Arthropods of Rose Atoll with special reference to ants and Pulvinaria urbicola scales (Hemiptera: coccidae) on Pisonia grandis trees.

dc.contributor.author Peck, Robert
dc.contributor.author Banko, Paul
dc.contributor.author Pendleton, Frank
dc.contributor.author Schmaedick, Mark
dc.contributor.author Ernsberger, Kelsie
dc.date.accessioned 2016-01-24T16:19:34Z
dc.date.available 2016-01-24T16:19:34Z
dc.date.issued 2016-01-24
dc.description.abstract Rose Atoll, at the eastern end of the Samoan Archipelago, is a small but important refuge for seabirds, shorebirds, and sea turtles. While the vertebrate community is relatively well-studied, the terrestrial arthropod fauna, and its role in ecosystem function, are poorly known. Arthropods may be influencing the decline of Pisonia grandis, an ecologically important tree that once dominated the 6.6 ha of land on Rose Atoll. Reasons for the decline are not fully understood but a facultative relationship between two invasive arthropods, the soft scale Pulvinaria urbicola and ants, likely has contributed to tree death. The primary objectives of this study were to systematically survey the terrestrial arthropod fauna and identify ant species that tend scales on Pisonia. Using an array of standard arthropod collecting techniques, at least 73 species from 20 orders were identified, including nine ant species. Of the ants collected, only Tetramorium bicarinatum and T. simillimum were observed tending scales on Pisonia. No known natural enemies of Pulvinaria scales were found, suggesting little predation on scale populations. Treatment of Pisonia with the systemic insecticide imidacloprid failed to eliminate Pulvinaria scales, although short-term suppression apparently occurred. The arthropod fauna of Rose Atoll is dominated by exotic species that likely have a significant impact on the structure and function of the island’s ecosystem.
dc.format.extent 25
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/10790/2607
dc.language.iso en-US
dc.relation.ispartofseries Technical Report HCSU - 057
dc.subject Samoan Archipelago, facultative relationship, ants, scale
dc.title Arthropods of Rose Atoll with special reference to ants and Pulvinaria urbicola scales (Hemiptera: coccidae) on Pisonia grandis trees.
dc.type Journal
dc.type.dcmi Text
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