Arthropods in Desert Ecosystems

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Other Arthropods and General Topics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2021) | Viewed by 31470

Special Issue Editors

Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, The Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben‐Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben‐Gurion, Israel
Interests: insect behavioral and evolutionary ecology; insect endosymbionts; conservation; biological control; parasitoid wasps
Department of Biology, University of Haifa - Oranim, 36006 Tivon, Israel
Interests: pollination ecology; host–parasitoid interactions; bees; parasitoid wasps; agroecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, The Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben‐Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben‐Gurion, Israel
Interests: arachnid ecology and behavior; desert ecology; sociality; breeding systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleague,

Most of our planet consists of arid and semi-arid regions that are likely to expand even further due to climate change and desertification processes. Desert environments impose challenging conditions on their inhabitants, including: water scarcity or unpredictable water supply; intense radiation; extreme temperatures; often high salinity; and low resource availability. Such conditions may have strong effects on arthropod diversity, distribution, and evolutionary adaptations. In this Special Issue, we will focus on arthropods in desert ecosystems (natural, semi-natural, and agricultural). We will address the question of how abiotic and biotic characteristics of different desert ecosystems shape the ecology of arthropods, especially species interactions, at all levels—behavior, physiology, populations, and communities.

Dr. Michal Segoli
Dr. Tamar Keasar
Prof. Dr. Yael Lubin
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • arthropods
  • desert
  • limitation
  • adaptation
  • diversity
  • life history
  • behavior
  • interactions

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 7395 KiB  
Article
Five-Year Monitoring of a Desert Burrow-Dwelling Spider Following an Environmental Disaster Indicates Long-Term Impacts
by Efrat Gavish-Regev, Igor Armiach Steinpress, Ibrahim N. A. Salman, Nitzan Segev, Assaf Uzan, Yebin Byun, Tanya Levy, Shlomi Aharon, Yoram Zvik, Raisa Shtuhin, Yotam Shapira, Marija Majer, Zeana Ganem, Sergei Zonstein, Ivan L. F. Magalhaes and Yael Lubin
Insects 2022, 13(1), 101; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects13010101 - 17 Jan 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5916
Abstract
Deserts are characterized by unpredictable precipitation and extreme temperatures. Their fauna and flora are sensitive to anthropogenic environmental changes, and often recover slowly from environmental disasters. The effects of oil spills on the biota of desert regions, however, have scarcely been studied. We [...] Read more.
Deserts are characterized by unpredictable precipitation and extreme temperatures. Their fauna and flora are sensitive to anthropogenic environmental changes, and often recover slowly from environmental disasters. The effects of oil spills on the biota of desert regions, however, have scarcely been studied. We predicted that terrestrial invertebrates suffer long-term negative effects from an oil spill, due to their close association with the substrate. Thus, we investigated the effects of two oil spills that occurred in 1975 and 2014 in the hyper-arid ‘Arava desert (Israel), on a spider that constructs silk-lined nests in burrows in compact, sandy soil in this extreme desert habitat. The spider, Sahastata aravaensis sp. nov. (Filistatidae), is described herein. We assessed spider burrow abundance in plots located in oil-contaminated and nearby uncontaminated clean soil (control) areas over five consecutive years and measured habitat characteristics in these plots. In the laboratory, we determined the preference of individuals for clean vs. oil-contaminated soil as a resting substrate. Finally, as this species was previously undescribed, we added a new species description. The abundance of Sahastata was significantly lower in oil-contaminated plots, and this was the case in the 40-year-old oil spill (1975) as well as in the recent one (2014). In laboratory tests, spiders showed a significant preference for the clean soil substrate over the oil-contaminated substrate. In the field, soil crust hardness and vegetation density did not differ significantly between oil-contaminated and control plots, but these measures were highly variable. The burrows were significantly clustered, suggesting that the young disperse only short distances. In the laboratory adult spiders did not dig burrows, perhaps indicating that adults remain permanently in their natal burrows and that in the field they may use vacant burrows. We conclude that Sahastata populations were affected negatively by the oil spills and these effects were long-lasting. We propose that by monitoring their spatial distribution, burrow-dwelling spiders such as Sahastata can be used as effective bioindicators of soil pollution in desert habitats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropods in Desert Ecosystems)
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13 pages, 1563 KiB  
Article
Host Plant Availability and Nest-Site Selection of the Social Spider Stegodyphus dumicola Pocock, 1898 (Eresidae)
by Clémence Rose, Andreas Schramm, John Irish, Trine Bilde and Tharina L. Bird
Insects 2022, 13(1), 30; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects13010030 - 27 Dec 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2376
Abstract
An animals’ habitat defines the resources that are available for its use, such as host plants or food sources, and the use of these resources are critical for optimizing fitness. Spiders are abundant in all terrestrial habitats and are often associated with vegetation, [...] Read more.
An animals’ habitat defines the resources that are available for its use, such as host plants or food sources, and the use of these resources are critical for optimizing fitness. Spiders are abundant in all terrestrial habitats and are often associated with vegetation, which may provide structure for anchoring capture webs, attract insect prey, or provide protective function. Social spiders construct sedentary communal silk nests on host plants, but we know little about whether and how they make nest-site decisions. We examined host plant use in relation to host plant availability in the social spider Stegodyphus dumicola Pocock, 1898 (Eresidae) across different arid biomes in Namibia and analysed the role of host plant characteristics (height, spines, scent, sturdiness) on nest occurrence. Host plant communities and densities differed between locations. Spider nests were relatively more abundant on Acacia spp., Boscia foetida, Combretum spp., Dichrostachys cinerea, Parkinsonia africana, Tarchonanthus camphoratus, and Ziziphus mucronatus, and nests survived longer on preferred plant genera Acacia, Boscia and Combretum. Spider nests were relatively more abundant on plants higher than 2 m, and on plants with thorns and with a rigid structure. Our results suggest that spiders display differential use of host plant species, and that characteristics such as rigidity and thorns confer benefits such as protection from browsing animals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropods in Desert Ecosystems)
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13 pages, 835 KiB  
Article
Respiratory Strategies in Relation to Ecology and Behaviour in Three Diurnal Namib Desert Tenebrionid Beetles
by Frances D. Duncan
Insects 2021, 12(11), 1036; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12111036 - 17 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1684
Abstract
The respiratory physiology of three diurnal ultraxerophilous tenebrionid beetles inhabiting either the dune slipface or gravel plain in the Namib Desert was investigated. The role of the mesothoracic spiracles and subelytral cavity in gas exchange was determined by flow-through respirometry. All three species [...] Read more.
The respiratory physiology of three diurnal ultraxerophilous tenebrionid beetles inhabiting either the dune slipface or gravel plain in the Namib Desert was investigated. The role of the mesothoracic spiracles and subelytral cavity in gas exchange was determined by flow-through respirometry. All three species exhibited the discontinuous gas exchange cycles with a distinct convection based flutter period and similar mass specific metabolic rates. There was variation in their respiration mechanics that related to the ecology of the species. The largest beetle species, Onymacris plana, living on the dune slipface, has a leaky subelytral cavity and used all its spiracles for gas exchange. Thus, it could use evaporative cooling from its respiratory surface. This species is a fog harvester as well as able to replenish water through metabolising fats while running rapidly. The two smaller species inhabiting the gravel plains, Metriopus depressus and Zophosis amabilis, used the mesothoracic spiracles almost exclusively for gas exchange as well as increasing the proportional length of the flutter period to reduce respiratory water loss. Neither species have been reported to drink water droplets, and thus conserving respiratory water would allow them to be active longer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropods in Desert Ecosystems)
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13 pages, 2633 KiB  
Article
Air Temperature and Humidity at the Bottom of Desert Wolf Spider Burrows Are Not Affected by Surface Conditions
by Irene Steves, Pedro Berliner and Berry Pinshow
Insects 2021, 12(10), 943; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12100943 - 18 Oct 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2124
Abstract
Burrows are animal-built structures that can buffer their occupants against the vagaries of the weather and provide protection from predators. We investigated whether the trapdoors of wolf spider (Lycosa sp.; temporary working name "L. hyraculus") burrows in the Negev Desert serve to [...] Read more.
Burrows are animal-built structures that can buffer their occupants against the vagaries of the weather and provide protection from predators. We investigated whether the trapdoors of wolf spider (Lycosa sp.; temporary working name "L. hyraculus") burrows in the Negev Desert serve to maintain favorable environmental conditions within the burrow by removing trapdoors and monitoring the ensuing temperature and relative humidity regime within them. We also monitored the behavioral responses of “L. hyraculus” to trapdoor removal at different times of the day and in different seasons. “L. hyraculus” often spun silk mesh in their burrow entrances in response to trapdoor removal during the day, possibly to deter diurnal predators. The frequency of web-spinning peaked on summer mornings, but spiders began spinning webs sooner after trapdoor removal later in the day. In addition, we monitored temperature and relative humidity in artificial burrows in the summer during the morning and at midday. At noon, air temperature (Ta) at the bottom of open burrows increased by <1 °C more than in covered burrows, but water vapor pressure in burrows did not change. The relatively small increase in Ta in uncovered burrows at midday can probably be ascribed to the penetration of direct solar radiation. Thus, air temperature and humidity at the bottom of the burrow are apparently decoupled from airflow at the surface. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropods in Desert Ecosystems)
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15 pages, 1973 KiB  
Article
A Fine-Scale Hotspot at the Edge: Epigean Arthropods from the Atacama Coast (Paposo-Taltal, Antofagasta Region, Chile)
by Jaime Pizarro-Araya, Fermín M. Alfaro, Andrés A. Ojanguren-Affilastro and Andrés Moreira-Muñoz
Insects 2021, 12(10), 916; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12100916 - 08 Oct 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2414
Abstract
The Atacama Desert at its margins harbors a unique biodiversity that is still very poorly known, especially in coastal fog oases spanning from Perú towards the Atacama coast. An outstanding species-rich fog oasis is the latitudinal fringe Paposo-Taltal, that is considered an iconic [...] Read more.
The Atacama Desert at its margins harbors a unique biodiversity that is still very poorly known, especially in coastal fog oases spanning from Perú towards the Atacama coast. An outstanding species-rich fog oasis is the latitudinal fringe Paposo-Taltal, that is considered an iconic site of the Lomas formation. This contribution is the first to reveal the knowledge on arthropods of this emblematic coastal section. We used pitfall traps to study the taxonomic composition, richness, and abundance of terrestrial arthropods in 17 sample sites along a 100 km section of the coast between 24.5 and 25.5 southern latitude, in a variety of characteristic habitats. From a total of 9154 individuals, we were able to identify 173 arthropod species grouped into 118 genera and 57 families. The most diverse group were insects, with 146 species grouped in 97 genera and 43 families, while arachnids were represented by 27 species grouped into 21 genera and 14 families. Current conservation challenges on a global scale are driving the creation and evaluation of potential conservation sites in regions with few protected areas, such as the margins of the Atacama Desert. Better taxonomic, distributional, and population knowledge is urgently needed to perform concrete conservation actions in a biodiversity hotspot at a desert edge. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropods in Desert Ecosystems)
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26 pages, 3053 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Population Dynamics of Namib Desert Tenebrionid Beetles Reveal Complex Relationships to Pulse-Reserve Conditions
by Joh R. Henschel
Insects 2021, 12(9), 804; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12090804 - 08 Sep 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2102
Abstract
Noy-Meir’s paradigm concerning desert populations being predictably tied to unpredictable productivity pulses was tested by examining abundance trends of 26 species of flightless detritivorous tenebrionid beetles (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) in the hyper-arid Namib Desert (MAP = 25 mm). Over 45 years, tenebrionids were continuously [...] Read more.
Noy-Meir’s paradigm concerning desert populations being predictably tied to unpredictable productivity pulses was tested by examining abundance trends of 26 species of flightless detritivorous tenebrionid beetles (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) in the hyper-arid Namib Desert (MAP = 25 mm). Over 45 years, tenebrionids were continuously pitfall trapped on a gravel plain. Species were categorised according to how their populations increased after 22 effective rainfall events (>11 mm in a week), and declined with decreasing detritus reserves (97.7–0.2 g m−2), while sustained by nonrainfall moisture. Six patterns of population variation were recognised: (a) increases triggered by effective summer rainfalls, tracking detritus over time (five species, 41% abundance); (b) irrupting upon summer rainfalls, crashing a year later (three, 18%); (c) increasing gradually after series of heavy (>40 mm) rainfall years, declining over the next decade (eight, 15%); (d) triggered by winter rainfall, population fluctuating moderately (two, 20%); (e) increasing during dry years, declining during wet (one, 0.4%); (f) erratic range expansions following heavy rain (seven, 5%). All species experienced population bottlenecks during a decade of scant reserves, followed by the community cycling back to its earlier composition after 30 years. By responding selectively to alternative configurations of resources, Namib tenebrionids showed temporal patterns and magnitudes of population fluctuation more diverse than predicted by Noy-Meir’s original model, underpinning high species diversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropods in Desert Ecosystems)
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13 pages, 1516 KiB  
Article
Ant Guild Identity Determines Seed Fate at the Post-Removal Seed Dispersal Stages of a Desert Perennial
by Gilad Ben-Zvi, Merav Seifan and Itamar Giladi
Insects 2021, 12(2), 147; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12020147 - 08 Feb 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1797
Abstract
Ants play a dual role in their interaction with plant seeds. In deserts, the consumption of seeds by granivorous ants is common, whereas mutualistic seed dispersal, often associated with scavenging ants, is rarely documented. We evaluated the contribution of both ant guilds to [...] Read more.
Ants play a dual role in their interaction with plant seeds. In deserts, the consumption of seeds by granivorous ants is common, whereas mutualistic seed dispersal, often associated with scavenging ants, is rarely documented. We evaluated the contribution of both ant guilds to efficient seed dispersal of an ant-dispersed plant, Sternbergia clusiana, in a desert ecosystem. We presented seed to colonies of three species of desert ants from the Cataglyphis (scavengers) and Messor (granivorous) genera. We recorded seed consumption, ejection from the nest, and seed transportation to potentially beneficial microhabitats. We evaluated microhabitat quality by testing the association between habitat types and the plant at various life stages. As expected, granivores mainly consumed the seeds, whereas scavengers consumed the elaiosome (seed appendage serving as a reward), but left the seeds intact. Moreover, scavenging ants relocated the seeds much further than granivores, mainly to shrub patches. The disproportional distribution of the plant under shrubs at several life stages suggests that this microhabitat is beneficial for the plant. Overall, while granivores seem to mainly harm seed dispersal, we provide the first evidence for the beneficial contribution of scavenging ants in deserts, showing they exhibit the same suite of characteristics that render them efficient seed dispersers in other ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropods in Desert Ecosystems)
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9 pages, 647 KiB  
Article
Seed Predation on Oil-Polluted and Unpolluted Vachellia (Acacia) Trees in a Hyper-Arid Desert Ecosystem
by Marco Ferrante, Daniella M. Möller, Gabriella M. Möller, Yael Lubin and Michal Segoli
Insects 2020, 11(10), 665; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects11100665 - 28 Sep 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2996
Abstract
Acacia trees are keystone species in many arid environments, supporting high levels of plant and animal diversity. In Israel, the populations of Vachellia (formerly Acacia) tortilis (Forssk.) and V. raddiana (Savi) are declining at an alarming rate. Severe infestations by bruchid beetles [...] Read more.
Acacia trees are keystone species in many arid environments, supporting high levels of plant and animal diversity. In Israel, the populations of Vachellia (formerly Acacia) tortilis (Forssk.) and V. raddiana (Savi) are declining at an alarming rate. Severe infestations by bruchid beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) are among the major causes of seed mortality, but additional environmental stressors can reduce the defence level of the seeds, exacerbating their susceptibility to predators. In a hyper-arid desert ecosystem affected by two major oil spills (in 1975 and 2014), we quantified seed predation rates caused by insect granivores before and after the pods dropped to the ground. We recorded predation rates of up to 84% for both tree species, and higher predation rates at the ground level than in the canopy, suggesting that repeated infestations occur. These results reinforce the call to protect the populations of large ungulates such as gazelles, which kill the bruchids by feeding upon the pods, and promote seed germination and dispersion. We found no clear evidence of a negative effect of the oil spill on seed predation, indicating that oil pollution did not increase the vulnerability of the seeds to granivores even in trees affected by the recent oil spill. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropods in Desert Ecosystems)
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12 pages, 1923 KiB  
Article
Parasitoid Abundance and Community Composition in Desert Vineyards and Their Adjacent Natural Habitats
by Michal Segoli, Miriam Kishinevsky, Tamir Rozenberg and Ishai Hoffmann
Insects 2020, 11(9), 580; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects11090580 - 01 Sep 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2033
Abstract
Parasitoids are important natural enemies of many agricultural pests. Preserving natural habitats around agricultural fields may support parasitoid populations. However, the success of such an approach depends on the ability of parasitoids to utilize both crop and natural habitats. While these aspects have [...] Read more.
Parasitoids are important natural enemies of many agricultural pests. Preserving natural habitats around agricultural fields may support parasitoid populations. However, the success of such an approach depends on the ability of parasitoids to utilize both crop and natural habitats. While these aspects have been studied extensively in temperate regions, very little is known about parasitoid communities in desert agroecosystems. We took one step in this direction by sampling parasitoids in six vineyards and their surrounding natural desert habitat in a hyper-arid region of the Negev Desert Highlands, Israel. We predicted that due to the high contrast in environmental conditions, parasitoid abundance and community composition would differ greatly between the crop and the natural desert habitats. We found that parasitoid abundance differed between the habitats; however, the exact distribution pattern depended on the time of year—with higher numbers of parasitoids in the natural habitat at the beginning of the vine growth season and higher numbers in the vineyard at the middle and end of the season. Although parasitoid community composition significantly differed between the vineyard and desert habitats, this only accounted for ~4% of the total variation. Overall, our results do not strongly support the notion of distinct parasitoid communities in the crop vs. the desert environment, suggesting that despite environmental contrasts, parasitoids may move between and utilize resources in both habitats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropods in Desert Ecosystems)
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Review

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12 pages, 731 KiB  
Review
Arthropods as the Engine of Nutrient Cycling in Arid Ecosystems
by Nevo Sagi and Dror Hawlena
Insects 2021, 12(8), 726; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12080726 - 14 Aug 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6256
Abstract
Nutrient dynamics in most terrestrial ecosystems are regulated by moisture-dependent processes. In drylands, nutrient dynamics are often weakly associated with annual precipitation, suggesting that other factors are involved. In recent years, the majority of research on this topic focused on abiotic factors. We [...] Read more.
Nutrient dynamics in most terrestrial ecosystems are regulated by moisture-dependent processes. In drylands, nutrient dynamics are often weakly associated with annual precipitation, suggesting that other factors are involved. In recent years, the majority of research on this topic focused on abiotic factors. We provide an arthropod-centric framework that aims to refocus research attention back on the fundamental role that macro-arthropods may play in regulating dryland nutrient dynamics. Macro-arthropods are prevalent in drylands and include many detritivores and burrowing taxa that remain active during long dry periods. Macro-arthropods consume and process large quantities of plant detritus and transport these nutrients to the decomposer haven within their climatically buffered and nutritionally enriched burrows. Consequently, arthropods may accelerate mineralization rates and generate a vertical nutrient recycling loop (VRL) that may assist in explaining the dryland decomposition conundrum, and how desert plants receive their nutrients when the shallow soil is dry. The burrowing activity of arthropods and the transportation of subterranean soil to the surface may alter the desert microtopography and promote desalinization, reducing resource leakage and enhancing productivity and species diversity. We conclude that these fundamental roles and the arthropods’ contribution to nutrient transportation and nitrogen fixation makes them key regulators of nutrient dynamics in drylands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropods in Desert Ecosystems)
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