Epigean Tenebrionids (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Leones, Tova and Tovita Islands, Chubut, Argentina

Abstract

The Interjurisdictional Marine Coastal "Patagonia Austral" National Park (PIMCPA) protects over 180 km of Patagonian Atlantic coastline in northern San Jorge gulf including an archipelago that comprises more than 39 islands of which the biggest are Leones, Tova and Tovita. Birds and marine mammals of the area have been the subject of many researches over the last 25 years. However, the entomological fauna that inhabits the islands is unknown. In this work darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) are reported for the first time in the islands, its species assemblage is described and their relationships with mainland entomofauna are studied. Between March 2013 and December 2014 three entomological surveys were performed to these islands using pitfall traps and manual collecting. The insular fauna assemblage was studied and compared in relation to those to the mainland using MDS, ANOSIM and PCA. The occurrence of eight species, arranged in eight genera and four tribes, is recorded. Six species were common to the three islands, Psectrascelis sulcicollis Waterhouse was recorded as exclusive to Tova and Tovita Islands, while Platesthes burmeisteri Haag-Rutenberg was only present on Leones Island. Although there were no endemic species, the islands exhibit a different tenebrionid species assemblage with respect to the continent. It is mainly composed by nocturnal or crepuscular species (including Praocis (Hemipraocis) fimbriata Burmeister, Patagonogenius quadricollis Fairmaire, Emmallodera crenaticostata crenaticostata Blanchard and Scotobius akidioides Waterhouse), while several diurnal species of Nyctelia Berthold are the most common and diverse darkling beetles among mainland fauna.