Traits underpinning desiccation resistance explain distribution patterns of terrestrial isopods

摘要: Predicted changes in soil water availability regimes with climate and land-use change will impact the community of functionally important organisms, such as macro-detritivores. Identifying quantifying functional traits that underlie interspecific differences desiccation resistance enhance our ability to predict both macro-detritivore responses changing consequences associated species shifts for organic matter turnover. Using path analysis, we tested (1) how among 22 northwestern European terrestrial isopod could be explained by three underlying measured under standard laboratory conditions, namely, body ventral surface area, loss rate fatal loss; (2) whether these relationships were robust contrasting experimental conditions phylogenetic relatedness effects being excluded; (3) hypothesized explain distribution patterns relation site availability. Water (secondarily) together 90 % variation resistance. Our model indicated area affects only indirectly via rate. results also show moisture determines distributions filtering them according underpinning These findings reveal it is possible use biota field over broad spatial scales. Taken together, demonstrate an increasing need generate mechanistic models effect global on organisms.