MOVEMENT DYNAMICS OF THE FORKED FUNGUS BEETLE, Bolitotherus cornutus PANZER (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE) BRIAN M. STARZOMSKI Centre for Wildlife and Conservation Biology Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia Canada, BOP 1x0 B .Sc. Joint Advanced Major, Saint Francis Xavier University, 1996 Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Biology) Acadia University Fa11 Convocation 2000 O by BRIAN MARTIN STARZOMSKI 2000 I, Brian M. Starzomski, grant permission to the University Librarian at Acadia University to reproduce, loan, or distrubute copies of my thesis in microform, paper or electronic formats on a non-profit basis. I, however, retain the copyright in my thesis. Signature of Author Date Table of Contents List of tables ......................................................................................................................... v List of figures ................................................................................................................... ...vi List of boxes ........................................................................................................................ vi .. List of fodas.......................................................................... ... ................................ vu... Abstract ............... .., ...................................................................................................... .VU Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. ix General Introduction............... ... ...........................................................:.. ........................ 1 References .................................................................................... 8 Chapter 1 :Movement dynamics of Bo lito~orheremscornutus .................................... -13 Abstract ...................................................................................... 14 Introduction................................................................................. 15 Smdy Organisms ................................ ... ................................... -18 Methods ............... ................................................................................................ 19 Results ...................................................................................... ..28 Discussion ................................................................................... 41 References .................................................................................. -46 Chapter 2: Choice test ............................................................................. -51 Absîract ................................................................................... -32 ]Introduction................................................................................. 53 Methods .................................................................................... 35 Results .............................. ..-............................................................ 60 Discussion .................................................................................. .6 1 References .................................................................................. -65 Generd Conclusions........................................................................................................ 68 References ............ .. ............................................................................................ -70 List of Tables Chapter 1 . Table I . treatments.. .............................................................. -22 Table 2. Parameter moments for experimental treatments............................................... 30 Table 3 . Kruskd-Wallis and Nemenyi tests ..................................................................... 31 Table 4. Autocorrelation measure.................................................................................... -32 Chapter 2 . TabIe 1. Variables measured.. ............................................................................................ 59 Table 2. Responses by sex ................ ..... .................................................................... 60 List of Figures Chapter 1. Figure 1. Diagram of Experimental Mode1 System ........................................................... 20 Figure 2. Net Squared Displacement of al1 glued individuais........................................... 26 Figure 3 . Log-transfonned move distances....................................................................... 29 Figure 4 . Theoretical Net Squared Displacement, Adults .................................................33 Figure 5 . Theoretical Net Squared Displacement, Tenerds............ .. ............................34 Figure 6. Path representations (Release 1) ..................................................................... 35 Figure 7 . Paîh representations (Release 2) ....................................................................... -36 Figure 8 . Path representations (Release 3) ........................................................................ 37 Figure 9 . Path representations (Release 4) ................. .... ........titi.....................................38 Figure 10 . Path representations (Teneral Release 1 ).................................... .................... 39 Figure 1 1. Path representations (Teneral Release 2) ................ .... ...........................40 Chapter 2. Figure 1. Diagram of choice-test experiment.................................................................. -58 vii List of Formulas Chapter 1. Fonnula (1.1) Trappabd~ty....... ,,,, .... .-..--..----.--.--..-..-...-. .--.--....-..*--.------.-. .-..--.-- 25 Formula (1 -2) Net squared displacernent in Correlated Random Walk ............................27 Formula (1 -3) Autocorrelation function..-.. -.- ...- ..., . .-......-. .---.-... ..--.....--.--.. -.. .-....-. ..-27 I used Capture-Mark-Recapture methods to measure and model movement in the forked fungus beetle, Bolitotherus cornufus Panzer (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Age, sex, and mode of movement (whether by walking or flying) were expIicitly treated. The objectives of the study were to examine the movement abilities of the different sexes, the teneral and adult stages of the forked fungus beetle life cycle, and aiso to look at whether the beeties are walking or flying over the scale examined. An experimental model system constructed of patches of logs hosting the fungus Fomes fornentarius (Polyporaceae) was used to folIow the movements of B. cornutus. Trappability did not differ between the groups released, and the analysis revealed that both sexes moved in a similar fashion. Adults moved more, and Mer, over the first 28 days of each release than tenerals. Movement of all individuals was confined to an area roughly 50 metres in radius. A percentage of both adults and tenerals had their elytra glued to test for fiight in this species. No difference in movement was detected between glued and non-glued individuals. Over 4000 trapnights of flight intercept trap data, as well as 15 days of logs suspended above the ground failed to show any evidence of flight. I conclude that i) flight is not an important mode of movement over the spatial scale exaniined, ii) adult beetles move Merand more often than tenerals, iii) most movement is confined to an area of 50 m radius near the release point. Implications for B. cornutus population and metapopdation structures are discussed. Additionally, an experhent was done to explore the ability of the forked fungus beetle, Bolitotherus cornutus, to detect its fimgal host, Fomes fomentarius by chemosensory methods. A choice-test was conducted using a tube with F. fomentarius at one end, and Coprinus atramentarius (Coprinaceae) at the other. A weak effect of the beetle being able to detect the F. fornentarius over the C. atramentarius was detected, females more often chose the F. fornentarius than males, and larger individuals more often than smaller. Kqwords: Bolitotherus, Tenebnonidae, Fomes, chemoattraction, choice test, dispersal, movernent, coneIated random walk Acknowledgements A great number of people contributed in one way or another to the completion of this manuscript. To Dr. Patrick Farrell in the Statistical Consuking Centre, thanks for stats conversations and good books. Thanks are due to Daniel Kehler and Sonja Teichert for providing a tough act to follow, as weii as many ideas. Next, the graduate students of the Acadia University Biology Department. Special thanks to Matt Hoider, Meg Krawchuk, Julie McKnight and Mateo Yorke for great conversations with a gifted group. Drs. Dave Shutler and Phil Taylor deserve special recognition for their intellect and suggestions dong the way. My advisor, Dr. Soren Bondrup-Nielsen, cannot be given enough credit, as his steady patience, quick mind and wit shaped this thesis fiom start to finish. His wife, Pia, deserves thanks as well, for beans, eggs, coffee, and the fun of 14 acres in maton. Finally, 1cannot begin to express my reliance on, and gratitude to, my partner, Meghan Mulcahy. Meghan's uncornmon patience and strength in the presence of esoteric undertaking such as that contained herein helped rernind me that there was a life away fiom ecology, mathematics, and the cornputer screen. Meghan, this is as much yours as mine. General Introduction Ecology as practiced today is a relatively young science, having its practical origin