Species diversity of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) through different ecosystems in a Neotropical transition zone in Mexico

Abstract

The family Tephritidae, known as fruit flies, is one of the most species-rich in the order Diptera. This study aimed to analyze the diversity of Tephritidae through different ecosystems over a Neotropical transitional region in Mexico. Medium evergreen forest (MEF), transitional vegetation between tropical and temperate environments (TVE), and cloud forest (CF) were sampled in the biosphere reserve “El Cielo.” The abundance and diversity of tephritids were analyzed by a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) and Hill numbers using rarefaction and extrapolation (R/E) sampling curves, respectively. Also, we computed a diversity ranking over the altitudinal gradient based on a β diversity approach and functional tools. Anastrepha was the most rich-genus with 11 species, followed by Hexachaeta with two species, and Blepharoneura and Rhagoletis with one species each. Twelve species were registered in the MEF, six in the TVE, and two species in the CF. The GLMM revealed unclear differences between MEF and TVE in the abundance of tephritids. Hill numbers showed the highest species richness in the MEF, but the TVE hosted the most diverse species assemblages of Tephritidae. The diversity ranking exhibited the most diverse community of Tephritidae at 900 m asl. Overall, TVE showed the highest evenness in Tephritidae assemblages. Data on new occurrences of Tephritidae species are provided. This Neotropical limit may be considered as the most northern reservoir of the diversity of Tephritidae in the American continent. Moreover, practical implications of the analysis of such diversity in the context of pest management and conservation are discussed.