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（即物种周转率或β多样性）知之甚少。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理解生态和进化因素非常重要，这些因素产生了热带生态系统中的非凡物种多样性。本研究调查了低地雨林中食草昆虫的β多样性，这是植被变化和以特定宿主植物为食的昆虫群落变化的产物。将使用在新几内亚选定的寄主植物上取食的毛虫（鳞翅目）来检查β多样性。食草动物饲养的稀有和广泛传播的植物将进行比较，以测试宿主植物的分布和特异性的β多样性的意义。该项目是对热带昆虫β多样性最全面的研究之一，也是在区域范围内量化物种丰富的雨林群落β多样性的首次尝试之一。与以前的，主要是描述性的研究相比，它分离和测试的关键因素，即宿主植物分布和主机的特异性，在产生β-多样性模式的热带食草动物的影响。该项目还促进研究生培训，并通过辅助分类学培训，让代表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建设新几内亚昆虫学的能力，加强当地研究站，并发展国家昆虫收藏。此外，研究结果可以应用于制定保护战略，天然气和parataxonomists将通过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.