Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand abstracts
Invertebrate species richness and density in relation to size of the
New Zealand shrub Olearia bullata
José G. B. Derraik*, Katharine J. M. Dickinson†
Ecology, Conservation & Biodiversity Research Group, Botany Department,
University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
*Present address: Ecology and Health Research Centre, Department of Public
Health, Wellington School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of
Otago, P.O. Box 7343, Wellington, New Zealand.
†Author for correspondence.
Gerard P. Closs
Ecology, Conservation & Biodiversity Research Group, Zoology Department,
University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Barbara I. P. Barratt
AgResearch, Private Bag 50 034, Mosgiel, New Zealand.
Phil J. Sirvid
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, P.O. Box 467, Wellington, New
Zealand.
Abstract This study assessed the effects of host plant
volume on invertebrate density and taxon richness on a native New Zealand
shrub, Olearia bullata (Asteraceae). Specimens were collected by beating
during a single summer/autumn sampling event from 30 O. bullata plants.
The influence of the surrounding environment was also examined by assessing
canopy connectivity between O. bullata shrubs and their nearest neighbours
(O. bullata and other shrub species). Linear regression analyses suggested
a positive association between invertebrate taxon richness and shrub volume,
a relationship that was also apparent at the Order level for Coleoptera,
Diptera, and Psocoptera. No significant results were found between shrub
volume and invertebrate density at any taxonomic level. Negative associations
were obtained between the density of Araneae and Hemiptera against the distance
between O. bullata shrubs.
Keywords shrubland; Olearia bullata; host plant;
invertebrates; taxon richness; density
R02004 Received 20 February 2002; accepted 2 September 2002; published
26 November 2002
© Journal of The Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 32, Number 4,
December 2002, pp 571-585
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