Abstract
Abstract: The tropical dry forest is under constant threat from many anthropic activities which are conducted indiscriminately, modifying the forest, and therefore, affecting species that are closely related to its phenology, such as longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae). The spatio-temporal variation of the cerambycid diversity in two fragments of tropical dry forest (Reserva Campesina la Montaña and La Flecha) in the Caribbean region of Colombia was analyzed. At each locality, four squared plots were delimited, and the beetles were collected with fruit traps, beating sheets and manual capture, and with light traps in the center. Five hundred eighty-seven specimens representing 128 species were collected, of which members of the tribe Ectenessini (Cerambycinae) were the most abundant. At the subfamily level, Cerambycinae was the most abundant (465 specimens) and diverse (73 species), followed by Lamiinae and Prioninae. The highest values of richness (110 species), abundance (428), biomass (21.18 g), and as well as the highest values of true diversity (1D= 73.44, 2D= 34.30) were found during the first precipitations. Regarding beta diversity, temporal variation was determined and mainly explained by a high percentage of turnover (> 70%). Lastly, the high diversity of Cerambycidae was associated with high values of relative humidity and canopy cover during the rainy season. This showed that the structure of the cerambycid community in the tropical dry forest of the Caribbean region of Colombia depends on these variables, which are closely related to precipitation.
Highlights
In Colombia, the tropical dry forest (TDF) was very extensive, but today it has been reduced to less than 10% of its original area, of which only about 5% is under protection (Rodríguez et al 2012, Pizano & García 2014)
The departments with the highest TDF coverage in Colombia are in the Caribbean region (Acevedo 2016), where Atlántico and Bolívar stand out with the highest percentages (5,7% and 4,1%, respectively) (Otero et al 2006, Pizano & García 2014)
Tropical dry forest in these departments is represented by small fragments isolated from each other, surrounded by agricultural ecosystems, pastures, living fences, paths, and plantations (Otero et al 2006, Rangel & Martínez 2017)
Summary
In Colombia, the tropical dry forest (TDF) was very extensive, but today it has been reduced to less than 10% of its original area, of which only about 5% is under protection (Rodríguez et al 2012, Pizano & García 2014). In order to conserve this ecosystem it is critical to know the temporal dynamics of the diversity of groups of great importance such as the longhorned beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), due to their high sensitivity to the changes in the floristic composition caused by the alteration of environmental variables, such as temperature, thermal radiation, and relative humidity (Bouget 2005, Baselga 2008), from one season to another This sensitivity results from a decrease in the availability of host plants for cerambycid species, as well as a reduction in resources and reproduction sites (Hjältén et al 2012) negatively altering the distribution, taxonomic composition, and diversity of the family (Maeto et al 2002). It is important to know the dynamics of these beetles as they perform ecological functions such as secondary pollination (Maeto et al 2002) and decomposition of senescent and dead trees, contributing to the cycle of minerals and nutrients into the soil (Martínez 2000, Noguera 2014)
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