Riparian habitat fragmentation and population persistence of the threatened valley elderberry longhorn beetle in central California

• Published in: Biological conservation Vol. 100; no. 1; pp. 103 - 113
• Main Authors: Collinge, Sharon K., Holyoak, Marcel, Barr, Cheryl B., Marty, Jaymee T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.07.2001
• Subjects: Desmocerus californicus dimorphus; USA, California
• ISSN: 0006-3207
• DOI: 10.1016/S0006-3207(00)00211-1

The occurrence of threatened valley elderberry longhorn beetles was examined in riparian habitat fragments in California's Sacramento Valley to identify patterns of beetle occupancy and turnover over a 6-yr period and to assess factors influencing local abundance of the specie. In addition, distribution patterns were compared to those of the species' closest relative, the California elderberry longhorn beetle. The threatened specie was found to occur in drainages that appeared to function as distinct, relatively isolated metapopulations. Consistent local resource-use patterns were observed between the two species, but the valley elderberry longhorn beetle sites had much higher elderberry densities, but lower exit hole densities, than did California elderberry longhorn beetle sites. The data suggested that colonization by the threatened specie was constrained by limited dispersal.