Taxonomic composition of Coleoptera, Hemiptera (Heteroptera and Coleorrhyncha) and Mutillidae (Hymenoptera) at five different altitudes in Lamington National Park (Queensland, Australia)

This study describes the taxonomic composition of Coleoptera and selected groups of Hemiptera (Heteroptera and Coleorrhyncha) and Hymenoptera (Mutillidae) in the understorey of a subtropical rainforest along an altitudinal gradient in Lamington National Park, Queensland, Australia. The altitudinal gradient was subdivided into five zones (300, 500, 700, 900 and 1100 m above sea level (a.s.l.)) within each of which, four replicated sampling sites were established. A total of 16 783 individals from 1219 species of Coleoptera, 715 from 92 species of Hemiptera and 105 from 17 species of Mutillidae were collected from beating low vegetation. Total species richness and abundance were generally high throughout the gradient, with more than 3000 individuals from over 400 species at each of the five altitudinal zones, but significantly fewer species and individuals were present at higher elevations (900 and 1100 m a.s.l.). Different taxonomic groups showed various patterns of altitudinal zonation, with many groups restricted to the higher elevations, particularly at 1100 m. Of the species unique to one altitudinal zone, half were restricted to 1100 m. The results of the present study provide important base-line data upon which predictions can be made in early warning monitoring systems with regard to climatic change.