Diversity of Carabidae (Insecta, Coleoptera) in Epiphytic Bromeliaceae in Central Veracruz, Mexico

• Author(s) / Creator(s)

  • Spence, J.R.
  • Ball, G.E.
  • de Oca, E.M.

• This paper documents the existence of carabid assemblages associated with bromeliads on the Cofre de Perote, Veracruz, Mexico. Based on bromeliads sampled over three altitudinal ranges, the assemblages included at least 26 species with an arboreal lifestyle and another 11 species that are not strictly arboreal. Seven species are new to science, urging us to pay attention to the arboreal fauna in forest conservation studies. Composition of carabid assemblages associated with bromeliads changes with altitude. In lowlands, it is comprised almost entirely of species of Lebiini, with the Platynini dominating assemblages found in bromeliads >1,000 m above sea level. Our data suggest that carabids use bromeliads to reduce stresses associated with drought periods, the exact timing of which depends on altitude. The unexpected low diversity of the carabid fauna associated with bromeliads at middle altitude is explained in terms of anthropogenic conversion of the original forest to pastureland. Given the importance of arboreal elements, further fragmentation of subtropical and tropical mountain forest significantly threatens overall carabid diversity.

• Date created

  2007

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Carabids
  • Bromeliads
  • Altitude
  • Mexico
  • Diversity

• Type of Item

  Article (Published)

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3GF0P

• License

  © 2007 Entomological Society of America. This article is the copyright property of the Entomological Society of America and may not be used for any commercial or other private purpose without specific written permission of the Entomological Society of America.