Six groups of ground-dwelling arthropods show different diversity responses along elevational gradients in the Swiss Alps

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271831
• Publication Date: 2022-07-25T17:34:31Z
• Authors: José D. Gilgado; Hans-Peter Ruster...; Brigitte Braschler; Stephan Zimmermann; Yannick Chittaro; Bruno Baur
• Keywords: Millipede; Ground beetle; Elevation (ballistics); Arthropod

Elevational gradients along mountain slopes offer opportunities to study key factors shaping species diversity patterns. Several environmental change over short distances the elevational gradient in predictable ways. However, different taxa respond these differently resulting various proposed models for biodiversity patterns transects. Using a multi-taxa approach, we investigated effects of elevation, area, habitat and soil characteristics on richness, individual abundance composition six groups ground-dwelling arthropods four transect lines Swiss National Park its surroundings (Eastern Alps). Spiders, millipedes, centipedes, ants, ground beetles rove were sampled using standardized methods (pitfall traps, cardboard visual search) 65 sites spanning an range from 1800 2750 m a.s.l.. A total 14,782 individuals comprising 248 collected (86 spider, 74 beetle, 34 21 millipede, 19 centipede 14 ant species). Linear mixed model-analysis revealed that rarefied richness five out arthropod was affected by elevation (the quadratic term provided best fit most cases). We found three (linear decrease low plateau followed ants beetles, midpoint peak spiders millipedes). These only partially mirrored when considering abundance. Elevation influenced all examined. Overall, important factor explaining patterns, while local have little influence Our supports importance approaches examining gradients. Considering single group may result misleading findings overall biodiversity.