How to translate text using browser tools
31 March 2020 Species Richness and Seasonal Abundance of Hawk Moth Fauna in a Fragment of Tropical Semi-Deciduous Forest of Veracruz, Mexico
Luis A. Lara-Pérez, Pablo J. Ramírez-Barajas, Javier Campos-Domínguez, Iván Oros-Ortega, Fernando Hernández-Baz, Fernando Casanova-Lugo
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Sphingidae is an important component contributing to ecological functions in the tropics. However, ecological studies and inventories are scarce. The diversity of nocturnal hawk moths in a fragment of tropical semi-deciduous forest (TSDF) at central Veracruz, Mexico were described. A 250-watt mercury-vapor lamp was used nocturnally for collection each month for 1 year. Collection was during 1 night of new moon from 1800 to 0600 hours. Diversity and correlated hawk moth richness and abundance were correlated with mean temperature and rainfall. In total, 178 specimens of 41 species, 18 genera, four tribes, and three subfamilies were recorded. Individual-based rarefaction curves and sample coverage showed satisfactory hawk moth community. The most abundant species were Eumorpha satellitia (Linnaeus), Xylophanes pluto (Fabricius), Nyceryx riscus (Schaus), and X. libya (Druce). Correlation analysis did not indicate a relationship between environmental variables and richness or abundance of hawk moths. PERMANOVA analysis did not show variation in the hawk moth community between rainy (29 species) and dry seasons (31 species). On local and regional scales, the study revealed many hawk moths species in tropical semi-deciduous forest. Increased knowledge of biodiversity is needed on a larger geographical scale.

Luis A. Lara-Pérez, Pablo J. Ramírez-Barajas, Javier Campos-Domínguez, Iván Oros-Ortega, Fernando Hernández-Baz, and Fernando Casanova-Lugo "Species Richness and Seasonal Abundance of Hawk Moth Fauna in a Fragment of Tropical Semi-Deciduous Forest of Veracruz, Mexico," Southwestern Entomologist 45(1), 147-160, (31 March 2020). https://doi.org/10.3958/059.045.0116
Published: 31 March 2020
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top