Resumo

NORIEGA, JORGE ARI et al. Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) from the Caribbean Region of Colombia. Caldasia [online]. 2013, vol.35, n.2, pp.465-477. ISSN 0366-5232.

The subfamily Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) is an important group in ecosystems because of their role in nutrient recycling. Studies on the diversity of Scarabaeinae in Colombia are available for certain biogeographic regions. However, some areas such as the Caribbean region are still poorly studied. In an attempt to fill this gap in the knowledge, a complete revision of fauna is presented based on the study of dung beetle species deposited in 16 national entomological collections and from literature records. A total of 90 species belonging to 24 genera in 6 tribes were found. Twenty species were newly recorded for La Guajira, 18 for Sucre, 11 for Magdalena, 9 for Bolivar, 9 for Cordoba, 3 for Atlántico and 2 for Cesar. The department with the highest richness is Magdalena, probably because it is the best sampled throughout its altitude gradient. When the species composition is analyzed, the Caribbean region presents scarce endemism except for the high lands of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The genus Onthophagus is the most diverse in the region; the species with the broadest altitude range is Ontherus sanctaemartae, found from 700 to 2500 m above sea level. The species composition of the Caribbean region is homogenous in the lowlands, showing a strong affinity with the biogeographic region of Chocó. Four different altitude clusters were recognized: lowlands (0- 500 m ), high hills (>500- 900 m ), subandean-andean zone (>900 to 2500 m ) and high mountains (> 2500 m ). An increase in the homogeneity is likely expected with further sampling. Finally, it is essential to intensify the sampling in this region, especially in the isolate mountain systems.

Palavras-chave : Caribbean Arid Belt; diversity; endemism; altitudinal variation; Scarabaeidae.

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