Host plant selection by Cerambycidae in two different strata in association with seasonality and physical wood characteristics in a tropical dry forest

1. There is little information on tropical dry forests regarding cerambycids and their relationship with seasonality, vertical stratification, and physical characteristics of the wood they require to develop. 2. In this work, we determined whether cerambycids in a tropical dry forest of central Mexi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ecological entomology 2023-10, Vol.48 (5), p.610-621
Main Authors: Vargas‐Cardoso, Orthon Ricardo, Toledo‐Hernández, Víctor Hugo, Corona‐López, Angélica M., Flores‐Palacios, Alejandro, Figueroa‐Brito, Rodolfo, Sosa‐Armenta, Jessica Maria, López‐Martínez, Víctor
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Canopies
canopy arthropods
Decomposition
Deforestation
Density
Dry forests
Dry season
Flowers & plants
Host plants
host specificity
Indicator species
Insects
longhorn beetles
Oviposition
Physical characteristics
Physical properties
Plant species
Rainy season
Saproxylics
Seasonal variations
Seasons
Stratification
Tropical forests
Vertical distribution
Wood
Woody plants
wood‐boring insects
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Summary:1. There is little information on tropical dry forests regarding cerambycids and their relationship with seasonality, vertical stratification, and physical characteristics of the wood they require to develop. 2. In this work, we determined whether cerambycids in a tropical dry forest of central Mexico differed in the selection of oviposition sites in two different strata throughout two seasons; the relationship between the time of exposure of branches and the emergence of cerambycids; the emergence of these insects in relation to the physical characteristics of the wood and its relationship with stratification and seasonality; and if there was a seasonal shift between strata by cerambycids. Branch segments from 81 woody plant species were cut and exposed to allow the cerambycids to oviposit; the branches were harvested in four 2‐month periods and placed in emergence chambers. For each plant species, we measured the density, decomposition rate, and offered volume of wood. 3. There was a greater quantity of generalist species of stratum (15) and season (12), and we found six important habitat indicator species: three species were significantly associated with the canopy and the dry season, two species preferred the dry season but not strata, and one species preferred both strata in the dry season and the ground during the rainy season. Cerambycid species generally selected soft and ephemeral wood resources. 4. Branch selection by cerambycids in Central Mexico is not random choice; it is determined by season, stratum, density, and especially by host type, decomposition, and volume. Finally, there is a greater abundance of cerambycids in the ground and a greater richness of species in the canopy. We determined if the cerambycids, present in a tropical dry forest, showed differences in the selection of oviposition sites in two different stratum and throughout the seasons. Branches selection by the cerambycids in this region is not random and is determined by environmental conditions and wood characteristics. Dead branches as a resource in the ground or canopy stratum, have a great influence in the conservation of this group of insects, giving the opportunity to increase populations (ground), creating particular conditions for species diversity (canopy). The general use of host, stratum, and season is the most frequent to face the adversities in this type of ecosystem, mainly due to the scarcity of resources during the dry season. Branch selection by cerambycids
ISSN:0307-6946
1365-2311
DOI:10.1111/een.13259