Neuroptera Diversity from Tacana Volcano, Mexico: Species Composition, Altitudinal and Biogeographic Pattern of the Fauna

Approximately 340 species of ten families of Neuroptera have been recorded from Mexico. The Tacana volcano, reaching an elevation of 4092 m a.s.l., is the northernmost representative of the Central American Nucleus volcanic range. Recent survey efforts of the Neuroptera diversity of the Tacana volcano, Chiapas, along an altitudinal gradient, increased the known fauna of this order in Mexico by 31 species and two genera: Biramus Oswald, 1993 (Hemerobiidae), and Titanochrysa Sosa & Freitas, 2012 (Chrysopidae), with extension of the known distributional range of 25 species of five families. Most of the new country records are from species previously known only from Central and South America. The lacewing fauna of Chiapas is updated from 91 to 147 species. The Neuroptera of the Tacana volcano is mostly Neotropical with some taxa of Nearctic affinity restricted to medium and high elevations. More than 80% of the Tacana volcano lacewing species also occur in the Brazilian subregion, especially the Mesoamerican and Pacific domains. Neuropteran species were recorded from 650 to more than 3500 m a.s.l. A higher species richness was present between 600 and 1700 m, with a few species occurring at altitudes above 3000 m. A species checklist and an identification key to the genera of Neuroptera of the Tacana volcano are provided.

Automated summary

Approximately 340 species of Neuroptera from ten families have been recorded in Mexico, with the Tacana volcano in Chiapas being the northernmost representative of the Central American volcanic range. Recent surveys in the region have discovered 31 new species and two new genera, mostly from Central and South America. The Neuroptera of the Tacana volcano are primarily Neotropical with some Nearctic taxa.