DOCSLIB.ORG

This Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation Has Been Downloaded from Explore Bristol Research

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
This Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation Has Been Downloaded from Explore Bristol Research This electronic thesis or dissertation has been downloaded from Explore Bristol Research, http://research-information.bristol.ac.uk Author: Rogers, Molly E Title: Aerial electroreception in Bombus terrestris examination of spatial resolution and exploration of implications for functionality and evolution. General rights Access to the thesis is subject to the Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International Public License. A copy of this may be found at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode This license sets out your rights and the restrictions that apply to your access to the thesis so it is important you read this before proceeding. Take down policy Some pages of this thesis may have been removed for copyright restrictions prior to having it been deposited in Explore Bristol Research. However, if you have discovered material within the thesis that you consider to be unlawful e.g. breaches of copyright (either yours or that of a third party) or any other law, including but not limited to those relating to patent, trademark, confidentiality, data protection, obscenity, defamation, libel, then please contact [email protected] and include the following information in your message: •Your contact details •Bibliographic details for the item, including a URL •An outline nature of the complaint Your claim will be investigated and, where appropriate, the item in question will be removed from public view as soon as possible. This electronic thesis or dissertation has been downloaded from Explore Bristol Research, http://research-information.bristol.ac.uk Author: Rogers, Molly E Title: Aerial electroreception in Bombus terrestris: examination of spatial resolution and exploration of implications for functionality and evolution. General rights Access to the thesis is subject to the Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International Public License. A copy of this may be found at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode This license sets out your rights and the restrictions that apply to your access to the thesis so it is important you read this before proceeding. Take down policy Some pages of this thesis may have been removed for copyright restrictions prior to having it been deposited in Explore Bristol Research. However, if you have discovered material within the thesis that you consider to be unlawful e.g. breaches of copyright (either yours or that of a third party) or any other law, including but not limited to those relating to patent, trademark, confidentiality, data protection, obscenity, defamation, libel, then please contact [email protected] and include the following information in your message: •Your contact details •Bibliographic details for the item, including a URL •An outline nature of the complaint Your claim will be investigated and, where appropriate, the item in question will be removed from public view as soon as possible. Aerial electroreception in Bombus terrestris: examination of spatial resolution and exploration of implications for functionality and evolution. Molly Rogers A dissertation submitted to the University of Bristol in accordance with the requirements for the award of the degree of MSc in the Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Biological Sciences. July 2020 Word Count: 20408 Abstract Bombus terrestris, the buff-tailed bumblebee, is widespread across the UK and Europe. This species has been extensively studied as a model organism, and much is known about its natural history and behavioural ecology. B. terrestris is known to be a generalist forager and to rely on sensory information to locate food sources. This bee has recently been shown to be receptive to electric fields, and to be able to learn and discriminate between different electric field geometries. While a putative mechanism of electroreception has been suggested, there are still many questions to be answered regarding the function of electroreception in the behaviour and ecology of B. terrestris, and how electrical information is processed by the bee. This study examines the electric sense in B. terrestris, aiming to clarify the potential ways this sense may impact the way the bee experiences the world and how, in turn, this will affect its behaviour. The study focusses on elucidating the spatial resolution of the sense, providing suggestions for a procedure to use in future work, and speculates about the ways in which this information may aid in understanding electroreception further. ii Acknowledgments I would like to thank everyone who has helped me in the production of this thesis. Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor Daniel Robert, for his ideas and support, and for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I would also like to thank Clara Montgomery and Erica Morley for their suggestions, help and encouragement, along with all other members of the biophysical research group. Within the University of Bristol, I would like to thank Emily Bell for her support and encouragement, especially when I was struggling with my health and my spirit, and Richard Wall for his helpful advice and suggestions. I would also like to thank my mentor, Alison Farnworth-Cole for keeping me on track and helping me develop personally over the past two and a half years. I would like to thank my friends and family. In particular, my housemates who kept me sane when I was working too hard, and my dad and sister who never stop supporting me. Finally, I would like to thank my mum for her constant and unwavering support, and my partner Jacob for looking after me and making me happy. iii Author’s Declaration I declare that the work in this dissertation was carried out in accordance with the Regulations of the University of Bristol. The work is original except where indicated by special reference in the text and no part of the dissertation has been submitted for any other degree. Any views expressed in the dissertation are those of the author and in no way represent those of the University of Bristol. The dissertation has not been presented to any other University for examination either in the United Kingdom or overseas. SIGNED…… ............. DATED: 24/07/2020 iv Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments....................................................................................................................................................... iii Author’s Declaration .................................................................................................................................................. iv Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................................ v List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................................. vii List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1: Introduction to electroreception ............................................................................................................ 1 1.1 – Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 – Electroreception in vertebrates ............................................................................................. 2 1.3 – Electroreception in aquatic invertebrates .............................................................................. 5 1.4 – Aerial electroreception.......................................................................................................... 6 1.4.1 – Electric ecology .............................................................................................................. 6 1.4.2 – Electroreception in Bombus terrestris ............................................................................. 7 1.4.3 – Other species ................................................................................................................. 9 1.5 – Electrostatics and pollen transfer ........................................................................................ 10 1.5.1 – Buzz Pollination ............................................................................................................ 11 1.6 – Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 12 Chapter 2: The natural history and sensory ecology of Bombus terrestris ............................................................ 13 2.1 – Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 14 2.2 – Ecology and Natural History ................................................................................................ 14 2.3 – Sensory Ecology .................................................................................................................. 15 2.3.1 – Vision ........................................................................................................................... 16 2.3.2 – Chemosensory perception
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Effects of Climate Change on Arctic Arthropod Assemblages and Distribution Phd Thesis
    Effects of climate change on Arctic arthropod assemblages and distribution PhD thesis Rikke Reisner Hansen Academic advisors: Main supervisor Toke Thomas Høye and co-supervisor Signe Normand Submitted 29/08/2016 Data sheet Title: Effects of climate change on Arctic arthropod assemblages and distribution Author University: Aarhus University Publisher: Aarhus University – Denmark URL: www.au.dk Supervisors: Assessment committee: Arctic arthropods, climate change, community composition, distribution, diversity, life history traits, monitoring, species richness, spatial variation, temporal variation Date of publication: August 2016 Please cite as: Hansen, R. R. (2016) Effects of climate change on Arctic arthropod assemblages and distribution. PhD thesis, Aarhus University, Denmark, 144 pp. Keywords: Number of pages: 144 PREFACE………………………………………………………………………………………..5 LIST OF PAPERS……………………………………………………………………………….6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………………………………...7 SUMMARY……………………………………………………………………………………...8 RESUMÉ (Danish summary)…………………………………………………………………....9 SYNOPSIS……………………………………………………………………………………....10 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………...10 Study sites and approaches……………………………………………………………………...11 Arctic arthropod community composition…………………………………………………….....13 Potential climate change effects on arthropod composition…………………………………….15 Arctic arthropod responses to climate change…………………………………………………..16 Future recommendations and perspectives……………………………………………………...20 References………………………………………………………………………………………..21 PAPER I: High spatial
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution of Spiders in Coastal Grey Dunes
    kaft_def 7/8/04 11:22 AM Pagina 1 SPATIAL PATTERNS AND EVOLUTIONARY D ISTRIBUTION OF SPIDERS IN COASTAL GREY DUNES Distribution of spiders in coastal grey dunes SPATIAL PATTERNS AND EVOLUTIONARY- ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF DISPERSAL - ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF DISPERSAL Dries Bonte Dispersal is crucial in structuring species distribution, population structure and species ranges at large geographical scales or within local patchily distributed populations. The knowledge of dispersal evolution, motivation, its effect on metapopulation dynamics and species distribution at multiple scales is poorly understood and many questions remain unsolved or require empirical verification. In this thesis we contribute to the knowledge of dispersal, by studying both ecological and evolutionary aspects of spider dispersal in fragmented grey dunes. Studies were performed at the individual, population and assemblage level and indicate that behavioural traits narrowly linked to dispersal, con- siderably show [adaptive] variation in function of habitat quality and geometry. Dispersal also determines spider distribution patterns and metapopulation dynamics. Consequently, our results stress the need to integrate knowledge on behavioural ecology within the study of ecological landscapes. / Promotor: Prof. Dr. Eckhart Kuijken [Ghent University & Institute of Nature Dries Bonte Conservation] Co-promotor: Prf. Dr. Jean-Pierre Maelfait [Ghent University & Institute of Nature Conservation] and Prof. Dr. Luc lens [Ghent University] Date of public defence: 6 February 2004 [Ghent University] Universiteit Gent Faculteit Wetenschappen Academiejaar 2003-2004 Distribution of spiders in coastal grey dunes: spatial patterns and evolutionary-ecological importance of dispersal Verspreiding van spinnen in grijze kustduinen: ruimtelijke patronen en evolutionair-ecologisch belang van dispersie door Dries Bonte Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor [Ph.D.] in Sciences Proefschrift voorgedragen tot het bekomen van de graad van Doctor in de Wetenschappen Promotor: Prof.
    [Show full text]
  • Describing Species
    DESCRIBING SPECIES Practical Taxonomic Procedure for Biologists Judith E. Winston COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS NEW YORK Columbia University Press Publishers Since 1893 New York Chichester, West Sussex Copyright © 1999 Columbia University Press All rights reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data © Winston, Judith E. Describing species : practical taxonomic procedure for biologists / Judith E. Winston, p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-231-06824-7 (alk. paper)—0-231-06825-5 (pbk.: alk. paper) 1. Biology—Classification. 2. Species. I. Title. QH83.W57 1999 570'.1'2—dc21 99-14019 Casebound editions of Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent and durable acid-free paper. Printed in the United States of America c 10 98765432 p 10 98765432 The Far Side by Gary Larson "I'm one of those species they describe as 'awkward on land." Gary Larson cartoon celebrates species description, an important and still unfinished aspect of taxonomy. THE FAR SIDE © 1988 FARWORKS, INC. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Universal Press Syndicate DESCRIBING SPECIES For my daughter, Eliza, who has grown up (andput up) with this book Contents List of Illustrations xiii List of Tables xvii Preface xix Part One: Introduction 1 CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 3 Describing the Living World 3 Why Is Species Description Necessary? 4 How New Species Are Described 8 Scope and Organization of This Book 12 The Pleasures of Systematics 14 Sources CHAPTER 2. BIOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE 19 Humans as Taxonomists 19 Biological Nomenclature 21 Folk Taxonomy 23 Binomial Nomenclature 25 Development of Codes of Nomenclature 26 The Current Codes of Nomenclature 50 Future of the Codes 36 Sources 39 Part Two: Recognizing Species 41 CHAPTER 3.
    [Show full text]
  • “There Would Doubtless Be a Just Feeling of Pride
    “There would doubtless be a just feeling of pride and satisfaction in the heart of a naturalist who could say that he had made himself thoroughly acquainted with all the species of a particular group of animals, had learned their most secret habits, and mastered their several relations to the objects, animate and inanimate, which surrounded them. But perhaps a still keener pleasure is enjoyed by one who carries about with him some problem of the kind but partially solved, and who, holding in his hand the clue which shall guide him onwards, sees in each new place that he visits fresh opportunities of discovery.” J. Traherne Moggridge Harvesting Ants and Trap-door Spiders, page 180 Saville, Edwards and Co., London 1874 University of Alberta Composition and structure of spider assemblages in layers of the mixedwood boreal forest after variable retention harvest by Jaime H. Pinzón A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Wildlife Ecology and Management Department of Renewable Resources ©Jaime H. Pinzón Fall 2011 Edmonton, Alberta Permission is hereby granted to the University of Alberta Libraries to reproduce single copies of this thesis and to lend or sell such copies for private, scholarly or scientific research purposes only. Where the thesis is converted to, or otherwise made available in digital form, the University of Alberta will advise potential users of the thesis of these terms. The author reserves all other publication and other rights in association with the copyright in the thesis and, except as herein before provided, neither the thesis nor any substantial portion thereof may be printed or otherwise reproduced in any material form whatsoever without the author's prior written permission.
    [Show full text]
  • Arachnida: Araneae) of the Canadian Prairies
    75 Chapter 4 Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) of the Canadian Prairies Héctor Cárcamo Lethbridge Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB Jaime Pinzón Department of Renewable Resources, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton Robin Leech 10534, 139 St NW, Edmonton AB John Spence Department of Renewable Resources, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton Abstract. Spiders are the seventh most diverse order of arthropods globally and are prominent predators in all prairie habitats. In this chapter, a checklist for the spiders of the Prairie Provinces (767 recorded species and 44 possible species) is presented along with an overview of all 26 families that occur in the region. Eighteen of the species from the region are adventive. Linyphiidae is by far the dominant family, representing 39% of all species in the three provinces. Gnaphosidae and Lycosidae each represent 8% and three other families (Salticidae, Dictynidae, and Theridiidae) each account for 7%. A summary of biodiversity studies conducted in the Prairies Ecozone and from transition ecoregions is also provided. The Mixed Grassland Ecoregion has the most distinctive assemblage; Schizocosa mccooki and Zelotes lasalanus are common only in this ecoregion. Other ecoregions appear to harbour less distinctive assemblages, but most have been poorly studied. Lack of professional opportunities for spider systematists in Canada remains a major barrier to the advancement of the taxonomy and ecology of spiders. Résumé. Les aranéides forment le septième ordre le plus diversifi é d’arthropodes dans le monde; ce sont des prédateurs très présents dans tous les habitats des Prairies.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Ohio Spiders
    List of Ohio Spiders 20 March 2018 Richard A. Bradley Department of EEO Biology Ohio State University Museum of Biodiversity 1315 Kinnear Road Columbus, OH 43212 This list is based on published specimen records of spider species from Ohio. Additional species that have been recorded during the Ohio Spider Survey (beginning 1994) are also included. I would very much appreciate any corrections; please mail them to the above address or email ([email protected]). 656 [+5] Species Mygalomorphae Antrodiaetidae (foldingdoor spiders) (2) Antrodiaetus robustus (Simon, 1890) Antrodiaetus unicolor (Hentz, 1842) Atypidae (purseweb spiders) (3) Sphodros coylei Gertsch & Platnick, 1980 Sphodros niger (Hentz, 1842) Sphodros rufipes (Latreille, 1829) Ctenizidae (trapdoor spiders) (1) Ummidia audouini (Lucas, 1835) Araneomorphae Agelenidae (funnel weavers) (14) Agelenopsis emertoni Chamberlin & Ivie, 1935 | Agelenopsis kastoni Chamberlin & Ivie, 1941 | Agelenopsis naevia (Walckenaer, 1805) grass spiders Agelenopsis pennsylvanica (C.L. Koch, 1843) | Agelnopsis potteri (Blackwell, 1846) | Agelenopsis utahana (Chamberlin & Ivie, 1933) | Coras aerialis Muma, 1946 Coras juvenilis (Keyserling, 1881) Coras lamellosus (Keyserling, 1887) Coras medicinalis (Hentz, 1821) Coras montanus (Emerton, 1889) Tegenaria domestica (Clerck, 1757) barn funnel weaver In Wadotes calcaratus (Keyserling, 1887) Wadotes hybridus (Emerton, 1889) Amaurobiidae (hackledmesh weavers) (2) Amaurobius ferox (Walckenaer, 1830) In Callobius bennetti (Blackwall, 1848) Anyphaenidae (ghost spiders)
    [Show full text]
  • Identifying Spiders Through DNA Barcodes
    481 Identifying spiders through DNA barcodes Rowan D.H. Barrett and Paul D.N. Hebert Abstract: With almost 40 000 species, the spiders provide important model systems for studies of sociality, mating systems, and sexual dimorphism. However, work on this group is regularly constrained by difficulties in species identi- fication. DNA-based identification systems represent a promising approach to resolve this taxonomic impediment, but their efficacy has only been tested in a few groups. In this study, we demonstrate that sequence diversity in a standard segment of the mitochondrial gene coding for cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) is highly effective in discriminating spider species. A COI profile containing 168 spider species and 35 other arachnid species correctly assigned 100% of subse- quently analyzed specimens to the appropriate species. In addition, we found no overlap between mean nucleotide di- vergences at the intra- and inter-specific levels. Our results establish the potential of COI as a rapid and accurate identification tool for biodiversity surveys of spiders. Résumé : Avec presque 40 000 espèces, les araignées constituent un modèle important pour l’étude de la vie sociale, des systèmes d’accouplement et du dimorphisme sexuel. Cependant, la recherche sur ce groupe est souvent restreinte par les problèmes d’identification des espèces. Les systèmes d’identification basés dur l’ADN présentent une solution prometteuse à cette difficulté d’ordre taxonomique, mais leur efficacité n’a été vérifiée que chez quelques groupes. Nous démontrons ici que la diversité des séquences dans un segment type du gène mitochondrial de la cytochrome c oxydase I (COI) peut servir de façon très efficace à la reconnaissance des espèces d’araignées.
    [Show full text]
  • A Checklist of Maine Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae)
    A CHECKLIST OF MAINE SPIDERS (ARACHNIDA: ARANEAE) By Daniel T. Jennings Charlene P. Donahue Forest Health and Monitoring Maine Forest Service Technical Report No. 47 MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY September 2020 Augusta, Maine Online version of this report available from: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/publications/fhm_pubs.htm Requests for copies should be made to: Maine Forest Service Division of Forest Health & Monitoring 168 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333-0168 Phone: (207) 287-2431 Printed under appropriation number: 013-01A-2FHM-52 Issued 09/2020 Initial printing of 25 This product was made possible in part by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Forest health programs in the Maine Forest Service, Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry are supported and conducted in partnership with the USDA, the University of Maine, cooperating landowners, resource managers, and citizen volunteers. This institution is prohibited from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. 2 A CHECKLIST OF MAINE SPIDERS (ARACHNIDA: ARANEAE) 1 2 DANIEL T. JENNINGS and CHARLENE P. DONAHUE ____________________________________ 1 Daniel T. Jennings, retired, USDA, Forest Service, Northern Forest Experiment Station. Passed away September 14, 2020 2 Charlene P. Donahue, retired, Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry – Maine Forest Service. Corresponding Author [email protected] 4 Table of Contents Abstract 1 Introduction 1 Figure 1. Map of State of Maine
    [Show full text]
  • Patterns and Drivers of Terrestrial Arthropod Biodiversity in Northern Canada
    Patterns and drivers of terrestrial arthropod biodiversity in northern Canada Crystal M. Ernst Department of Natural Resource Sciences McGill University Montreal, Quebec, Canada April 2015 A thesis submitted to McGill University in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy © Crystal M. Ernst 2015 Abstract The overarching goal of this thesis was to describe patterns of terrestrial arthropod biodiversity and community structure in northern Canada, and to explore the underlying drivers and mechanisms that are responsible for these patterns. The term “biodiversity” is used here in a broad sense that includes both taxonomic (TD) and functional (FD) diversity. Ground-dwelling arthropods, especially beetles (Coleoptera), were used as model taxa, and were collected using standardized methods from twelve locations in the three northernmost ecoclimatic zones of Canada. Beetle biodiversity changes over time and space. Over the course of one active season, rapid species and functional turnover were observed in two major habitats in one subarctic location (Kugluktuk, Nunavut). While some functional groups were apparent only for brief periods of time, entomophagous predators consistently dominated the assemblage structure in biomass and abundance. This dominance by carnivores was observed consistently throughout the study, regardless of spatial or taxonomic scope. This inverted trophic structure suggests that predators may rely on alternative, non-epigeic prey items. A natural history study of previously unknown host-parasite interactions between beetles and nematomorphs (Gordionus n. sp.) suggests that beetles use alate insects with aquatic larval stages as an important nutrient subsidy. Across the entire study region, beetle TD and FD, as well as overall assemblage structure, display strong negative relationships with latitude, which conforms to the classical latitudinal gradient of diversity.
    [Show full text]
  • Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science 1 14(2): 1 1 1-206
    2005. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science 1 14(2): 1 1 1-206 THE SPIDER SPECIES OF THE GREAT LAKES STATES 1 2 3 4 Petra Sierwald , Michael L. Draney , Thomas Prentice , Frank Pascoe , Nina 1 5 2 1 Sandlin , Elizabeth M. Lehman , Vicki Medland , and James Louderman : 'Zoology, The Field Museum, 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605; 2Department of Natural and Applied Sciences and Cofrin Center for Biodiversity, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, Wisconsin 3 5431 1; Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521; 4Biology, College of St. Francis, 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, Illinois 60435: 5 Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405 ABSTRACT. Critical analysis of existing spider species lists for Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio. Indiana and Illinois reveals 900 species recorded from the five-state region (284 genera, 40 families). All non- native, Palearctic, or otherwise questionable species records were scrutinized, and their status is discussed. The most speciose families in the region are the Linyphiidae (almost 24% of species), Salticidae (10.3%), Theridiidae (8.9%), Lycosidae (8.8%), and Araneidae (7.7%). All sources used for spider species names and species records are unambiguously quoted. Spider species records are presented in tables allowing comparison of family composition among the states, and prediction of number of heretofore unrecorded species. Richness among states is analyzed and found to be dependent on varying degrees of sampling effort. As a new tool, a Spider Species Name Concordance Table allows tracking previously published spider species names to the currently valid name of every species record.
    [Show full text]
  • Spider Assemblages Across Elevational and Latitudinal Gradients in the Yukon Territory, Canada J.J
    ARCTIC VOL. 63, NO. 3 (SEPTEMBER 2010) P. 261–272 Spider Assemblages across Elevational and Latitudinal Gradients in the Yukon Territory, Canada J.J. BOWDEN1 and C.M. BUDDLE1,2 (Received 30 June 2009; accepted in revised form 7 December 2009) ABSTRACT. Arthropod assemblages in the Arctic are set for substantial changes in response to climate change, yet we know little about the ecological structure of many groups in the North. We tested the effects of elevation and latitude on northern spider assemblages by sampling along nine mountains across three latitudes in the Yukon Territory, Canada. Spiders were collected in 216 pitfall traps placed at four elevations along each of the nine mountains, representing 36 sites sampled across three latitudes (i.e., distinct mountain ranges). We collected 1954 individuals representing 89 species, 57 genera, and 12 families of spiders. Using nested ANOVAs, we found significant main effects of latitude, elevation, and an interaction of the two factors on species richness and abundance. Using MRPP and NMS ordination, we also found significant effects of latitude and mountain on species composition, but within each of the three latitudes, only elevation produced significant effects. Our study suggests that changes along spatial gradients associated with changes in habitat can have significant effects on the structure of spider assemblages, but responses vary among mountain ranges. We show that within a given mountain range, individual mountains may be used as spatial replicates for studies about northern arthropod assemblages. Key words: spider assemblages, elevation, latitude, Yukon Territory, diversity, species composition, terrestrial arthropods, Araneae RÉSUMÉ. Les assemblages d’arthropodes de l’Arctique connaîtront des changements substantiels en raison du changement climatique mais malgré cela, nous en savons peu sur la structure écologique de nombreux groupes du Nord.
    [Show full text]
  • A Preliminary Checklist to the Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) of Minnesota (U.S.A.) with Annotations
    A Preliminary Checklist to the Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) of Minnesota (U.S.A.) with Annotations Chad J. Heins: Biology Department, Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minnesota Assistant Professor of Biology Bethany Lutheran College 700 Luther Drive Mankato, MN 56001 Abstract This is a list of spider species for Minnesota (U.S.A.). It includes species that have been recorded in Minnesota as well as those which have ranges that suggest they are likely to be found in the state in the future. The checklist is a compilation of records from the literature, museums, and personal collection efforts by the author. Each species is annotated with a select reference or references and a comment if necessary. This list represents several new state records and expansions of several species’ known ranges. Key Terms: Minnesota, Araneae INTRODUCTION Spiders are an abundant component of terrestrial arthropod assemblages. Over 3,800 species of spiders have been documented in North America north of Mexico (Bradley 2013). They present interesting subjects for the study of behavior, taxonomy, and ecology and it has been suggested that they may serve as important ecological indicators (Clausen 1986; Churchill 1997). Their abundance, ease of capture, and limited expense to study make them ideal subjects for study at the undergraduate level and an interest in such applications sent the author in search of a list of Minnesota spiders. The only faunal list for Minnesota that could be located was limited to the family-level (Cutler 1976). Several states and provinces in North America have developed such spider faunal lists. In the Upper Midwest, such lists have been created for Michigan (Snider 1991), Illinois/Indiana (Beatty 2002), Wisconsin (Levi & Field 1954), and Manitoba (Benell-Aitchison & Dondale 1990).
    [Show full text]