Local and landscape correlates of coccinellid species richness, abundance, and assemblage change along a rural-urban gradient in Quintana Roo, Mexico

Coccinellids are important predators and provide important ecosystem services. The coccinellid fauna, drivers of assemblage composition, and species richness in the tropics are poorly known. We studied changes in species composition of coccinellids in domestic gardens along a rural-urban gradient in southeastern Mexico and identified the local and landscape variables that determine abundance and species richness. We surveyed coccinellids through monthly visual surveys, yellow sticky and pan traps in nine domestic gardens, and measured local variables (flower and prey abundance, plant diversity, garden size, temperature, and relative humidity), and gathered information on landscape heterogeneity in buffers around gardens (0.05 km, 1 km, and 3 km radius). We collected 40 coccinellid morphospecies, including two exotic species: Chilocorus nigrita and Delphastus catalinae. Coccinellid species composition differed along the gradient. Assemblages did not exhibit a nested pattern; species turnover was the main contributor of observed beta diversity. Overall coccinellid abundance was highest in the suburban zone, while overall species richness was highest in the rural zone. Mean abundance and mean species richness did not vary significantly along the gradient. The gradient negatively affected coccinellid diversity; diversity was highest in the rural zone which harbored several exclusive species. At the local scale, coccinellid abundance and species richness correlated positively with prey abundance and temperature, and negatively with plant diversity. Urbanization filtered more than half the species in the community, yet urban gardens in southeastern Quintana Roo, especially those providing abundant prey, might assist coccinellid conservation. Abstract in Spanish is available with online material

Automated summary

Coccinellids in the tropics are affected by the rural-urban gradient, and both local and landscape variables influence their abundance and species richness. Coccinellid diversity is highest in rural areas and positively correlated with prey abundance and temperature.