Phenology of predation on insects in a tropical forest: temporal variation in attack rate on dummy caterpillars
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60077344%3A_____%2F16%3A00455017" target="_blank" >RIV/60077344:_____/16:00455017 - isvavai.cz</a>
Alternative codes found
RIV/60076658:12310/16:43890634
Result on the web
<a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/btp.12268/abstract" target="_blank" >http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/btp.12268/abstract</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/btp.12268" target="_blank" >10.1111/btp.12268</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Phenology of predation on insects in a tropical forest: temporal variation in attack rate on dummy caterpillars
Original language description
Temporal patterns of attack rates on insect n tropical forest habitats have not been studied systematically, because it is very difficult to observe and record elusive predation of omnipresent and tiny insect. Yet, in communities of tropical insects, adult abundance tends to fluctuate widely, perhaps owing exactly to predator–prey dynamics. However, the identity of predators of insects in tropical forests is poorly known, and their responses to temporal variation in prey abundance have rarely been explored. We recorded incidence and shape of marks of attacks on dummy caterpillars (proxy of predation rate) in a sub-montane tropical forest in Uganda during a year-long experiment, and explored correlations with inferred caterpillar abundance. Applying the highest and lowest observed daily attack rates on clay dummies over a realistic duration of the larval stage of butterflies, indicates that the temporal variation in attack rate could cause more than 10-fold temporal variation in caterpillar survival. Inferred predators were almost exclusively invertebrates, and beak marks of birds were very scarce. Attack rates by wasps varied more over time than those of ants that were present across all seasons. Attack rates on dummies peaked during the two wet seasons, and appeared congruent with inferred peaks in caterpillar density. This suggests (1) a functional response (predators shifting to more abundant resource) or adaptive timed phenology (predators timing activity or breeding to coincide with seasonal peaks in prey abundance) of predators, rather than a numerical response (predator populations increasing following peaks in prey abundance); and (2) that predation would dampen abundance fluctuations of tropical Lepidoptera communities.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>x</sub> - Unclassified - Peer-reviewed scientific article (Jimp, Jsc and Jost)
CEP classification
EH - Ecology - communities
OECD FORD branch
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Result continuities
Project
<a href="/en/project/GP14-32024P" target="_blank" >GP14-32024P: Top-down control of arthropods and herbivory by birds, ants and bats in tropical forest ecosystems along complete altitudinal gradient</a><br>
Continuities
I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace
Others
Publication year
2016
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Biotropica
ISSN
0006-3606
e-ISSN
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Volume of the periodical
48
Issue of the periodical within the volume
2
Country of publishing house
US - UNITED STATES
Number of pages
8
Pages from-to
229-236
UT code for WoS article
000372510600013
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-84960250189