Predicting Wing Trait Gaps: The Case of Andean Rove Beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

Abstract

Comparative studies require understanding the dispersal and movement capacity of species. However, it is not often possible to obtain information on this key life-history attribute in insects. Rove beetles (Staphylinidae) are the second most abundant group of epigeal invertebrates, and little is known about their dispersal abilities in tropical regions. We explored the relationship between six linear morphological body-size traits and three wing measures from 48 necrophilous rove beetle species for fitting univariate linear regression models. Pronotal width was the more accurate morphological variable to predict the wing traits of necrophilous rove beetle species. Models of wing area were a better fit when data had been sorted according to subfamily. The models obtained can be used to estimate length, width, and area of the necrophilous staphylinid species' wings. Morphological traits are useful as a proxy for dispersal in comparative ecological and evolutionary studies.