Synopsis and potential geographical distribution of <i>Cotinis</i> (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae: Gymnetini) in Colombia

Abstract

A taxonomic synopsis and analysis of the potential distribution of the three Cotinis species found in Colombia are presented, based on the revision of 212 specimens deposited in 20 entomological collections. Based on collection information and geo-referencing locality data, the rate of record accumulation over time and observed distribution for each species were examined. Potential distribution maps were generated following biogeographic, bioclimatic, conservation, and expert criteria. Potential distribution models were made according to the amount and degree of record spatial aggregation. Cundinamarca, Tolima, Magdalena, and Sucre are the departments with the greatest number of species occurrence data. The analysis of potential distribution showed that Cotinis columbica is restricted to Andean ecosystems, while Cotinis lebasi is showing potential distribution in humid tropical forest areas in Colombia. On the other hand, the Jackknife test indicated that available data for Cotinis barthelemyi do not provide a potential distribution model better than would be expected from chance. With the increase in comprehensive taxonomic monographs, which compile high quality collection data, this type of analysis could be implemented for other groups of Scarabaeoidea in Colombia to evaluate the temporary and spatial representativeness of sampling across different scales.

Keywords

• Biodiversity
• fruit scarab beetles
• National System of Protected Areas
• potential survey areas
• taxonomy