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Trait-based and phylogenetic community ecology of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in tropical streams of Thailand

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Abstract

A primary aim of community ecology is to determine mechanisms that shape community structure. In this study, we used trait-based and phylogenetic community ecology approaches to determine the factors underlying the species assemblage of black fly larvae in tropical streams of Thailand. Ecological data were obtained from 150 collections. Morphological traits were measured from 35 species. The phylogenetic relationship of these species was inferred from cytochrome c oxidase I, II, and 18S rRNA/ITS1 sequences. Phylogeny-based community analyses indicated that species in the community did not skew toward phylogenetic clustering or overdispersion. However, the trait-based community structure analysis based on labral fan morphology revealed that species in most (>78%) communities were more similar morphologically than expected by chance. As labral fan morphology is strongly related to habitat exploitation, it is considered that habitat filtering is a major factor shaping community structure of black fly larvae in tropical streams of Thailand.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the Thailand Research Fund and Mahasarakham University (Grant No. RSA5680013) and Mahasarakham University Development Fund (Grant year 2014). We thank Jolyon Dodgson (Mahasarakham University, Thailand) and Adrian Plant (National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, UK) for valuable comments on an earlier version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham, 44150, Thailand

    Sirinapa Pangjanda & Pairot Pramual

  2. Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham, 44150, Thailand

    Pairot Pramual

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  1. Sirinapa Pangjanda
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Correspondence to Pairot Pramual.

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Pangjanda, S., Pramual, P. Trait-based and phylogenetic community ecology of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in tropical streams of Thailand. Hydrobiologia 763, 345–356 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-015-2389-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-015-2389-8

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