We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Microhabitat segregation in larvae of six species of coastal tiger beetles in Japan.
- Authors
Satoh, Aya; Hori, Michio
- Abstract
Two to four species of tiger beetles co-occur in coastal habitats of Japan. We have already demonstrated that co-occurring species exhibit interspecific size differences in adult mandible length, suggesting food resource partitioning with respect to prey size. In the present study, we investigated the larval microhabitats of six coastal species to examine whether spatial segregation occurs during the larval stage. The larvae of each species were found in specific microhabitats:Cicindelalewisiioccurred at tidal flats,Abroscelis anchoralisat beaches,Chaetodera laetescriptaat coastal dunes, andLophyridia angulataat riverbanks in estuaries. Larvae of two congeners occurred in very different microhabitats:Callytron inspecularisat reed beds formed in tidal flats in estuaries andC. yuasaieither in rock crevices, where the soil had built up, or at clay cliffs. These larval microhabitats differed among species in terms of vegetation cover, salinity, and soil texture. The larvae of four species (C. lewisii,A. anchoralis,C. inspecularis, andC. yuasai) were found at sites exposed to seawater, suggesting a tolerance to salinity. Additionally, we found differences in adult limb proportion among species. These differences seemed to be adapted to soil types in the larval microhabitats. Finally, we discuss the patterns of species assemblage of coastal tiger beetles in terms of habitat selection associated with microhabitat specificity during the larval stage and interspecific interaction associated with adult mandible size.
- Subjects
BEETLES; ECOLOGICAL niche; HABITATS; COMPETITION (Biology); HABITAT selection; ANIMAL ecology
- Publication
Ecological Research, 2005, Vol 20, Issue 2, p143
- ISSN
0912-3814
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11284-004-0028-3