ALTITUDINAL DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF COPRO-NECROPHAGE SCARABAEOIDEA (COLEOPTERA) IN VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Patterns of altitudinal distribution of copro-necrophage scarabaeoid communities on a subtropical mountain of the Mexican Transition Zone (Volcanic Transverse Belt, Veracruz) are compared with those of a Mediterranean cordillera (Central Iberian System). The influence of vegetation on community structure was also checked. It was found that the number of species decreases and the copro-necrophage scarabaeoid community structure undergoes modification as altitude increases. Although the number of species was small, altitudinal segregation in the Mexican Transition Zone is like that in the Central Iberian System (Aphodiidae and Geotrupidae at higher altitudes, Scarabaeidae at lower ones). Antropic fragmentation and transformation of primary forests in subtropical areas (mountain mesophilous and conifer forest) result in a qualitative and quantitative change in the structure of communities. This phenomenon is attenuated in mountain forests by the impoverishment of fauna due to the increase in altitude.