DOCSLIB.ORG

Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of Key Biodiversity Areas: Falealupo Peninsula Coastal Rainforest, Central Savai'i Rainforest, A

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of Key Biodiversity Areas: Falealupo Peninsula Coastal Rainforest, Central Savai'i Rainforest, A Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of Key Biodiversity Areas: Falealupo Peninsula Coastal Rainforest, Central Savai’i Rainforest, and Uafato-Tiavea Coastal Rainforest, Samoa March 2017 ISBN: © 2017 Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Conservation International Pacific Islands Programme. Suggested citation: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Conservation International Pacific Islands Programme. 2017. Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of Key Biodiversity Areas: Falealupo Peninsula Coastal Rainforest, Central Savaii Rainforest, and Uafato-Tiavea Coastal Rainforest, Samoa. Apia, Samoa. 285pp. Cover photos: Top left: Taga montane rainforest (Mark O’Brien) Top right: Micronesian skink (Jonathan Richmond) Bottom Left: Thalassodes species emerald moth (Eric Edwards) Bottom Right: Samoan Broadbill (James Atherton) i Table of Contents Authors ................................................................................................................................................ vi Organizational Profiles ........................................................................................................................ vii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................... x Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................. xi Foreword ............................................................................................................................................ xii Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1: Report on the survey of flora and vegetation of the Falealupo Peninsula Coastal Rainforest, Central Savai‘i Rainforest and Uafato-Ti‘avea Coastal Rainforest ..................................... 18 Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 19 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 20 2. Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 20 3. Falealupo Peninsula Coastal Rainforest Key Biodiversity Area ....................................................... 23 3.1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 23 3.2. Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 24 3.3. Vegetation ............................................................................................................................ 24 3.4. The Flora ............................................................................................................................... 29 3.5. Discussion ............................................................................................................................. 29 4. Central Savaii Rainforest KBA ....................................................................................................... 31 4.1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 31 4.2. Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 31 4.3. Vegetation ............................................................................................................................ 32 4.4. The Flora ............................................................................................................................... 38 4.5. Discussion ............................................................................................................................. 39 5. Uafato Key Biodiversity Area ........................................................................................................ 41 5.1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 41 5.2. Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 41 5.3. Vegetation ............................................................................................................................ 41 5.4. The Flora ............................................................................................................................... 45 5.5. Discussion ............................................................................................................................. 46 6. Literature Review of botanical information on the Lake Lanoto’o National Park in the Apia Catchments KBA .............................................................................................................................. 48 6.1. Vegetation ............................................................................................................................ 48 6.2. The Flora ............................................................................................................................... 51 6.3. Rare Species .......................................................................................................................... 51 6.4. Invasive Species ..................................................................................................................... 51 6.5. Research Needed .................................................................................................................. 52 ii 7. Recommendations ....................................................................................................................... 53 LITERATURE CITED ........................................................................................................................... 54 Appendix 1.1. Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the Falealupo KBA .................................................. 55 Appendix 1.2. Tree Data for the Falealupo KBA Forest Plots ............................................................. 59 Appendix 1.3. Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the Central Savai‘i KBA ........................................... 63 Appendix 1.4. Tree Data for the Central Savai'i KBA Forest Plots. ..................................................... 73 Appendix 1.5. Combined Montane Forest Tree Plot Data for the Central Savaii KBA ......................... 80 Appendix 1.6. Table of Combined Cloud Forest tree data from 10 Plots above 1500m Elevation ...... 81 Appendix 1.7. Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the Uafato KBA ....................................................... 82 Appendix 1.8. Tree Plot Data for the Uafato Forest Plots .................................................................. 94 Appendix 1.9. Checklist of the Flora of Lake Lanoto’o National Park ................................................. 96 Chapter 2: Report on the Land Reptiles Survey of the Falealupo Peninsula Coastal Rainforest, Central Savai’i Rainforest and Uafato-Ti’avea Coastal Rainforest.................................................................. 103 Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 104 1.Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 105 2.Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 109 2.1 Sampling techniques ............................................................................................................ 109 2.2 Site information ................................................................................................................... 110 3.Results ........................................................................................................................................ 112 3.1 General findings ................................................................................................................... 112 3.2 Summary for each survey site ............................................................................................... 113 3.3 Summary of reptile species................................................................................................... 114 3.4 Invasive species detection .................................................................................................... 119 4. Discussion .................................................................................................................................. 120 4.1 General findings ................................................................................................................... 121 4.2 Comments on invasive species ............................................................................................. 122 4.3 Distributional limits for reptiles and implications of climate change...................................... 125 5. Recommendations ....................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Genome Analysis of a Novel Clade B Betabaculovirus Isolated from the Legume Pest Matsumuraeses Phaseoli (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
    viruses Article Genome Analysis of a Novel Clade b Betabaculovirus Isolated from the Legume Pest Matsumuraeses phaseoli (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Ruihao Shu 1, Qian Meng 1, Lin Miao 1, Hongbin Liang 2, Jun Chen 2, Yuan Xu 2, Luqiang Cheng 1,3, Wenyi Jin 1,4, Qilian Qin 1 and Huan Zhang 1,* 1 State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; [email protected] (R.S.); [email protected] (Q.M.); [email protected] (L.M.); [email protected] (L.C.); [email protected] (W.J.); [email protected] (Q.Q.) 2 National Animal Collection Resource Center, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; [email protected] (H.L.); [email protected] (J.C.); [email protected] (Y.X.) 3 College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China 4 College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 25 August 2020; Accepted: 20 September 2020; Published: 23 September 2020 Abstract: Matsumuraeses phaseoli is a Lepidopteran pest that primarily feeds on numerous species of cultivated legumes, such as Glycine and Phaseolus. It is widely distributed in northeast Asia. A novel granulovirus, designated as Matsumuraeses phaseoli granulovirus (MaphGV), was isolated from pathogenic M. phaseoli larvae that dwell in rolled leaves of Astragalus membranaceus, a Chinese medicinal herb. In this study, using next-generation sequencing, we report the complete genome of MaphGV. MaphGV genome comprises a double-stranded DNA of 116,875 bp, with 37.18% GC content.
    [Show full text]
  • Fung Yuen SSSI & Butterfly Reserve Moth Survey 2009
    Fung Yuen SSSI & Butterfly Reserve Moth Survey 2009 Fauna Conservation Department Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden 29 June 2010 Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden Publication Series: No 6 Fung Yuen SSSI & Butterfly Reserve moth survey 2009 Fung Yuen SSSI & Butterfly Reserve Moth Survey 2009 Executive Summary The objective of this survey was to generate a moth species list for the Butterfly Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest [SSSI] at Fung Yuen, Tai Po, Hong Kong. The survey came about following a request from Tai Po Environmental Association. Recording, using ultraviolet light sources and live traps in four sub-sites, took place on the evenings of 24 April and 16 October 2009. In total, 825 moths representing 352 species were recorded. Of the species recorded, 3 meet IUCN Red List criteria for threatened species in one of the three main categories “Critically Endangered” (one species), “Endangered” (one species) and “Vulnerable” (one species” and a further 13 species meet “Near Threatened” criteria. Twelve of the species recorded are currently only known from Hong Kong, all are within one of the four IUCN threatened or near threatened categories listed. Seven species are recorded from Hong Kong for the first time. The moth assemblages recorded are typical of human disturbed forest, feng shui woods and orchards, with a relatively low Geometridae component, and includes a small number of species normally associated with agriculture and open habitats that were found in the SSSI site. Comparisons showed that each sub-site had a substantially different assemblage of species, thus the site as a whole should retain the mosaic of micro-habitats in order to maintain the high moth species richness observed.
    [Show full text]
  • 1. Padil Species Factsheet Scientific Name: Common Name Image
    1. PaDIL Species Factsheet Scientific Name: Cleora samoana (Butler, 1886) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) Common Name Forest Looper Caterpillar Live link: http://www.padil.gov.au/maf-border/Pest/Main/142976 Image Library New Zealand Biosecurity Live link: http://www.padil.gov.au/maf-border/ Partners for New Zealand Biosecurity image library Landcare Research — Manaaki Whenua http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/ MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/ 2. Species Information 2.1. Details Specimen Contact: New Zealand Arthropod Collection - [email protected] Author: Rhode, B.E. & Crosby, T.K. Citation: Rhode, B.E. & Crosby, T.K. (2013) Forest Looper Caterpillar(Cleora samoana)Updated on 3/20/2014 Available online: PaDIL - http://www.padil.gov.au Image Use: Free for use under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY- NC 4.0) 2.2. URL Live link: http://www.padil.gov.au/maf-border/Pest/Main/142976 2.3. Facets Commodity Overview: Field Crops and Pastures Commodity Type: Citrus produce Distribution: Oceania Groups: Moths Host Family: Rutaceae Pest Status: 0 Unknown Status: 0 NZ - Unknown 2.4. Other Names Cleora samoana fijiensis Robinson, 1975 Cleora samoana noatau Robinson, 1975 2.5. Diagnostic Notes Caterpillars feed on leaves (Stout, 1982). [Note: Images are of a closely related species of the genus (_C. munditibia_)] 2.6. References - Stout, O.O. (1982). Plant quarantine guidelines for movement of selected commodities in the Pacific. UNDP/FAO-SPEC Survey of Agricultural Pests and Diseases in the South Pacific. 3. Diagnostic Images Cleora munditibia found in Vitilevu, Fiji Cleora munditibia found in Vitilevu, Fiji Dorsal - Adult: Rhode, B.E.
    [Show full text]
  • WO 2016/102490 Al 30 June 2016 (30.06.2016) W P O P C T
    (12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (19) World Intellectual Property Organization International Bureau (10) International Publication Number (43) International Publication Date WO 2016/102490 Al 30 June 2016 (30.06.2016) W P O P C T (51) International Patent Classification: (81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every C07D 333/12 (2006.01) A01N 43/40 (2006.01) kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM, C07D 405/12 (2006.01) A01N 43/54 (2006.01) AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BN, BR, BW, BY, C07D 409/12 (2006.01) A01N 43/72 (2006.01) BZ, CA, CH, CL, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, A0 43/10 (2006.01) DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IR, IS, JP, KE, KG, KN, KP, KR, (21) International Application Number: KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME, MG, PCT/EP20 15/08083 1 MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ, OM, (22) International Filing Date: PA, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, QA, RO, RS, RU, RW, SA, SC, 2 1 December 2015 (21 .12.2015) SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW. (25) Filing Language: English (84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every (26) Publication Language: English kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH, (30) Priority Data: GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, ST, SZ, 62/095,077 22 December 2014 (22.
    [Show full text]
  • Pu'u Wa'awa'a Biological Assessment
    PU‘U WA‘AWA‘A BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT PU‘U WA‘AWA‘A, NORTH KONA, HAWAII Prepared by: Jon G. Giffin Forestry & Wildlife Manager August 2003 STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE ................................................................................................................................. i TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................. ii GENERAL SETTING...................................................................................................................1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................1 Land Use Practices...............................................................................................................1 Geology..................................................................................................................................3 Lava Flows............................................................................................................................5 Lava Tubes ...........................................................................................................................5 Cinder Cones ........................................................................................................................7 Soils .......................................................................................................................................9
    [Show full text]
  • The Microlepidopterous Fauna of Sri Lanka, Formerly Ceylon, Is Famous
    ON A COLLECTION OF SOME FAMILIES OF MICRO- LEPIDOPTERA FROM SRI LANKA (CEYLON) by A. DIAKONOFF Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie, Leiden With 65 text-figures and 18 plates CONTENTS Preface 3 Cochylidae 5 Tortricidae, Olethreutinae, Grapholitini 8 „ „ Eucosmini 23 „ „ Olethreutini 66 „ Chlidanotinae, Chlidanotini 78 „ „ Polyorthini 79 „ „ Hilarographini 81 „ „ Phricanthini 81 „ Tortricinae, Tortricini 83 „ „ Archipini 95 Brachodidae 98 Choreutidae 102 Carposinidae 103 Glyphipterigidae 108 A list of identified species no A list of collecting localities 114 Index of insect names 117 Index of latin plant names 122 PREFACE The microlepidopterous fauna of Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, is famous for its richness and variety, due, without doubt, to the diversified biotopes and landscapes of this beautiful island. In spite of this, there does not exist a survey of its fauna — except a single contribution, by Lord Walsingham, in Moore's "Lepidoptera of Ceylon", already almost a hundred years old, and a number of small papers and stray descriptions of new species, in various journals. The authors of these papers were Walker, Zeller, Lord Walsingham and a few other classics — until, starting with 1905, a flood of new descriptions 4 ZOOLOGISCHE VERHANDELINGEN I93 (1982) and records from India and Ceylon appeared, all by the hand of Edward Meyrick. He was almost the single specialist of these faunas, until his death in 1938. To this great Lepidopterist we chiefly owe our knowledge of all groups of Microlepidoptera of Sri Lanka. After his death this information stopped abruptly. In the later years great changes have taken place in the tropical countries. We are now facing, alas, the disastrously quick destruction of natural bio- topes, especially by the reckless liquidation of the tropical forests.
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluation of Insecticides Against Sapota Midrib Folder, Banisia
    Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2018; 6(5): 217-222 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 Evaluation of insecticides against Sapota midrib JEZS 2018; 6(5): 217-222 © 2018 JEZS folder, Banisia myrsusalis elearalis Walker in the Received: 06-07-2018 Accepted: 07-08-2018 hill zone of Karnataka Suchithrakumari MH Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Suchithrakumari MH, Yalleshkumar HS, Hanumantharaya L, Sachin US Mudigere, Chikkamagaluru Dist. and Srinivas MP University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India Abstract A study to evaluate different chemicals for management of sapota midrib folder, Banisia myrsusalis Yalleshkumar HS elearalis Walker was conducted at College of Horticulture, Mudigere. Eight treatments consisting of Department of Entomology, dichlorvos 76 EC @ 1ml, profenofos 50 EC @ 2ml, thiodicarb 75 WP @ 1g, quinalphos 25 EC @ 2ml, College of Horticulture, azadirachtin 10000 ppm @ 1ml, chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 2ml, flubendiamide 48 SC @ 0.2ml per litre of Mudigere, Chikkamagaluru Dist. water and untreated control were imposed on the sapota trees. The results indicated that that University of Agricultural and flubendiamide 48 SC @ 0.2 ml/l was highly effective and superior over all other treatments in reducing Horticultural Sciences, the damage by sapota midrib leaf folder as depicted by the larval population (0.47 No./plant), percent leaf Shivamogga, Karnataka, India drying (6.56%) and the cost-benefit ratio (1:3.57). However, in the control treatment, the leaf folder population and percent leaf drying due to its damage was highest with 6.20 No./plant and 30.45 percent, Hanumantharaya L Department of Entomology, respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Provincial Museum
    PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA REPORT OF THE PROVINCIAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE YEAR 1920 PRINTED BY AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY. VICTORIA, B.C.: Printed by WILLIAM H. CoLLIN, Printer to tbe King's Most Excellent Majesty. 1921. \ To His H onou1· WALTER CAMERON NICHOL, Lieutenant-Governor of the P1·ovince of B?"itish Goluml,ia. MAY IT PLEASE Yot:R Hoxocn: The undersigned respectfully submits herewith the Annual Report of the Provincial l\fuseum of Katural History for the year 1920. J.D. MAcLEAN, Provincial Secretm·y. Provincial ;':;ecretnry's Office, Victo1·ia, Ji'ebntary, 1921 . • PROVINCLU, MUSEU:\1 OJ;' ~ATt:ItAr. HISTORY, YrC'.rORIA, B.C., Februm·y ~4-th, 1!)21. Tlhe Honoumblc J. D. MacLean, M.D., P1·ovincial .SccTetary, Victo1·ia, B.C. Sm,-I have the honour, as Director of the Provincial Museum of Natural History, to lay before you the Report for the year ending December ~1st, 1920, covering the activities of the Museum. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, F . KERMODE, Director . • TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE. Objects . • . 7 Admission . 7 Visitors . .. 7 Activities . 7 A~cessions . 8 Bounties ........................... ~ . 9 Mammals- Notes on the Occurrence of a Humpback Whale having Hind Legs .................... 10 Distribution of Shrews and Shrew-mice in British Columbia .......................... 11 Distribution of Bats in British Columbia . 14 Ornithology- Notes on the Occurrence of Sabine's Gull (Icma sabinei) ............................ 19 Notes on the Occurrence of the Iceland Gull (Lams leucopterus) ..................... 20 Notes on the Occurrence of the C~inese ·starling (AcTidothercs cristatellus) ........... 20 • Botany ................................................................................ 21 Entomology ...........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Download This Article in PDF Format
    Knowl. Manag. Aquat. Ecosyst. 2018, 419, 42 Knowledge & © K. Pabis, Published by EDP Sciences 2018 Management of Aquatic https://doi.org/10.1051/kmae/2018030 Ecosystems www.kmae-journal.org Journal fully supported by Onema REVIEW PAPER What is a moth doing under water? Ecology of aquatic and semi-aquatic Lepidoptera Krzysztof Pabis* Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland Abstract – This paper reviews the current knowledge on the ecology of aquatic and semi-aquatic moths, and discusses possible pre-adaptations of the moths to the aquatic environment. It also highlights major gaps in our understanding of this group of aquatic insects. Aquatic and semi-aquatic moths represent only a tiny fraction of the total lepidopteran diversity. Only about 0.5% of 165,000 known lepidopterans are aquatic; mostly in the preimaginal stages. Truly aquatic species can be found only among the Crambidae, Cosmopterigidae and Erebidae, while semi-aquatic forms associated with amphibious or marsh plants are known in thirteen other families. These lepidopterans have developed various strategies and adaptations that have allowed them to stay under water or in close proximity to water. Problems of respiratory adaptations, locomotor abilities, influence of predators and parasitoids, as well as feeding preferences are discussed. Nevertheless, the poor knowledge on their biology, life cycles, genomics and phylogenetic relationships preclude the generation of fully comprehensive evolutionary scenarios. Keywords: Lepidoptera / Acentropinae / caterpillars / freshwater / herbivory Résumé – Que fait une mite sous l'eau? Écologie des lépidoptères aquatiques et semi-aquatiques. Cet article passe en revue les connaissances actuelles sur l'écologie des mites aquatiques et semi-aquatiques, et discute des pré-adaptations possibles des mites au milieu aquatique.
    [Show full text]
  • Terrestrial Arthropod Surveys on Pagan Island, Northern Marianas
    Terrestrial Arthropod Surveys on Pagan Island, Northern Marianas Neal L. Evenhuis, Lucius G. Eldredge, Keith T. Arakaki, Darcy Oishi, Janis N. Garcia & William P. Haines Pacific Biological Survey, Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 Final Report November 2010 Prepared for: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish & Wildlife Office Honolulu, Hawaii Evenhuis et al. — Pagan Island Arthropod Survey 2 BISHOP MUSEUM The State Museum of Natural and Cultural History 1525 Bernice Street Honolulu, Hawai’i 96817–2704, USA Copyright© 2010 Bishop Museum All Rights Reserved Printed in the United States of America Contribution No. 2010-015 to the Pacific Biological Survey Evenhuis et al. — Pagan Island Arthropod Survey 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ......................................................................................................... 5 Background ..................................................................................................................... 7 General History .............................................................................................................. 10 Previous Expeditions to Pagan Surveying Terrestrial Arthropods ................................ 12 Current Survey and List of Collecting Sites .................................................................. 18 Sampling Methods ......................................................................................................... 25 Survey Results ..............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Notes on the Natural History of Juneau, Alaska
    Notes on the Natural History of Juneau, Alaska Observations of an Eclectic Naturalist Volume 2 Animals L. Scott Ranger Working version of Jul. 8, 2020 A Natural History of Juneau, working version of Jul. 8, 2020 Juneau Digital Shaded-Relief Image of Alaska-USGS I-2585, In the Public Domain Natural History of Juneau, working version of Jul. 8, 2020 B Notes on the Natural History of Juneau, Alaska Observations of an Eclectic Naturalist Volume 2: Animals L. Scott Ranger www.scottranger.com, [email protected] Production Notes This is very much a work under construction. My notes are composed in Adobe InDesign which allows incredible precision of all the elements of page layout. My choice of typefaces is very specific. Each must include a complete set of glyphs and extended characters. For my etymologies the font must include an easily recognized Greek and the occasional Cyrillic and Hebrew. All must be legible and easily read at 10 points. Adobe Garamond Premier Pro is my specifically chosen text typeface. I find this Robert Slimbach 1989 revision of a typeface created by Claude Garamond (c. 1480–1561) to be at once fresh and classic. Long recognized as one of the more legible typefaces, I find it very easy on the eye at the 10 point size used here. I simply adore the open bowls of the lower case letters and find the very small counters of my preferred two- storied “a” and the “e” against its very open bowl elegant. Garamond’s ascenders and decenders are especially long and help define the lower case letters with instant recognition.
    [Show full text]
  • Insect Egg Size and Shape Evolve with Ecology but Not Developmental Rate Samuel H
    ARTICLE https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1302-4 Insect egg size and shape evolve with ecology but not developmental rate Samuel H. Church1,4*, Seth Donoughe1,3,4, Bruno A. S. de Medeiros1 & Cassandra G. Extavour1,2* Over the course of evolution, organism size has diversified markedly. Changes in size are thought to have occurred because of developmental, morphological and/or ecological pressures. To perform phylogenetic tests of the potential effects of these pressures, here we generated a dataset of more than ten thousand descriptions of insect eggs, and combined these with genetic and life-history datasets. We show that, across eight orders of magnitude of variation in egg volume, the relationship between size and shape itself evolves, such that previously predicted global patterns of scaling do not adequately explain the diversity in egg shapes. We show that egg size is not correlated with developmental rate and that, for many insects, egg size is not correlated with adult body size. Instead, we find that the evolution of parasitoidism and aquatic oviposition help to explain the diversification in the size and shape of insect eggs. Our study suggests that where eggs are laid, rather than universal allometric constants, underlies the evolution of insect egg size and shape. Size is a fundamental factor in many biological processes. The size of an 526 families and every currently described extant hexapod order24 organism may affect interactions both with other organisms and with (Fig. 1a and Supplementary Fig. 1). We combined this dataset with the environment1,2, it scales with features of morphology and physi- backbone hexapod phylogenies25,26 that we enriched to include taxa ology3, and larger animals often have higher fitness4.
    [Show full text]