The darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge dune systems

Abstract. The Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge is home to a diverse array of endangered, rare, and endemic plant and animal species. The diversity of these species is indicative of the diversity of unique habitats found on the refuge; among these are an assemblage of dunes with that vary in types of dominant vegetation. Using darkling beetles, including the genera Eleodes and Asbolus, collected in pitfall traps from the different dunes, we determine if there are any relationships between the vegetation type of a dune and the abundance and diversity of the beetle supported by the dune. Most beetles appear to be consistent in their ability to live upon any dune on the refuge. However, their abundances do vary significantly across dune type. Therefore, considering these beetles, some dune systems appear to be more productive than others.