The Distribution of the Species of Eurysternus Dalman, 1824 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in America: Potential Distributions and the Locations of Areas to be Surveyed

摘要

Using the distributional information from approximately 22,000 georeferenced records of the 53 currently recognized species of the genus Eurysternus Dalman, 1824, we explore the main macroclimatic determinants capable of explaining the distribution of these species. We also estimate the potential distribution of these species using a previously established protocol. Our results show that annual mean temperature and annual precipitation are the variables with the greatest explanatory capacity. Our results also show that species with wide climatic niches would primarily inhabit the rainiest and coldest American locations. The potential species-richness map derived from the overlap of individual potential distributions has allowed us to identify suitable areas that are not yet adequately surveyed. Future investigations must be conducted in these areas to improve the biogeographical and taxonomic knowledge of this genus.