Efecto de los gradientes de pastoreo ovino sobre la vegetación y el suelo en Península Valdés, Patagonia Argentina

La introducción de ganado doméstico provocó modificaciones en la vegetación y en el suelo de la Patagonia extra-andina. Estos cambios alteraron procesos ecosistémicos, aumentaron la desertificación y causaron pérdida de biodiversidad. Es frecuente encontrar gradientes decrecientes de actividad animal partiendo de las aguadas (piósferas), que resultan adecuados para determinar el impacto del pastoreo sobre los ecosistemas. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la intensidad de pastoreo ovino a partir de gradientes de piósfera sobre la estructura de la vegetación y el suelo en estepas arbustivas representativas de Península Valdés, Argentina. Mediante modelos lineales generalizados mixtos (GLMM) y técnicas multivariadas se estudiaron las variaciones en la cobertura vegetal, complejidad vertical de la vegetación, número y área de parches vegetados, microtopografía del suelo y su compactación en relación con el gradiente de pastoreo. La intensidad del pastoreo disminuyó con la distancia a la aguada y explicó más de 50% de la variabilidad ambiental. Esto demuestra la existencia de efecto piósfera. La cobertura de herbáceas, mantillo, complejidad vertical de la vegetación y la microtopografía aumentaron al disminuir la presión de pastoreo en los sitios más alejados de la aguada, mientras que el porcentaje de suelo desnudo, gravas, cobertura de anuales y la compactación del suelo presentaron un patrón opuesto. Este estudio evidencia, por primera vez, la existencia de piósferas ovinas en Península Valdés e indica que la intensidad de pastoreo en la región se asocia con alteraciones ambientales compatibles con procesos importantes de degradación ecosistémica. Dada la importancia que reviste la península en el contexto de la conservación biológica de la región, se requieren más estudios de este tipo para una implementación efectiva de medidas de manejo que integren la ganadería y la conservación de los recursos naturales.The introduction of domestic livestock in the arid Patagonia produced changes in vegetation and soil that altered fundamental ecosystem processes, increasing desertification and biodiversity loss. In this region, it is common to observe gradients of decreasing animal activity from watering points where livestock impact is greatest near the watering sites, called piospheres, particularly suitable for assessing the effect of grazing on arid ecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sheep-grazing intensity using piospheres on the structure of the vegetation and soil in shrubby steppes of Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. Variation of plant cover, vertical complexity of the vegetation, number and area of vegetated patches, micro-topography and soil compaction in relation to piosphere gradients were studied using Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) and multivariate analyses. Grazing intensity decreased according to increasing distance to the watering point. This fact, explaining more than 50% of the overall environmental variability, confirmed the existence of a piosphere gradient on each studied site. Such environmental changes were characterized by a gradual increase in grass and litter cover, vertical complexity of vegetation and soil microtopography at increasing distances from the watering point. Percentages of bare soil and gravel, cover of annual grasses and soil compaction showed the opposite pattern. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the existence of sheep piospheres in the shrubby steppes of Peninsula Valdes. Our results indicate that sheep-grazing intensity is associated with changes in the structure and composition of the vegetation and the soil characteristics that are compatible with degradation processes in the study region. Taking into account the importance of Peninsula Valdes in the context of biodiversity conservation, more studies of this type are required to implement effective management actions integrating livestock and conservation efforts on the terrestrial ecosystems of the regionFil: Cheli, Germán H. CCT-CONICE-CENPAT. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Pazos, Gustavo E. CCT-CONICE-CENPAT. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Flores, Gustavo E. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Laboratorio de Entomología; ArgentinaFil: Corley, Juan Carlos. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Grupo de Ecología de Poblaciones de Insectos; Argentin

The Ground-Dwelling Arthropod Community of Península Valdés in Patagonia, Argentina

This is the first study based on a planned and intensive sampling effort that describes the community composition and structure of the ground-dwelling arthropod assemblage of Península Valdés (Patagonia). It was carried out using pitfall traps, opened for two weeks during the summers of 2005, 2006 and 2007. A total of 28, 111 individuals were caught. Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) dominated this community, followed by beetles (Coleoptera) and spiders (Araneae). The most abundant species were Pheidole bergi Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Blapstinus punctulatus Solier (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Two new species were very recently described as new based on specimens collected during this study: Valdesiana curiosa Carpintero, Dellapé & Cheli (Hemiptera, Miridae) and Anomaloptera patagonica Dellapé & Cheli (Hemiptera, Oxycarenidae). The order Coleoptera was the most diverse taxa. The distribution of abundance data was best described by the logarithmic series model both at the family and species levels, suggesting that ecological relationships in this community could be controlled by a few factors. The community was dominated by predators from a trophic perspective. This suggests that predation acts as an important factor driving the distribution and abundances of surface-dwelling arthropods in this habitat and as such serves as a key element in understanding desert, above-ground community structure. These findings may also be useful for management and conservation purposes in arid Patagonia

The Ground-Dwelling Arthropod Community of Península Valdés in Patagonia, Argentina

This is the first study based on a planned and intensive sampling effort that describes the community composition and structure of the ground-dwelling arthropod assemblage of Península Valdés (Patagonia). It was carried out using pitfall traps, opened for two weeks during the summers of 2005, 2006 and 2007. A total of 28, 111 individuals were caught. Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) dominated this community, followed by beetles (Coleoptera) and spiders (Araneae). The most abundant species were Pheidole bergi Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Blapstinus punctulatus Solier (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Two new species were very recently described as new based on specimens collected during this study: Valdesiana curiosa Carpintero, Dellapé & Cheli (Hemiptera, Miridae) and Anomaloptera patagonica Dellapé & Cheli (Hemiptera, Oxycarenidae). The order Coleoptera was the most diverse taxa. The distribution of abundance data was best described by the logarithmic series model both at the family and species levels, suggesting that ecological relationships in this community could be controlled by a few factors. The community was dominated by predators from a trophic perspective. This suggests that predation acts as an important factor driving the distribution and abundances of surface-dwelling arthropods in this habitat and as such serves as a key element in understanding desert, above-ground community structure. These findings may also be useful for management and conservation purposes in arid Patagonia

Nyctelia recteplicata Flores & Cheli 2014, sp. nov.

Nyctelia recteplicata sp. nov. (Figs. 2, 5–6, 7) Diagnosis. Clypeus with two lateral depressions; pronotum widest at base, with two longitudinal depressions on lateral quarters occupying from anterior to posterior margins, with abundant big and small punctures all over the surface, the biggest one with a central, very short seta, more abundant on lateral quarters, separated by a distance equal to or lower than diameter of one puncture on lateral quarters and by a distance equal to diameter of two punctures on disc, internal surface of lateral margin without a shallow groove; elytron with small terminal apophysis semicircular, with 4-6 straight, deep, transverse grooves arranged oblique towards apex, forming an acute angle with suture, not reaching elytral middline of elytra. Nyctelia recteplicata sp. nov. superficially resembles N. laticauda Burmeister and N. latiplicata Kulzer by having elytron with terminal apophysis semicircular and transverse grooves oblique towards apex, forming an acute angle with suture. N. recteplicata sp. nov. differs from these species by having pronotum with big punctures separated on lateral quarters by a distance equal to or lower than diameter of one puncture and on disc by a distance as long as diameter of two punctures (Fig. 2) while N. laticauda and N. latiplicata have big punctures on the pronotum densely uniformly, separated by a distance equal to or lower than diameter of one puncture throughout the surface. In addition, N. recteplicata sp. nov. has pronotum with lateral margins oblique between head and humeral elytron (Fig. 2) while in N. latiplicata the lateral margins of the pronotum are concave in the anterior half and parallel in posterior half (Kulzer 1963: Plate IV, Fig. 5). In N. recteplicata sp. nov. the elytral grooves are straight (Fig. 2), while sinuate in N. laticauda (Flores 2007: Figs. 1–2). The non-type specimen illustrated by Kulzer 1963 (Plate 4, Fig. 8) for N. planicauda Fairmaire (synonymized by Flores 2007 with N. laticauda) corresponds to N. recteplicata sp. nov. Description. Length 18.0-22.0 mm. Body black, antennae, legs black to dark brown. Head. Clypeus with sparse big punctures each with a central, short seta, separated by a distance as diameter of 3-4 punctures, with two lateral depressions; clypeal suture shallow, with abundant small and dense punctures separated by a distance as long as diameter of 1-2 punctures; frons glabrous, with no punctures; antennae reaching middle of lateral margin of pronotum. Thorax. Pronotum wide (W/L ≥ 2.0), with two longitudinal apophyseal depressions on lateral quarters (defined by Iwan 2004 and Ra&sacute; & Kami&nacute;ski 2013 for Ectateus generic group, Tenebrionidae: Platynotini), disc raised, higher than lateral margins; pronotum with abundant big and small punctures all over the surface, the biggest with a central, very short seta, more abundant on lateral quarters, separated on lateral quarters by a distance equal to or lower than diameter of one puncture and on disc by a distance equal to diameter of two punctures; anterior margin conspicuous with flange, lateral margin without groove on internal surface; pronotum widest at base, posterior margin biconcave, as wide as base of elytra (Fig. 2); proepisternum among individuals with sparse or abundant long setae arising from punctures; prosternal process rounded, expanded distally, not extended over mesosternum. Elytra oval, arched, glabrous, shiny, entire surface rugose, with small terminal apophysis semicircular, suture sunken all along its length, with two adjacent elevated, smooth, longitudinal areas along the length of elytra; with 4–6 straight, deep, transverse grooves oblique towards apex, forming an acute angle with suture, not reaching elytral middle, the internal one sometimes parallel to suture on anterior half of elytron, intervals wide, convex (Fig. 2); lateral margin thick, flat, straight, without edge and not crenulate, marked by small transverse striae; pseudopleuron rugose, lacking protuberances or punctures, with two shallow longitudinal grooves (striae); with setae arising on punctures only from ventral surface of terminal apophysis; epipleuron smooth and glabrous, conspicuously edged only on anterior half, anterior quarter four times as wide as posterior half. Legs. Profemora without tuft of setae on dorsal surface and with no row of setae on ventral surface; meso, metafemora almost glabrous. Tibiae not crenulated. Male genitalia. Basal piece of tegmen short (B/E ≤ 1.00); parameres of tegmen with apex narrow, proximal margin ventrally bisinuate, widest at base, with a tuft of setae on distal 1/6 of ventral surface (Fig. 6); median lobe moderate (0.75 <L/T ≤ 1.00), with apical aperture small, apex rounded, half the width of parameres of tegmen, of equal width throughout (Fig. 5). Etymology. Named recteplicata from latin recte (=straight) and plicat (=folding) to indicate the straight, transverse intervals arranged oblique towards apex. Type material. Holotype, male: [Argentina: Chubut, Dto. Telsen / Cañada La Leona, 19 km N Gan Gan, 1071 m / 42º 15’ 15.12” S / 68º 15’ 29.12” W / 20-XI-2006, Coll: G. Cheli] [Nyctelia / recteplicata n. sp. / HOLOTYPUS male/ Det. G. Flores and/ G. Cheli 2013] (IADIZA). Allotype, female: [Argentina: Chubut / Dto. Cushamen, Ruta Prov. 35/ 4 km N Gualjaina 543 m / 42.667031ºS, 70.490281º W / 17-I-2013 Coll: V. Werenkraut] (IADIZA) and 13 paratypes (12 males and one female) with the same data as holotype (4 males and one female IADIZA, 2 CNP-CE, 1 FMNH, 1 HNHM, 1 IFML, 1 MLPA, 1 MNNC, 1 NHMB); two paratypes: [Cerro Mesa/ Chubut / I-1968, Coll: R. Palma] (MACN) and [Co. Mesa/ I-1970] (MACN); one paratype: [Rca, Argentina / Gob. Rio Negro/ 1900/ C. Bruch] [Bariloche] [Foto] (MACN); three paratypes: [Paso Flores / (575 m. s.n.m.)/ Neuquén, Arg./ 17-X-1969 / Lg: M. Gentili] (IADIZA); one paratype: [P. (pro Piedra) del Aguila, Neuquén/ 8-X-1958] [Leg: M. Gentili] (IADIZA). Distribution and habitat. Nyctelia recteplicata sp. nov. is widespread in northwest Patagonia (Fig. 7), living in the provinces of Chubut, Rio Negro and Neuquén. This species shares its habitat with several other Nyctelia species (N. laticauda Burmeister, N. porcata Burmeister, N. darwini Waterhouse, N. rotundipennis Fairmaire and N. unicostata Fairmaire); and also other tenebrionid species such as Epipedonota nitida (Philippi & Philippi), Platesthes pilosa Kulzer, Praocis fimbriata Burmeister, and Scotobius alaticollis Kulzer. Ecological notes. This species lives in sandy habitats of Chubut, Río Negro and Neuquén provinces at altitudes ranging from 540-1135 m (Fig. 7). These areas belong to Sierras y Mesetas Occidentales and Pastizales Subandinos biozones (del Valle et al. 1995; INTA 2006) and, biogeographically, these habitats correspond to Central Patagonia (Sierras y Mesetas Occidentales biozone) and Sub Andean Patagonia provinces (Pastizales Subandinos) (Morrone 2002). Physiographically, Pastizales Subandinos corresponds to grass steppe with 50-70 % vegetation cover, mostly dominated by Pappostipa speciosa and Festuca pallescens associated with scrubland; while Sierras y Mesetas Occidentales are dominated by shrub-herbaceous steppe with 30-60 % vegetation cover, where the dominant floristic elements are, Pappostipa spp. Poa ligularis, Senecio filaginoides, Mulinum spinosum and Nassauvia spp. (Del Valle et al. 1995; INTA 2006).Published as part of Flores, Gustavo E. & Cheli, Germán H., 2014, Two new species of Nyctelia Latreille (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Argentinean Patagonia with zoogeographical and ecological remarks, pp. 279-287 in Zootaxa 3765 (3) on pages 283-285, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3765.3.4, http://zenodo.org/record/490963

Effi cient Sampling of Ground-Dwelling Arthropods Using Pitfall Traps in Arid Steppes

ABSTRACT -Pitfall trapping is probably the most frequently used method for sampling grounddwelling arthropods. While the capture of specimens in pitfall traps largely depends on the number of individuals in the sampled area, trap design and trapping effort for a given environment, can also affect sampling success. The aim of this study was to determine the best pitfall trapping design for collecting ground-dwelling arthropods in the wind-blown and cold arid steppe areas of Patagonia. We tested four designs of traps, six types of preservative and different times of activation as well as the quantity of traps. Both preservation attributes and sampling effi ciency differed between different trap designs and fl uids compared. We conclude that in order to obtain reliable data on the structure of a community of ground-dwelling arthropods in Patagonia, at least three pitfall traps per experimental unit are required. In addition, traps should be opened for a minimum of 10 days fi lled with 300 ml of 30% ethylene glycol. We also suggested the use of a simple trap design (i.e. without funnel or roof). We believe these fi ndings will contribute to more appropriate sampling of the ground dwelling fauna of Patagonia as well as other arid areas, leading to more reliable diversity studies

Nyctelia sulcogranata Flores & Cheli 2014, sp. nov.

Nyctelia sulcogranata sp. nov. (Figs. 1, 3–4, 7) Diagnosis. Clypeus with two lateral depressions; pronotum without punctures on disc, internal surface of lateral margin with a shallow groove, pronotum widest at base; elytron with inner half smooth, outer half rugose and divided into three areas of equal width separated by three longitudinal equidistant grooves, inner groove almost straight located at middle of elytron, medial groove sinuate and outer groove very sinuate, each groove with a row of protuberances inside it. Nyctelia sulcogranata sp. nov. superficially resembles N. varipes Fairmaire and N. torresi Kulzer by having longitudinal grooves on the elytron. In N. sulcogranata sp. nov. the elytron has 3 grooves on the outer half with protuberances arranged inside them (Fig. 1) while in N. varipes the elytron exhibits 4–6 sinuate grooves across the surface, lacking protuberances (Kulzer 1963: Plate VI, Fig. 2). N. sulcogranata sp. nov. differs from N. torresi by having pronotum almost smooth and elytron with 3 grooves on the outer half with protuberances arranged inside them while in N. torresi the pronotum is distinctly and densely punctate and the elytron has 4 grooves across the surface with protuberances on the intervals (Kulzer 1963: Plate VI, Fig. 3). Description. Length 14.5–19.5 mm. Body black, antennae, legs black to dark brown. Head. Clypeus with abundant small punctures each with a central, short seta, separated by a distance much greater than diameter of one puncture, with two lateral depressions; clypeal suture shallow, with sparse small punctures; frons glabrous, with no punctures; antennae reaching middle of lateral margin of pronotum. Thorax. Pronotum wide (W/L ≥ 2.0), disc raised, higher than lateral margins, without depressions, almost smooth, without punctures on disc, with only few small punctures near lateral and anterior margins, each with a central, very short seta; anterior margin conspicuous with flange, lateral margin with a shallow groove on posterior half of internal surface, sometimes groove complete throughout; pronotum widest at base, posterior margin biconcave, narrower than elytral base (Fig. 1); proepisternum with sparse or abundant long setae arising from protuberances; prosternal process rounded, expanded distally, not extended over mesosternum. Elytra oval, arched, with small terminal apophysis semicircular, with short setae on posterior area arising from protuberances, more abundant on the apophysis, entire surface shiny, inner half smooth, outer half rugose, divided in three areas of equal width separated by three longitudinal equidistant grooves, inner groove almost straight located at middle of elytron, medial groove sinuate and outer groove very sinuate, confused, separating the second interval from the 15–20 external transverse striae which end at lateral margin; each groove with a row of protuberances arranged according to groove shape (straight, sinuate and very sinuate), lacking setae (Fig. 1); intervals wide, convex; suture sunken only in anterior half, without adjacent elevated longitudinal areas (Fig. 1); lateral margin thin, flat, sinuate, with edge, not crenulated; pseudopleuron with small protuberances on entire surface, each bearing a short seta on posterior area; epipleuron smooth, glabrous, conspicuously edged only on anterior half, anterior quarter four times as wide as posterior half. Legs. Profemora with a tuft of setae on dorsal surface, with a row of setae on ventral surface; meso and metafemora with sparse setae; tibiae not crenulated. Male genitalia. Basal piece of tegmen short (B/E ≤ 1.00); parameres of tegmen with apex narrow, proximal margin ventrally bisinuate, widest at base, with setae on distal 1/4 of ventral surface (Fig. 4); median lobe moderate (0.75 <L/T ≤ 1.00), with apical aperture large, apex rounded, half the width of parameres of tegmen, of equal width throughout (Fig. 3). Etymology. Named sulcogranata from latin sulcata (=furrowed) and granum (=grain) to indicate each groove with a row of protuberances inside it. Type material. Holotype, male: [Argentina: Chubut / Dto. Gaiman, Dique Ameghino / 43.70111º S, 66.46139º W / 70 m, 24-IX-2012 / Coll: G. y L. Cheli] [Nyctelia / sulcogranata n. sp. / HOLOTYPUS male/ Det. G. Flores and/ G. Cheli 2013] (IADIZA). Allotype, female (IADIZA) and 13 paratypes with the same data as holotype (3 IADIZA, 4 CNP-CE, 2 FMNH, 2 HNHM, 2 IFML); ten paratypes: [Argentina: Chubut / Dto. Gaiman, Dique Ameghino / 43.690444º S, 66.444278º W / 69 m, 24-IX-2012 / Coll: G. y L. Cheli] (2 IADIZA, 2 MACN, 2 MLPA, 2 MNNC, 2 NHMB); one paratype: [Argentina: Chubut / Dto. Telsen, Telsen, 689 m / 42º 21´35´´ S / 65º 45´41´´ W / Coll: G. Cheli] (CNP-CE); two paratypes: [Argentina: Chubut, Dto. Telsen/ 8 km E Telsen, 689 m, 42º 28’ 39.77” S / 66º 52’ 21.34” W, II-2011 / Coll: D. Rojas Lanús] (IADIZA); one paratype: [Argentina: Chubut / Dto. Gaiman, La Angostura/ Dolavon, 43º 21’ 26.47” S / 65º 39’ 32.14” W, 20-III-2011 / Coll: D. Rojas Lanús] (IADIZA). Other material examined: Sierra Chata, Chubut, 16-IV-1975, Coll: Z. Kovacs (1 CNP-CE). Distribution and habitat. Nyctelia sulcogranata sp. nov. inhabits the northeast of Chubut province (Fig. 7). It shares the habitat with other tenebrionid species such as Nyctelia dorsata Fairmaire, Epipedonota cristallisata (Lacordaire), Patagonogenius collaris (Kulzer), P. quadricollis (Fairmaire), Calymmophorus patagonicus Bruch, Leptynoderes tuberculata Curtis, Praocis fimbriata Burmeister and P. sellata granulipennis Flores & Carrara. Ecological notes. This species inhabits sandy places lower than 360m above sea level (m a.s.l) in the northeastern extreme of Chubut province. Biogeographically, this area belongs to the Monte province (Morrone 2002) and corresponds specifically to the Monte Austral biozone (Del Valle et al. 1995; INTA 2006) (Fig. 7). The main vegetation physiognomy is a medium-height shrub steppe (between 1–2 m) with total cover ranging from 20 to 40%. Major floristic components are: Larrea divaricata, L. cuneifolia, Atriplex lampa, Prosopis alpataco, Schinus polygamus, Bougainvillea spinosa, Acantholippa seriphioides, Hyalis argentea, Pappostipa speciosa and Nassella tenuis (Del Valle et al. 1995; INTA 2006). We observed several adults of this species walking in sandy habitats near the Florentino Ameghino dam from mid-morning to sunrise in late spring.Published as part of Flores, Gustavo E. & Cheli, Germán H., 2014, Two new species of Nyctelia Latreille (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Argentinean Patagonia with zoogeographical and ecological remarks, pp. 279-287 in Zootaxa 3765 (3) on pages 280-283, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3765.3.4, http://zenodo.org/record/490963

from Argentinean Patagonia with zoogeographical and ecological remarks

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Patrones biogeográficos de los tenebriónidos epigeos (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) del Área Natural Protegida Península Valdés, Argentina: implicaciones para su conservación Biogeographic patterns of epigean tenebrionids (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Protected Natural Area Península Valdés, Argentina: implications for its conservation

Se realizó un estudio sobre los patrones biogeográficos de los tenebriónidos epigeos (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) que habitan el Área Natural Protegida Península Valdés (Chubut, Argentina), basado en datos de colecciones y material recolectado en viajes a la zona. Se presenta una lista exhaustiva de las especies en la que se consigna el grado de adaptación a la aridez de cada una de ellas; un análisis de la calidad del inventario y la estimación de la riqueza total de especies; una evaluación de los patrones de distribución y riqueza, y la identificación de áreas de significativa mayor riqueza o hotspots. Los resultados indicaron que 25 especies con diferente grado de adaptación a la aridez habitan la península, aunque se estima que la riqueza total del área debería ser de 27. Además, se reconoció que los rangos de distribución de los tenebriónidos siguen una distribución log-normal y que sólo 3 especies son endémicas. Espacialmente, la riqueza se distribuyó de forma agregada en la península y se determinaron 10 hotspots. Finalmente, considerando que en la península Valdés están permitidas actividades productivas que originan una importante degradación del hábitat, se examina la implicancia de los resultados para la conservación de los tenebriónidos epigeos.<br>We conducted a study of the biogeographic patterns of epigean tenebrionids (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) that inhabit the Protected Natural Area Península Valdés (Chubut, Argentina), based on data obtained from collections and collecting trips. We present a comprehensive species list, where we detail the degree of adaptation to aridity shown by each species, an analysis of the quality of the inventory, an estimation of total species richness, and an evaluation of distribution and richness patterns, with the identification of areas of significantly greater richness or "hotspots". The results indicated that 25 species with different degrees of adaptation to aridity inhabit the peninsula, although it was estimated that the total richness of the area should be 27 species. In addition, it was recognized that the species range sizes follow a log-normal distribution and that only three species are endemic. The spatial distribution of richness was aggregate within the peninsula and we can identify 10 "hotspots". Finally, considering that in the Península Valdés are allowed productive activities that cause significant habitat degradation, we discuss the implicances that have these findings for epigean tenebrionids conservation