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Mistletoe info

Project description:

 The aim of my project is to determine the diversity, spatial turnover and re-colonisation patterns of the insects and spiders associated with mistletoe in remnant woodlands. Mistletoe has been identified as a keystone resource in woodlands and forests throughout the world, and recent research has highlighted the value of mistletoe in remnant eucalypt woodlands. However, there has not been a detailed study of the insects and spiders (i.e. arthropods) associated with any of the ninety-two species of mistletoe within Australia. Investigation of the arthropod fauna of mistletoe has the potential to enhance our understanding of resource availability and the distribution of diversity in fragmented ecosystems, and the response of indigenous fauna to disturbance. This research will also complement other studies investigating the role of mistletoe as a keystone resource for native animals inhabiting threatened Australian woodlands.

Specifically, my research seeks to address the following questions:

·         What is the diversity, species composition and trophic composition of the arthropod assemblages associated with mistletoe?

·         What are the differences in the arthropod assemblages of mistletoe and those of the eucalypt host trees?

·         How does the diversity of the mistletoe arthropod assemblages vary across the landscape? i.e. what is the relative influence of geographic distance and environmental variables on species composition?                 

·         How does the arthropod fauna of mistletoe clumps respond to disturbance? i.e. after de-faunation of mistletoe clumps, how quickly do arthropod species return, which species return, and how do species and trophic level composition change over time following disturbance?

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For more information about mistletoe: Misunderstood mistletoe (ABC online)

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