Document: BIL-3-52-11

Competition and soil moisture influence the distribution of the endangered Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle (Cicindela limbata albissima).

ROMEY, W.L.* ¹ and C.B.KNISLEY ²

Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT 84720 USA ¹
Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, VA 23005 USA ²

Abstract:
The Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle (Cicindela limbata albissima) occupies one of the smallest home ranges of any species. It exists only within a 0.75 km² area in the southernmost part of Utah in the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. It is currently a candidate species for listing as an endangered species. In this study we examined potential niche differences between C.l. albissima and another co-occurring species of tiger beetle (C. tranquebarica). In June 1999 we counted adult numbers of each species and measured percent soil moisture and temperature in 45 interdunal swales where one or both species occur. Results showed a significant correlation between the average percent soil moisture of a swale and the ratio of the number of the two species of tiger beetle (regression analysis r² = 0.384, p < 0.001). In swales with less than 4% moisture there were more C.l. albissima. It is not yet clear whether the observed relationship has to do with preferences of the adult for a foraging / oviposition area or the ability of C.l. albissima larvae to tolerate the drier dune swales.

Keywords: Cicindela limbata albissima, Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle, Conservation

This abstract is being presented at: 1:45 PM in session:
Oral Session #53: Terrestrial Invertebrate Ecology.