Crane flies (Tipulomorpha; Diptera) collected during the All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina : an ecological study

Collections were made in association with the All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) occurring in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) was conducted between October 2000 and October 2002 in an attempt to define the crane fly (Tipulomorpha, Diptera) assemblages found there. The objectives of this research were: 1) to define the crane fly assemblages of GRSM, 2) estimate the numbers of species likely to be found in GRSM, and 3) determine spatial and temporal distributions for species encountered. Over 9,000 specimens were collected from 22 Malaise trap located at 11 ATBI plot locations, representing 177 species from 57 genera and 5 families. Richness estimators indicated that an additional 20-80 species likely would be found using these collecting techniques, although up to 500 total species may be possible for GRSM. A high degree of faunal turnover was observed between traps. Distinct assemblages of crane flies occurred in different vegetation communities. Major differences were found between high-elevation coniferous forest sites and deciduous forests at all elevations. Open areas with no canopy had depauperate crane fly assemblages comprised mostly of transient species occurring in low numbers. Variation in elevation gradient affected the distributional patterns of many species. Numerous species were collected in only the upper or lower elevations. Those collected only in upper elevations typically had northern North American ranges or are known only from the Tennessee-North Carolina area. Species collected only at lower elevations had an increased likelihood of having southern ranges. The overall crane fly assemblage of GRSM is largely comprised of species with more northern distributions and species with broad geographic distributions.