BEETLE ASSEMBLAGE COMPOSITION (COLEOPTERA) ACROSS THE BORBOREMA PLATEAU IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Abstract

– The objective of this work was to compare soil beetle (Coleoptera) species composition between two sites on the Borborema Plateau in Northeastern Brazil. We collected 483 individuals belonging to 23 Coleoptera families and 75 species/morphospecies. On the east face of the Borborema Plateau (Areia-PB) we collected a total of 332 individuals representing 58 species/morphospecies and 21 families. On the west face (Cabaceiras-PB) we collected 151 individuals representing 24 species/morphospecies and eight families. Among the 75 total species/morphospecies collected, 51 occurred exclusively on the eastern face of the plateau and 17 occurred exclusively on the west face. Only seven morphospecies were sampled in both areas. The marked difference in beetle assemblage species composition between the west and east sides of the Borborema Plateau suggests that the positioning and climatic variations maintain and promote high levels of beetle diversity in northeastern Brazil.