Consistent covariation of dispersal, life history and thermal niches across terrestrial arthropods

Arthropods, as ectotherms, are experiencing global declines, with many species facing the need to either acclimate or disperse in response to climate change. Understanding to which degree life history, dispersal and thermal niche traits covary is key to improve distribution forecasting under climate change. We quantified life history, dispersal and thermal range covariation among 4000 Western European arthropod species spanning eight orders, considering phylogenetic relationships to account for common ancestry. We demonstrate the existence of two axes of life history variation: the fast-slow continuum and the reproductive strategy axis. Species at the fast end of the continuum have higher dispersal capacities and broader thermal niches than slower species. The resulting trait syndromes were surprisingly consistent across orders. These trait combinations, which generally enhance range-shifting potential, point to the emergence of two distinct groups of arthropods: those well-suited and those less equipped to mitigate the effects of future climate change.