Spasalus crenatus (Coleoptera: Passalidae) is the only member of Passalidae in Puerto Rico. It is a subsocial, saproxylic beetle. Our objective is to test two hypotheses to explain the abundance and distribution pattern of S. crenatus in a subtropical wet forest. The abundance and distribution could be explained by availability of preferred fallen dead trunks to establish colonies (Resource hypothesis) or by dispersal ability of the beetle (Dispersal hypothesis). To test these hypotheses, We performed field surveys for distribution of trunks and nests, and performed experiments where distance and availability of trunks were manipulated.
Species 1: Coleoptera Passalidae Spasalus crenatus (bess beetles)
Keywords: saproxylic
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