The genus Cyclocephala Dejean (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) in Brazil: diversity and spatio-temporal distribution

Abstract

The genus Cyclocephala Dejean (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae) contains approximately 350 species and is found mainly in the Neotropical region. These species function in the cycling of organic matter, act as bioindicators of environmental quality, and some species are considered agricultural pests. This study attempted to analyze the spatio-temporal distribution and diversity of Cyclocephala species across five Brazilian biomes, and to understand the factors that influence their distribution. Climatic variables (temperature, humidity, and precipitation), spatial variables (latitude, longitude, and elevation), and the landscape composition around the sampling areas were evaluated. Insects were collected using light traps in areas of native vegetation in the Amazon, Cerrado, Atlantic Rainforest, Pampa, and Caatinga biomes. Sampling was carried out monthly from June 2015 to May 2016. A total of 5695 individuals across 38 species of Cyclocephala were collected, including five species recorded for the first time in Brazil. The Amazon biome contains the greatest species richness and abundance of Cyclocephala species among all studied biomes, with 73.68% of collected species being endemic to this biome. The richness and abundance of species in this genus were influenced by climatic factors, such as temperature (and its interactions with precipitation and relative humidity) and the interaction between precipitation and relative humidity, and by spatial factors, such as longitude, but not by the percentage of vegetation remaining in the landscape. Cyclocephala species showed seasonal abundances and aggregated distribution, which varied according to the climatic characteristics of each biome.