IADIZA   20886
INSTITUTO ARGENTINO DE INVESTIGACIONES DE LAS ZONAS ARIDAS
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Distribution, ecology and conservation status of Gyriosomus granulipennis Pizarro-Araya & Flores 2004 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Autor/es:
PIZARRO-ARAYA, J., F.M. ALFARO Y G.E. FLORES
Reunión:
Simposio; IV International Tenebrionoidea Symposium; 2015
Resumen:
The Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve islocated in the coastal transitional desertof Chile (25-32º S) and is composed ofthe Choros, Damas and Chañaral islands, which extends across the regions ofAtacama and Coquimbo (Chile).Recently, Gyriosomus granulipennisPizarro-Araya & Flores 2004 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) has been described as endemic to Choros island and represents aparticular case of a species with a distribution restricted to a semideserticinsular ecosystem. The objectives of this workwere 1) to examine the distribution, ecology and conservation status of G. granulipennis and 2) to propose long-term work plans for monitoring andpreserving the species populations. According to the data analyzed, the distributionof this species is concentrated in the plateaus of the northern and mid-westernportion of Choros island. Population dynamics studies of the species suggestthat the populations are small and linked to the availability and dynamics ofthe island's seasonal vegetation. G.granulipennis was the first insect species to be classified in aconservation category in Chile(Vulnerable). The major threats currently facing this species are the incipienthabitat reduction, the loss of trophic resources caused by introduced (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and invasivespecies (Mesembryanthemum cristallinumand M. nodiflorum), and predationfrom occasional species (Athenecunicularia). We estimate that it is essential to continuously monitor thepopulation status and dynamics of this tenebrionid species in order to developeffective protection and conservation plans that take into consideration theloss of habitat and the eradication of introduced species.