Ceratopogonidae (Diptera) communities in a protected area threatened by urbanization

CAMPOS, R. E.; CAZORLA, C. G.

NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOC BRASIL

Lugar: BRASIL; Año: 2020

1519-566X

This study highlights the species diversity of Ceratopogonidae from theParanaense forest and adjacent grassland in a protected natural area ofArgentina, and emphasizes the importance of conserving the last remainingmarginal forest area surrounded by a strong urbanization. A total 46species belonging to 10 genera were recorded from these two habitats.Species diversity was higher in the grassland, while dominance was greaterin the forest. Twelve species were abundant, while the rest were scarce orrare. The composition of the ceratopogonid community differs betweenhabitats: 15 species were exclusive to the forest, 4 to the grasslands, and27 used both habitats indistinctly. Differences between habitats were observedin the abundances of Alluaudomyia schnacki Spinelli, Atrichopogonalbinensis Ingram and Macfie, and Forcipomyia rioplatensis Marino andSpinelli. The sex ratio of the most abundant species did not show a definitepattern in relation to the habitats, except for Culicoides caridei (Brèthes),in which females were dominant. Atrichopogon balseiroi Spinelli andForcipomyia williamsi Marino & Spinelli have only been recorded inBuenos Aires Province and were found exclusively in the forest during thisstudy.