Effects of climate and biotic interactions on the elevational range of two burying beetle species (Nicrophorus nepalensis and Calosilpha chyaneocephala)

• Main Authors: An-Yu Chang, 張安瑜
• Other Authors: Pei-Fen Lee
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/05612944238040108951

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 生態學與演化生物學研究所 === 101 === Darwin(1859) and McArthur’s (1972) classic hypothesis for the elevation range limit stated that competitive interaction drives the lower elevation range limits of montane species, and physiological stress prevents low-elevation species from expanding to high elevation. However, factors that limit species’ elevation range are still poorly understood. We tested McArthur’s hypothesis of elevation range limits in two carrion beetles with distinct life history traits: Nicrophorus nepalensis, a habitat specialist, and Calosilpha cyaneocephal, a habitat generalist. We found that physiological constrains drive the lower and higher elevation range limit of C. cyaneocephal, whereas competition with maggots was found responsible for the lower limit of elevational range of N. nepalensis. Contracting to McArthur’s classic hypothesis, our findings show that different life history traits between species may explain the different constrains in lower elevation range limit: habitat specialists may be more susceptible to biotic factor than habitat generalists. Our study of elevation range limit can help us understand species distribution pattern and better predict the species responses to climate change.