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ABSTRACT Understanding the ecological drivers of species diversity across spatial scales is essential for biodiversity conservation, particularly in highly complex ecosystems such as the Amazon. In this study, we investigate the influence of vegetation structure and soil composition on the diversity and distribution of Opiliones (harvestmen) in an upland forest in the Central Amazon. We developed a theoretical framework to investigate how the primary drivers of Opiliones composition, specifically microhabitat structure (e.g., leaf litter, decaying wood, shrubs, and trees) and soil components (e.g., sand and phosphorus content), differentially shape Opiliones assemblages at both local (tens of m 2 ) and regional (tens of km 2 ) scales. Locally, Opiliones show higher diversity and abundance in tree trunks, branches, and leaves, possibly due to the variety of microhabitats provided by large trees. Species composition was also influenced by microhabitat changes associated with trees and decomposing wood. Contrary to expectations, the association of Opiliones with trees did not scale up. Regionally, species diversity was associated with soil and sand content, but not with tree density. These results emphasize the scale‐dependent nature of environmental drivers in shaping arthropod communities and caution against extrapolating findings from local‐scale studies to broader geographic contexts. Conservation efforts should prioritize protecting diverse microhabitats, particularly mature forests and large trees, to support Opiliones and other arthropods, but should also take into account other factors that can affect species diversity across different geographic scales.
Rodrigues et al. (Sat,) studied this question.