engleski

Diversity of geometrids (Geometridae) in the mountain of Dinaric karst and ecological patterns of their vertical stratification

Diversity and ecological patterns of vertical stratification of one of the largest Palaearctic moth families (Geometridae) were researched on two Dinaric karst mountains. Out of a total of 464 geometrid species in Croatia, 232 species were found in the study areas, 164 on Mt. Biokovo and 132 on Mt. Lička Plješivica. There are two peaks in the vertical stratification observed on both mountains. These are at the transition zones (ecotones) of mid altitudes towards both lower and higher elevations. All diversity indices are inversely correlated with altitude. Mt. Lička Plješivica and Mt. Biokovo are distinct in diversity with low levels of similarity. There is a significant separation of zones corresponding to low, mid and high altitudes in both areas. The impact of variables significantly changes with seasons but is almost unaffected with respect to elevation. Single, most important variable affecting altitudinal distribution on both mountains is the dewpoint temperature. Species inhabiting mid‐altitudes showed a wide altitudinal range in contrast to the narrow ranges observed for representatives of the low and high altitudes, which is not in accordance with Rapoport's rule. Future activities should focus on addressing the question whether the fairly broad elevation ranges in the middle elevations on both mountains can be explained by the mid‐domain effect.

Biokovo ; Lička Plješivica ; diversity indeces ; similarity indeces

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