ABSTRACT
The north of Neuquén province shares with the south of Mendoza province the subprovince Payunia of the biogeographical province of Patagonic steppe, which is characterized by the presence of approximately 800 volcanoes. Although we have conducted several samplings in volcanoes of Mendoza in past years to recognize the biodiversity of tenebrionids, it is still pending which is the role that these mountains have in the biota of tenebrionids in Neuquén. In this work we reported the results of two consecutive years of prospection in two volcanoes separated by 120 km between each other, Tromen and Auca Mahuida which have 3978 and 2215 meters above sea level respectively. We found that Auca Mahuida harbours a total diversity of 10 tenebrionid species and Tromen 9, but these communities were significantly different between them. From these prospections two new endemic species of Tenebrionidae are described: Scotobius aucamahuidensis Silvestro sp. nov. (Tenebrioninae: Scotobiini) from Auca Mahuida and Psectrascelis tromensis Flores sp. nov. (Pimeliinae: Nycteliini) from Tromen. Photographs for these two new species are included, with comparisons to other known species of these genera. Based on these results we discuss the role of different factors that influence tenebrionid diversity and their implications to conserve biodiversity.
Subject(s)
Coleoptera , Spiders , Animals , Argentina , Biodiversity , BiotaABSTRACT
A new genus, Pumiliofossorum Silvestro & Giraldo gen. nov. (Tenebrioninae: Scotobiini) and two new Peruvian species, Pumiliofossorum moche Silvestro & Flores sp. nov. and P. sechurae Giraldo & Flores sp. nov. are described and illustrated. Distributional data, habitat records, photographs, and SEM images are included. A revised key for the six genera of Scotobiini is provided. Morphology of the newly described genus is discussed in reference to the other genera of Scotobiini. Dome-shaped placoid sensoria are imaged for the first time in Scotobiini.
