Progress toward a list of saproxylic beetles (Coleoptera) in the southeastern USA

TL;DR

This paper compiles a list of 1,393 deadwood-dependent beetle species in the southeastern USA to support biodiversity and conservation research.

Contribution

The study compiles and synthesizes data from 18 sources to create a comprehensive list of saproxylic beetles in the southeastern USA.

Findings

891 taxa were reared or emerged directly from deadwood.

68 species represent new state records in Georgia.

A checklist is hindered by limited knowledge of species' natural history and distribution.

Abstract

Deadwood-dependent (saproxylic) insects represent a large proportion of forest biodiversity, are major contributors to ecosystem processes, and are conservation priorities due to their sensitivity to changing forest conditions. Despite relevance across much of the world, research on saproxylic biodiversity has been concentrated in Europe where interest was first generated. A major impediment for this field elsewhere is a lack of resources to determine which species are saproxylic. Here, we attempt to facilitate research on saproxylic beetles (Coleoptera) in the southeastern USA by compiling information from 18 published studies and theses in the region. A list of 1,393 taxa (species or genera) from 74 families is provided with deadwood associations. This includes 891 taxa from 71 families that were reared or emerged from deadwood, and 831 taxa from 61 families that were collected from bulk trapping methods and considered to be saproxylic, or were previously included in a list of regional deadwood taxa. Additionally, for 293 taxa from non-economically important families that were considered to be saproxylic in a recently published study, known saproxylic habits, microhabitat associations, and conservation notes are listed. Sixty-eight of these species represent new state records in Georgia, USA. Although a checklist of saproxylic species is needed for the southeastern USA, it is precluded by a dearth of knowledge about the natural history and distribution of species in the region. Increasing our understanding of these species’ habitat requirements is essential for understanding biodiversity responses to changing forest conditions and assessing conservation needs.