Communities of Nitidulidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) in the canopies of monodominant and nonmonodominant physiognomies, during the dry and wet periods in the Pantanal of Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Nitidulidae are beetles that present a variety of feeding guilds and can associate with fungi and dead organic matter. In the Pantanal, the canopy offers a wide variety of niches for Nitidulidae since the seasonality of the biome influences its phenology and the behavior and life cycles of the associated fauna. This study evaluated the influence of two phytophysiognomies, one monodominant with flooded vegetation (cambarazal), the other heterogeneous with nonflooded vegetation (cerradão), and the seasonal dry (2012) and wet (2013) periods on canopy-dwelling Nitidulidae in the Pantanal of Poconé, MT. The canopy fogging methodology was used for collection, resulting in 7,030 individuals identified in 3 subfamilies, 7 genera, and 20 morphospecies. The community composition was influenced by period in both phytophysiognomies. Nitidulidae were more abundant in cerradão (4,027 ind.) and cambarazal (3,003 ind.) during the wet (3,972 ind.) and dry (3,058 ind.) periods. The greatest diversity occurred during the wet period in both phytophysiognomies, and the greatest richness occurred in heterogeneous vegetation during the wet period. The predominant trophic guild was anthophiles. Fungivores and saprophages were found in smaller quantities, which are related to their life cycle and the phenology of the phytophysiognomies.