EPIGEAN COLEOPTERANS OF LLULLAILLACO NATIONAL PARK (ANTOFAGASTA REGION, CHILE)

Abstract We characterized the taxonomic richness of epigean coleopterans and assessed the sampling quality in Llullaillaco National Park (Antofagasta Region, Chile). The study was conducted in representative sites of the national park during the years 2017 and 2018. A total of 185 specimens were captured, belonging to 21 species grouped in 19 genera and 10 families. Entomochilus Solier and Praocis Eschscholtz being the only genera with more than one species. The accumulation curves demonstrating that the inventory of epigean coleopteran richness is still incomplete for the sampled area. This work is the first inventory of arthropod species richness in high-Andean ecosystems, but additional samplings in other habitats and seasons are required to expand the inventory of coleopteran fauna for this protected area.