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Seasonal patterns in the structure of epigeic beetle (Coleoptera) assemblages in two subarctic habitats in Nunavut, Canada

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2013

C.M. Ernst  and
C.M. Buddle
C.M. Ernst*
Affiliation:
Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Ontario, H9X 3V9 Canada
C.M. Buddle
Affiliation:
Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Ontario, H9X 3V9 Canada
*
1Corresponding author (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Abstract

Seasonal patterns in the taxonomic and functional structure of epigeic Coleoptera assemblages in wet and mesic habitats were studied in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, Canada. Using pan and pitfall traps, 2638 beetles were collected between 21 June and 13 August 2010. Fifty species (including 17 new territory records) in 11 families were identified. The biomass of each specimen was estimated, and each was assigned to a functional group. Species composition differed between habitats throughout the active season and there was a rapid compositional turnover even though species diversity was similar in both habitats and among sampling periods. The functional beetle assemblages in the two habitats were different, and both assemblages experienced seasonal turnover in function; this effect was more pronounced in the mesic habitats. The beetle fauna in both habitats was predominantly entomophagous. We also examined the influence of seasonal weather patterns on assemblage structure: there is a significant relationship between mean daily temperature and assemblage structure. This relationship indicates that changes in weather (or longer-term changes in climate) could affect the diversity and ecological function of insects in this system. Given the significance of insects in the north, this could result in important changes to northern ecology.

Résumé

Nous avons étudié les patrons saisonniers des structures taxonomiques et fonctionnelles des peuplements épigées de Coléoptères dans des habitats secs et mésiques à Kugluktuk, Nunavut, Canada. Des pièges à cuvette et à fosse ont récolté 2638 coléoptères entre le 21 juin et le 13 août 2010. Nous y avons identifié 50 espèces (dont 17 retrouvées pour la première fois sur le territoire) appartenant à 11 familles. Nous avons estimé la biomasse de chaque spécimen et l'avons assignée au groupe fonctionnel correspondant. La composition spécifique varie d'un habitat à un autre durant toute la saison d'activité et il y a un taux rapide de remplacement de la composition, bien que la diversité spécifique soit semblable dans les deux habitats et d'une période d’échantillonnage à l'autre. Les peuplements fonctionnels de coléoptères sont différents dans les deux habitats et il se produit un remplacement des fonctions durant la saison dans les deux peuplements; le phénomène est plus accentué dans les habitats mésiques. La faune de coléoptères dans les deux habitats est surtout composée d'entomophages. Nous avons aussi examiné l'influence des patrons météorologiques saisonniers sur la structure des peuplements: il existe une relation significative entre la température moyenne journalière et la structure du peuplement. Cette relation signifie que des changements météorologiques (ou des changements climatiques à plus long terme) pourraient affecter la diversité et le fonctionnement écologique des insectes dans ce système. Compte tenu de l'importance des insectes dans le nord, cela pourrait entraîner des modifications sérieuses de l’écologie des régions nordiques.

Type
Behaviour & Ecology
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 145 , Special Issue 2: Arctic Entomology in the 21st Century , April 2013 , pp. 171 - 183
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 2013

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