Arthropod diversity in phytotelmata of Calathea capitata (Zingiberales; Marantaceae) host plants from Peru

Arthropod diversity in phytotelmata of Calathea capitata (Zingiberales; Marantaceae) host plants from Peru

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Cryptic habitats are often overlooked in biodiversity surveys.Phytotelmata, or plant pools, are one type of cryptic habitat that supports diverse fauna in a miniature ecosystem.This study surveys the arthropod community of two types of phytotelmata, bracts and leaf rolls, on a single species, Calathea capitata (Ruiz and Pav.

) Lindl.(Zingiberales: Marantaceae), from one Amazon site in Peru.Specimens were collected from eight bracts and eight leaf rolls.

A total of 55 arthropods (36 adults, 19 juveniles) were found in both phytotelmata types.In the bract samples were found: spiders 156 (Araneae: Corinnidae), beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Erotylidae, Staphylindae), flies (Diptera: Limoniidae), a leafhopper nymph (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), and unidentified larvae.In leaf roll samples were found: Leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), an earwig (Dermaptera: Spongiforidae), flies (Diptera: Drosophilidae), and an adult leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae).

A similar survey of Calathea lutea Schultes in Peru revealed a community dominated by King/CK Panel Headboard Coleoptera in leaf rolls and Diptera in bracts, with a few Dermaptera and Hymenoptera, but no Araneae or Hemiptera.This study demonstrates that phytotelmata host diverse taxa and serve as a nursery to immature stages thus impacting the life cycles of local fauna, which in turn affect local biodiversity.