Protecting one, protecting both? Scale-dependent ecological differences in two species using dead trees, the rosalia longicorn beetle and the barbastelle bat

摘要: Organisms sharing the same habitats may differ in small-scale microhabitat requirements or benefit from different management. In this study, set Italy, we focused on two species of high conservation value, cerambycid beetle Rosalia alpina and bat Barbastella barbastellus, which often share forest areas several cases individual trees. We compared potential distribution and, at spatial scales, niches between such species. The predicted distributions largely overlapped bat. proved to be similar a broad scale, yet not plot one. Compared with B. barbastellus, R. alpina tends occur lower altitude more irradiated sites canopy closure uses shorter trees wider diameters. B. barbastellus occurred within along its edges, whereas lays eggs found clearings. plots were frequent forest, forested pasture open-shredded forest. Overall, exposure sun influenced critically site tree selection by R. alpina, as warm microclimate is essential for larval development. Although reproduction favored warmer roosting conditions, bats also find conditions dense strongly cavities up tall that project above canopy. emphasize subtle differences ecological syntopic taxa could missed so multiple-scale assessment always advisable.