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<p>Theory suggests that predation pressure decreases with latitude. To test this hypothesis, we studied predation for insect on forest understory and canopy vegetation using six canopy cranes across a latitudinal gradient (51°N to 34°S). We find contrasting predation patterns: predation is highest in the canopy at high latitudes, whereas it decreases towards low latitudes, where it is more pronounced in the understory. These differential latitudinal trends are driven by shifts in the relative roles of bird and arthropod predators, alongside variations in natural prey abundance. Our findings highlight how predator-prey dynamics differ across forest strata and challenge assumptions about latitudinal predation gradients.</p>

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Forest canopy insects are safer from predators in the tropics than at higher latitudes

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月27日

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  • Katerina Sam,
  • Elise Sivault,
  • Sara Fernandez Garzon,
  • Sam Finnie,
  • Jan Kollross,
  • Marketa Houska Tahadlova,
  • Jan Lenc,
  • Martin Libra,
  • Antonia Ludwig,
  • Heveakore Maraia,
  • Amelia J. Philip,
  • Leonardo Re Jorge,
  • Xue Xiao,
  • Martin Volf

摘要

Theory suggests that predation pressure decreases with latitude. To test this hypothesis, we studied predation for insect on forest understory and canopy vegetation using six canopy cranes across a latitudinal gradient (51°N to 34°S). We find contrasting predation patterns: predation is highest in the canopy at high latitudes, whereas it decreases towards low latitudes, where it is more pronounced in the understory. These differential latitudinal trends are driven by shifts in the relative roles of bird and arthropod predators, alongside variations in natural prey abundance. Our findings highlight how predator-prey dynamics differ across forest strata and challenge assumptions about latitudinal predation gradients.