Distribution, habitat use and plant associations of Moluchia brevipennis (Saussure, 1864) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae): an endemic cockroach from Chilean Mediterranean Matorral biome
Rev. bras. entomol
;
61(2): 114-122, Apr.-Jun. 2017. tab, graf
Artigo
em Inglês
| LILACS
| ID: biblio-843712
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Wild cockroaches are often described as abundant and diverse insects from wet tropical zones; however, they can also be found in arid and semiarid areas. It is proposed that in these drier environments cockroach survival may dependent on its tight association with native plant species. In this work, using bait trapping and active collection methods, we surveyed cockroach species along central Chile coastal scrubland; the southern limit of the semiarid Mediterranean Matorral biome in the Neotropical Region (32° S). Based on morphological and DNA barcoding methods we found that our collected cockroaches belonged to native species Moluchia brevipennis (Saussure, 1864) (Blattodea Ectobiidae). Furthermore, thanks to field sampling, we noticed for the first time that M. brevipennis predominantly can be found in patches of native vegetation from Matorral biome, for instance, associated to endemic plant species from Puya (Bromeliaceae) genus, where we recorded these wild cockroaches feeding on flowers at dusk. Under the light of these findings, we discuss the relevance of the association between M. brevipennis and native plants for its survival in this semiarid habitat, its potential ecological function and the ongoing hazards for native insect species resulting from nearby urban sprawl in coastal central Chile.
Texto completo:
DisponíveL
Índice:
LILACS (Américas)
Tipo de estudo:
Fatores de risco
País/Região como assunto:
América do Sul
/
Chile
Idioma:
Inglês
Revista:
Rev. bras. entomol
Assunto da revista:
Biologia
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Artigo
/
Documento de projeto
País de afiliação:
Chile
Instituição/País de afiliação:
Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación/CL
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