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Positive interspecific relationship between temporal occurrence and abundance in insects
Ricardo A Scrosati1, Ruth D Patten, Randolph F Lauff
1Department of Biology, Saint Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. rscrosat@stfx.ca
Plos One
|May 3, 2011
Summary
Researchers explored the temporal abundance-occurrence relationship in tabanid flies. Temporal occurrence was positively related to temporal mean abundance, similar to spatial patterns.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Macroecology
- Zoology
Background:
- The interspecific abundance-occupancy relationship is a well-studied macroecological pattern.
- However, interspecific relationships between temporal distribution and abundance are less explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interspecific temporal abundance-occurrence relationship.
- To determine if spatial abundance-occupancy models apply to temporal data.
Main Methods:
- Utilized daily data for a natural assemblage of tabanid flies over spring and summer in Nova Scotia.
- Analyzed temporal occurrence (proportion of sampling dates) and temporal mean abundance (average individuals per sampling date).
- Applied the He-Gaston and negative binomial models to temporal data.
Main Results:
- A positive relationship was found between temporal occurrence and temporal mean abundance.
- The He-Gaston and negative binomial models explained significant variation in temporal data.
- The temporal aggregation parameter, k, was identified as a key component.
Conclusions:
- Macroecological patterns may exhibit similarities across both space and time.
- Findings suggest the interspecific temporal abundance-occurrence relationship warrants further research.
- This research could enhance forecasting of colonization dynamics and biological impacts.
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