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[Untitled]

Authors :
Tim R. New
Darren F. Ward
Alan L. Yen
Source :
Journal of Insect Conservation. 6:39-45
Publication Year :
2002
Publisher :
Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2002.

Abstract

The abundance, richness and trophic structure of beetle assemblages (Insecta: Coleoptera) from remnant eucalypt woodlands of the Northern Plains, Victoria, is documented. Three sampling methods (pitfall trapping, direct searching, sweep netting) were used to sample beetles in four seasons over a year. A total of 4487 beetles were sorted into 342 morphospecies from 46 families. Pitfall trapping alone caught the greatest number of families (72%), morphospecies (56%) and specimens (50%). However, direct searching and sweep netting yielded a large number of morphospecies not caught by pitfall trapping. Sampling in summer yielded the greatest number of families (78%) and morphospecies (55%) but the most specimens (31%) were caught during winter. The proportions of different trophic groups varied little across different seasons but greatly for sampling methods. Pitfall trapping caught a higher proportion of predators and a lower proportion of herbivores than other sampling methods. Direct searching caught mostly herbivores, whilst sweep netting captured a large number of fungivores. The results have implications for the design of sampling sets for inventory surveys of invertebrate groups.

Details

ISSN :
1366638X
Volume :
6
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of Insect Conservation
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........c18f752d19b7c9b595c7a550e875a316