Beta-Diversity of Caterpillars (Lepidoptera) in Tropical Rainforests: Testing Predictions of Host Specificity

在热带雨林中，不同地点昆虫群落的物种组成差异（即物种更替或β -多样性）尚不清楚。这是不幸的，因为β -多样性的模式对于确定保护优先事项以及我们对生态和进化因素的理解非常重要，这些因素在热带生态系统中产生了非凡的物种多样性。本研究调查了低地雨林中昆虫食草动物的β多样性，作为植被变化和昆虫群落以特定寄主植物为食的变化的产物。将利用幼虫（鳞翅目）取食新几内亚选定的寄主植物来研究β -多样性。将比较取食稀有植物和广泛分布植物的食草动物，以检验寄主植物分布的意义和β多样性的特异性。该项目是对热带地区昆虫β多样性最全面的研究之一，也是首次尝试在区域尺度上量化物种丰富的雨林群落的β多样性之一。与以往主要是描述性的研究不同，该研究分离并测试了关键因素（即寄主植物分布和寄主特异性）对热带食草动物β -多样性模式的影响。该项目还促进研究生培训，并通过准分类学家培训使人数不足的太平洋岛民参与科学研究。该提案还通过培训当地学生来建设新几内亚昆虫学的能力，加强当地的一个研究站，并发展国家昆虫收集。此外，研究结果可用于制定野生植物的保护策略，而准分类学家将通过对土地所有者的教育产生额外的影响。

Differences in species composition among insect communities at different sites (i.e. species turnover, or beta-diversity) are poorly known in tropical rainforest. This is unfortunate as the patterns of beta-diversity are important for setting conservation priorities, as well as for our understanding ecological and evolutionary factors, which generate extraordinary species diversity, found in tropical ecosystems. This study investigates the beta-diversity of insect herbivores in lowland rainforests as a product of changes in vegetation and changes in insect communities feeding on particular host plants. Beta-diversity will be examined using caterpillars (Lepidoptera) feeding on selected host plants in New Guinea. Herbivores feeding on rare and wide spread plants will be compared to test the significance of host plant distribution and specificity for beta diversity. This project represents one of the most comprehensive studies of insect beta-diversity in the tropics and one of the first attempts to quantify beta-diversity of species-rich rainforest communities on a regional scale. In contrast to previous, largely descriptive studies, it separates and tests the effects of key factors, viz. host plant distribution and host specificity, in generating beta-diversity patterns of tropical herbivores. The project also promotes graduate student training and involves underrepresented Pacific Islanders in scientific research through parataxonomist training. The proposal also builds capacity for New Guinean entomology through training of local students, strengthens a local research station and develops the national insect collection. Furthermore, results can be applied to developing conservation strategies for NG and parataxonomists will have additional impacts through landowner education.