Core Concepts
Long-term Malaise trapping in Peru and Uganda revealed differences in the number of rhyssine species caught, with more species found in Peru despite fewer individuals. Rainfall was identified as a key factor influencing trap catches.
Abstract
The study compared parasitoid wasp species richness between tropical forest sites in Peru and Uganda using long-term Malaise trapping. Results showed more rhyssine species were caught in Peru, attributed to higher rainfall affecting trap catches. The study highlights the potential for global comparisons of species richness using standardized methods like Malaise trapping.
Key points:
- Past beliefs about latitudinal diversity gradients among Darwin wasps have been challenged by new discoveries.
- Long-term Malaise trapping is an effective method for studying flying insect diversity.
- Rainfall influences trap catches, impacting the number of individuals caught.
- Peruvian traps caught more species but fewer individuals compared to Ugandan traps.
- Differences in rainfall explained variations in trap catches between the two locations.
- Future studies could expand sampling to compare species richness across different continents.
Stats
"Peruvian traps caught a total of 90 rhyssine individuals, which is only a fifth of the 444 individuals caught by Ugandan traps."
"The Peruvian Malaise trapping caught a total of 14 rhyssine species: 7, 11, 7 and 8 species for the 1998, 2000, 2008 and 2011 sampling campaigns, respectively."
"The Ugandan Malaise trapping caught only 6 species."
Quotes
"Peruvian traps caught more rhyssine species than Ugandan traps despite catching fewer individuals."
"Rainfall played a significant role in influencing trap catches and explaining differences between Peru and Uganda."