An inordinate fondness for beetles

In this paper we consider the extent of our knowledge of global beetle diversity. Depending on the estimates adopted, some 70–95% of all beetle species remain to be formally described, and at the current rate of progress it could be more than 200 years until the task is completed. One of the reasons for this is the difficulty of adequately sampling tropical beetle faunas and thereby ensuring sufficient material is available to taxonomists for comparative studies. Despite this, recent years have seen significant advances in our understanding of beetle taxonomy, biology, ecology and biogeography, and we are now in a good position to apply this understanding to ecological and management issues. Saproxylic (dead-wood-associated) beetles are used to illustrate this latter point.