人工柠条-荒漠草地交错带拟步甲昆虫群落多样性

选取宁夏东部盐池县人工柠条灌丛-荒漠草地交错带为研究样地,以距离梯度形式,利用巴氏诱罐法对拟步甲科昆虫群落多样性进行了调查,研究了边缘效应对拟步甲昆虫群落多样性的影响。共采集拟步甲昆虫1405只,分属8属13种。结果表明,克小鳖甲和弯齿琵甲个体数量分别占总个体数的32.74%和43.27%,为该地区的优势种类。拟步甲昆虫在人工柠条灌丛-荒漠草地交错带的分布可分为3种类型,优势种克小鳖甲和弯齿琵甲属于栖息地广布型,但二者并没有表现出十分均匀的适应性,而且他们在各样带的分布呈显著负相关,克小鳖甲的分布趋向于沙生荒漠环境,弯齿琵甲的分布趋向于柠条灌丛;常见种蒙古漠王、小皮鳖甲的分布偏向于喜好荒漠草地;异距琵甲、奥氏真土甲、网目土甲和淡红毛隐甲的分布则偏向于喜好柠条灌丛。拟步甲昆虫丰富度与Shannon-Wiener多样性沿边缘分别向柠条灌丛和荒漠草地内部降低,个体数量总体上沿柠条灌丛、交错带向荒漠草地内部降低,但各样带差异不显著。从季节动态看,荒漠草地和柠条灌丛物种多样性季节变化相似,3种生境拟步甲活动密度季节变化相似。边缘效应强度分析呈现边缘正效应。CCA排序图显示分类地位相近的物种在生态适应上具有趋同性。多元回归分析表明,植被密度影响拟步甲昆虫群落的优势种和个体数量,植被盖度和高度分别影响拟步甲群落的均匀度和丰富度。主坐标分析(PCo A)排序表明人工柠条灌丛-荒漠草地交错带的拟步甲昆虫群落组成与柠条灌丛内部没有明显分化,但趋于向柠条灌丛生境演替。     

盐池四墩子拟步甲昆虫群落组成与环境因子的相关性

2009年3-10月,对宁夏盐池四墩子不同植被类型和人工干扰强度的荒漠草地的拟步甲昆虫群落结构及其环境因子特征进行了调查, 采用多样性指数和典范对应分析(CCA)研究了昆虫群落与环境因子之间的相关性.共收集拟步甲10属20种,5431只,以弯齿琵甲、克小鳖甲和蒙古漠王占优势,分别占总数的47.30%、39.90%和3.59%.CCA分析表明：拟步甲与环境因子之间的相关性高达100%,提示盐池四墩子环境因子变化影响拟步甲的分布,植物群落多样性、植物生物量和土壤含水量对拟步甲昆虫群落的分布影响最大;从物种的分布状况看,谢氏宽漠王对环境最为敏感;小丽东鳖甲、宽突东鳖甲、尖尾东鳖甲、宽腹东鳖甲次之,与植物生物量、植被盖度呈负相关,戈壁琵甲、中华砚甲、网目土甲和淡红毛隐甲与植被密度和土壤含水量呈正相关,蒙古漠王、克小鳖甲、小皮鳖甲和异距琵甲与植物群落多样性呈正相关,奥氏真土甲、弯齿琵甲和达氏琵甲与植物生物量和植被盖度呈正相关;相关和回归分析结果也显示,拟步甲群落的活动密度与土壤含水量极显著正相关(r=0.943,P=0.005).同时,排序反映了拟步甲对生态环境的需求以及其在不同资源维上的生态分化现象.     

贺兰山冲积扇荒漠草地拟步甲生态位及种间关联

【目的】拟步甲对维持荒漠半荒漠生境的生物多样性和生态系统功能具有重要作用。本研究旨在揭示拟步甲物种的生态位及种间关联,为冲积扇荒漠草地生境拟步甲群落构建机制研究奠定基础。【方法】2019年5-10月采用陷阱法调查贺兰山冲积扇荒漠草地划分为100个相同大小正方形单元的200 m×200 m样地的拟步甲昆虫群落组成,运用2×2联列表分析、生态位宽度、生态位重叠、方差比率法、 χ²检验、联结系数(AC)、共同出现百分率(PC)、Ochiai指数、Dice指数和Spearman秩相关系数等方法分析物种间的生态位和种间联结性。【结果】6次调查共捕获拟步甲科成虫7属10种1 086头,其中克小鳖甲Microdera kraatzi kraatzi、弯胫东鳖甲Anatolica pandaroides和平坦东鳖甲Anatolica planata是优势种。平坦东鳖甲空间生态位宽度最大,小圆鳖甲Scytosoma pygmaeum时间生态位宽度最大,克小鳖甲时空生态位宽度最大,类沙土甲Opatrum subaratum时间、空间、时空生态位宽度最小,处于竞争劣势。对拟步甲生态位宽度值聚类表明,克小鳖甲、弯胫东鳖甲、小圆鳖甲和裂缘圆鳖甲S. dissilimarginis是广生态位种。种对的时间生态位重叠比空间生态位重叠更显著。方差比率和W检验表明拟步甲昆虫总体呈显著正关联; χ²检验、联结系数(AC)和Spearman 秩相关系数的结果显示正负关联种对的比率大于1,总体趋于正相关。共同出现百分率(PC)、Ochiai指数和Dice指数表明,优势种克小鳖甲、弯胫东鳖甲和平坦东鳖甲种间呈显著正关联。根据Spearman秩相关系数结果,这10种拟步甲可划分为3个生态种组。【结论】优势种类具有较宽的生态位,物种时间生态位和空间生态位宽度变化不一致,正联结性显著的种对生态位重叠相应也较高。生态种组聚类反映了种对生态适应性的差异。研究结果为研究冲积扇荒漠草地生境小尺度空间拟步甲昆虫群落演替提供了参考依据。     

小尺度下柠条林破碎化生境对地表甲虫多样性的影响

一般认为,景观斑块面积和破碎化对物种丰富度和分布格局有重要的影响。在宁夏中部荒漠地区,天然柠条林和人工柠条林地交错排列,形成点、片、带状等大小不等的斑块性分布,表现为典型的破碎化斑块格局生境特征。本文采用巴氏罐诱法调查了在小尺度下荒漠景观人工柠条林破碎化生境不同斑块内地表甲虫的物种多样性。结果共获得10科20属29种地表甲虫,其中拟步甲科昆虫占绝对优势,阿小鳖甲Microdera kraatzi alashanica Skopin、克小鳖甲Microdera kraatzi kraatzi(Reitter)为优势种。Rarefaction曲线显示较大面积的斑块有较多的物种多样性,但群落多样性指数各斑间块差异不显著。利用斑块面积对物种数-个体数进行回归分析表明,地表甲虫的物种多样性受斑块面积的影响,生境破碎化会导致地表甲虫多样性下降。     

宁夏盐池荒漠草原步甲物种多样性

采用巴氏罐诱法于2009年3月到10月对盐池四墩子3种不同类型荒漠草原的步甲物种组成、数量分布进行了系统调查,共获得步甲标本1318号,分属于9属15种,其中直角通缘步甲Pterostichus gebleri、蒙古伪葬步甲Pseudotaphoxnus mongolicus、径婪步甲Harpalus salinus和短翅伪葬步甲Pseudotaphoxnus brevipennis为优势种,个体数量分别占个体总数的33.08%、19.73%、15.94%和8.04%。多样性分析表明适度干扰荒漠草地的Shannon-Wiener多样性、丰富度和均匀度均高于低干扰和强干扰荒漠草地。群落相似性分析显示猪毛蒿和甘草混交带与围栏放牧带及柠条带有较高的相似性,蒙古冰草带和苜蓿与柠条混种带相似性较高。从时间动态上看,步甲群落的个体数量在8月份达到最高。4种优势种季节性变化分别是直角通缘步甲盛发期为8月,径婪步甲发生的高峰期为8、9月,短翅伪葬步甲在5月和8月,蒙古伪葬步甲7-10月个体数量均多;不同物种在不同类型荒漠草地出现的高峰期是不一致的。典范对应分析(CCA)分析表明土壤含水量是影响步甲分布的最重要环境因子,植物生物量和植被密度次之;土壤含水量与步甲的Shannon-Wiener多样性、均匀度显著负相关,与优势度呈显著正相关。     

华北落叶松(Larix principis-rupprechtii)林大步甲属(Carabus)物种多样性及其变化

在山西庞泉沟国家自然保护区华北落叶松不同林龄的人工林和天然林内,利用巴氏罐诱法,对其地表甲虫大步甲属Carabus物种进行了系统的调查,结果表明: (1)共获得大步甲属标本1290号,分属于10种,9种是该保护区的新记录种类,其中C. canaliculatus沟步甲、C. crassesculptus粗皱步甲、C. manifestus罕丽步甲、C. vladimirskyi长叶步甲为优势种,肩步甲C. hummeli、刻翅步甲C. sculptipennis、粒步甲C. granulatus为常见种. (2)不同林地物种丰富度S、多样性H′、优势度D、个体数量N存在显著差异,均匀度J不存在显著差异;S、H′、D、J在人工林25年生林地最高;N在天然林20～30年生林地最多;β多样性人工林5年生林地最高.(3) 4种优势种季节性变化总体上是沟步甲的盛发期为7月和8月份;粗皱步甲的高峰期为7月份;罕丽步甲7月、5月、9月份和6月份发生数量多,8月份稀有;长叶步甲8月份和9月份为盛发期;不同物种在不同林地出现的高峰期是不一致的.(4)物种相似性分析结果是天然林35～45a和60～80a,人工林25a和天然林5～8a极相似,其余为中等不相似和中等相似.(5)生境相似性分析的结果是天然林35～45a和60～80a相似性最高,人工林5年生与天然林20～30a、35～45a生境相似性差异逐渐增大.(6)生境指示种分析的结果是粗皱步甲、罕丽步甲为广布种,肩步甲仅在天然林35～45a和60～80a生的林地采集到,其中在天然林35～45a林地生境物种指示值高达96.73.     

农业景观步甲多样性时间格局及其与景观结构的关系

于2009年5-9月在北京密云县采用陷阱法对玉米地、花生地、果园和林地4种生境中步甲群落进行取样,并采用逐步线性回归分析了景观中优势生境类型——玉米地中步甲群落及其捕食性步甲功能群多样性的季节分布,及其与周围100、250和500 m半径范围内景观格局指数的关系.结果表明:不同生境下,8月步甲群落、捕食性步甲类群的个体数和物种数均达到最大;5月玉米地中步甲群落的物种数与取样点100 m半径范围内的景观连接度呈正相关,8月步甲群落个体数和500 m半径范围内的景观连接度呈负相关;5月玉米地中捕食性步甲群落不论是个体数还是物种数均与取样点100 m半径范围内景观连接度呈正相关,而8月捕食性步甲的物种数则与100 m尺度范围内的半自然生境的类型数呈负相关.可见,景观连接度、半自然生境的类型数对步甲及其中捕食性步甲群落动态的关键季节的多样性状况有显著影响,合理规划农田半自然用地类型组成、增加景观连接度可促进步甲群落多样性保护及其害虫生物控制功能的发挥.     

北京密云农业景观步甲群落空间分布格局

采用陷阱法对北京密云县西田各庄南部农业景观中玉米地、花生地、果园及半自然林地4种典型生境中的步甲群落进行调查分析.结果表明: 果园步甲群落α多样性最高,花生地最低,林地与玉米地居中,且二者无显著差异;林地、花生地及果园的步甲群落结构明显不同,但均与玉米地的步甲群落结构有不同程度的相似性.果园维持着较多的捕食性步甲和兼食性步甲个体数;且不同生境间捕食性步甲的物种周转率与兼食性步甲的差异更明显.低集约化的果园生境可能较半自然生境林地维持更高的步甲群落α多样性,但多样化的景观组成有利于维持步甲群落及捕食性步甲较高的β多样性.重视景观多样性和低集约化农田生境的保护对保护农业景观步甲群落多样性和实现其害虫控制功能具有重要的意义.     

宁夏温性草原甲虫多样性及其对环境指示作用的初步研究

采用陷阱诱捕法和网捕法于2016年7月-8月对宁夏温性草原13种不同草原型的甲虫种类和数量分布进行了调查,共获得甲虫标本1591号,分属于10科58种,其中直角通缘步甲Pterostichus gebleri(Dejean)、麻步甲Carabus brandti brandti Faldermann、短翅伪葬步甲Pseudotaphoxenus brevipennis Semenov、甘肃大步甲Carabus gansuensis gansuensis Semenov、暗星步甲Calosoma(Charmosta)lugens Chaudoir和蒙古伪葬步甲Pseudotaphoxenus mongolicus(Jedlicka)为优势种,个体数量分别占总个体数的23.69%、9.68%、9.05%、8.61%、8.30%和6.28%。在种类分布上,固原官厅乡三等长芒草Stipa bungeana Trin.型、同心郭大湾村二等大针茅S.grandis P.Smirn.长芒草型、同心张家塬乡四等大针茅长芒草型、彭阳罗洼乡三等百里香Thymus mongolicus Ronn长芒草型及彭阳孟塬乡四等铁杆蒿Artemisia sacrorum Ledeb.长芒草型等地种类和数量均较多;多样性分析表明,海原月亮山四等苔草Carex.spp.、杂类草Miscellaneous grass型集中性概率指数最大,同心张家山村二等大针茅长芒草型多样性指数和均匀性指数均最大,固原官厅乡三等长芒草型的丰富度指数最高;群落相似性分析显示,固原三营镇三等长芒草大针茅型与同心张家塬乡四等大针茅长芒草型、同心郭大湾村二等大针茅长芒草型相似性系数最高;昆虫对生境指示作用分析表明,胸圆高鳖甲Hypsosoma rotundicolle Fairmaire和弯齿琵甲Blaps(Blaps)femoralis femoralis(Fischer von Waldheim)分别可作为彭阳孟塬乡四等铁杆蒿长芒草型和海原嵩川乡三等苔草杂类草型的指示类群。     

荒漠生境拟步甲科指示性昆虫的初步筛选

在宁夏灵武白芨滩国家级自然保护区内, 选取了具有代表性的干旱荒漠草原区、干旱草原沙生植被区及流沙人工封育区3 类生境共9 个样地, 于2012 年4 月-9 月以巴氏罐诱法对拟步甲科昆虫多样性及其对生境的指示作用进行了调查研究。结果共获得标本3737 号, 计10 属17 种。Rarefaction 曲线接近渐进线, 表明采集强度基本反映了该地区拟步甲科昆虫的物种多样性。尖尾东鳖甲Anatolica mucronata(占总个体数的29.27%)和阿小鳖甲Microdera kraatzi alashanica(占25.82%)的个体数量最多, 波氏东鳖甲Anutolica potanini(占15.68%)和谢氏宽漠王Mantichorula semenowi(占12.44%)次之, 为该地区的优势类群。干旱草原沙生植被区物种丰富度指数最高(1.671), 相应的群落多样性各指数也都最高, 其次是流沙人工封育区, 干旱荒漠草原区最低。利用指示值法筛选了不同生境的特征指示种, 结果显示泥脊漠甲Pterocoma vittata hedini(指示值为98.36%)、突角漠甲Trigonocnera pseudopimelia(指示值为100%)和莱氏脊漠甲Pterocoma reitteri(指示值为85.71%)对干旱荒漠草原区具有指示作用。蒙古漠王Platyope mongolica(指示值为100%)、弯齿琵甲Blaps femoralis(指示值为71.43%)和多毛宽漠甲Sternoplaxsetosa(指示值为91.91%)对干旱草原沙生植被区具有指示作用。谢氏宽漠王(指示值为94.41%)对流沙人工封育区具有指示作用。     

贺兰山冲积扇荒漠草地拟步甲群落小尺度空间格局动态

为探讨贺兰山冲积扇荒漠草地拟步甲群落小尺度空间格局动态特征,本研究于2019年5—10月每月采用陷阱法调查200 m×200 m空间尺度的拟步甲昆虫群落,基于地统计分析方法,研究拟步甲昆虫群落的空间格局,并分析空间格局与地形因子的关系。6次调查共捕获拟步甲科成虫7属10种1086只,群落组成具有较明显的空间和时间变异性。其中,拟步甲群落多样性以5月最大,7月最低。Moran I指数表明,拟步甲优势种空间自相关性具有明显的季节波动性,在5月、9月和10月表现为显著空间正相关。拟步甲群落和优势种具有较强的空间异质性,主要由结构性因素决定。普通克里金插值表明,不同季节群落空间格局梯度分布存在明显差异,夏季群落空间格局比较简单。交叉方差函数分析显示,优势种物种间大多表现为正空间关联性,且主要受结构性因素单一调控。典范对应分析(CCA)结果表明,坡度和海拔显著影响昆虫分布。本研究揭示了拟步甲昆虫群落小尺度空间异质性具有明显的季节变异,为研究贺兰山冲积扇生境地表甲虫物种多样性空间格局及维持机制奠定基础。     

荒漠景观拟步甲科昆虫多样性及其对生境的指示作用

本研究在宁夏灵武白芨滩国家级自然保护区北部荒漠景观下的磁窑堡地区,选取典型荒漠草原区(DS)、人工柠条林种植区(CCL1,CCL2)及流沙人工封育区(SDE1,SDE2,SDE3)3类生境共6块样地,于2010年4月至8月以巴氏罐诱法采集该地区拟步甲科昆虫,研究该地区拟步甲科昆虫多样性及其对生境的指示作用。结果共获得标本3406头,计12属22种,其中东鳖甲属Anatolica和小鳖甲属Microdera为优势属,波氏东鳖甲Anatolica potanini Reitter、阿小鳖甲Microdera kraatz alashanica Skopin、小丽东鳖甲Anatolica amoenula Reitter和尖尾东鳖甲Anatolic amucronata Reitter为优势种。在流沙人工封育区的SDE1样地物种丰富度指数、均匀度指数和多样性指数最高,SDE3样地个体数量和优势度指数最高;人工柠条林种植区的CCL1样地个体数量最低。聚类分析结果表明流沙人工封育区与荒漠草原区、人工柠条种植区在物种组成及生境相似性方面差异较大。利用指示值法确定不同生境的特征指示种类,结果显示波氏东鳖甲、谢氏宽漠王Mantichorula semenowiReitter、尖尾东鳖甲可作为流沙封育区特征指示种;突角漠甲Trigonocnera pseudopimelia(Reitter)、中华砚甲Cyphogenia chinensis(Faldermann)和纳氏东鳖甲AnatolicanuretiSchusteretReymond可作为荒漠草原特征指示种;蒙古漠王Platyope mongolica Faldermann、多毛宽漠甲Sternoplax setosa setosa(Bates)、克小鳖甲Microdera kraatzi(Reitter)是生境恢复的监测种;小丽东鳖甲Anatolica amoenula Reitter等种类可作为生境退化的监测种。     

Orchard and riparian habitats enhance ground dwelling beetle diversity in Mediterranean agro-forestry systems

The relative contribution of mixed orchard and riparian vegetation patches to local and regional diversity of Mediterranean landscapes dominated by cork-oak woodlands was tested in 2006–2007 using ground, rove and darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Tenebrionidae). Mixed orchard and riparian gallery habitats recorded higher values of abundance and species richness for overall beetle species, although most darkling beetle species were associated with the sclerophyllous cork-oak woodlands. Ground and rove beetle community structure changed from the orchard and riparian habitats to samples placed 100 m away into the surrounding cork-oak woodland, i.e., non-cork-oak patches enhanced beta diversity within the landscape mosaic. Analysis of ground beetle traits concerning moisture preferences revealed a higher proportion of hygrophilous species in mixed orchard and riparian gallery habitats while xerophilous species were dominant within the cork-oak woodlands. The results of this study suggested that land-use management promoting the maintenance of habitat heterogeneity enhances biodiversity conservation of important hygrophilous and xerophilous species, and subsequently the sustainable use of Mediterranean agro-forest mosaics.     

The taxocene of lichen-feeding darkling beetles (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae: Helopini) in a forest-steppe ecotone

The taxocene of lichen-feeding darkling beetles from the tribe Helopini is studied in the steppes of the south of Rostov Province. The species of lichens grazed on by the representatives of this tribe are identified for the first time and dependence of circadian activity and spatial distribution of adults on temperature and air humidity is shown. Global warming and human activities may have caused degradation of steppe lichen communities that formed the dietary base for the lichen-feeding darkling beetles in natural ecosystems. As a result, 3 out of 4 beetle species completely left steppe biotopes for tree shelterbelts. This caused a change in the trophic relationships (transition from epigeic to epiphytic lichens) and in the spatial distribution of darkling beetles, promoted the establishment of competitive interactions, and increased the duration of circadian and seasonal activity due to the lengthening of the periods with optimum temperature and air humidity for each species.     

河西走廊中部戈壁地表甲虫群落动态变化及其影响因素

地表甲虫是戈壁主要的地表昆虫类群, 但我们对其种属组成和活动节律的认识还很有限。2018-2020年1-12月我们利用陷阱法对河西走廊中部典型砾质戈壁地表甲虫种类及数量进行了连续观测, 并测定了该区降水和温度。本文研究发现: (1)戈壁地表甲虫由步甲科、叶甲科、象甲科、粪金龟科和拟步甲科5科21种组成, 阿小鳖甲(Microdera kraatzi alashanica)、戈壁琵甲(Blaps gobiensis)和波笨粪金龟(Lethrus potanini)是优势地表甲虫种; (2)戈壁地表甲虫活动节律存在明显年季变异, 地表甲虫的活动期在3-10月, 地表甲虫活动密度的最大值出现在4-7月, 而物种丰富度的最大值均在5月出现; (3)降水增多的2019年地表甲虫的活动密度明显增加, 且2019年地表甲虫物种丰富度和多样性指数显著高于2018年; (4)地表甲虫的取食类型和个体大小影响它们的活动节律, 降水增多的年份提高了植食性的象甲科和部分拟步甲科的活动密度, 而一些拟步甲科的活动密度对降水的响应存在一定的滞后性; (5)降水和温度变化强烈影响地表甲虫活动节律, 地表甲虫的个体数和物种数与月降水量和月平均温度呈显著的二次曲线和指数关系, 植食性和捕食性甲虫对降水及温度变化响应较腐食性甲虫敏感, 大甲虫对降水变化的响应较中甲虫和小甲虫敏感。总之, 降水及温度变化影响了戈壁地表甲虫的活动节律, 而不同地表甲虫种对二者的响应因其生理生态特征不同而异, 从而影响了地表甲虫群落动态变化规律。     

Seasonal dynamics and grazing rate of zooplankton in Yueqing Bay,China

The species composition,biomass,abundance,and species diversity of zooplankton were determined for samples collected from August 2002 to May 2003 from 14 stations in Yueqing Bay,China.Phytoplankton growth rate and microzooplankton grazing rate were obtained by using the dilution method developed by Landry and Hassett.The spatial and temporal variations of zooplankton and its relationship with environmental factors were also analyzed.The results showed that the zooplankton in the Yueqing Bay could be divided into four ecotypes,namely coastal low saline species,estuary brackish water species,offshore warm water species,and eurytopic species.A total of 75 species of zooplankton belonging to 56 genera and 17 groups of pelagic larva were identified in the Yueqing Bay.The coastal low saline species was the dominant ecotype in the study area,and the dominant species were Labidocera euchaeta,Acartia pacifica,Acrocalanus gibber,Pseudeuphausia sinica,and Sagitta bedoti among others.There was considerable seasonal variation in zooplankton biomass and abundance in the surveyed areas.The peak biomass appeared in August,descending in November and in May,and the lowest biomass appeared in February.Similarly,the highest abundance of zooplankton was observed in August,with the abundance descending in the following months:May,November,and February.There were similar horizontal distribution patterns for the biomass and the abundance of zooplankton.They both increased from the upper to the lower bay in February and May,but decreased from the upper to the lower bay in August.Biomass and abundance were evenly distributed in the Yueqing Bay in November.Moreover,there was marked seasonal variation in the species diversity of zooplankton,which conformed to the abundance of zooplankton.Results of the dilution experiments indicated that there was grazing pressure of microzooplankton on phytoplankton in the Yueqing Bay throughout the year though the rate of microzooplankton grazing on phytoplankton varied seasonally.Phytoplanktons were growing at 0.26-2.07/d and grazed by microzooplankton at a rate of 0.15--0.48/d in different seasons.     

Darkling beetle communities in two geologically contrasting biotopes: testing biodiversity patterns by microsite comparisons

Studies at a microsite scale, where most of the environmental variation can be reduced to a few factors, may help to identify the actual contribution of a particular environmental factor to community organization. Climate is known to be an important factor for regulating animal diversity. However, for soil‐dwelling animals, the role of soil characteristics can hardly be extracted out because of the inter‐relationships between climate and soil. The community structure of soil‐dwelling darkling beetles inhabiting the two geologically highly contrasting west‐ and east‐facing slopes (WFS and EFS, respectively) of the Mediterranean island of Santorini (Greece) was investigated in a case study aiming to assess the separate influence of soil characteristics and climate. Eroded pumice soils of EFS allowed a higher abundance of darkling beetle individuals and biomass, hosting more productive vegetation and being more penetrable to fossorial larvae. Moreover, the two slopes differed significantly with respect to the abundance of certain species that are characterized by a peculiar morphological adaptation to different soil characteristics. Thus, local geological sharp divergence led to darkling beetle interslope community differences as a result of local selection towards certain species. However, the two communities are similar in terms of darkling beetle diversity, evenness, and species niche‐breadth. This demonstrates that sites sharing the same climatic conditions tend to have similarly structured darkling beetle communities, even if there are marked differences in soil characteristics that promote differences in species composition, thus suggesting that climate is the major factor for regulating species diversity. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 98 , 787–793.