Publication with datasets Barker et al. 2005, Geographical distributions, relative abundance and coexistence of Drosophila aldrichi and Drosophila buzzatii in Australia, Austral Ecology

Keywords
Cactophilic Drosophila, Climate profile, Geographic range, Interspecific competition and Spatial heterogeneity

Summary

ABSTRACT: Climatic data and collection records for the cactophilic Drosophila aldrichi and Drosophila buzzatii for 97 localities were used to examine the effects of geographical location, season, host plant species and climatic factors on their range and relative abundance. Temporal variation in relative abundance was assessed from monthly collections over 4 years at one locality. Effects of weather variables over the 28 days before each collection were examined. A generalized linear model of the spatial data showed significant geographical variation in relative abundance, and significant climatic effects, with the proportion of D. aldrichi higher in the warm season, and increasing as temperature variation decreased and moisture indices increased. The temporal data gave generally concordant results, as D. aldrichi proportion was higher in summer and autumn, and increased as maximum and minimum temperatures increased, and as variation in maximum temperature decreased. In a laboratory competition experiment, D. aldrichi eliminated D. buzzatii at 31°C, but was itself eliminated at 18°C and 25°C. The range of D. buzzatii is constrained only by availability of its host plant, Opuntia species, although its relative abundance is reduced in the northern part of its distribution. The range of D. aldrichi, from central Queensland to northern NSW, Australia, is entirely within that of D. buzzatii, and its relative abundance decreases from north to south. Both climate and weather, particularly temperature variability, have direct effects on the relative abundances of the two species, and both likely act indirectly by influencing the outcome of interspecific competition.

Datasets

  • 203 Barker et al. 2005 D. buzzatii and aldrichi collection records

    This data set contains collection records for the cactophilic Drosophila aldrichi and Drosophila buzzatii for 97 locations where Opuntia cacti occurred and which were sampled between 1971 and 2002 (Fig. 1). Opuntia species, coordinates and altitude are reported for each location and year and season (W=cool, winter/spring; S=warm, summer/autumn) are given for each collection.

Publication Citations

  • Barker, J. S. F., Krebs, Robert A., and Davies, H. I., 'Geographical distributions, relative abundance and coexistence of Drosophila aldrichi and Drosophila buzzatii in Australia', Austral Ecology, vol. 30, no. 5, 2005, pp. 546-557. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.2005.01470.x. Details