An Inventory of the Carabidae of the Rincon Mountains

Schaller, Jason; Moore, Wendy; Eble, jeff; Meyers, Wallace

One hundred four specimens, representing 16 species, of ground beetles (family Carabidae) were collected in Saguaro National Park along elevation gradients in the Rincon mountains during the Summer and Fall of 2011. These specimens were collected using pitfall traps, Malaise traps, by searching under rocks, debris, and through leaf litter during the day and by headlamp searching at night when ground beetles are most active. Twenty additional species were found in the University of Arizona Insect Collection from the Rincon Mountains, but outside of park boundaries. In total, 36 carabid species are known from the Rincon Mountains. Analysis of distributions among the species collected shows a majority occurring at higher elevations in wooded and/or riparian areas and very few occurring in arid lower elevations. The total number of species was less than anticipated despite extensive collecting using pitfall traps and searching under rocks, debris, and through leaf litter along with night collecting. Low diversity is likely a result of insularization of the Rincon Mountains sky island.