthropods tended to decline, and a high degree of similarity in these indices (with fluctuation) was observed among different ages of shrub plantation in autumn. Altogether the recovery of arthropod communities was markedly affected by seasonal variability, and they demonstrated distinctive communal fingerprints in different microhabitats for each plantation age stage.

Species of Phytophagous Insects Associated with Strawberries in Latvia

The aim of the present study was to describe the phytophagous insect fauna of strawberries in Latvia. This study was carried out in 2000-2004 on strawberry plantations in Tukums, Rîga, Dobele, and Limbaþi districts. Insects were collected from strawberry fields by pitfall trapping, sweep netting and leaf sampling methods. A total of 137 insect species belonging to seven orders and 41 families were identified to species. Of the phytophagous insects, the order Orthoptera was represented by one species, other orders by a larger number of species: Hymenoptera (3), Diptera (16), Lepidoptera (20), Thysanoptera (21), Hemiptera (39), and Coleoptera (37). Of the recorded insects, 48 species have a status of general strawberry pests.

Assemblages of surface-dwelling collembolans in Moscow Province. 2. Phenology of coexisting species of the family Dicyrtomidae

The phenology and size structure of populations of three species of Dicyrtomidae (Dicyrtomina minuta, Dicyrtoma fusca, and Ptenothrix setosa) were studied by the pitfall trap method in a forbs meadow of Moscow Province in 2009–2011. The temperature and humidity were normal in 2009, whereas the spring and summer of 2010 were abnormally hot and dry. The life cycles of three species of Dicyrtomidae were shown to be similar. These species hibernate as eggs which hatch from May to the end of summer. In autumn, the populations consist only of mature adults. In Moscow Province, populations of surface-dwelling Dicyrtomidae may be restored quickly after summer drought.

홍릉 숲의 곤충(개미와 지표성 딱정벌레)의 군집구조, 종다양성, 산림건강성

본 연구에서는 곤충군집의 특성을 이용하여 도시숲의 산림건강성 평가를 시도하였다. 이를 위해 서울도심에 위치한 홍릉 숲에서 함정트랩법으로 개미(Formicidae)와 지표성 딱정벌레(Carabidae)를 조사하여 광릉 숲의 그것과 비교하였다. 여기서 광릉 숲은 잘 보존되고 생물다양성과 자연성이 높기 때문에 산림건강성이 높을 것으로 추정하였다. 광릉 숲에 비해 홍릉 숲은 개미는 매우 많았으나, 딱정벌레는 매우 적었다. 종다양성의 경우에는 종풍부도는 광릉 숲이 높았으나, 종다양도는 홍릉 숲이 높았다. 광릉 숲에서는 소수의 숲 특이종에 의한 우점 현상이 심한데 비해, 홍릉 숲에서는 숲 특이종과 일반종이 균형을 이룸으로서 다양도가 광릉 숲에 비해 높았다. 이와 같이 홍릉 숲은 광릉 숲과는 곤충군집의 특성이 많이 달랐다. The present study is aimed to evaluate forest health in a fragmented urban forest using characteristics of insect communities. Ants (Formicidae) and ground beetles (Carabidae) surveyed by pitfall trap method in the Hongneung forest located in the urban area of Seoul were compared with those in the Gwangneung forest. The Gwangneung forest is supposed to be health due to its high biodiversity and well-conserved nature. Ants of the Hongneung forest was much more abundant compared with those of the Gwangneung forest. However, ground beetles showed the opposite patterns; much more abundant in the Gwangneung forest than in the Hongneung forest. Species richness was higher in the Gwangneung forest than in the Hongneung forest, but species diversity was higher in the Hongneung forest. In the Hongneung forest, forest specialist species and generalist species were balanced, whereas few forest specialists dominated in the Gwangneung forest. This dominance decreased species diversity in those Gwangneung forest. Thus, characteristics of insect community in the Hongneung forest were greatly different with those in the Gwangneung forest.

Does sika deer overabundance exert cascading effects on the raccoon dog population?

Habitat structure in Oku-Nikko, Japan, has been substantially modified by the overabundance of sika deer (Cervus nippon). A deer-proof fence (15.0 km and 900 ha) was constructed in 2001 to conserve vegetation. Although the understory inside the fence is dominated by Sasa nipponica (hereafter, Sasa), an important forage plant for deer, that outside the fence is dominated by Aster ageratoides leiophyllus (hereafter, Aster), an unpalatable plant to deer, and, partly, by bare floor. In this study, we examined the effects of deer on ground-dwelling insects and earthworms, the primary food resources of raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), and, thus, the bottom-up cascading effects of the herbivore on the omnivorous carnivore. Between July and September 2008, we examined the abundance of insects and earthworms by pitfall trapping and hand-sorting methods, respectively, both inside and outside the fence. The abundance of earthworms and insects (Scarabaeidae and Rhaphidophoridae) was higher on forest floors with Aster and/or bare floors outside the fence than on those with Sasa inside the fence. These results indicate that the increasing deer population in this area probably increased the number of these invertebrates outside the fence by modifying understory vegetation and/or depositing dung. Furthermore, the sighting rates of raccoon dogs obtained by spotlight counts were greater outside than inside the fence, suggesting that deer probably exert bottom-up cascading effects on raccoon dogs, at least during May to November, when the invertebrates are predominantly fed on by the omnivorous carnivore.

Shrubs and species identity effects on the distribution and diversity of ground-dwelling arthropods in a Gobi desert

Disentangling the relationship between shrub vegetation and ground-dwelling arthropods at multiple levels of taxonomic resolution is essential to developing a suitable management strategy for the conservation of shrub-associated arthropod biodiversity in shrubland ecosystems. Using Gobi desert (dominated by shrub species Nitraria sphaerocarpa and Reaumuria soongorica) occurring widely in inland arid areas of northwest China as a model system, we sampled ground-dwelling arthropods by pitfall trapping method under canopies of both shrubs and in intershrub bare areas during spring, summer and autumn. Our aim was to determine whether the presence and species identity of shrubs influence the distribution of ground-dwelling arthropods and whether the influence of shrub presence and species identity differs among trophic and taxonomic groups. At the community level, total arthropod abundance and species richness were significantly greater under shrubs than in intershrub bare habitats, whereas more arthropods were captured under N. sphaerocarpa than under R. soongorica. At the trophic group level, the abundance of predator and decomposer arthropods was significantly greater under shrubs than in intershrub bare habitats, whereas herbivore and decomposer arthropods were more abundant under N. sphaerocarpa than under R. soongorica. At the family level, the abundance of Carabidae, Gnaphosidae, Karschiidae, Tenebrionidae and Thomisidae was consistently much greater under shrubs than in intershrub bare habitats, whereas that of Formicidae, Philodromidae and Tettigoniidae did not differ between the shrub microhabitats and the intershrub bare habitats. However, the abundance of Curculionidae under R. soongorica and the abundance of Geotrupidae under N. sphaerocarpa were significantly lower than that in intershrub bare habitats. N. sphaerocarpa was commonly preferred by arthropods in the families of Curculionidae and Tenebrionidae, whereas R. soongorica was commonly preferred by arthropods in the family Geotrupidae, but shrub species identity did not affect the abundance of the remaining families. Our results suggest that shrubs and species identity play important roles in structuring ground-dwelling arthropod communities, but the response of arthropods differed among trophic or taxonomic groups. This study may have important implications for the conservation of invertebrate biodiversity in Gobi desert ecosystems.

Influences of shrub vegetation on distribution and diversity of a ground beetle community in a Gobi desert ecosystem

In shrubland ecosystems, shrubs as ecosystem engineers play an important role in structuring ground beetle communities. However, the influence of shrub vegetation on the distribution and diversity of ground beetles remains unknown in Gobi desert, northwest China, where shrubland is a major biome type. Using Gobi shrubland dominated by shrub species Nitraria sphaerocarpa and Reaumuria soongorica as a model system, we sampled ground beetle communities using a pitfall trapping method under canopies of both shrubs and in intershrub bare areas during spring, summer and autumn corresponding to the main period of beetle activity. Simultaneously, physical environment of the three microhabitats and plant characteristics of both shrubs were measured. We determined whether shrubs and species identity influence ground beetle distribution and diversity patterns and whether the response of beetles to the presence and species of shrubs is consistent across species. At the community level, total beetle abundance and species richness were significantly greater under shrubs than in intershrub bare areas, whereas more beetles were captured under N. sphaerocarpa than under R. soongorica. At the population level, eight dominant beetle species responded differently to the presence and species of shrubs. The abundance of Anatolica sp., Carabus sp., Cyphogenia chinensis, Microdera sp. and Sternoplax setosa was consistently much greater under shrubs than in intershrub bare areas, whereas the abundance of Blaps gobiensis, Lethrus apterus and Pterocoma reitteri under shrubs was similar to that in intershrub bare areas. The shrub N. sphaerocarpa was commonly preferred by Anatolica sp., C. chinensis and S. setosa, whereas the shrub R. soongorica was commonly preferred by L. apterus, but the abundance of B. gobiensis, Carabus sp., Microdera sp. and P. reitteri was unaffected by shrub species. Differences in the abundance, species richness and composition of ground beetles among microhabitat types were largely related to among-microhabitat differences in the physical environment and resource availability. Our results suggest that shrubs and species identity play key roles in structuring ground beetle communities, but their influence differed between species. This study emphasizes the importance of protecting shrub habitats for the maintenances of beetle biodiversity in this Gobi desert ecosystem.

Reptile responses to fire and the risk of post-disturbance sampling bias

Altered fire regimes are a driver of biodiversity decline. To plan effective management, we need to know how species are influenced by fire and to develop theory describing fire responses. Animal responses to fire are usually measured using methods that rely on animal activity, but animal activity may vary with time since fire, potentially biasing results. Using a novel approach for detecting bias in the pit-fall trap method, we found that leaf-litter dependent reptiles were more active up to 6 weeks after fire, giving a misleading impression of abundance. This effect was not discovered when modelling detectability with zero-inflated binomial models. Two species without detection bias showed early-successional responses to time since fire, consistent with a habitat-accommodation succession model. However, a habitat specialist did not have the predicted low abundance after fire due to increased post-fire movement and non-linear recovery of a key habitat component. Interactions between fire and other processes therefore must be better understood to predict reptile responses to changing fire-regimes. We conclude that there is substantial bias when trapping reptiles after fire, with species that are otherwise hard to detect appearing to be abundant. Studies that use a survey method based on animal activity such as bird calls or animal movements, likely face a similar risk of bias when comparing recently-disturbed with control sites.