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CHAPTER 3.1 LOCAL SPECIES DIVERSITY

white gaze cylinder of ca. 1,7 metres height. Moths were caught by hand at the light or in the nearby vegetation, identified (Holloway 1987a, DAbrera 1986, Kitching & Cadiou 2000), individually marked with waterproof pen and stored inside the gaze cylinder until dawn, when they were released. Individual marking ensured that pseudoreplicates, which could be caused by re-catches in following nights (see e.g. Beck & Schulze 2000), were avoided. Only if species identification was unsure (<10 % of specimens) the moths were killed and stored for further determination, or digital photos were taken for identification aided by a specialist. Sampling was carried out all night and at all weather conditions. Each site was sampled for 39 nights in a row, which probably yields an average of more than of the total species richness at each site (chapter 2). Four sites in Borneo were re-sampled up to 4 times to assess effects of seasonality (chapter 2), but data of sampling sessions at the same site were pooled for analyses of species diversity. Three combined 15 Watt blacklight tubes (Sylvania blacklight-blue, powered by 12 Volt dry-fit batteries) were used on the few sites where logistic conditions forbade the use of a generator. Most sites were chosen to allow sampling from open airspace, in open landscapes or in the forest canopy (accessed either by platforms or steep slopes or cliffs), as Sphingidae are known to avoid flying in dense undergrowth (Schulze & Fiedler 1997). Sampling sites were situated as deep as logistically possible (at least km) inside a habitat type in order to minimize the overlap of faunas from neighbouring habitats. Additionally to own samples published as well as unpublished data (table 3.1) were compiled which led to quantitative light-trapping data for 93 sites from Southeast-Asia (see appendix I, table 3.1: 17.676 specimens, 159 night-active species) and includes most of the data used in Schulze & Fiedler (2003b). For Borneo alone, 57 sites (12.333 specimens, 77 species) have been analysed. Generally, only sites with a minimum of 20 individuals were considered for analyses. Sampling was mostly carried out in similar short-term, high intensity light trapping sessions as described above, but light sources, sampling schedule and duration differed between sources. All data were corrected for a unified taxonomy, following an updated version of Kitching & Cadiou (2000; I.J. Kitching, pers. com.). Data for mainly day-active genera (such as Macroglossum, Cephonodes & Sataspes) were generally excluded if they were occasionally caught at light. From own observations or site descriptions of other authors, habitats were grouped in three disturbance classes: (1) Primary habitats without any significant human disturbance were usually primary rainforests. (2) Secondary habitats ranged from selectively logged forests through secondary forests to sites which were at least partly forested. (3) Heavily disturbed sites consisted of anthropogenically opened landscapes, often near villages, agricultural sites or plantations. Not for all sampling sites complete habitat descriptions could be obtained. Smaller sample sizes compared to the total number of sites in some tests are due to missing values for altitude or disturbance class for some samples. All sampling sites are listed in appendix I.