Influence  of  shrub  heterogeneity  on  the  diversity  of  darkling  beetles   (Coleoptera:  Tenebrionidae)  in  arid  high  altitude  environments  in   northwestern  Argentin

MACAGNO, HB; FLORES GE.; CORRONCA JA

Simposio; International Tenebrionoidea Virtual Symposium VI; 2021

Using   pitfall   traps   and   suction   sampling   in   9   sites   with   different   degrees   of   plant   heterogeneity   (high:   HH,   intermediate:   IH   and   low:   LH),   we   collected   tenebrionid   beetles  in  the  Altos  Andes  and  Puna  ecoregions  (up  to  4300  msl)  to  evaluate  how  the   increase  in  heterogeneity  of  shrub  vegetation  influence  their  assemblages.  Samplings   were   carried  out   in  2014  (December),  2015  (June)   and  2018  (February).  In  total,  we   registered   108   individuals   of   9   species,   the   abundance   and   richness   of   species   was   higher  in  IH  (N  =  60,  S  =  6)  than  in  HH  (N  =  35, S=  5)  and  LH  (N  =  13,  S  3),  but  only  the   abundance  registered  statistically  significant  differences.  Physogaster  andinus was  the   species   shared   between   the   different   habitats,   Entomochilus   varius was   present   exclusively   in   LH,   Epipedonota   interandina and   Caenocrypticoides   translucidus were   exclusive  to  IH,  while  Hylithus  forsteri  meridionalis and  Praocis  pentachorda were  only   present  in  HH.  The  tenebrionid  assemblages  of  the  three  habitats  studied  had  different   dominant   species,   in   LH   it   was   P.   andinus,   in   IH   E. interadina, and In   HH   Praocis   magnoi.   Beta   diversity   between   habitats   was   moderate   and   we   recorded   a   high   rotation  of  species  between  habitats.  The  increase  in  the  bush  heterogeneity  of  the  PU   and   AA   generated   changes   in   the   structure   of   the   assemblages   of   Tenebrionidae   associated   with   it.   Therefore,   the   presence   of   shrubs   in   arid   environments   is   very   important  for  these  beetles  because,  despite  their  low  canopy  coverage,  they  produce   changes   in   micro-‐climatological   variables,   provide   shelter   from   the   sun   and   food   resources.