A biogeographic approach towards Andean ground beetles conservation (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Abstract

The Andean region, shaped by unique geological and climatic events, lacks comprehen-sive conservation data for Andean ground beetles (AGB). This knowledge gap limitseffective management of these ecologically important invertebrates. Our study aims toidentify key conservation areas for AGB using four different proxies and provide a frame-work for targeted conservation efforts. Utilizing 6,400 records encompassing 399 speciesacross 80 genera, we analyze AGB distribution patterns. We combine three biogeographicdistribution proxies—species richness, endemism, and panbiogeographic nodes—and as-sess IUCN Criterion B to evaluate preliminary conservation status and its relation tothese proxies. We identified and mapped areas with high species richness, endemism, andconcentrations of potentially threatened species. Additionally, we highlighted panbiogeo-graphic nodes and super-nodes, as well as regions of spatial congruence among all thesebiogeographic proxies. Spatial congruence among biogeographic proxies highlights north-west and southeast Maule, southern Magellanic forest, and southwest Santiagan provincesas key conservation targets. We propose a method for identifying panbiogeographic super-nodes, pinpointing them in central-south Monte, central-west Coquimban, northern andnortheastern Valdivian Forest, northwestern Maule, southern Prepuna, and southwesternSantiagan provinces. Our conservation assessment shows that approximately 45% of spe-cies are potentially threatened. Additionally, our findings support including the Patagonianprovince in the South American Transition Zone. Lastly, we address an overlooked aspectof computational track analysis and propose a simple solution.