Bueno et al. 2012 (Conference Paper) Associated

Arachnids and Myriapods in Tillandsia imperialis and Tillandsia deppeana (Bromeliaceae) from Hidalgo State, Mexico

Author(s):—J. Bueno V., C.T. Hornung L. & C.G.D. Barrón

Publication:— (2012).

Abstract:—Bromeliaceae is a neotropical family with an important epiphytic component. In this vegetative structure is possible accumulate water (many liters), detritus and organisms, as arachnids and myriapods. Related to the high number of bromeliad species, few studies are focus in knowing the fauna occurring inside de bromeliad tank. The goals of this study were to document the richness and abundance of arachnids and myriapods in two epiphytic species of bromeliads (Tillandsia deppeana and T. imperialis), and to compare the two arthropods groups between them. The field work was made in two different localities from Hidalgo State, and specimens were collected in rainy and dry seasons for both bromeliads species. Arthropods specimens were identify until family level and in some cases until species category. Diversity and abundance of each bromeliad and comparative analyses between them are here presented. The results shown that in T. imperialis the arachnids are more abundant in rainy period and more diverse in dry season, while in T. deppeana both, the diversity and abundance of arachnids are higher in rain season. Both bromeliad share specimens of Clubionidae and Salticidae families, however the richness is higher in T. deppeana and the abundance in T. imperialis. We found a correlation between the plant size and the number of arachnids occurring in the tank. The richness and abundance of arachnids are higher than the myriapods in both Tillandsia species.