SPECIES-DIVERSITY OF JULID MILLIPEDES - BETWEEN HABITAT COMPARISONS WITHIN THE SEASONAL TROPICS

The species diversity of julid millipedes was compared between several habitat types within the seasonal tropics using log-abundance species rank plots and standard diversity indices calculated from hand collections and trap samples of animals. The number of species per site ranged from 1 to 8 and most habitats were species poor. There was considerable variation in diversity and dominance of species between habitats. Relatively homogeneous habitats (riparian forest, pine and Eucalyptus plantations) contained few species and were dominated by the first rank species Alloporus uncinatus, whilst more heterogeneous habitats (for example, natural miombo woodland) were relatively species rich. A resource preemption hypothesis is suggested as a possible explanation for these between habitat differences in species diversity. Variation in species composition and diversity is noted as a possible factor influencing the effect of millipede assemblages on nutrient dynamics.