Habitat Suitability of Megalopteran Communities in Thailand: Conservation Implications Under Climate Change.
9 affiliations
- 1Futuristic Science Research Center, School of Science, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
- 2Research Center for Theoretical Simulation and Applied Research in Bioscience and Sensing, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
- 3Environmental Science Program, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
- 4Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
- 5Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
- 6Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Biodiversity Innovation Research Center (GMS-BIRC), Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
- 7Yunnan Key Laboratory of Forest Ecosystem Stability and Global Change, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Mengla 666303, China.
- 8State Key Laboratory of Animal Biodiversity Conservation and Integrated Pest Management, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
- 9Insect Systematics Research Unit, Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, The Botanical Garden Organization, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand.
Abstract
Members of the insect order Megaloptera (alderflies, fishflies, dobsonflies) are ecologically important freshwater insects and valuable biological indicators in freshwater biomonitoring programs, yet their spatial patterns and vulnerability to climate change in Southeast Asia remain poorly understood. We compiled 116 occurrence records representing 23 species across seven genera from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) database, published literature, and our field surveys. We examined the distribution of megalopterans across freshwater ecoregions in Thailand, assessed genus-level associations with climatic, topographic, and landscape variables, and projected habitat suitability under current and future climate scenarios. Our results showed significant differences among genera in elevation, proximity to river and canal networks, and climatic factors, including temperature, humidity, and precipitation. Using a range of modeling approaches based on 19 bioclimatic variables from the WorldClim database, we found that habitat suitability for megalopterans is most strongly driven by the mean temperature of the driest quarter (BIO9), precipitation of the wettest month (BIO13), and maximum temperature of the warmest month (BIO5). Our results indicated that approximately 40% of Thailand (209,170 km²) currently provides suitable habitat for megalopterans overall. However, future climate scenarios predict substantial habitat loss, with moderate- and high-suitability areas declining sharply by the 2050s and nearly disappearing by the 2090s under high-emission pathways. Our findings underscore the vulnerability of megalopterans in Thailand to climate warming and seasonality, emphasizing the urgent need for freshwater ecosystem conservation and global mitigation efforts to protect tropical aquatic insect diversity.
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BibTeX
@article{wayo2026habitat,
title = {{Habitat Suitability of Megalopteran Communities in Thailand: Conservation Implications Under Climate Change.}},
author = {Kanuengnit Wayo and Pranote Yaowapaksopon and Terd Disayathanoowat and Akihiro Nakamura and Xingyue Liu and Watit Khokthong and Kanyakorn Piraonapicha},
journal = {Insects},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/insects17100986},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42940896},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Habitat Suitability of Megalopteran Communities in Thailand: Conservation Implications Under Climate Change.
AU - Kanuengnit Wayo
AU - Pranote Yaowapaksopon
AU - Terd Disayathanoowat
AU - Akihiro Nakamura
AU - Xingyue Liu
AU - Watit Khokthong
AU - Kanyakorn Piraonapicha
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/24
JO - Insects
DO - 10.3390/insects17100986
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42940896
AB - Members of the insect order Megaloptera (alderflies, fishflies, dobsonflies) are ecologically important freshwater insects and valuable biological indicators in freshwater biomonitoring programs, yet their spatial patterns and vulnerability to climate change in Southeast Asia remain poorly understood. We compiled 116 occurrence records representing 23 species across seven genera from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) database, published literature, and our field surveys. We examined the distribution of megalopterans across freshwater ecoregions in Thailand, assessed genus-level associations with climatic, topographic, and landscape variables, and projected habitat suitability under current and future climate scenarios. Our results showed significant differences among genera in elevation, proximity to river and canal networks, and climatic factors, including temperature, humidity, and precipitation. Using a range of modeling approaches based on 19 bioclimatic variables from the WorldClim database, we found that habitat suitability for megalopterans is most strongly driven by the mean temperature of the driest quarter (BIO9), precipitation of the wettest month (BIO13), and maximum temperature of the warmest month (BIO5). Our results indicated that approximately 40% of Thailand (209,170 km²) currently provides suitable habitat for megalopterans overall. However, future climate scenarios predict substantial habitat loss, with moderate- and high-suitability areas declining sharply by the 2050s and nearly disappearing by the 2090s under high-emission pathways. Our findings underscore the vulnerability of megalopterans in Thailand to climate warming and seasonality, emphasizing the urgent need for freshwater ecosystem conservation and global mitigation efforts to protect tropical aquatic insect diversity.
SN - 2075-4450
ER -