Global homeostatic forces shape the composition of a hyperdiverse tropical insect fauna

DNA metabarcoding of Madagascar insect samples estimates at least 250,000 species, with only 5% currently recorded, and finds ecological composition resembling temperate forests.

• Why it matters: Tropical insect faunas remain poorly characterized, and the drivers of how Madagascar’s hyperdiverse community assembles are unclear for biodiversity management.
• What they did: The team used extensive DNA metabarcoding of Malaise trap and leaf litter samples from Madagascar to estimate total species richness and compare ecological and taxonomic composition with temperate forests.
• The result: Net diversification rates after colonization are linked to the temperate-like similarity, while parasitoids are less common and beetles are richer, informing sustainable management of tropical insect faunas.

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