Endemic epigean Tenebrionids (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from the Andean Region: exploring the patagonian-diversification hypothesis

CARRARA, R. & G.E. FLORES

ZOOTAXA

MAGNOLIA PRESS

Lugar: Auckland; Año: 2015 vol. 4007 p. 47 - 62

1175-5326

Abstract. Tenebrionidae is a diverse insect familyof Coleoptera that shows high levels of endemicity in epigean species. For theAndean region, which is divided into three subregions: Central Chilean,Subantarctic and Patagonian, it has been hypothesized that epigean tenebrionidshave diversified in the Patagonian subregion and subsequently, they dispersedto Subantarctic and Central Chilean subregions. In this work, based oninformation obtained from museum collections and scientific studies, wepresented the first list of endemic epigean tenebrionids from the Andean regionwith their taxonomic arrangement and geographic distribution. Moreover, we usedthese data to explore the veracity of the Patagonian−diversificationhypothesis. A total of 416 species grouped into six subfamilies, 17 tribes and41 genera were identified as endemic to the Andean region. Considering thespatial distribution it was observed that subfamilies, tribes, genera andspecies were unequally distributed across subregions. Results did not supportthe Patagonian−diversification hypothesis; to the contrary, they were moreconcordant with processes of isolation among subregions that have promotedspeciation by interrupting gene flow among populations, resulting in endemismbecause species can not expand their range sizes. Finally, we discuss theimplications of our findings to be considered in biodiversity conservation,because endemic species, by their high extinction risk, are primary targets inconservation strategies.