Structure and composition of seasonal coleopterous assemblages (Insecta: Coleoptera) in the cloud forest of Tlanchinol, Hidalgo, Mexico collected with fl ight interception traps

Abstract

We described and compared Coleoptera assemblages in rainy and dry seasons in the cloud forest in Tlanchinol, Hidalgo, Mexico, based on 8 monthly samples using fl ight interception traps. Assemblages were described using richness and composition as well as some diversity measurements; we then used Renyi’s diversity profi les to compare them. A Bray- Curtis similarity index was used to evaluate species turnover rate between seasons. The theoretical richness by parametric methods was estimated, the relationship between species and the collecting months were analyzed with a correspondence analysis, and species were placed into functional groups. The 3 308 specimens collected belong to 50 families and 352 species, with Staphylinidae, Curculionidae and Nitidulidae having the highest number of species. Richness, abundance and diversity were significantly higher in the dry season. Most species possess abundances lower than 1 % representing the rare species. According to the theoretical estimation of richness there are many species to add to the list. Predators (43%) and phytophagous (20%) comprised the highest number of species. The great diversity of surveyed coleopterous represents an important factor in the Tlanchinol cloud forest protection.