Platypodinae and Scolytinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) associated with mangroves in Tabasco, Mexico

This study aimed to understand the similarity and diversity of Scolytinae and Platypodinae associated with mangroves in the state of Tabasco, Mexico. During 2012, insects were collected using traps with ethyl alcohol and ultraviolet light. A total of 1,226 specimens were collected and identified, belonging to 25 species and 13 genera; 22 species from 11 genera belonged to Scolytinae and three species from two genera belonged to Platypodinae. The species Coccotrypes rhizophorae, Micracisella opacithorax, and Microcorthylus minimus represent new records for Tabasco. The highest species diversity (H') was obtained in Sanchez Magallanes (SM), with 1.31, and the lowest in San Pedro (SP) with 1.16, without significant differences. The similarity index (Is) showed that SM-SP share the greatest number of species; something similar was observed in alcohol traps as compared with light traps. The species Xyleborus volvulus and Euplatypus parallelus recorded the highest abundance, equivalent to 75% of total, with 651 and 276 individuals, respectively. The use of ethyl alcohol traps allowed the collection of a larger number of species. This study provided knowledge about the composition of Scolytinae and Platypodinae in mangroves in the state of Tabasco; however, more studies are required to achieve a comprehensive knowledge of the population dynamics of these species, particularly of those that could cause damage.