MOVEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF THREE SPECIES OF INQUILINE INSECTS IN BOREAL BOGLANDS: PROCESS AND PATTERN AT MULTIPLE SPATIAL SCALES by MAFLGARET ANNABELLE KIWWCHUK- B, Sc. (Hon) University of Guelph, 1995 Thesis submitted in partial füinllrnent of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Biology) Acadia University Sp~gConvocation 200 1 O by MARGARET ANNABELLE IKRAWCHUK, 2000 I, Margaret Annabelle Krawchuk, 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 TabIe of Contents List of Tables ........................... ......................................................................................... vi .. List of Figures .......................O....................... ..................................................................vil ... Abstract ...................... .................................................................................................... vui Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... ix General Introduction ............................ ......................................... 1 References ................................................................................................................ 12 Chapter 1. Movement potential of Wyeomyio smitlzii (Diptera: Culicidae): pattern and process....................... ... ........................................................................................ 14 Introduction.................... .... ......... ... ..............................................................14 Methods .......................... .........................................................................................17 Results .................................................................... .................................................... 27 Discussion ............ .... ............................................................................................ 31 References ............................... .................................................................................. 37 Chapter 2. Movement potential of FIetc~zerm~iaJrefc~zeri(Diptera: Sarcophagidae): implications for the study of populations............................ .... ..................................... 39 Introduction............................. .................................... ............................................. 39 Methods .......................................................................................................................40 Results ....................... .... .....................................................................................42 Discussion.................................................................................................................... 43 References .......................... .................... .....................................................................45 Chapter 3. The relative importance of habitat structure changes within a nested hierarchy of spatial scales for three species of însects .......................................... 46 Introduction ........................ ... ............................................................................... 46 Methods .................. .. .............................................................................................. 49 Results ........................ ..... ........................................................................ 57 Discussion................. .................................................................................................. 64 References ................................................................................................................ 71 Synopsis.................. ........................................................................... ..................... 74 Appendix 1. Roosting behaviour by FIefcIzerimyioflefcheri(Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in Sarracenia purpurea (Sarraceniacea) ........................................................................76 References ................................................................................................................ 79 List of Tables Chapter One Table 1-1 Variables and attributed values for the W. smithii diffusion model.. .. 25 Table 1-2 A summary of movement information calculated fiom W. srnithii release-recapture experiment and diffusion modeling.. ... ... ... ... ... .. .. 28 Table 1-3 Variance coniponents analysis of larval W. smithii abundance at four spatial scaies.. .. .. .. ..... ... .. .. .. .. 30 Chapter Two Table 2-1 A summary of information fiom field collection and difision modelling to estimate F. fletcheri and W-smithii movement potential. .. ... .. .. .. 43 Chapter Three Table 3-1 A summary of larval sarnpling effort by spatial scale and sample period 50 Table 3-2 A summary of structural variables used in multi-scale sampling.. .. 52 Table 3-3 A summary of glm output for W. smirhii ............................ ...... 59 Table 3-4 A summary of glrn output for M. knabi ...... ..... ... .. .. .. .... .. ... .... 60 Table 3-5 A sumrnary of glrn output for F. fletcheri ............... .. .. ...... ......... .. 61 Table 3-6 A surnmary of mixed-effects (he) models for W. smirhii ....... ... ....... 62 Table 3-7 A sumrnq of mixed-effects (lme) modeIs for M. knabi.. .. ... .. .. 62 vii List of Figures Introduction Figure 1-1 A map of Newfoundland indicating general study location.. .-.. ........ 4 Figure 1-2 A GIS representation of the no&-west area of the study sy stem.. ..... 5 Figure 1-3 The pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpzrrea. .................................... 7 Figure 1-4 Members of the Sarracenia. purpurea inquiline comrnunity.. - ......... 10 Chapter One Figure 1-1 The proportion of Sarracenia pztrpurea plants per distance class occupied by Wyeomyia srnifhii lmae.. .......................... - ....... 28 Chapter Three Figure 3-1 A visual summary of study design and variables.. ..............-.. .... 53 Figure 3-2 Direction and scde of significant relationships behveen PQeomyia smithii, iIïetriocnemz~sknabi, and Fletcherimyia fletcheri density and structural variables.. ................... ....... ...- . 63 viii Abstract This study explores the movement potentiai and distribution of three species of inquiline insects, Wyeomyia smithii (Cdicidae) ,Metriocnemus knabi (Chironomidae) and Fletcherimyia fletcheri (Sarcophagidae). Movement potentiai was detennined using empirical mark-recapture studies, mathematical diffusion models and variance cornponents analysis, and the process of movernent was used to predict spatial scdes relevant to individual and population dynarnics. The larvae of ail three dipterans obligately develop within the leaves of the pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea (Sarraceniaceae) providing naturally nested Ievels of scale including leaves within plants within clusters (points) within bogs. With the estimates of relevant spatial scales as a template, census of the three species was used to assess the influence of habitat structure (amount and configuration of habitat) on insect distribution within this discrete hierarchy of spatial scales. The Suence of habitat texture was estimated at a single scale. In general, species responded to amount of habitat at relatively fuie (individual) spatial scales, and configuration of habitat at broader (population) scales, though each responded at slightly different absolute scales. These relationships corresponded to evolutionarily divergent attributes such as body size andlor movement potential. This change in the importance of structure among species and scales demonstrates that spatial scale is an imposant attribute to be considered in conservation decisions. Acknowledgements Thank you to everyone! Especially Adele Mullie, Sonja Teichert, Michelle McPherson, Julie McKnight, Sharon Midwinter, Dave Shutler, Derek Potter, Sheila Potter, Joe Nocera, Trina Fitzgerald, Matéo Yorke, John Chardine, Soren Bondmp- Nielsen, Marty Snyder, Andrea Kingsley. Special thanks to Matt Holder who put up with me in close Gros Morne quarters for two whole summers, and never ceased to keep me smiling and thinking. Also, Renée Cormier and Jen Miner for a brilliant sumrner in 1999 - run chickens nui! 1 am indebted to Brian Starzomski, Trish Turliuk and Kat Benedict for keeping me grounded for parts of these two years. Phi1 Taylor provided so many ideas, much encouragement and good Company - thank you'OO.Thanks Mm, Dad and Carolyn for your continuous curiosity and support. Funding and support came ftom: Atlantic Co-operative Wildlife Ecology Research Network (AC WERN), NSERC, Western New£oundland Mode1 Forest (WNMF), Parks Canada (Gros Morne National Park), Environment Canada Science Horizons Program, Newfoundland Department of Forestry Resources and Agrifoods (Pasadena), Stephen Flemming and Scott Taylor at Gros Morne National Park, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd, and Ransom (RAM) Myers (statistical advice). Lastly, thanks to Leo Hynes for the wee cabin in the woods. GeneraI Introduction The spatial distribution of organisms is a result of many factors at multiple spatial and temporal scales. For example, specific processes such as the movement or fecundity of an individual typically affect broader-scale phenornena such as population persistence. Thus, patterns of organism