Family composition and temperature in fly assemblages: Community temperature index using family temperature index

This study aimed to examine the relationship between temperature and family composition of fly assemblages. Flies were surveyed at six locations in the Baekdudaegan mountain range (South Korea) at which mean annual temperature (MAT) ranged from 7.3°C to 9.3°C. Ten sampling sites were selected at each location, and flies were sampled at each site by 10 pitfall traps with an interval of 5 m in August 2009. Flies were identified at family level. Family temperature index was used to calculate community temperature indexes (CTI) of six locations. Through the sampling, 8,526 flies in 41 families were collected. Phoridae was most abundant in six locations. Sciaridae, Muscidae, Heleomyzidae, and Mycetophilidae were also abundant. Values of CTI were positively related to values of MAT. Difference in temperature between locations had more influence on the family composition of fly assemblages compared with distance (km) between locations. These findings indicate a significant influence of temperature on fly assemblages.