Interaction and distribution of beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) associated with Heliconia bihai (Heliconiaceae) inflorescences

Authors

  • Thais Ranielle Souza de Oliveira University Center Euro American, Department of Health Sciences, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70200-001, Brazil
  • Shayne Rodrigues de Moura Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Departamento de Agronomia, Recife, Pernambuco 52171-900, Brazil
  • Denise Dias da Cruz Federal University of Paraiba, Department of Systematics and Ecology, João Pessoa, Paraíba 58051-900, Brazil
  • Vivian Loges Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Departamento de Agronomia, Recife, Pernambuco 52171-900, Brazil
  • Celso Feitosa Martins Federal University of Paraiba, Department of Systematics and Ecology, João Pessoa, Paraíba 58051-900, Brazil,

Keywords:

phytotelmata, aquatic insects, tropical flowers, bracts

Abstract

The insect fauna associated with the genus Heliconia (Heliconiaceae) is quite diversified and includes terrestrial and aquatic species. In plants with an upright inflorescence, the bracts may form phytotelmata. Insects are one of the main taxa that have adapted to phytotelmata environments, including species of Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Dermaptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, and Odonata, among other orders. The Coleoptera fauna associated with phytotelmata is poorly studied, and the objective of this study was therefore to determine the distribution of beetles in Heliconia bihai (L.) (Zingiberales: Heliconiaceae) bracts in cultivated and uncultivated areas in northeastern Brazil. In addition, we describe their functional relationships. With respect to the coleopteran assemblage, 6 families were found in both areas and 3 were found only in the uncultivated Heliconia. The most abundant and frequently occurring family in both areas was Hydrophilidae, represented by a single species, Pelosoma lafertei (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae). Staphylinidae were the second most abundant and the second most frequently occurring family. The detritivores were most abundant (6 species), followed by herbivores (3 species), and predators (2 species). Abundance and richness were higher in the uncultivated area. Temperature and pH were the main factors affecting the coleopteran assemblages. A high acidity indicates an environment rich in organic matter, the main food source in phytotelmata environments.

 

Resumo

A fauna de insetos associada ao gênero Heliconia (Heliconiaceae) é bastante diversificada e inclui espécies terrestres e aquáticas. Em plantas com inflorescência vertical, as brácteas podem formar fitotelmas. Os insetos são um dos principais táxons adaptados aos ambientes fitotelmatas, incluindo espécies de Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Dermaptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera e Odonata, entre outras ordens. A fauna de Coleoptera associada ao ambiente fitotelmata é pouco estudada, e o objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a distribuição de besouros nas brácteas de H. bihai (L.) (Zingiberales: Heliconiaceae) em áreas cultivadas e não cultivadas no Nordeste do Brasil. Além disso, descrevemos suas relações funcionais. Em relação à ocorrência de coleópteros, 6 famílias foram encontradas em ambas as áreas e 3 foram encontradas apenas em brácteas de Heliconia não cultivada. A família mais abundante e frequente em ambas as áreas foi Hydrophilidae, representada por uma única espécie, Pelosoma lafertei (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae). Os Staphylinidae foram a segunda família mais abundante e mais frequente. Os detritívoros foram mais abundantes (6 espécies), seguidos de herbívoros (3 espécies), e predadores (2 espécies). A Abundância e a riqueza foram maiores na área não cultivada. A temperatura e o pH foram os principais fatores que afetaram a assembléia de coleópteros. Uma alta acidez indica um ambiente rico em matéria orgânica, o principal recurso alimentar do ambiente fitotelmata.

 

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Published

2019-04-27

Issue

Vol. 101, No. 2 (June 2018)

Section

Research Papers

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