Habitat preference of Geometridae species in Western Black Sea region of Turkey (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Preferencia de hábitat de las especies de Geometridae en la región occidental del Mar Negro de Turquía (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Introduction

The Geometridae is the most species-rich family of Lepidoptera apart from Noctuidae and Pyralidae. There are over 23000 decrypted species known in worldwide (SCOBLE & HAUSMANN, 2007), 900 in Europe (HAUSMANN, 2001) and 608 in Turkey (KOÇAK & KEMAL, 2009). Geometridae is a valuable Lepidoptera family as an indicator group to monitor environmental changes due to its characteristics such as richness in species number, ability to adapt to different habitats, and sensitivity to environmental or human-driven changes in the ecosystem (HAUSMANN, 2001; BREHM, 2002). More importantly, a decrease in the diversity of Geometridae species in an ecosystem is attributed to the environmental changes driven by human factors (BECK et al., 2002).

The study area is located in the western part of the Black Sea of Turkey has a more rugged terrain. In the north, parallel to the sea, the western Black Sea Mountains lie. The Küre Mountains extending parallel to the coast and the Ilgaz Mountains in the south determine the topographic structure of the region. Bartin and Kastamonu provinces in the study area extend along the Black Sea coast. Karabük, another province, is located inside and neighbor to others. All Provinces are located within the borders of the Euro-Siberian region biogeographically. Depending on the climatic changes Oceanic, subMediterranean and Mediterranean, different types of vegetation become dominant from the north to the south of the area. Oceanic climate, which is characterized in low altitudes by humid deciduous forests dominated by Fagus and in high altitudes by humid coniferous forests dominated by Abies and Pinus. Additionally, pseudomaqui regions are discontinuously encountered along the coast of Black Sea. The less oceanic Southern side of the mountains are dominated by relatively dryer forests dominated by Pinus and Quercus and by meadows in clearings (AKMAN, 1990, 1993; DEMIRÖRS & KURT, 2005; AYDINÖZÜ, 2008). The study area, as a whole, encompasses Küre Mountains and Yenice Mountains, which were recognized as forest hot spots by World Wild Fund (WWF) in 1999.

Studies of Geometridae diversity in the western Black Sea Region has been limited. KOÇAK & KEMAL (2009) have reported only ten species from the locations that the present study investigates. Subsequently, AKBULUT et al. (2003), CAN (2008), TOPER KAYGIN et al. (2009), OKYAR (2012) and AKKUZU et al. (2015) have added some new species to the list on top of KOÇAK & KEMAL (2009). SEVEN & ÖZDEMIR (2007) investigated relation between some Butterflies and plant association in eastern part of Black Sea Region of Turkey. OKYAR et al. (2009) have evaluated Heterocera species’ stability in different habitats in the Western Black Sea region using ShannonWiener diversity index. Moreover, SEVEN (2017) has examined habitat preferences of diurnal Lepidoptera species around the Salt Lake in Central Anatolia region using Jaccard Similarity analysis.

This study examines diversity and habitat preferences of Geometridae species in the Western Black Sea Region. Farmlands and natural habitats were compared. In this study, for the first time, analyzes faunal similarities and species transition of Geometridae family across different habitats in this region.

Material and methods

This study was conducted in Bartın, Karabük and Kastamonu provinces in the Western Black Sea region of Turkey. The fieldwork was carried out from May to September between 2008-2012. The samples were collected during periods of no moonlight by means of 8W “black light” fluorescent lamp in farmlands and four other selected areas each displaying separate plant formations. Through the fieldwork, samplings were conducted in five different habitat types four times each month between May and September. A total of 20 samplings for each of the five habitats resulted in 100 samplings in total (Fig. 1). Habitats were characterized based on GÜNAL (2013) and ATALAY (1994). Additionally, HAUSMANN (2001, 2004), MIRONOV (2003), VIIDALEPP (2007), HAUSMANN & VIIDALEPP (2012) and SKOU & SIHVONEN (2015) were consulted during the identification of Geometridae species.

Species whose specimen rate is equal to or greater than 1% were considered to have high abundance rates (DAPKUS, 2004). The species composition of communities were compared using the Bray-Curtis similarity index. Biodiversity Pro 2 software was used for the calculation of species richens, similarity and for forming the diagrams (MCALEECE, 1997) (Fig. 3).

Description of the study sites

1. Deciduous forest: Hygrophilous forests that cover the Northern side of the Black Sea Mountains. The dominant species along the piedmont is Fagus orientalis Lipsky, Carpinus betulus L., C. orientalis Mill., Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn., Castanea sativa Mill., Quercus hartwissiana Steven., Q. petraea (Matt.) Lebl., Q. robur L., Acersp., Tilia sp., Fraxinus sp., Ulmus sp., Corylus avellane L., Salix sp., Populus tremula L., are also encountered among the forests. The forest ground is covered with Rhododendron ponticum L., R. luteum Sweet, Ilex sp., Vaccinium Arctostaphylos L., Prunus laurocerasus L., Polypodiun vulgare L. and Hedera helix L.

2. Dry Coniferous-oak forests: Forests formed by continental climate enforced by precipitation and temperature trends on the Southern side of Black Sea Mountains. The dominant species in these forests are Pinus Sylvestris L., Pinus nigra J. F. Arnold, Quercus infectoria Olivier, Q. pubescens Willd. and Q. cerris L. There also exist Juniperussp., Berberis crataegyna DC, Paliurus spina-cristi Mill., Pyrus elaeagnifolia Pall., P. amygdaliformis Vill., Prunus microcarpa C. A. Mey, and Crataegus orientalis M. Bied. among the forests.

3. Humid coniferous forests: Forests of coniferous trees that consist of Pinus nigra J. F. Arnold, Abies nordmanniana equi-trojani (Arsch. & Sint. Ex Boiss.) Coode & Cullen and Pinus sylvestris L.

4. Pseudomaquis: Brush formations that extend from the sea level to altitudes of 200-250 m. Pseudomaquis is also seen in areas of 750 m. altitude due to the effect of Black Sea climate that can penetrate through river valleys. The pseudomaquis formation consists of maquis species such as Erica arborea L., Arbutus unedo L., A. andrachne L., Pistacia terebinthus L., Phillyrea latifolia L., Laurus nobilis L., Juniperus oxycedrus L., Cistus salviifolius L., Spartium junceum L., Myrtus communis L., and non-evergreen shrubs such as Cornus sanguinea L., C. mas L., Corylus avellane L., Mespilus germanica L., Crataegus monogyna Jacq., Ligustrum vulgare L. There also exists hygrophilous species indigenous to the Black Sea region such as Rhododendron ponticum L., Daphne pontica L., Laurocerasus officinalis L., Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz, among the pseudomaquis formation.

5. Farmlands: Agricultural lands for cereal, sugar beet, rice and garlic cultivation along with orchards and vegetable gardens among residential areas.

Results and discussion

In the present study, 188 Geometridae species are identified from the Western Black Sea region. Distribution of species with respect to habitats: 109 species in deciduous forest (1343 specimens), 96 species in dry coniferous-oak forests (442 specimens), 82 species in humid coniferous forests (520 specimens), 90 species in pseudomaquis (802 specimens) and 65 species in farmlands (292 specimens) (Fig. 2). The deciduous forest is found to be the most species-rich site.

When all specimens collected from the sampling stations are considered, abundance rates of 21 species are found to be equal to or greater than 1% (Table 1). The most dominant species within the study area is Peribatodes rhomboidaria (11,06%), which is known as the most widespread species among Lepidoptera communities. Skou (1986) lists forest fringes, brush, field hedges and gardens as the habitat of Peribatodes rhomboidaria. It feeds on various trees and bushes and is prevalent in Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Iran, Turkey, and North Africa. Hence, the reason of the species’ high abundance rate in the study field dominated by forests is thought to be its eurytopic characteristic.

Another dominant species of the region is Cyclophora linearia (6,12%), which displays high abundance rate only in deciduous forest. This species is monophagous on Fagus sylvatica L., or oligophagous (2-3), but clearly preferring Fagus (Fagaceae) (HAUSMANN, 2004). Thus, the reason of the species’ high abundance rate is thought to be the species’ feed preference toward Fagus, which is widely found in the deciduous forests located in Western Black Sea region.

When all Geometridae communities are considered, abundance rate of 26 species is found to be equal to or greater than 1% in deciduous forests. Only 13 species among them are dominant in this habitat (Asthena albulata (4,5%), Cabera pusaria (2%), Campaea margaritata (4,9%), Catarhoe rubidata (1,2%), Cyclophora annularia (1,9%), C. linearia (14,7%), Ectropis crepuscularia (1,1%), Ennomos quercinaria (1,9%), Hydriomena furcata (3,1%), Hypomecis roboraria (1,9%), Macaria notata (5,7%), Plagodis dolabraria (1,6%) and Selenia dentaria (1,8%)).

Subsequently, 24 species are found to be abundant species in the dry coniferous-oak forests (Table 1). Among these species, P. rhomboidaria (13,1%), Scotopteryx luridata (Hufnagel, 1767) (7,2%), Rhodostrophia discopunctata Amsel, 1935 (6,1%), Idaea rufaria (Hübner, [1799]) (6,1%) also prefer other habitats while they have high abundance rates only in dry coniferous-oak forests. Charissa certhiata, Eupithecia intricata, E. semigraphata Scotopteryx coarctaria are reported to be the species that prefer only dry coniferous-oak habitat. It is known that C. certhiata shows prevalence in dry limestone habitats (BESHKOV, 2013). The studied habitat also shows similar characteristics. E. intricata generally feeds on Juniperus sp. (MIRONOV, 2003), which belongs to the species composition of dry coniferous-oak habitat. MIRONOV (2003) also describes the preferred habitat of E. semigraphata as warm and dry, preferably stony slopes, rocks and screes areas, which fits only to the dry coniferous-oak forests studied in the present study. As a xerothermophilous species (HAUSMANN & VIIDALEPP, 2012), S. coarctaria, is recorded from an area fitting to the habitat requirements of the species.

When it comes to humid coniferous forests, 20 Geometridae species are reported to display dominance. Scotopteryx moeniata is found to be the most abundant species with 23,46% abundance rate respectively and only prefer humid coniferous forests among other studied habitats. These species are xerothermophilous according to HAUSMANN & VIIDALEPP (2012). Based on the results of the present study, however, these two species are thought to have high abundance rates because they have been supported by Fabaceae species grown in areas of low tree density and small clearings in coniferous forests. Due to the fact that Scotopteryx moeniata have not been encountered in other habitats, it is inferred that they show high habitat selectivity in favor of coniferous forests. Moreover, Eupithecia tantillaria and Pungeleria capreolaria are found to be other selective and dominant species that prefers only coniferous forests. E. tantillaria is an oligophagous species that feeds on Abies and Pinusduring larval stage (MIRONOV, 2003). P. capreolaria, on the other hand, is a sylvicolours species. This species occurs in coniferous and mixed forest with conifers as well as in more open woodland with conifers (SKOU & SIHVONEN, 2015). The results of the present study are, thus, consistent with previous insights about the specified species.

Furthermore, a total of 20 species display abundance rates greater than 1% in pseudomaquis areas. Among these, C. puppillaria (Hübner, [1799]) is the most widespread species that lives in the Mediterranean maquis and in sparse oak forests (Quercus pubbescens, Q. Ilex). It could be seen from 0 m. up to 1000 m. above the sea level in southern Europe, and up to 1500 m. in Turkey (HAUSMANN, 2004). The reason why C. puppillaria reaches an abundance rate of 5,59% is its high abundance rate (19,83%) observed in pseudomaquis areas. This concludes that Geometridae species that generally exist in maquis could also prefer pseudomaquis areas located in the coastal part of the Black Sea. Lastly, Gnophos sartatus (1,12%) and Phaiogramma etruscaria (1,12%) are found to be the dominant species that only prefer pseudomaquis habitat.

Next, farmlands are dominated by 25 Geometridae species in which Peribatodes rhomboidaria (15,41%) and Idaea rufaria (15,07%) display the highest dominance rates. As mentioned before, P. rhomboidaria is reported to have high specimen numbers in all habitats sampled in this study. Moreover, I. rufaria is a xerothermophilous species of open habitats, often on dry, low-nutrient grassland, sun-exposed slops, preferring sandy soils and limestone (HUSMANN, 2004). While forests cover most of the study area, open areas provided by farmlands may cause I. rufaria population to increase.

Overall, deciduous forest is the preferred habitat for most of the species (109 species) examined for this study while, at the same time, many of them having high abundance rates. This indicates that any loss of deciduous forest caused by climate change or anthropogenic factors will most probably affect species’ richness and composition in the region. In turn, the conservation efforts become extremely important in the Western Black Sea region that encompasses two of the Turkey’s nine forest hot spots recognized by WWF.

Subsequently, similarity of Geometridae communities among habitats is below 50% (Table 2). The highest similarity rate is observed between farmlands and dry coniferous-oak forests (44,14%). This is because farmlands, for most of the time, are located discontinuously within dry coniferous forests. The second highest similarity rate is reported between deciduous forests and pseudomaquis areas (37,20%,) followed by the third highest between dry coniferous-oak forests and humid coniferous forests (32,02%). Finally, the lowest similarity rate prevails between deciduous forests and farmlands (14,92%). Figure 2 shows that the region could be segregated into two sub-regions with respect to habitats that dominate them: 1. Sub-region dominated by deciduous forest and pseudomaquis; 2. Sub region dominated by dry coniferous-oak forests, humid coniferous forests and farmlands whereas humid coniferous forests display characteristics different than the other two habitats. The reason of humid coniferous forests being in the second sub-region is because dry coniferous-oak forests of pine forest type. While the Northern side of the mountains are dominated by pseudomaquis, deciduous forests and humid coniferous forests starting from the sea level, the Southern side of mountains are dominated by dry coniferous-oak forests in the Western Black Sea region. Clearings of dry coniferous-oak forests are also suitable for steppe development. This study shows that species composition of Geometridae communities in the Western Black Sea region is shaped by plant formations found in humid areas on the Northern side of mountains where Oceanic climate is in effect.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies for supporting this project.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

AKBULUT, S., YÜKSEL, B. & KETEN, A., 2003.– The Lepidoptera (Insecta) fauna of Düzce province, Turkey.– Turkish Journal of Zoology, 27: 257-268.

AKKUZU, E., EROL, S., DINGILOǦLU, E., ÖZDIKMENLI, G. & AYBERK, H., 2015.– Lepidoptera Fauna of the Forest Enterprise Directorate of Kastamonu.– Kastamonu University Journal of Forestry Faculty, 15(2) 308-318.

AKMAN, Y., 1990.– Climate and Bioclimate: 320 pp. Palme Press, Ankara.

AKMAN, Y., 1993.– Biogeography: 380 pp. Palme Press, Ankara.

ATALAY, I., 1994.– Vegetation Geography of Turkey: 352 pp. Ege University Press, Bornova, Izmir.

AYDINÖZÜ D., 2008.– An investigation on the distribution areas of the maquis formation in Turkey.– Kastamonu Education Journal, 16(1): 207-220.

BECK, J., SCHULZE, C., LINSENMAIR, K. E. & FIEDLER, K., 2002.– From forest to farmland: diversity of geometrid moths along two habitat gradients on Borneo.– Journal of Tropical Ecology, 17: 33-51.

BESHKOV, S., 2013.– Treasures of the Congress center and its surroundings-species and habitats.– XVIII European Congress of Lepidopterology: 26-27. Blagoevgrad.

BREHM, G., 2002.– Diversity of geometrid moths in a montane rainforest in Ecuador (Doctoral dissertation). University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth. Available from http://opus.ub.uni-bayreuth.de/volltexte/2003/20 (accessed 22th June 2011).

CAN, F., 2008.– The Geometrid Moths (Lepidoptera) from the Middle and Eastern Black Sea regions of Turkey.– Turkish Journal of Zoology, 32: 351-358.

DAPKUS, D., 2004.– Lepidoptera of a raised bog and adjacent forest in Lithuania.– European Journal of Entomology,101: 63-67.

DEMIRÖRS, M. & KURT, F., 2005.– Contrubutions to the flora of the region among Zonguldak Karabük and Bartın.– Kastamonu Education Journal, 13(2) 555-560.

GÜNAL, N., 2013.– The Effects of the Climate on the Natural Vegetation in Turkey.– Acta Turcıca, Online Thematic Journal of Turkic Studies, 5(1): 1-22.

HAUSMANN, A. & VIIDALEPP, J., 2012.– Larentiinae I.– In A. HAUSMANN. The Geometrid Moths of Europe, 3: 743 pp. Apollo Books, Stenstrup.

HAUSMANN, A., 2001.– Introduction, Archiearinae, Orthostixinae, Desmobathrinae, Alsophilinae, Geometrinae.– In A. HAUSMANN. The Geometrid Moths of Europe, 1: 282 pp. Apollo Books, Stentrup.

HAUSMANN, A., 2004.– Sterrhinae.– In A. HAUSMANN. The Geometrid Moths of Europe, 2: 600 pp. Apollo Books, Stenstrup.

MCALEECE, N., 1997.– BioDiversity Pro: Free Statistics Software for Ecology. The Natural History Museum and Scottish Association for Marine Science, London.

MIRONOV, V., 2003.– Larentiinae II. Perizomini and Eupitheciini.– In A. HAUSMANN. The Geometrid Moths of Europe, 4: 664 pp. Appollo Books, Stenstrup.

OKYAR, Z., 2012.– Heteroceran (Lepidoptera) fauna of western black sea region.– Trakya University Jounal of Natural Sciences, 13(1): 1-14.

OKYAR, Z., YURTSEVER, S., AKTAÇ, N. & ÇAKAN, G., 2009.– Some Aspects of the moth (Lepidoptera, Heterocera) species diversity in Western Black Sea Region of Turkey.– North-Western Journal of Zoology, 5(1.): 104-120.

ÖZDEMIR, M. & SEVEN, S., 2007.– Interrelation Between Some Butterflies and Plant Associations (Turkey).– Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 10(1): 112-116.

SCOBLE, M. & HAUSMANN, A., 2007.– Online list of valid and available names of the Geometridae of the World. Available from http://lepbarcoding.org/geometridae/species_checklists.php (accessed 5th March 2019).

SEVEN, S., 2017.– Comparative Analysis of Habitat Preferences of the Diurnal Lepidoptera of Tuz Lake, Turkey.– Acta Zoologica Bulgarica, 69(1): 49-54.

SKOU, P. & SIHVONEN, P., 2015.– Ennominae I. In A. HAUSMANN. The Geometrid Moths of Europe, 5: 657 pp. Brill, Leiden.

SKOU, P., 1986.– The Geometroid moths of North Europe (Lepidoptera: Drepanidae and Geometridae).– Entomonograph, 6: 348 pp. E. J. Brill, Scandinavian Science Press, Leiden.

TOPER KAYGIN, A., YILDIZ, Y. & AVCI, M., 2009.– Lepidoptera fauna in Bartin province, in western black sea region of Turkey.– African Journal of Agricultural Research, 4(9): 815-822.