To understand the high heterogeneity of the biodiversity distribution is one of the most important challenges for the ecology. The study of this heterogeneity is not only ecologically interesting, but also urgent, because of the current biodiversity high degree of threat. Understanding the distributional patterns of species and the factors and mechanisms which are producing and maintaining these patterns is essential to consider protection and conservation strategies of the biodiversity in the most useful and effective way. The analysis of the distribution of scarab beetles assemblages (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae, Melolonthinae, Rutelinae) across the forests of Costa Rica revealed high species turnover A. García-LópezCentro Iberoamericano de la Biodiversidad CIBIO, Universidad de Alicante, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante (España). Email: alejandra.garcia@ua.es increasing total diversity in these tropical ecosystems. Although environmental heterogeneity is responsible for part of this turnover, the historical and evolutionary factors have also an important role influencing species distribution. The incorporation of the analysis of these factors to the studies of diversity distribution represents a useful tool for the understanding of the processes producing the current biodiversity patterns.

Mediterranean ecosystems have been recognized as a priority for biodiversity conservation due to their high levels of species richness and endemism. In South America, these environments are restricted to central Chile and represent a biodiversity hotspot. The study of saproxylic beetles in this area is an unexplored topic, despite the ecological role they play in the ecosystems and their potential usefulness for monitoring the forests conservation degree. The present study highlights the importance of the saproxylic beetles diversity in Mediterranean forests of Chile. These ecosystems are characterized by a high heterogeneity of vegetations and by the presence of fragmented nearly zones that surround the protected areas and show different perturbation degrees. We also enhance the importance of the preservation of old native trees in those fragmented areas that can help sustain the biodiversity and have a significant conservation value for saproxylic fauna.

El curso CECLEC de la Universidad de Alicante "Investigando la Biodiversidad: presente y futuro" (celebrado del 1 al 16 de marzo de 2011), ha constituido la tercera edición de unas jornadas que cada año tratan de acercar a nuestros estudiantes y al público en general, la investigación llevada a cabo en el Instituto Universitario de Investigación CIBIO. Estas jornadas comenzaron en 2009 con el título "Las semillas de la investigación: los investigadores que pasaron por el doctorado del CIBIO" y en 2010 se llevaron a cabo de nuevo con el nombre "Déjame que te cuente algo sobre la Biodiversidad".En el CIBIO se llevan a cabo, desde su creación en 1998, estudios multidisciplinares sobre aspectos relacionados con la Biodiversidad desde distintos enfoques. Este curso ha mostrado los avances y resultados obtenidos en la investigación de temas relacionados con la diversidad biológica, mostrando las perspectivas presentes y futuras de las distintas líneas de investigación, así como la posible aplicación de dichos conocimientos en diferentes ámbitos.Las integrantes del CIBIO que este año han participado en la organización de estas jornadas docentes han sido Elena Cortés, Alejandra García y Tríptico informativo del curso