Elevational patterns in two groups of micromoths (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae, Alucitidae) in tropical forests of Mount Cameroon
Micromoths remain understudied in the Afrotropics, yet analyses along Mount Cameroon’s full forest gradient reveal striking elevational patterns. Many‑plumed moths peak at mid‑elevations, while plume moths increase upslope. Both families show strong community turnover, with range size and wingspan increasing with elevation, supporting Rapoport’s rule and Bergmann’s cline. Distinct mid‑ and high‑elevation assemblages underscore the conservation value of the entire gradient and the climate vulnerability of highland endemics. Broader research on neglected tropical insect groups is urgently needed to anticipate biodiversity responses to environmental change.
Subject Tags
- Climate impacts
- Forest
- Biodiversity
Abstract
Tropical elevational gradients offer unique insights into ecological processes shaping biodiversity, although micromoths remain severely understudied, especially in the Afrotropics. We analysed species richness, community composition, elevational range size and wingspan of two micromoth families, many-plumed moths (Alucitidae) and plume moths (Pterophoridae), along a complete forest gradient on Mount Cameroon, an Afrotropical biodiversity hotspot. Alucitidae exhibited a distinct mid-elevation diversity peak, mirroring common patterns in tropical butterflies and moths, whereas Pterophoridae showed an uncommon upslope increase in species richness. Both families demonstrated clear elevational turnover in community composition, indicative of strong environmental filtering. Additionally, community-weighted elevational range size and wingspan increased consistently with elevation, supporting Rapoport's rule and Bergmann's cline, respectively. These patterns likely reflect interactions among climatic factors and environmental complexity, though the underlying mechanisms remain unresolved. Our findings reveal the unique communities of both mid- and high-elevation forests, as well as the distinctiveness of species-poor lowland assemblages. This elevational differentiation underscores the need for conservation across the full gradient and the vulnerability of endemic highland taxa to climate-driven range contractions. Comprehensive research on neglected tropical insect groups is urgently needed to better anticipate biodiversity responses to environmental change.
Citation
Gaona, F. P., Delabye, S., Maicher, V., Ustjuzhanin, P., Kovtunovich, V. N., Janeček, Š., ... & Tropek, R. (2025). Elevational patterns in two groups of micromoths (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae, Alucitidae) in tropical forests of Mount Cameroon. African Journal of Ecology, 63(8), e70122. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70122
TNC Authors
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Vincent Maicher
The Nature Conservancy