ECOLOGY OF GROUND-DWELLING CARABID BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE) IN THE PERUVIAN ANDES

Abstract

Studies of diversity and species distributions are crucial in light of a predicted 4-6 degrees C warming by the end of the 21st century, especially in the tropics where many species may be especially sensitive to climate change. Little is known about patterns of insect diversity and richness in Andean montane forest habitats. The main goal of the present research was to investigate the ecology of carabid beetles at different altitudes in southeastern Peru (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Changes in species richness, species assemblages, and wing and body attributes were estimated at different altitude zones along both disturbed and undisturbed gradients.