Effects of Interspecific Competition on the Population Dynamics of Four Stored Grain Insect Pests

The effects of interspecific competition on the population dynamics of four insect grain Insecp pests （ Sitophilus zeamais, Rhizopertha dominica, Tribolium castaneum and Cryptolestes ferrugineus ） was studied at 30℃, 75% relative humidity. A regression analysis of the population dynamics was conducted. The results showed that population growth of S. zeamais , R. dominica, T. castaneum and C. ferrugineus was restrained under mixed rearing. Population growth of T. castaneum and C. ferrugineus was remarkably accelerated when they coexisted with S. zeamais or R. dominica, while that of S. zeamais and R. dominica was restrained to some extent. Regression analysis results showed that the population growth potential of S. zeamais was the largest and that of C. ferrugineus was the smallest, and the changing trends of population growth rates were not distinct.

The effect of UV-B radiation enhancement on the interspecific competition between Skeletonema costatum and Heterosigma akashiwo

The responses of the interspecific competition between Skeletonema costatum and Heterosigma akashiwo to UV-B radiation enhancement were studied by the co-culture method. The results showed that Heterosigma akashiwo exhibited inhibition on the growth of Skeletonema costatum, and with the increase of initial inoculation density of Heterosigma akashiwo, heavier inhibition on Skeletonema costatum appeared. Under different inoculation proportions, Heterosigma akashiwo could always be in predominance in competition with Skeletonema costatum. The UV-B radiation treatment could change the competition relationship between Skeletonema costatum and Heterosigma akashiwo, which could increase the competitive dominance of Skeletonema costatum and decrease the competitive dominance of Heterosigma akashiwo. When the inoculation proportions of Heterosigma akashiwo and Skeletonema costatum were H∶S=1∶4 and H∶S=1∶1,Skeletonema costatum was in predominance in this competition; however, Heterosigma akashiwo was in predominance when the inoculation proportion was H∶S=4∶1.

Effects of elevated CO_2 on sensitivity of six species of algae and interspecific competition of three species of algae

Effects of elevated CO, （5000 μl/L） on sensitivity comparison of six species of algae and interspecific competition of three species of algae were investigated. The results showed that, the cell densities of six species of algae grown in elevated CO2 significantly increased compared to those in ambient CO2 （360 μl/L）, and with the time prolonged, the increasing extent increased. Therefore, elevated CO2 can promote the growth of six species of algae. However, there were differences in sensitivity between six species of algae. Based on the effects of elevated CO2 on biomass, the sensitive order （from high to low） was Platymanas sp., Platymanas subcordiformis, Nitzschia closterium, Isochrysis golbana Parke 8701, Dunoliella salina, Chlorella sp., on the condition of solitary cultivation. Compared to ambient CO2, elevated CO2 promoted the growth of three species of algae, Platymanas subcordiformis, Nitzschia closterium and Isochrysis galbana Parke 8701 under the condition of mixed cultivation. The sensitivity of the three species to elevated CO2 in mixed cultivation changed a lot compared to the condition of solitary cultivation. When grown in elevated CO2 under the condition of mixed cultivation, the sensitive order from high to low were Nitzschia clostertium, Platymonas subcordiformis; and Isochrysis galbana Parke 8701. However, under the condition of solitary cultivation, the sensitive order in elevated CO2 was Isochrysis galbana Parke 8701, Nitzschia clostertium, Platymonas subcordiformis, from sensitive to less sensitive. On the day 21, the dominant algae, the sub-dominant algae and inferior algae grown in elevated CO2 did not change. However, the population increasing dynamic and composition proportion of three algal species have significantly changed.

Effects of Mixture Sowing on Forage Yield and Interspecific Competition of Alfalfa and Orchard Grass

[ Objective] To explore the mixture sowing effects and optimal mixture ratio of alfalfa and orchard grass. [ Method] The alfalfa and orchard grass were sowed at different ratios （1 ： 0, 3： 1, 1 ： 1, 1 ： 3 and 0：1 ）. They were grouped and named as CK1, A1, A2, A3 and CK2., respectively. The forage yield, relative yield total （RYT） and the competition rate （CR） of alfalfa and orchard grass in each group were determined, respectively. [ Result] In the A3 treatment group, the total forage yield was the highest （4 827.67 kg/hm2） and significantly different from that of other treatment groups （ P 〈 0.01 ）. In every treatment group, the RYT was higher than 1, and the alfalfa was more competitive than the orchard grass in the mixed-seeding pasture. [ Conclusion] Our studies may provide a basis for the establishment of high yield and high quality artificial mixture pasture.

Effect of UV-B irradiation on interspecific competition between Ulva pertusa and Grateloupia filicina

We report the effect of UVoB irradiation （9.6 kJ m-2 day^-） on interspecific competition between two species of macroalgae, Ulva pertusa （U） and Grateloupiafilicina （G）, in co-culture. Growth of U. pertusa and G. filicina was inhibited by UV-B irradiation in mono-culture and specific growth rate （μ） declined as a result. Interspecific competition between U. pertusa and G filicina was closely related to the initial weights when co-cultured. When initial ratios of U. pertusa （U） to G filicina （G） were U：G=I.2：I and 1：1, U. pertusa was the dominant algae. When the initial U：G ratio was 1：1.2, G. filicina was competitively dominant in the earlier stage, but U. pertusa grew faster, superseding G. filicina in the later stage. At initial ration U：G = 1：1.4, G. filicina was predominant. Under UV-B irradiation, the competitive ability of G filicina was weakened and the interspecific competitive balance favored U. pertusa, which suggests that G. filicina was more sensitive to UV-B irradiation. We also probed the potential allelopathic effects between the two species, which led to mutual growth inhibition.

Interspecific Competition Between Levanderina fissa(Dinophyceae) and the Other Three Microalgal Species in Co-Cultures

Growth interactions between the dinoflagellate Levanderina fissa (=Gyrodinium instriatum) and the other three algal bloom species Skeletonema costatum (Bacillariophyceae), Prorocentrum micans (Dinophyceae), and Chattonella marina (Raphido- phyceae) were studied using bi- or tri-algal co-cultures under laboratory conditions. The Lotka-Volterra model was applied to esti- mate the interspecific competition between them. Results showed that the growth of L. fissa was significantly suppressed in both bi-algal and tri-algal cultures, and the maximum cell densities in co-cultures were only between 21% and 69% of that in mono-cul- ture. L. fissa outcompeted P. micans;however, its effects on S. costatum and C. marina were generally less than the effects of their intraspecific competitions based on the competition coefficients. Contrarily, the inhibitory effects of S. costatum and C. marina on L. fissa were much greater. S. costatum outcompeted the other three species in all co-cultures, and its competition coefficients on the other species were more than 10000 times higher than the opposite. The growth of C. marina was suppressed by S. costatum;how- ever, it outcompeted L. fissa and P. micans. The growth of P. micans was most strongly inhibited in co-cultures, and the maximum cell densities in co-cultures were less than 15% of that in mono-species culture. The results suggested that L. fissa had few advan- tages in the interspecific competition. The adaptation to low salinity and the utilization of organic phosphorus might be the important reasons for L. fissa to take the competitive predominance in brackish estuarine environments.

Experimental approaches to select tree species for forest restoration:effects of light,water availability and interspecific competition in degraded areas

Knowing what native trees can recr uit on degraded areas allows selecting the best species to restore these sites.However,as this information is not often available,experimentation is required before large-scale planting.This study used ex situ experiments to make these decisions on recruitment.Competition with r-strategist plants,excessive solar radiation and water shortage commonly impair tree recruitment in open habitats.The experiments focused on the interactions among these factors and were conducted with three pioneer species from seasonally dry forests of northwest Argentina,Anadenanthera colubrina,Ceiba chodatii and Jacaranda mimosifolia.Seeds of each species were sown at two light levels(sunlight/shade),two rainfall levels(full/reduced)and two levels of interspecific competition(with/without competitor)in a tree nursery.Seedling emergence and survival were monitored over a year and the results indicate that species differentially respond to varying levels of light and water.Seedlings of A.colubrina tolerated water shortages under elevated solar radiation,which are desirable features for forest restoration.Seedlings of C.chodatii tolerated shade and drought,suggesting that they require shading for establishing in open areas.However,J.mimosifolia seedlings neither tolerated full sunlight nor water shortages,suggesting that this species requires shading and regular watering if used in reforestation.Regardless of the effects of light and water,the survival of all species was reduced by interspecific competition.These results highlight the importance of experimentation for selecting the best species for forest restoration and can enhance the cost/benefit ratios of these actions.

Interspecific competition predicts the potential impact of little fire ant Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) invasion on resident ants in southern China

The little fire ant Wasmannia auropunctata(Roger)is a major invasive species that seriously threatens the biodiversity of invaded areas.W.auropunctata was first reported in Chinese mainland in 2022 and its impact on native species is still unknown.To evaluate the impact of W.auropunctata invasion on the ant communities in southern China,a series of interspecific competition experiments were conducted in this study.The individual aggression index and group aggression experiments showed the advantage of W.auropunctata in competition with 5 resident ants under equal worker numbers.When encountering Anoplolepis gracilipes,Camponotus nicobarensis,Tetramorium bicarinatum,Polyrhachis dives,and Solenopsis invicta,W.auropunctata gradually gained a competitive advantage with an increase in its number of workers.In the group aggression experiments with equal worker numbers,there was a negative correlation between the body length and mortality rate of resident ants.The results of the foraging behavior experiments showed that W.auropunctata was able to dominate food resources under competition with Carebara diversa,which also displayed weak competition in the group aggression bioassay.In addition,the abilities to recruit workers and retrieve food were inhibited under competition with S.invicta and T.bicarinatum.The results of the nesting behavior experiments showed that in the 24-h bout of space resource competition,W.auropunctata was dominant over C.diversa,S.invicta,and T.bicarinatum.The results of this study show that W.auropunctata has certain advantages in competition for food and space resources over resident ants in southern China,and some resident ant species may be replaced in the future.

Effects of elevated CO2 on the interspecific competition between two sympatric species of Aphis gossypii and Bemisia tabaci fed on transgenic Bt cotton

Effects of elevated CO2 （twice ambient vs. ambient） and Bt CrylAc transgene （Bt cotton cv. 33B vs. its nontransgenic parental line cv. DP5415） on the interspecific competition between two ecologically similar species of cotton aphid Aphis gossypii and whitefly biotype-Q Bemisia tabaci were studied in open-top chambers. The results indicated that elevated CO2 and Bt cotton both affected the population abundances of A. gossypii and biotype-Q B. tabaci when introduced solely （i.e., without interspecific competition） or two species coexisted （i.e., with interspecific competition）. Compared with ambient CO2, elevated COe increased the population abundances ofA. gossypii and biotype-Q B. tabaci as fed on Bt and nontransgenic cotton on 45 （i.e., seedling stage） and 60 （i.e., flowering stage） days after planting （DAP）, but only significantly enhanced aphid abundance without interspecific competition on the 45-DAP nontransgenic cotton and 60-DAP Bt cotton, and significantly increased whitefly abundance with interspecific competition on the 45-DAP Bt cotton and 60-DAP nontransgenic cotton. In addition, compared with nontransgenic cotton at elevated CO2, Bt cotton significantly reduced biotype-Q B. tabaci abundances without and with interspecific competition during seedling and flowering stage, while only significantly decreasing A. gossypii abundances without interspecific competition during the seedling stage. When the two insect species coexisted, the proportions ofbiotype-Q B. tabaci were significantly higher than those ofA. gossypii on Bt and nontransgenic cotton at the same CO2 levels, and elevated CO2 only significantly increased the percentages of biotype-Q B. tabaci and significantly reduced the proportions of A. gossypii on seedling and flowering nontransgenic cotton. Therefore, the effects of elevated CO2 were favorable for biotype-Q B. tabaci to out-compete A. gossypii under the predicted global climate change.

Interspecific competition effects on phosphorus accumulation by Hydrilla verticillata and Vallisneria natans

The competition between submersed plants has been recognized as an important factor influencing the structure of plant communities in shallow lakes. The ability of different species to take up and store nutrients from the surrounding ambience varies, and hence plant community structure might be expected to affect the cycling of nutrients in lake ecosystems. In this study, the uptake of phosphorus by Hydrilla verticillata and Vallisneria natans was studied and compared in monoculture and competitive mixed-culture plantings. Results showed that for both studied species the phosphorus concentrations of different tissues and of whole plants was unaffected by competition. However, the quantity of phosphorus accumulated by whole plants of 1-1. verticillata was significantly higher in mixture culture than in monoculture, while that of V. natans was lower in the mixed culture. The results indicated that 11. verticillata has a competitive advantage over V. natans, when the two species are grown in competition, and is able to accumulate a greater quantity of phosphorus.

Exclusion of interspecific competition reduces scatter-hoarding of Siberian chipmunk Tamias sibiricus:A field study

Although food availability and the abundance of seed predators have been postulated to affect seed dispersal,it is not clear how seed-eating animals modify their scatter-hoarding strategies in response to different levels of interspecific competition.We placed paired germinated and ungerminated acorns of Quercus mongolica on 30-cm high platforms to exclude potential interspecific competition of the predominant larder hoarders Apodemus peninsulae and Myodes rufocanus,to investigate seed dispersal by a predominant scatter-hoarder,Tamias sibiricus,in the field in north-eastern China.Our results showed that T.sibiricus ate more acorns in situ in the absence of interspecific competition.In the presence of interspecific competition of A.peninsulae and C.rufocanus,however,more acorns were scatter-hoarded by T.sibiricus.Regardless of interspecific competition,germination of acorns showed no significant effects on seed dispersal patterns,inconsistent with the“seed perishability hypothesis”that animals avoid hoarding seeds with high perishability.Exclusion of interspecific competition,though relatively increasing the per capita seed abundance,appears to reduce seed dispersal,scatter-hoarding and seedling establishment.Therefore,we propose that moderate interspecific competition rather than competition exclusion may benefit seed scatter-hoarding and seedling establishment.

The interspecific competition presents greater nutrient facilitation compared with intraspecific competition through AM fungi interacting with litter for two host plants in karst soil

Litter is the crucial carrier of soil nutrition transformation.The influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)fungi on nutrient acquisition in plants has been widely recognized.However,in nutrient-deficient karst habitat,how competitive plants utilize nutrients regulated by AM fungi via litter remain largely unknown.The experimental treatments included the inoculation with or without Glomus etunicatum,the litter addition by the mixed leaves of Broussonetia papyrifera and Carpinus pubescens or no addition,and the competition through the intraspecific competition of B.papyrifera and C.pubescens,respectively,and the interspecific competition mixed both plants.AM fungi differently affected plant on nutrient acquisition,increasing nutrients acquisitions of B.papyrifera in intra-and interspecific competitions while decreasing for C.pubescens.Litter presented opposite influences on N acquisitions of both plants in interspecific competition with AM fungi,being positive for C.pubescens and negative for B.papyrifera,respectively.Under the interaction of AM fungi and litter,nitrogen(N),phosphorus(P)and potassium(K)acquisitions by B.papyrifera and N acquisition by C.pubescens in interspecific competition were all greater than intraspecific competition.In the interspecific competition,the competitive ability of plants on nutrient absorption presented significant species difference,which of B.papyrifera on P and K was significantly increased,while was converse for C.pubescens on K.In conclusion,these results suggest that the interspecific competition presents greater nutrient facilitation compared with intraspecific competition through AM fungi interacting with litter for plants in karst soil.

Competitive effect, but not competitive response, varies along a climatic gradient depending on tree species identity

Background: Understanding the role of species identity in interactions among individuals is crucial for assessing the productivity and stability of mixed forests over time. However, there is limited knowledge concerning the variation in competitive effect and response of different species along climatic gradients. In this study, we investigated the importance of climate, tree size, and competition on the growth of three tree species: spruce(Picea abies), fir(Abies alba), and beech(Fagus sylvatica), and examined their competitive response and effect along a climatic gradient.Methods: We selected 39 plots distributed across the European mountains with records of the position and growth of 5,759 individuals. For each target species, models relating tree growth to tree size, climate and competition were proposed. Competition was modelled using a neighbourhood competition index that considered the effects of inter-and intraspecific competition on target trees. Competitive responses and effects were related to climate.Likelihood methods and information theory were used to select the best model.Results: Our findings revealed that competition had a greater impact on target species growth than tree size or climate. Climate did influence the competitive effects of neighbouring species, but it did not affect the target species? response to competition. The strength of competitive effects varied along the gradient, contingent on the identity of the interacting species. When the target species exhibited an intermediate competitive effect relative to neighbouring species, both higher inter-than intraspecific competitive effects and competition reduction occurred along the gradient. Notably, species competitive effects were most pronounced when the target species' growth was at its peak and weakest when growing conditions were far from their maximum.Conclusions: Climate modulates the effects of competition from neighbouring trees on the target tree and not the susceptibility of the target tree to competition. The modelling approach should be useful in future research to expand our knowledge of how competition modulates forest communities across environmental gradients.

The importance of aboveground and belowground interspecific interactions in determining crop growth and advantages of peanut/maize intercropping

Intercropping of maize(Zea mays L.) and peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.) often results in greater yields than the respective sole crops. However, there is limited knowledge of aboveground and belowground interspecific interactions between maize and peanut in field. A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of interspecific interactions on plant growth and grain yield for a peanut/maize intercropping system under different nitrogen(N) and phosphorus(P) levels. The method of root separation was employed to differentiate belowground from aboveground interspecific interactions. We observed that the global interspecific interaction effect on the shoot biomass of the intercropping system decreased with the coexistence period, and belowground interaction contributed more than aboveground interaction to advantages of the intercropping in terms of shoot biomass and grain yield. There was a positive effect from aboveground and belowground interspecific interactions on crop plant growth in the intercropping system, except that aboveground interaction had a negative effect on peanut during the late coexistence period. The advantage of intercropping on grain came mainly from increased maize yield(means 95%) due to aboveground interspecific competition for light and belowground interaction(61%–72% vs. 28%–39% in fertilizer treatments). There was a negative effect on grain yield from aboveground interaction for peanut, but belowground interspecific interaction positively affected peanut grain yield.The supply of N, P, or N + P increased grain yield of intercropped maize and the contribution from aboveground interspecific interaction. Our study suggests that the advantages of peanut/maize intercropping for yield mainly comes from aboveground interspecific competition for maize and belowground interspecific facilitation for peanut, and their respective yield can be enhanced by N and P. These findings are important for managing the intercropping system and optimizing the benefits from using this system.

Impacts of competition and nitrogen addition on plant stoichiometry and non-structural carbohydrates in two larch species

Previous research has shown that competition between plants can have differential effects on leaf stoichiometry and non-structural carbohydrate(NSC)in different environments.However,little attention has been given to understanding these effects on non-photosynthetic organs,particularly of deciduous tree species.Here we assess the impact of competition on below and aboveground biomass,stoichiometry,nutrient composition and NSC in pure and mixed forests of two Larch species,Larix kaempferi and L.olgensis under nitrogen(N)addition.Nitrogen enrichment did not result in stronger intraspecific competition for both species and L.olgensis benefited from the presence of L.kaempferi under different N levels.Stems kept relatively stable C/N compared to roots and branches in response to competition,while N addition imposed stronger impacts on N/P of different organs rather than competition.In contrast to stable C concentrations,starch and soluble sugar concentrations were more easily impacted by competition and the addition of nitrogen.Competition forced L.kaempferi and L.olgensis to allocate more carbon into storage by increasing their starch concentration and starch/soluble sugar of stems under competition.However,no significant differences in stoichiometry and NSC concentration between intra-and interspecific competition were found.NSC and nutrient pools of L.kaempferi stems,branches and coarse roots consistently declined due to competition regardless of N addition.Coarse and fine roots of L.kaempferi accumulated more N when in competition with L.olgensis than with a conspecific neighbor under N addition.Our results show that NSC was more sensitive to competition relative to stoichiometric traits(N and P)of non-photosynthetic organs.

COMPETITION IN OLD GROWTH KOREAN PINE FOREST

Korean pine(Pinus koraiensis) interspecilic competition and intraspecifie companioned with other species competition in old growth Korean pine forest in northeast China were studied using Hegyi's competition index model for individual tree.The results show that differences of competitive intensity exist in interspecific and intraspecific for Korean pine with an order of intraspecific ＞Abies nephrolepis Picea koraiensis Tilia amurensis Betula costat＞Acer mono ＞Ulnuts propinqua＞Populus davidiana,and that relationship of competitive index to indivdual size (in DBH) of objective tree follows closely multiplieate eqtuation and that competitive intensity gradually reduces with inereasing of individual size of objective tree, but it is tending towards stability after individual of objective tree inerease to specified size (DBH about 20 cm).It provided a serviceable approach for researches of intraspecific relationship in population ecology.

Competitive interactions between invasive fall armyworm and Asian corn borer at intraspecific and interspecific level on the same feeding guild

Interspecific competition is an important factor in the population dynamics and geographical distribution of insect populations.Fall armyworm(FAW),Spodoptera frugiperda,an invasive species,and the Asian corn borer(ACB),Ostrinia furnacalis,a native pest species are major pests on maize in China,posing a threat to maize yield and grain quality.A series of laboratory,greenhouse,and field experiments were conducted to elucidate the competitive interactions between FAW and ACB.In the laboratory experiments,FAW exhibited aggressive behaviors more frequently when compared with ACB,while the latter species exhibited defense behaviors more frequently.Higher intraspecific competition was recorded in the FAW conspecific rather than in ACB,particularly in the 6th larval stage.FAW had a higher interspecific competitive advantage through intraguild predation over ACB,resulting in partial or complete displacement ACB when initially the ratio of the 2 species was 1:1.The interspecific competition also had significantly influenced on the population parameters,defensive enzymes,and nutrient of these 2 species.Competitive interaction proved that the response of superoxide,catalase,and soluble protein in FAW were significantly increased,whereas the total sugar content in both species was substantially decreased.Survival rate,and the plant damage that co-infested by both species varied significantly among the sequential combinations under greenhouse and field conditions.FAW consistently exhibited stronger intraspecific aggression than ACB under laboratory and field conditions when co-existing on the same feeding guild.These findings contribute to efforts toward the improvement of integrated pest management programs for FAW,in decision making for invasive and native pests’management strategies to reduce the high risks of FAW and ACB outbreaks.

Competitive Strategies of Two Species of Co-occuring Tadpoles

We examined the competitive ability of larval toads （Bufo gargarizans ） and frogs （Rana kukunoris ） which co-occur in natural pools in the Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve. We measured the activity level, growth rate, mass at metamorphosis and larval period in a laboratory experiment. Tadpoles of B. gargarizans were significantly more active when food was abundant than scarce, while there was no significant difference in the activity of R. kukunoris tadpoles at different food levels. At low food availability, mass at metamorphosis and growth rate of R. kukunoris were significantly increased in the presence of B. gargarizans, whereas the presence of R. kukunoris had no significant effect on the mass and growth rate of B. gargarizans. In all treatments, the larval period of B. gargarizans at low food availability was the shortest. These results suggest that B. gargarizans can adapt to different food levels by changing their activity rate. At high food level, B. gargarizans increased activity to gain more food. At low food level, B. gargarizans decreased activity and achieved early metamorphosis. However, when food resources were limited, R. kukunoris could gain more food than B.gargarizans .

Niche partitioning between sympatric rhesus macaques and Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys at Baimaxueshan Nature Reserve, China

Here we provide a preliminary assessment of dietary and habitat requirements of two sympatric primate taxa, a ＂simple-stomached＂ and ＂complex-stomached＂ species （Rhinopithecus bieti Colobinae vs. Macaca mulatta Cercopithecinae）, as a basis for illuminating how the two coexist. Of ca. 22 plant food species consumed by the macaques, at least 16 were also eaten by the snub-nosed monkeys. Both species showed a preference for fruits. While the snub-nosed monkeys did not utilize any resources associated with human communities, rhesus macaques did occasionally raid agricultural crops. The mean elevation of the snub-nosed monkey group was 3,218 m, while the mean elevation of the macaque group was 2,995 m. Macaques were also spotted on meadows whereas snub-nosed monkeys evidently avoided these. For both species, mixed deciduous broadleaf/conifer forest was the most frequently used ecotype, but whereas evergreen broadleaf forest （Cyclobalanopsis community） accounted for only 3% of the location records of the snub-nosed monkeys, it accounted for 36% of the location records of the macaques. Groups of the two species usually kept a considerable spatial distance from one another （mean 2.4 km）. One close encounter and confrontation between groups of the two species resulted in the macaque group moving away. Our findings suggest that the coexistence of the two taxa is facilitated via differential macrohabitat use and spatial avoidance. Although divergent habitat-use strategies may reflect interspecific competition, they may also merely reflect different physiological or ecological requirements.

Co-occurrence Patterns of Above-ground and Below-ground Mite Communities in Farmland of Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China

One of the fundamental questions in community ecology is whether communities are random or formed by deterministic mechanisms. Although many efforts have been made to verify non-randomness in community structure, little is known with regard to co-occurrence patterns in above-ground and below-ground communities. In this paper, we used a null model to test non-randomness in the structure of the above-ground and below-ground mite communities in farmland of the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China. Then, we used four tests for non-randomness to recognize species pairs that would be demonstrated as significantly aggregated or segregated co-occurrences of the above-ground and below-ground mite communities. The pattern of the above-ground mite commu- nity was significantly non-random in October, suggesting species segregation and hence interspecific competition. Additionally, species co-occurrence patterns did not differ from randomness in the above-ground mite community in August or in below-ground mite com- munities in August and October. Only one significant species pair was detected in the above-ground mite community in August, while no significant species pairs were recognized in the above-ground mite community in October or in the below-ground mite communities in August and October. The results indicate that non-randomness and significant species pairs may not be the general rule in the above-ground and below-ground mite communities in farmland of the Sanjiang Plain at the fine scale.