Seven sampling sites in each of three biomes (Western Ghats, foothills of Western Ghats and west coast) of south- western India were investigated to study the distribution, abundance and ecology of pill millipedes (Ar...Seven sampling sites in each of three biomes (Western Ghats, foothills of Western Ghats and west coast) of south- western India were investigated to study the distribution, abundance and ecology of pill millipedes (Arthrosphaera) and associated fauna in relation to edaphic features. Abundance and biomass of Arthrosphaera and other millipedes were the highest in Western Ghats, while earthworms were in foothills. Arthrosphaera magna and Arthrosphaera spp. were common in Western Ghats and foothills respectively, while no Arthrosphaera were found in the west coast. None of the sampling sites consisted of more than one species of Arthrosphaera. Biomass of Arthrosphaera, other millipedes and earthworms significantly differed in Western Ghats (P = 9.48 × 10-7) and foothills (P = 1.35 × 10-8), as did the biomass of species of Arthrosphaera (P = 2.76 × 10-7) between Western Ghats and foothills. Correlation analysis revealed that biomass of Arthrosphaera was significantly (P = 0.01, r = 0.45) correlated with soil organic carbon rather than other edaphic fea- tures (pH, phosphate, calcium and magnesium). Distribution pattern, abundance, biomass and ecology of Arthrosphaera of Western Ghats in relation to soil qualities were compared with millipedes of other regions of the world.展开更多
Insects are not only the most species-rich group on Earth, they also play numerous crucial roles in ecosystem functioning and the global economy. The conservation of insect diversity is therefore a topic of global imp...Insects are not only the most species-rich group on Earth, they also play numerous crucial roles in ecosystem functioning and the global economy. The conservation of insect diversity is therefore a topic of global importance. However, insects are mostly ignored by ＂biodiversity＂ research; for example, relationships between insect diversity and vegetation or climate change remain widely unknown. This paper makes suggestions for further research into insect diversity patterns based on two typical forest types in northern China： Changbai Mountain, northeast China and Dongling Mountain, central northern China. Plants and climate have been well studied in these areas but substantial knowledge gaps prevail in relation to insect diversity patterns. It is therefore important to investigate insect biodiversity patterns in these regions.展开更多
文摘Seven sampling sites in each of three biomes (Western Ghats, foothills of Western Ghats and west coast) of south- western India were investigated to study the distribution, abundance and ecology of pill millipedes (Arthrosphaera) and associated fauna in relation to edaphic features. Abundance and biomass of Arthrosphaera and other millipedes were the highest in Western Ghats, while earthworms were in foothills. Arthrosphaera magna and Arthrosphaera spp. were common in Western Ghats and foothills respectively, while no Arthrosphaera were found in the west coast. None of the sampling sites consisted of more than one species of Arthrosphaera. Biomass of Arthrosphaera, other millipedes and earthworms significantly differed in Western Ghats (P = 9.48 × 10-7) and foothills (P = 1.35 × 10-8), as did the biomass of species of Arthrosphaera (P = 2.76 × 10-7) between Western Ghats and foothills. Correlation analysis revealed that biomass of Arthrosphaera was significantly (P = 0.01, r = 0.45) correlated with soil organic carbon rather than other edaphic fea- tures (pH, phosphate, calcium and magnesium). Distribution pattern, abundance, biomass and ecology of Arthrosphaera of Western Ghats in relation to soil qualities were compared with millipedes of other regions of the world.
基金the China Bureau of Foreign Experts and the Ministry of Education of China (111 Program, Grant 2008-B08044)the Key Basic Research Project "973" (2010CB951301-5)the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Fellowship for Young International Scientists (Fellowship Number 2010Y1SA16)
文摘Insects are not only the most species-rich group on Earth, they also play numerous crucial roles in ecosystem functioning and the global economy. The conservation of insect diversity is therefore a topic of global importance. However, insects are mostly ignored by ＂biodiversity＂ research; for example, relationships between insect diversity and vegetation or climate change remain widely unknown. This paper makes suggestions for further research into insect diversity patterns based on two typical forest types in northern China： Changbai Mountain, northeast China and Dongling Mountain, central northern China. Plants and climate have been well studied in these areas but substantial knowledge gaps prevail in relation to insect diversity patterns. It is therefore important to investigate insect biodiversity patterns in these regions.
