Body size and trophic efficiency predict diversity-elevation relationships for Hymenoptera
Conference Year
2024
Abstract
Parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) have been observed to have abnormally high diversity at high elevations and latitudes. I hypothesized Hymenoptera small body size and high trophic efficiency decouple their richness from the environmental energy budget. I surveyed solitary Hymenoptera at 94 sites 25-1350m.a.s.l. in Vermont. Hymenoptera richness decreased then increased with elevation. The slopes of individual lineages’ diversity-elevation relationships were negatively correlated with body size and positively with trophic efficiency. Large, inefficient taxa declined with elevation, while parasitoid diversity increased 975-1325m. These findings highlight the importance of physically small taxa in Hymenoptera surveys and how conserved traits can drive community assembly.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Sara Helms Cahan
Status
Graduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Second Student College
Graduate College
Program/Major
Biology
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Body size and trophic efficiency predict diversity-elevation relationships for Hymenoptera
Parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) have been observed to have abnormally high diversity at high elevations and latitudes. I hypothesized Hymenoptera small body size and high trophic efficiency decouple their richness from the environmental energy budget. I surveyed solitary Hymenoptera at 94 sites 25-1350m.a.s.l. in Vermont. Hymenoptera richness decreased then increased with elevation. The slopes of individual lineages’ diversity-elevation relationships were negatively correlated with body size and positively with trophic efficiency. Large, inefficient taxa declined with elevation, while parasitoid diversity increased 975-1325m. These findings highlight the importance of physically small taxa in Hymenoptera surveys and how conserved traits can drive community assembly.