Neuroptera Diversity from Tacaná Volcano, Mexico: Species Composition, Altitudinal and Biogeographic Pattern of the Fauna

Abstract

Approximately 340 species of ten families of Neuroptera have been recorded from Mexico. The Tacaná volcano, reaching an elevation of 4092 m a.s.l., is the northernmost representative of the Central American Nucleus volcanic range. Recent survey efforts of the Neuroptera diversity of the Tacaná volcano, Chiapas, along an altitudinal gradient, increased the known fauna of this order in Mexico by 31 species and two genera: Biramus Oswald, 1993 (Hemerobiidae), and Titanochrysa Sosa & Freitas, 2012 (Chrysopidae), with extension of the known distributional range of 25 species of five families. Most of the new country records are from species previously known only from Central and South America. The lacewing fauna of Chiapas is updated from 91 to 147 species. The Neuroptera of the Tacaná volcano is mostly Neotropical with some taxa of Nearctic affinity restricted to medium and high elevations. More than 80% of the Tacaná volcano lacewing species also occur in the Brazilian subregion, especially the Mesoamerican and Pacific domains. Neuropteran species were recorded from 650 to more than 3500 m a.s.l. A higher species richness was present between 600 and 1700 m, with a few species occurring at altitudes above 3000 m. A species checklist and an identification key to the genera of Neuroptera of the Tacaná volcano are provided.

Keywords

• lacewings
• Central American Nucleus
• biogeography
• altitudinal gradient