Structure and composition of a canopy-beetle community (Coleoptera) in a Neotropical lowland rainforest in southern Venezuela

Abstract

Species richness, community structure and taxonomic composition are important characteristics of biodiversity. Beetle communities show distinct diversity patterns according to habitat attributes. Tropical rainforest canopies, which are well known for their richness in Coleoptera, represent such a conspicuous life zone. Here, I describe a canopy-inhabiting beetle community associated with 23 tree species in a Neotropical lowland rainforest. Adult beetles were sampled manually and in aerial traps using a large tower crane for a cumulative year. The sample revealed 6738 adult beetles, which were assigned to 862 (morpho-)species in 45 families. The most species-rich beetle families were Curculionidae ( n = 246), Chrysomelidae ( n = 121) and Cerambycidae ( n = 89). The most abundant families were Curculionidae ( n = 2746) and Chrysomelidae ( n = 1409). Dominant beetle families were found in most assemblages. The beetle community consisted of 400 singletons (46.4%). A similar proportion was evident for assemblages of single tree species. I found that 74.5% of all beetle species were restricted in their occurrence on host trees to the phenological season and time of the day. This daily and seasonal migration causes patterns similar to mass effects and therefore accounts for the high proportion of singletons.