22 Ara 2024 Pazar
Spatial and temporal dynamics of predation of robber flies (Insecta: Diptera: Asilidae) on insect fauna across the dry deciduous forest landscape
Abstract :The
stability of the landscape depends on the prey predator’s relationship on that
ecosystem. So, our present model of two most abundant asilid predator and their
predation dynamics in response to varied diversity of different prey groups is
the main aim of the present study. P.
femoralis and M. aurata found to
predate upon nine insect orders and Arenae (spiders). It revealed that slightly
better prey capturing frequency of P.
femoralis (0.68, p<0.05) in comparison to M. aurata (0.67, p<0.05). Sperman’s rank correlation study
further confirmed maximum prey capturing efficacy of P. femoralis in comparison to M.
aurata as evident from maximum positive values of correlation (41) and
positive slopes (6) at p<0.05. Present study also established pre-monsoon as
most preferred season to influence maximum predation dynamics of these asilid
predators in comparison to other season as their feeding activities increased
by 2.3-4 folds in case of P. femoralis
and 1.5-1.9 folds in case of M. aurata
respectively. It may also seem to be due to most of the insect orders
(Diptera-21; Hymenoptera-11; Hemiptera- 10; Coleoptera-9) available in greater
abundance during pre-monsoon, thus affecting predatory activities of asilid
fauna ultimately. Different vegetation pattern in two different forest patch
(dense vegetation patch with large forest undergrowth vs. thin vegetation
without forest undergrowth) influenced predatory dynamics of two asilid species
from 25 to 44 in case of P. femoralis
and from 18 to 31 in case of M. aurata.
Present study also indicated that differences in diet among the habitats can be
attributed to differences in the abundance of the dipterans, and other abundant
prey groups rather than to the co-existence of two distinct robber fly
populations in prey preference. From the best of the knowledge, it will
probably require long term and more detailed field studies under conditions of
spatially and temporally variable prey community composition and relative
abundance at much broader range to better understand trophic interactions and
predatory dynamics of theses model asilid fauna at finer level
Prey
preference, predation, capture efficiency, robber flies, dry deciduous forest