Long droughts decrease tiger- and ground-beetle’ beta diversity and community body size in savannas of the Gorongosa National Park (Mozambique)

Abstract We assessed the Caraboidea communities of Gorongosa National Park (GNP) in Mozambique. Influence tropical rainfall, after a long period drought, was evaluated on alpha and beta diversity tiger- ground-beetles main habitat types park: miombo forests, mixed transitional grasslands (open savannas). Tiger- ground-beetle were sampled by pitfall traps set up 25 sites each type along three sampling periods, comprising transition dry season to wet season. After first an increase observed across GNP habitats, particularly grasslands. Higher values between In contrast, community dissimilarities periods not significant forests. Community body size increased partly due occurrence caraboid species that exclusive forest habitats during drought. Transitional as ecotone areas, appeared support grassland serving also source may colonize open areas Forest will probably be more threatened climate aridification future landscape changes change.