Richness and diversity of aphids (Homoptera, Aphididae) along an altitudinal gradient in the Serra do Mar, Paraná, Brazil
The lack of bioecological studies on aphids in regions with complex floristic and faunistic structure, such as the Atlantic Tropical Rain Forest, lead to the initiation of this research. The objectives were to determine species richness and diversity of aphids and to investigate the influence of altitude and environmental perturbations on aphid populations. The collections were made with yellow pan traps at 11 sites with altitudes from -10 m to 1000 m above sea level (a.s.l.), in the Serra do Mar, Paraná, Brazil, from December 1993 to December 1994. Richness and diversity of aphids were greatest at 85 m a.s.l. This site was characterized by three distinct floral communities: primary vegetation, secondaiy vegetation in successional stages, and secondary vegetation subject to regular mowing. No pattern in the number or kinds of species could be established along the altitudinal gradient. These results, indicate that several factors interact, but especially floristic composition and climatic conditions, to determine aphidofauna richness and diversity in this region of the Atlantic Tropical Rain Forest.
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Sociedade Brasileira de Zoologia
1998
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| Online Access: | http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0101-81751998000400016 |
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