Seasonal variation of the epigeal coleopteran diversity in the Laguna Caren

The seasonal variation of epigeal coleopteran diversity and physical-chemical parameters associated to water quality in the Laguna Caren (Santiago, Chile) was evaluated. Different physical-chemical parameters of lagoon water were measured in spring and summer at four random sampling stations, representative of the vegetable coverages. The epigeal coleopterans of the shore were collected by means of interception traps (n = 40), installed at random. It was estimated the abundance and richness of the coleopterans by sampling station and season. In addition, they were separated into trophic guilds: phytophagous, predatory and saprophagous. The differences in abundance and richness were evaluated with nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis tests, followed by Dunn (sampling station) and Mann-Whitney (season) tests. The same statistical procedure was applied to trophic guilds. The ensemble of species of epigeal coleopteran was represented by 19 species (14 natives) from eight families, constitutes the first record of insects in the lagoon. The richness of epigeal coleopteran was significantly higher in spring; while abundance was in summer, concurring with the sampling stations with higher coverages. The availability of food and shelter for epigeal beetles would be influenced mainly by anthropic factors, which lead to a greater degree of fragmentation and alteration of the habitat. The information generated can serve as a basis for future research on bioindicators in vulnerable wetlands in the Mediterranean region. Key words: Abundance, richness, predators, phytophagous, saprophagous. Se evaluo la variacion estacional de la diversidad de coleopteros epigeos y de parametros fisico-quimicos asociados a la calidad del agua en la Laguna Caren (Santiago, Chile). Se midieron en primavera y verano diversos parametros fisico-quimicos del agua de la laguna en cuatro estaciones de muestreo aleatorias, representativas de las coberturas vegetales. Los coleopteros epigeos de la ribera se recolectaron mediante trampas de intercepcion (n = 40), instaladas al azar. Se estimo la abundancia y riqueza de los coleopteros por estacion de muestreo y temporada. Ademas, se separaron en gremios troficos: fitofagos, depredadores y saprofagos. Las diferencias de la abundancia y riqueza se evaluaron con pruebas no parametrica de Kruskal-Wallis, seguidas por pruebas de Dunn (por estaciones de muestreo) y de Mann-Whitney (por temporada). El mismo procedimiento estadistico se aplico a los gremios trofic