Predictions and test of multiple climate-species richness hypotheses to explain the spatial distribution of tenebrionid beetles in mountain environments.

Few studies have evaluated how climate is mechanistically related to species richness in mountain environments. We used path analysis to evaluate predictions of several mechanistic hypotheses based on their hypothesized mechanism relating climate with richness of darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). We modeled the influence of spatial covariation on climatic variables and tenebrionid richness. Results showed that richness peaks at mid elevations, chiefly influenced by precipitation and temperature, both directly and indirectly through geographic range sizes. The best fitting model explains 84% of the variance of tenebrionid richness. We suggest this pattern is induced by a water-energy balance along the altitudinal gradient. At low elevations, energy availability is high but water deficit may limit species richness; in contrast, at high elevations water availability is high, but energy deficit may limit species richness. These results suggest high susceptibility of the study region to future global climate change.

Taxonomic revision of the Peruvian genus Pilobaloderes Kulzer, 1958 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Pimeliinae, Praociini).

The monotypic genus Pilobaloderes Kulzer (Pimeliinae: Praociini), endemic to Peruvian Andes, is revised. Based on examination of recently collected specimens, we describe the female of the type species and a new species, Pilobaloderes aquilonarius sp. nov., emphasizing dimorphic and diagnostic characters of the protibiae. A redescription of the genus and its species, with remarks about sexual dimorphism are included. Habitus photographs, illustrations of protibiae, genital features, and a distribution map are also presented.

Environmental factors determining the diversity of darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in arid, high-altitude environments in Northwestern Argentina.

Factors influencing the diversity of tenebrionid beetles in arid, high-altitude environments in the northwest of Argentina are little-known. Using pitfall traps and suction sampling in 30 sites, we collected these beetles in Altos Andes (AA) and Puna (PU) ecoregions and evaluated how local and regional factors influenced their assemblages. During each sampling date, we registered variables related to climate, vegetation, and soil in each sampling site. In total, we recorded 270 individuals from 21 species, richness of species was higher in PU than in AA, but without a statistically significant difference. Twelve species were present exclusively in PU, while two in AA. Tenebrionid assemblages in both ecoregions had different dominant species, in PU, Psectrascelis cariosicollis while Epipedonota interandina in AA. Beta diversity between ecoregions was moderate and we recorded a high beta diversity and high turnover of species in each ecoregion. The geographical distance between the sites influenced the similarity of the assemblages inside and between ecoregions, therefore, an increase in the geographical distance between sites determined a decrease in the similarity of the assemblages. The increase in elevation of the sampled sites did not produce significant changes in the abundance and richness of Tenebrionidae. There is no individual factor responsible for the darkling beetle communities structuration in these high-altitude environments. Different combinations of both local (soil and vegetation) and regional (climate and geographical distance) environmental factors together explain the ecoregional tenebrionid assemblages. We suggest including them among the focus groups in conservation studies to evaluate anthropogenic activities in this area.

Species diversity of Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) in mountaintops of extra-Andean volcanoes of Payunia (Argentina), with descriptions of two new species.

The north of Neuquén province shares with the south of Mendoza province the subprovince Payunia of the biogeographical province of Patagonic steppe, which is characterized by the presence of approximately 800 volcanoes. Although we have conducted several samplings in volcanoes of Mendoza in past years to recognize the biodiversity of tenebrionids, it is still pending which is the role that these mountains have in the biota of tenebrionids in Neuquén. In this work we reported the results of two consecutive years of prospection in two volcanoes separated by 120 km between each other, Tromen and Auca Mahuida which have 3978 and 2215 meters above sea level respectively. We found that Auca Mahuida harbours a total diversity of 10 tenebrionid species and Tromen 9, but these communities were significantly different between them. From these prospections two new endemic species of Tenebrionidae are described: Scotobius aucamahuidensis Silvestro sp. nov. (Tenebrioninae: Scotobiini) from Auca Mahuida and Psectrascelis tromensis Flores sp. nov. (Pimeliinae: Nycteliini) from Tromen. Photographs for these two new species are included, with comparisons to other known species of these genera. Based on these results we discuss the role of different factors that influence tenebrionid diversity and their implications to conserve biodiversity.

Distribution and environmental determinants of darkling beetles assemblages (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in Península Valdés (Argentinean Patagonia).

Arid lands provide several products and services to humankind, but human activities affect this environment, increasing the extinction risk of the native species. Thus, to successfully conserve the biodiversity of these ecosystems, it is necessary to identify which environmental factors influence the spatial distribution of the organisms that offer these benefits. Darkling beetles play a relevant role on the functioning of deserts. Although these insects are among the most abundant and diverse in these environments, there is no agreement on the relative importance that different environmental factors have as determinants of their spatial distribution. In this work, we assessed the role of climate, vegetation, and soil variables as factors that determine distribution patterns of darkling beetles within the Natural Protected Area Península Valdés (Northeastern Patagonia). Five groups of environmental units were identified, each one with an exclusive tenebrionid species assemblage and different species diversity. The most influential environmental variables were temperature, precipitations, and soil texture. Results suggest that the magnitude of several ecosystem processes may vary among the groups of environmental units. We recommend prioritizing the conservation of the five groups of environmental units and incorporating the darkling beetles-environment relationship in future conservation strategies for arid Patagonia.

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

Tenebrionidae is a diverse insect family of Coleoptera that shows high levels of endemicity in epigean species. For the Andean region, which is divided into three subregions: Central Chilean, Subantarctic and Patagonian, it has been hypothesized that epigean tenebrionids have diversified in the Patagonian subregion and subsequently, they dispersed to Subantarctic and Central Chilean subregions. In this work, based on information obtained from museum collections and scientific studies, we presented the first list of endemic epigean tenebrionids from the Andean region with their taxonomic arrangement and geographic distribution. Moreover, we used these data to explore the veracity of the Patagonian-diversification hypothesis. A total of 416 species grouped into six subfamilies, 17 tribes and 41 genera were identified as endemic to the Andean region. Considering the spatial distribution it was observed that subfamilies, tribes, genera and species were unequally distributed across subregions. Results did not support the Patagonian-diversification hypothesis; to the contrary, they were more concordant with processes of isolation among subregions that have promoted speciation by interrupting gene flow among populations, resulting in endemism because species can not expand their range sizes. Finally, we discuss the implications of our findings to be considered in biodiversity conservation, because endemic species, by their high extinction risk, are primary targets in conservation strategies.

Pumiliofossorum: A new genus of Scotobiini (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) with two new species from Peru, and a revised key for the genera of the tribe.

A new genus, Pumiliofossorum Silvestro & Giraldo gen. nov. (Tenebrioninae: Scotobiini) and two new Peruvian species, Pumiliofossorum moche Silvestro & Flores sp. nov. and P. sechurae Giraldo & Flores sp. nov. are described and illustrated. Distributional data, habitat records, photographs, and SEM images are included. A revised key for the six genera of Scotobiini is provided. Morphology of the newly described genus is discussed in reference to the other genera of Scotobiini. Dome-shaped placoid sensoria are imaged for the first time in Scotobiini.

Towards a revision of the South American genus Praocis Eschscholtz (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae), with estimation of the diversity of each subgenus.

A review of the subgenera of the South American genus Praocis Eschscholtz (Pimeliinae: Praociini) is presented. Praocis comprises 77 species and 8 subspecies arranged in nine subgenera distributed in arid lands from Central Peru and Bolivia to the Southern part of Patagonia in Chile and Argentina. For each subgenus of Praocis: Praocis Eschscholtz, Mesopraocis Flores & Pizarro-Araya, subgen. n., Anthrasomus Guérin-Méneville, Filotarsus Gay & Solier, Postpraocis Flores & Pizarro-Araya, subgen. n., Hemipraocis Flores & Pizarro-Araya, subgen. n., Orthogonoderes Gay & Solier, Praonoda Flores & Pizarro-Araya, subgen. n., and Praocida Flores & Pizarro-Araya, subgen. n., we present a diagnosis using new and constant characters of adult morphology such as clypeal configuration, length and proportion of antennomeres 9, 10 and 11, arrangement of apical tomentose sensory patches on antennomeres 10 and 11, anterior margin of prosternum, lateral margin of elytron, ventral surface of profemora, and shape of protibiae. An identification key for the nine subgenera of Praocis is presented. Type species are designated for the five new subgenera; for Mesopraocis: Praocis calderana Kulzer, for Postpraocis: Praocis pentachorda Burmeister, for Hemipraocis: Praocis sellata Berg, for Praonoda: Praocis bicarinata Burmeister, for Praocida: Praocis zischkai Kulzer, and for the previously described subgenus Orthogonoderes: Praocis subreticulata Gay & Solier. The current number of species and the estimated number of species to be described are presented. The distribution ranges of the subgenera, including new records from collections and recent expeditions, are given. Habitat preferences and a discussion of the biogeography of the genus are also presented.

Two new species of Nyctelia Latreille (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Argentinean Patagonia with zoogeographical and ecological remarks.

Two new species of the genus Nyctelia Latreille (Pimeliinae: Nycteliini) from Argentinean Patagonia, N. sulcogranata sp. nov. and N. recteplicata sp. nov., are described. Distributional maps, habitus, photographs and illustrations of genitalic features for these two new species are included, with comparisons to other known species of the genus. A discussion is presented on distributional habitat records and biogeography.

An illustrated key to and diagnoses of the species of Histeridae (Coleoptera) associated with decaying carcasses in Argentina.

A key to 16 histerid species associated with decaying carcasses in Argentina is presented, including diagnoses and habitus photographs for these species. This article provides a table of all species associated with carcasses, detailing the substrate from which they were collected and geographical distribution by province. All 16 Histeridae species registered are grouped into three subfamilies: Saprininae (twelve species of Euspilotus Lewis and one species of Xerosaprinus Wenzel), Histerinae (one species of Hololepta Paykull and one species of Phelister Marseul) and Dendrophilinae (one species of Carcinops Marseul). Two species are new records for Argentina: Phelister rufinotus Marseuland Carcinops troglodytes (Paykull). A discussion is presented on the potential forensic importance of some species collected on human and pig carcasses.

A Tenebrionid beetle's dataset (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) from Peninsula Valdés (Chubut, Argentina).

The Natural Protected Area Peninsula Valdés, located in Northeastern Patagonia, is one of the largest conservation units of arid lands in Argentina. Although this area has been in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999, it has been continually exposed to sheep grazing and cattle farming for more than a century which have had a negative impact on the local environment. Our aim is to describe the first dataset of tenebrionid beetle species living in Peninsula Valdés and their relationship to sheep grazing. The dataset contains 118 records on 11 species and 198 adult individuals collected. Beetles were collected using pitfall traps in the two major environmental units of Peninsula Valdés, taking into account grazing intensities over a three year time frame from 2005-2007. The Data quality was enhanced following the best practices suggested in the literature during the digitalization and geo-referencing processes. Moreover, identification of specimens and current accurate spelling of scientific names were reviewed. Finally, post-validation processes using DarwinTest software were applied. Specimens have been deposited at Entomological Collection of the Centro Nacional Patagónico (CENPAT-CONICET). The dataset is part of the database of this collection and has been published on the internet through GBIF Integrated Publishing Toolkit (IPT) (http://data.gbif.org/datasets/resource/14669/). Furthermore, it is the first dataset for tenebrionid beetles of arid Patagonia available in GBIF database, and it is the first one based on a previously designed and standardized sampling to assess the interaction between these beetles and grazing in the area. The main purposes of this dataset are to ensure accessibility to data associated with Tenebrionidae specimens from Peninsula Valdés (Chubut, Argentina), also to contribute to GBIF with primary data about Patagonian tenebrionids and finally, to promote the Entomological Collection of Centro Nacional Patagónico (CENPAT-CONICET) and its associated biodiversity data. For these reasons, we believe that this information will certainly be useful for future faunistic, ecological, conservational and biogeographical studies.