Which host-dependent insects are most prone to coextinction under changed climates?

Melinda L. Moir*, Lesley Hughes, Peter A. Vesk, Mei Chen Leng

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    21 Citations (Scopus)
    19 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Coextinction (loss of dependent species with their host or partner species) presents a threat to untold numbers of organisms. Climate change may act synergistically to accelerate rates of coextinction. In this review, we present the first synthesis of the available literature and propose a novel schematic diagram that can be used when assessing the potential risk climate change represents for dependent species. We highlight traits that may increase the susceptibility of insect species to coextinction induced by climate change, suggest the most influential host characteristics, and identify regions where climate change may have the greatest impact on dependent species. The aim of this review was to provide a platform for future research, directing efforts toward taxa and habitats at greatest risk of species loss through coextinction accelerated by climate change.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1295-1312
    Number of pages18
    JournalEcology and Evolution
    Volume4
    Issue number8
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Apr 2014

    Bibliographical note

    Copyright the Author(s) 2014. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

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