Diversity of Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) at a mountain range in the limit of the Eurosiberian region, northwest Spain: Species richness and beta diversity

Abstract

Chrysomelidae from the Sierra de Queixa mountains (Galicia, northwest Spain) were sampled, reporting 93 species. The estimated local species richness using several non-parametric estimators and accumulation models varies between 104 and 142 species. To compare the Chrysomelidae fauna from Sierra de Queixa with other Galician assemblages we have assessed beta diversity among inventories and we have tested the differences on the zoogeographic compositions among areas. Sierra de Queixa is grouped with other Galician mountain ranges located in the transition zone between Eurosiberian and Mediterranean regions, and it is characterised by a high proportion of Iberian endemic species, significantly higher than expected. Therefore, Chrysomelidae fauna from Sierra de Queixa represents a unique assemblage of Eurosiberian elements that reached the area due to the climatic conditions and Iberian endemic species that are present in the Iberian mountains due to its historic role as southern refugia during glaciations. © Entomologica Fennica.