State of knowledge of the Tenebrionidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) in Colombia based on bibliographic revision

Abstract

Tenebrionidae is one of the most diverse families in Coleoptera. However, research on the family in Colombia is limited. Based on a comprehensive literature review, a list of tenebrionid species known from the country was compiled and the state of knowledge is analyzed. Based on this information, the Tenebrionidae in Colombia are represented by 326 species, organized into 95 genera (seven subgenera), 30 tribes, and nine subfamilies. Cundinamarca, including Bogotá, presents the highest number of recorded species with 52, followed by Valle del Cauca with sixteen, and Bolívar with thirteen; eight departments have records for only a single species, and ten do not have records of any tenebrionid species. Potential reasons for the historically limited research on Colombian tenebrionids are discussed and actions to reduce these knowledge gaps are proposed.

Conocimiento de las comunidades de escarabajos que habitan el suelo en los Andes tropicales: Lagunas y tendencias

“…La falta de información de algunos países se hace más evidente si observamos otras familias de los órdenes Coleoptera donde no existen inventarios, estudios ecológicos, ni análisis de sus relaciones con los diferentes ecosistemas. En este contexto, una iniciativa prometedora para cubrir las lagunas de conocimiento en los países neotropicales, especialmente en los Andes tropicales, es la promoción de listas de especies nacionales (e.g., Ascuntar‐Osnas et al, 2023; Girón et al, 2021). Las listas de especies actualizadas, asociadas a aproximaciones geográficas de regiones que permanecen poco estudiadas, pueden ser un primer paso para abordar los problemas identificados en nuestro estudio.…”

Knowledge of ground‐dwelling beetle communities in the tropical Andes: Gaps and trends

“…The lack of information from some countries becomes more evident if we look at other families of the Coleoptera orders where there are no inventories, ecological studies, or analysis of their relationships with different ecosystems. In this context, a promising initiative to close knowledge gaps in Neotropical countries, especially in the tropical Andes, by promoting national checklists (e.g., Ascuntar‐Osnas et al, 2023; Girón et al, 2021). Updated checklists, associated with geographical approximations of regions that remain understudied can be a first step in addressing the problems identified in our study.…”