| Title | Seasonal dynamics and micro-climatic preference of two Alpine endemic hypogean beetles |
| Abstract | Hypogean beetles generally live in stable environments, characterized by constant temperature and high relative humidity. Changes in the underground microclimatic conditions generally induce local migrations of the beetles through the hypogean environment in search of suitable microhabitats. We studied the seasonal dynamics and the micro-climatic preference of two Alpine endemic hypogean beetles - Sphodropsis ghilianii (Coleoptera, Carabidae) and Dellabeffaella roccae (Coleoptera, Cholevidae) - in the hypogean complex of Pugnetto (Graian Alps, Italy). We surveyed the two species for one year, using baited pitfall traps and measuring temperature and humidity along the two main caves. We used logistic regression mixed models (GLMMs) to relate the presence of the two species to several variables, namely microclimate (seasonality, temperature, and humidity), subjacency and cave length. In addition, we tested the attractive power of the bait on the two species. The thermic optimum for S. ghilianii was found to be around 7 degrees C, with an increasing probability of finding the species in the vicinity of the cave entrance during summer, autumn and spring. The species migrates inside the cave in winter, in response to the drop in the mean daily temperature and in the relative humidity occurring in the outer parts of the cave. On the contrary, D. roccae showed a significant preference for the deeper sections of the cave, characterized by an almost constant temperature of 9 degrees C in air saturated with water vapour. Males and females individuals of both species were found to be equally affected by the environmental variables included in the analysis. We also provided information on the life history of the two species and methodological insights about the use of the bait in the traps. |
| Source | International Journal of Speleology (Testo stamp.) 44 (3), pp. 239–249 |
| Keywords | CarabidaeCholevidaemicroclimatic preferenceWestern Italian Alpscave ecologySphodropsis ghilianiiDellabeffaella roccae |
| Journal | International Journal of Speleology (Testo stamp.) |
| Editor | Swets and Zeitlinger, Bologna, Italia |
| Year | 2015 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.5038/1827-806X.44.3.3 |
| Authors | Mammola, Stefano; Piano, Elena; Giachino, Pier Mauro; Isaia, Marco |
| Text | 412052 2015 10.5038/1827 806X.44.3.3 ISI Web of Science WOS 000363316900003 Carabidae Cholevidae microclimatic preference Western Italian Alps cave ecology Sphodropsis ghilianii Dellabeffaella roccae Seasonal dynamics and micro climatic preference of two Alpine endemic hypogean beetles Mammola, Stefano; Piano, Elena; Giachino, Pier Mauro; Isaia, Marco Univ Turin; Settore Fitosanit Reg Hypogean beetles generally live in stable environments, characterized by constant temperature and high relative humidity. Changes in the underground microclimatic conditions generally induce local migrations of the beetles through the hypogean environment in search of suitable microhabitats. We studied the seasonal dynamics and the micro climatic preference of two Alpine endemic hypogean beetles Sphodropsis ghilianii Coleoptera, Carabidae and Dellabeffaella roccae Coleoptera, Cholevidae in the hypogean complex of Pugnetto Graian Alps, Italy . We surveyed the two species for one year, using baited pitfall traps and measuring temperature and humidity along the two main caves. We used logistic regression mixed models GLMMs to relate the presence of the two species to several variables, namely microclimate seasonality, temperature, and humidity , subjacency and cave length. In addition, we tested the attractive power of the bait on the two species. The thermic optimum for S. ghilianii was found to be around 7 degrees C, with an increasing probability of finding the species in the vicinity of the cave entrance during summer, autumn and spring. The species migrates inside the cave in winter, in response to the drop in the mean daily temperature and in the relative humidity occurring in the outer parts of the cave. On the contrary, D. roccae showed a significant preference for the deeper sections of the cave, characterized by an almost constant temperature of 9 degrees C in air saturated with water vapour. Males and females individuals of both species were found to be equally affected by the environmental variables included in the analysis. We also provided information on the life history of the two species and methodological insights about the use of the bait in the traps. 44 Published version Articolo in rivista Swets and Zeitlinger 0392 6672 International Journal of Speleology Testo stamp. International Journal of Speleology Testo stamp. Int. J. Speleol. Testo stamp. International Journal of Speleology. Testo stamp. International Journal of Speleology Lisse Testo stamp. stefano.mammola MAMMOLA STEFANO |
