Adults of Trichoptera were collected in four sites in Santa Catarina Lachatao, Oaxaca, México, using black light traps and entomological nets. A total of 12 families, 23 genera, and 37 species were recorded. Four new species of Trichoptera: Wormaldia noveloi n. sp., Lepidostoma zapoteca n. sp., Phylloicus gomezi n. sp., and Ochrotrichia buenoi n. sp. are described and male genitalia are illustrated. Similarities and differences among these species and those in their respective genera are discussed. In addition, nineteen species are recorded for the first time for Oaxaca, bringing the number of known Trichoptera species from this state to 170. Ithytrichia, Oxyethira, and Cheumatopsyche are new generic records for Oaxaca State. Ochrotrichia nicaragua and Wormaldia palma are registered for the first time in México.
Soil fauna is essential for ecosystem dynamics as it is involved in biogeochemical processes, promotes nutrient availability, and affects the animal communities associated with plants. In this study, we examine the possible relationship between the soil microarthropod community on foliage production and quality of the shrub Pittocaulon praecox. We also examine the arthropods associated to its foliage, particularly the size of the main herbivores and of their natural enemies, at two sites with contrasting vegetation cover and productivity. The diversity of soil microarthropods was assessed from soil samples collected monthly under P. praecox individuals over 13 mo. Specimens collected were identified to species or morphospecies. Shrub foliage productivity was evaluated through the amount of litter produced. Resource quality was assessed by the mean content (percentage by weight) of N, C, S, and P of 30 leaves from each shrub. The mean size of herbivores and their natural enemies were determined by measuring 20 adult specimens of each of the most abundant species. We found a higher species richness of soil microarthropods and foliar arthropods in the open site, although the diversity of foliage arthropods was lower in the closed site. Shrubs growing in the closed site tend to produce more, larger, and nutritionally poorer (lower nitrogen content) leaves than open site. Herbivores and their natural enemies were also larger in the closed site. We found a significant positive relationship between the diversity and species richness of foliar arthropods and the nitrogen content of leaves. In general, species richness and diversity of both the foliar and soil fauna, as well as the size of organisms belonging to higher trophic levels, were affected by vegetation cover and primary productivity at each site. These findings highlight the need to simultaneously consider at least four trophic levels (soil organisms, plants, herbivores, and natural enemies) to better understand the functioning of these systems and their responses to environmental changes.
a través del análisis de parsimonia de endemismos de especies de tricópteros (Insecta: Trichoptera)The biogeographic complexity of the Sierra de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico, revealed through parsimony analysis of endemicity of caddisflies species (Insecta: Trichoptera
We analyzed the alpha and beta components of male Trichoptera diversity along an altitudinal gradient ranging from 136 to 2432 m a.s.l. by studying five assemblages of adult male caddisflies in five streams of the Sierra de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico. Samples were collected with light traps in the “nortes” (February) and rainy (October) seasons of 2016, recording air temperature and relative humidity. The assemblages showed an abundance pattern clearly associated with the rainy season, and a high dissimilarity in their species composition. Species richness and abundance were significantly higher at lower altitudinal levels. The highest alpha diversity was recorded in the Flor de Azahar stream; beta diversity increased with altitude and made an important contribution to gamma diversity. These results suggest that temporal and altitudinal variations affect environmental variables, which influence the structure of Trichoptera assemblages. Temperature was the primary factor determining spatial and temporal distribution patterns of caddisfly assemblages in the study area. However, in the rainy season, this factor explained a smaller proportion of the observed changes. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate other environmental variables and explore other ecosystems to provide additional evidence on the factors affecting the diversity patterns of the Trichoptera in the Sierra de Juárez.
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