Escarabajos Coprófagos (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) Como indicadores de diversidad biológica en las Zonas de Gigantones y Cañaribamba. Azuay Ecuador

Abstract

This study took place in the zones of Gigantones and Cañaribamba in the province of Azuay, from June to October 2014 in two types of forests: an intervened forest and a non-intervened forest. Each one of the forests was different because of its vegetal coverage as well as their tree density and humidity. The captures were done by using pit-fall traps with pig manure as an attractive feed. A total of 259 individuals were captured, where 189 belong to the IF while 70 belong to the NIF; fitting 4 genders. The highest frequency rate specie was the Onthophagus gender; with 245 individuals; number that shows a better adaption to both studied environments (IF and NIF). The beetles’ responses to the vegetation changes, forest coverage, and environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and precipitation have shown a relationship to the number of species and of the individuals. Most of the species follow nesting patterns with digging habits as well as a wide range of tolerance to the environmental changes