LE3 .A278 2001

2001

Taylor, Phil

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Biology

Biology

This study explores the movement potential and distribution of three species of inquiline insects, 'Wyeomyia smithii' (Culicidae), ' Metriocnemus knabi' (Chironomidae) and 'Fletcherimyia fletcheri ' (Sarcophagidae). Movement potential was determined using empirical mark-recapture studies, mathematical diffusion models and variance components analysis, and the process of movement was used to predict spatial scales relevant to individual and population dynamics. The larvae of all three dipterans obligately develop within the leaves of the pitcher plant, 'Sarracenia purpurea' (Sarraceniaceae) providing naturally nested levels of scale including leaves within plants within clusters (points) within bogs. With the estimates of relevant spatial scales as a template, census of the three species was used to assess the influence of habitat structure (amount and configuration of habitat) on insect distribution within this discrete hierarchy of spatial scales. The influence of habitat texture was estimated at a single scale. In general, species responded to amount of habitat at relatively fine (individual) spatial scales, and configuration of habitat at broader (population) scales, though each responded at slightly different absolute scales. These relationships corresponded to evolutionarily divergent attributes such as body size and/or movement potential. This change in the importance of structure among species and scales demonstrates that spatial scale is an important attribute to be considered in conservation decisions.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2742