Epigean colepterans (Insecta: Coleoptera) associated to dune ecotopes in the Chilean coastal range Coleópteros epígeos (Insecta: Coleoptera) asociados a ecotopos dunarios de la cordillera de la costa de Chile

Abstract

The coastal mountain range of Los Choros (Coquimbo Region) is a natural system with geomorphological characteristics (e.g., dunes, ravines and extensive plains at sea level) which allow for a flora and fauna adapted to arid conditions. These ecosystems are part of Chile's transitional coastal desert, an area characterized by high arthropod species diversity and endemism. In this work we examine the taxonomic composition and density-activity of the assemblage of epigean coleopterans in the following ecotopes of the coastal range of Los Choros: paleodunes (E1), ravine (E2) and plain (E3). In each of these ecotopes, captures were conducted using pitfall traps, which remained active for three days during August, October, and December of 2007. A total of 361 specimens were captured, representing 21 species distributed in 16 genera and 4 families. The most diverse families were Tenebrionidae and Curculionidae, with 12 and 6 species, respectively, whereas the most abundant were Curculionidae