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The contribution of epiphytes to the abundance and species richness of canopy insects in a Mexican coffee plantation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2009

Andrea Cruz-Angón ,
Martha L. Baena  and
Russell Greenberg
Andrea Cruz-Angón
Affiliation:
Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Departamento de Ecología Funcional. Km 2.5 antigua carretera a Coatepec, No. 315. 91070, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
Martha L. Baena
Affiliation:
Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Departamento de Ecología Funcional. Km 2.5 antigua carretera a Coatepec, No. 315. 91070, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
Russell Greenberg*
Affiliation:
Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC 20008, USA
*
2Corresponding author. Email: greenbergr@si.edu
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Abstract:

The abundance of epiphytes has been assumed to be important in explaining the high diversity of tropical canopy arthropods. In this study we assessed the possible role that the presence of epiphytes may have on the diversity and abundance of canopy insects in an experimental study conducted in a coffee plantation in Coatepec, Veracruz, Mexico. Epiphytes were removed from trees in one of two plots in two sites of the coffee plantation. In each plot we collected insects from three Inga jinicuil trees by knockdown insecticide fogging. Insects were sorted to morphospecies, counted and measured. Trees with epiphytes had significantly higher numbers of species and individuals and insects larger than 5 mm were also more species-rich and abundant in trees with epiphytes. The magnitude of the enhancement was surprisingly large with the epiphyte plot samples having on average 90% more individuals and 22% more species than plots without epiphytes. These differences were even greater for large (>5 mm) insects (184% and 113% respectively). Our results support the tenet that epiphytes provide valuable resources to arthropods, which we have illustrated for canopy insects in shade trees of coffee plantations.

Keywords

bromeliadscanopy insectscommunity structureInga jinicuilMexicorichnessshade coffeevascular epiphytes
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 25 , Issue 5 , September 2009 , pp. 453 - 463
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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References

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