Abstract
The Cañón del Sumidero National Park (PNCS) is a priority area for conservation, but there are few studies on its fauna, which evidences the need for further basic studies to produce adequate knowledge on its biodiversity. This study aimed to determine dung beetle assemblages temporal distribution, trophic preference, and daily activity patterns. We conducted samplings using baited pitfall traps in a PNCS tropical sub deciduous forest remnant, during the dry and rainy seasons between 2014 and 2015. We captured a total of 863 individuals of 20 species, 12 genera, and five tribes of Scarabaeinae. Estimators suggest that we obtained high faunistic representation (> 80%), but species richness is low compared to other regional studies. The community was characterized by a high number of rare species and few dominant species. We captured the greatest richness and abundance during rainy months, however, species composition between seasons did not differ significantly. Trophic preference was mainly generalist and we considered only four species as specialists to tapir dung. We observed a clear segregation between activity hours. Nevertheless, we determined only nine species as specialists (six nocturnal and three diurnal) and two others had generalist habits. The low diversity we found could be influenced by the constant pressure of the urban area and non-native species within the park, which alter the dung beetle assemblages. However, performing samplings for longer periods and using a wider range of resources would help us obtain more robust results and better understand species distribution patterns.
Highlights
The Cañón del Sumidero National Park (PNCS) is a priority area for conservation, but there are few studies on its fauna, which evidences the need for further basic studies to produce adequate knowledge on its biodiversity
Estimators suggest that we obtained high faunistic representation (> 80%), but species richness is low compared to other regional studies
The analysis of the dung beetle assemblages that inhabit the tropical sub deciduous forest remnant studied within the Cañón del Sumidero National Park, Chiapas, indicates that there is a high local faunistic representation, with a sampling effort more significant than 80%, according to the four non-parametric estimators we used
Summary
Due to the hydrological and ecological processes that are developed and the biological diversity that sustains it, this park was integrated to the wetlands of international importance or RAMSAR sites. It is part of a priority terrestrial region for the regional conservation of birds (CONANP, 2012). To create joint strategies for the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development at the regional level, this National Park is considered along with the federal NPAs Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve (REBISO) and the Villa Allende Natural Resources Protection Area (APRNFVA), as well as two state protection areas (La Pera and Cerro Meyapac), as part of the natural corridor so-
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
