Dung beetles of the Kibale Forest, Uganda; comparison between virgin and managed forests

摘要: It is commonly believed that the vast majority of insect species living in tropical forests do not survive areas have been clear-cut. Even for which resources clearings are suitable generally disappear. Tropical forest dung beetles exemplify this phenomenon (South America Howden & Nealis 1975, Africa Cambefort 1984, South-East Asia Hanski unpubl.), presumably because radical change microclimate occurs when cleared (Howden 1975). The effects forestry practices less drastic than clear-cutting on faunas remain poorly known (Holloway 1987, Wolda et al. 1983). For beetles, there no comparisons between assemblages virgin and managed forests. Here we report such a comparison Kibale Forest region Uganda. medium-altitude moist evergreen western Uganda (00 27' N, 300 26' E, 1500 m altitude). area about 550 km2, isolated by 50 km from other (Struhsaker annual rainfall mm with two rainy seasons late August to early December March May. A long-term study has yielded results treefalls (Skorupa Kasenene 1984), primates 1986, Struhsaker 1975), small rodents (Basuta 1984) elephants, duikers arthropods (Nummelin 1989). We trapped human dung-baited pitfalls March-May September-November 1984-86, closely following trapping procedure described (1983). Traps were placed (K30 Ngogo), at sites selectively felled (Kibale Project K14 K15), non-native soft-wood plantations (about 20 years old,Pinus caribbaea Morolet Cupressus lusitanica Mill.).