Primer registro de Digitonthophagus gazella (Fabricius, 1787) y nuevo registro para Euoniticellus intermedius (Reiche, 1849) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae Latreille, 1802) en El Salvador

The presence of the beetle Digitonthophagus gazella (Fabricius, 1787) is reported for the first time. In addition, the range of distribution of Euoniticellus intermedius (Reiche, 1849) in El Salvador is expanded, based on information obtained from collections made over twelve years and the current distribution map of E. intermedius in the territory is presented. In addition, the current situation of both species in the country and Central America is briefly discussed.Se reporta por primera vez la presencia del escarabajo Digitonthophagus gazella (Fabricius, 1787). Además, se amplía el rango de distribución de Euoniticellus intermedius (Reiche, 1849) en El Salvador, a partir de información obtenida de colectas realizadas a lo largo de doce años y se presenta el mapa de distribución actual de E. intermedius en el territorio. Adicionalmente, se discute brevemente la situación actual de ambas especies en el país y Centroamérica

Primer reporte de cuatro especies de escarabajos coprófagos (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) en El Salvador

We present the first records of four species of Scarabaeinae: Canthidium pseudopuncticolle, Canthon femoralis, Uroxys deavilai and Uroxys microcularis, in El Salvador. We collected the specimens, using feces and carrion baited traps in three zones in the National Park El Imposible in the Southwest of the country. With this report, we contribute to the knowledge of the dung beetle fauna of El Salvador

Catalog and distribution atlas of the Scarabaeoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera) of El Salvador

Menos del 1% de la literatura sobre la biodiversidad de El Salvador es sobre invertebrados terrestres, lo que limita nuestro conocimiento de la diversidad, riqueza y distribución de este grupo en el territorio. Los Scarabaeoidea son megadiversos en múltiples ecosistemas y cumplen muchas funciones. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo catalogar los Scarabaeoidea en El Salvador. Se realizó una revisión exhaustiva de la literatura publicada y se revisaron numerosas colecciones entomológicas con material relevante. Se construyeron mapas para visualizar la distribución conocida de cada especie en el país. Existen 295 especies de escarabajos (incluyendo 19 nuevos registros en el país) representando 106 géneros en 7 familias en El Salvador. Se conocen seis especies precursoras. Veintidós especies se descartan como presentes en El Salvador, ya sea porque no son especies válidas o por identificaciones erróneas o registros dudosos. Este trabajo es la primera aproximación al conocimiento de los Scarabaeoidea en El Salvador, un territorio que usualmente se considera de nula importancia para la conservación de la biodiversidad regional debido a su reducida superficie, alta tasa de deforestación y sobrepoblación. Los resultados de este trabajo refuerzan la necesidad de realizar prospección biológica en el territorio para conocer, conservar y proteger la biodiversidad remanente. 2023 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Todos los derechos reservados.Less than 1% of the literature on El Salvador s biodiversity is about terrestrial invertebrates, which limits our knowledge of this group s diversity, richness, and distribution in the territory. Scarabaeoidea are megadiverse in multiple ecosystems and perform many functions. This work aims to catalog the Scarabaeoidea in El Salvador. We conducted an exhaustive review of published literature and reviewed numerous entomological collections with relevant material. Maps were constructed to visualize the known distribution of each species in the country. There are 295 scarab beetle species (including 19 new country records) representing 106 genera in 7 families in El Salvador. Six precinctive species are known. Twenty-Two species are discarded as occurring in El Salvador, either because they are not valid species or because of misidentifications or dubious records. This work is the first approach to knowing the Scarabaeoidea in El Salvador, a territory that is usually considered of no importance for the conservation of regional biodiversity due to its small area, high rate of deforestation, and overpopulation. The results of this work reinforce the need for biological prospecting in the territory to know, conserve, and protect the remaining biodiversity. © 2023 Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. All rights reserved

Hacia una metodología estandarizada para el muestreo de escarabajos peloteros (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) en el Neotrópico: Una revisión crítica

Introducción: La estandarización de los protocolos de muestreo es imprescindible para el estudio robusto de cualquier grupo taxonómico. Los métodos replicables permiten la comparación de datos entre diferentes estudios espaciales y temporales. En el caso de los escarabajos coprófagos, uno de los grupos indicadores mejor estudiados en los análisis de perturbaciones ambientales, se utiliza una amplia gama de metodologías de recolección, desde trampas de caída básicas hasta métodos más complejos o complementarios, como el extractor mini-Winkler. Además, en los estudios de escarabajos coprófagos se utilizan diferentes tipos de cebos atractivos, esfuerzos de muestreo, duraciones y diseños. Las variaciones en los enfoques metodológicos se notan particularmente en el Neotrópico, lo que puede estar relacionado con la gran cantidad de estrategias biológicas y el comportamiento de los escarabajos coprófagos que habitan esta región. La falta de unificación metodológica para la región Neotropical imposibilita un análisis transversal de la información. Métodos: Realizamos una recopilación y revisión analítica de la literatura existente para el muestreo de escarabajos coprófagos en el Neotrópico, discutiendo las metodologías más utilizadas, sus ventajas y desventajas, y casos específicos en los que modelos particulares son más eficientes. Resultados: Las trampas Pitfall cebadas con excremento humano son el método de muestreo más común, pero existe una amplia gama de modelos y variaciones en la estructura de esta trampa. El efecto complementario generado por las trampas de interceptación de vuelos, las trampas de luz y las colecciones directas, particularmente dentro de los microhábitats, es emocionante por el potencial de encontrar nuevas especies. Algunas metodologías, como mini-Winkler extractor, fogging, o cebos muy específicos, se utilizan con poca frecuencia. Discusión: Hubo una falta de inclusión de la variación espacial y temporal entre los estudios. Por lo tanto, es necesario considerar ventanas de muestreo más amplias, que incluyan diferentes escalas espaciales, estaciones y años. Finalmente, proponemos un protocolo estándar para el muestreo de escarabajos coprófagos en el Neotrópico, dependiendo de cada objetivo, e incluyendo una metodología básica para la obtención de inventarios locales completos. Copyright © 2023 Mora-Aguilar, Arriaga-Jiménez, Correa, da Silva, Korasaki, López-Bedoya, Hernández, Pablo-Cea, Salomão, Valencia, Vulinec, Edwards, Edwards, Halffter y Noriega. Proponemos un protocolo estándar para el muestreo de escarabajos coprófagos en el Neotrópico, dependiendo de cada objetivo, e incluyendo una metodología básica para la obtención de inventarios locales completos. Copyright © 2023 Mora-Aguilar, Arriaga-Jiménez, Correa, da Silva, Korasaki, López-Bedoya, Hernández, Pablo-Cea, Salomão, Valencia, Vulinec, Edwards, Edwards, Halffter y Noriega. Proponemos un protocolo estándar para el muestreo de escarabajos coprófagos en el Neotrópico, dependiendo de cada objetivo, e incluyendo una metodología básica para la obtención de inventarios locales completos.Introduction: The standardization of sampling protocols is imperative for robustly studying any taxonomic group. Replicable methods allow the comparison of data between different spatial and temporal studies. In the case of dung beetles, one of the best-studied indicator groups in analyses of environmental disturbance, a wide range of collection methodologies are used, from basic pitfall traps to more complex or complementary methods such as mini-Winkler extractor. Also, different types of attractive baits, sampling effort, durations, and designs are used in dung beetle studies. Variations in methodological approaches are particularly noted in the Neotropics, which may be related to the vast number of biological strategies and behavior of dung beetles that inhabit this region. A lack of methodological unification for the Neotropical region makes a cross-sectional analysis of the information impossible. Methods: We performed a compilation and analytical review of the existing literature for dung beetle sampling in the Neotropics, discussing the most used methodologies, their advantages and disadvantages, and specific cases in which particular models are more efficient. Results: Pitfall traps baited with human excrement are the most common sampling method, but there is a wide range of models and variations in the structure of this trap. The complementary effect generated by flight interception traps, light traps, and direct collections, particularly within microhabitats, is exciting for the potential of finding new species. Some methodologies, such as mini-Winkler extractor, fogging, or very specific baits, are infrequently used. Discussion: There was a lack of inclusion of spatial and temporal variation among studies. Therefore, it is necessary to consider broader sampling windows, which include different spatial scales, seasons, and years. Finally, we propose a standard protocol for sampling dung beetles in the Neotropics, depending on each objective, and including a basic methodology for obtaining complete local inventories

A first step to evaluate the impact of ecotourism on biodiversity in El Salvador: a case study using dung beetles in a National Park

Ecotourism involves visiting natural areas without adverselyaffecting biodiversity, an objective that is often not reached.Although ecotourism in El Salvador is currently under-developed,it has been proposed for the conservation of forests that remainwithin the territory. To this respect, National Park El Imposible isthe largest natural protected area in the nation, with 23% of itsextension designated for ecotourism. The objective of this studywas to evaluate the impact of ecological disturbances producedby ecotourism, using dung beetles as biological indicators in thepark. Three zones differing in tourism intensity: conservation,extensive, and intensive, were evaluated. Six samplings usingpitfall traps were carried out from June–November, 2013 in eachzone. We recorded a significantly lower beetle abundance in theintensive-use zone, even though biomass tended to increase withecotourism intensity due to proportional increase in large-sizedspecies. There were differences in composition, diversity, andevenness of the dung beetle assemblage, evidencing ecologicaldisturbances in the intensive-use zone. Ecotourism in the park hascaused a negative impact on the dung beetle assemblagestructure due to the loss of habitat specialists in favor ofwidespread generalists. Consequently, ecotourism should beregulated to minimize its effects in the site.We are in debt to Juan Francisco Pablo and Ana Virginia Cea for financial support to make this investigation possible.Peer reviewe

Afirst step to evaluate the impact of ecotourism onbiodiversity in El Salvador: a case study using dung beetles ina National Park

Ecotourism involves visiting natural areas without adverselyaffecting biodiversity, an objective that is often not reached.Although ecotourism in El Salvador is currently under-developed,it has been proposed for the conservation of forests that remainwithin the territory. To this respect, National Park El Imposible isthe largest natural protected area in the nation, with 23% of itsextension designated for ecotourism. The objective of this studywas to evaluate the impact of ecological disturbances producedby ecotourism, using dung beetles as biological indicators in thepark. Three zones differing in tourism intensity: conservation,extensive, and intensive, were evaluated. Six samplings usingpitfall traps were carried out from June–November, 2013 in eachzone. We recorded a significantly lower beetle abundance in theintensive-use zone, even though biomass tended to increase withecotourism intensity due to proportional increase in large-sizedspecies. There were differences in composition, diversity, andevenness of the dung beetle assemblage, evidencing ecologicaldisturbances in the intensive-use zone. Ecotourism in the park hascaused a negative impact on the dung beetle assemblagestructure due to the loss of habitat specialists in favor ofwidespread generalists. Consequently, ecotourism should beregulated to minimize its effects in the site.Peer reviewe

Patrones de riqueza y diversidad de aves en áreas verdes del centro urbano de San Salvador, El Salvador

La creciente urbanización ha propiciado que los ecosistemas naturales sean constantemente sustituidos por paisajes urbanos, proceso muy notorio en El Salvador, debido a su pequeña extensión territorial (21.041 km²) y su alta densidad poblacional (291 hab/km²). Realizamos un inventario en 12 áreas verdes urbanas, con diferentes tamaños, formas y distancia con respecto al área boscosa más grande de la zona metropolitana, basados en la teoría de biogeografía de islas de McArthur y Wilson (1967). Evaluamos si la riqueza, diversidad y equititavidad de aves se relacionaba con el tamaño y la distancia de las áreas verdes y si la forma de las mismas tenía algún efecto sobre la riqueza de aves. Registramos un total de 20 especies de aves y las clasificamos según su dieta (generalista y especialista). Observamos que la distancia no influyó en la riqueza de aves y que no hubo interacción entre las variables tamaño y distancia, pero que sí influyó el tamaño del área verde. La riqueza de aves con dieta restringida incremento en las áreas verdes más circulares que en las de forma más irregular. Concluimos que en el centro urbano de San Salvador, la presencia de áreas verdes grandes y circulares aporta más a la riqueza de aves de dieta especialista, que áreas de similar tamaño pero de forma irregular. Sin embargo, áreas pequeñas aportan más a la riqueza de aves que poseen esa dieta, si su forma es más circula

Does ecotourism impact biodiversity? An assessment using dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) as bioindicators in a tropical dry forest natural park

Ecotourism can be defined as an environmental activity that takes place in well-preserved areas for recreation and with the responsibility of promoting their conservation. Nowadays, ecotourism is seen as a friendly pastime, but it can potentially affect negatively community diversity and structure by a number of processes such as soil compaction, erosion, and habitat alteration, among many others. Nonetheless, there is hardly any information on the impact of ecotourism in the Tropical Dry Forests and protected areas of the Neotropical region. In an attempt to fill this knowledge gap, the effect of ecotourism was evaluated in a study of a Tropical Dry Forest in the Tayrona National Natural Park of Colombia using dung beetles as bioindicators. A large-scale sampling of three sites with different levels of tourism intensity (no tourism – NT, low tourism – LT, and high tourism – HT) was performed using pitfall tramps baited with human/pig dung during two climatic seasons (rainy and dry). A total of 3238 individuals belonging to nine genera and 15 species were collected. Significant differences in abundances, richness, and the Shannon Wiener diversity index were observed between areas with tourism and those without. These differences disappeared during the dry season in response to the strong reduction in species abundance and richness associated to that time of year. All areas maintained a homogeneous beetle structure in terms of functional groups present irrelevant of the intensity level of tourism. Beta diversity analysis shows that the dung beetle assemblage has a nested structure, indicating that the pressure exerted by tourism entails the loss of particular species. Our results advocate that it is necessary to implement conservation strategies in order to reduce the negative impact of tourism on the National Park's biodiversity

Dung removal increases under higher dung beetle functional diversity regardless of grazing intensification

Dung removal by macrofauna such as dung beetles is an important process for nutrient cycling in pasturelands. Intensification of farming practices generally reduces species and functional diversity of terrestrial invertebrates, which may negatively affect ecosystem services. Here, we investigate the effects of cattle-grazing intensification on dung removal by dung beetles in field experiments replicated in 38 pastures around the world. Within each study site, we measured dung removal in pastures managed with low- and high-intensity regimes to assess between-regime differences in dung beetle diversity and dung removal, whilst also considering climate and regional variations. The impacts of intensification were heterogeneous, either diminishing or increasing dung beetle species richness, functional diversity, and dung removal rates. The effects of beetle diversity on dung removal were more variable across sites than within sites. Dung removal increased with species richness across sites, while functional diversity consistently enhanced dung removal within sites, independently of cattle grazing intensity or climate. Our findings indicate that, despite intensified cattle stocking rates, ecosystem services related to decomposition and nutrient cycling can be maintained when a functionally diverse dung beetle community inhabits the human-modified landscape.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dung removal increases under higher dung beetle functional diversity regardless of grazing intensification

Dung removal by macrofauna such as dung beetles is an important process for nutrient cycling in pasturelands. Intensification of farming practices generally reduces species and functional diversity of terrestrial invertebrates, which may negatively affect ecosystem services. Here, we investigate the effects of cattle-grazing intensification on dung removal by dung beetles in field experiments replicated in 38 pastures around the world. Within each study site, we measured dung removal in pastures managed with low- and high-intensity regimes to assess between-regime differences in dung beetle diversity and dung removal, whilst also considering climate and regional variations. The impacts of intensification were heterogeneous, either diminishing or increasing dung beetle species richness, functional diversity, and dung removal rates. The effects of beetle diversity on dung removal were more variable across sites than within sites. Dung removal increased with species richness across sites, while functional diversity consistently enhanced dung removal within sites, independently of cattle grazing intensity or climate. Our findings indicate that, despite intensified cattle stocking rates, ecosystem services related to decomposition and nutrient cycling can be maintained when a functionally diverse dung beetle community inhabits the human-modified landscape