The bess beetle (Coleoptera: Passalidae) from Gorgona island, Cauca, Colombia.

Abstract

The Gorgona Natural National Park (PNNG) in Cauca, situated within the Colombian Pacific and representing the unique insular, jungle formation of the biogeographic Chocó, has garnered significant interest over the past two decades due to its distinctive biophysical attributes and natural characteristics. Numerous studies have been conducted on the park’s fauna, particularly insects. However, it is surprising to note the lack of research on decomposing insects, particularly bess beetles (Coleoptera: Passalidae), and the absence of any publications or records regarding their presence. o address this gap, the purpose of this article is to document the species of bess beetles found within the Gorgona Natural National Park (PNNG). The sampling was conducted between May 28th and 31st, 1993, in the vicinity of the camp, along the island’s tourist trails (Yundigua, La Chonta, and Playa Palmeras). Approximately 17 decomposed logs with diameters ranging from 8 to 25 cm were examined. The collected specimens were preserved in 95% alcohol, subsequently mounted, and deposited in the Familia Pardo-Locarno collection (CFPL-COL, Palmira, Valle). Some of the material was also compared at INECOL (Xalapa de Enríquez Veracruz, Mexico) and the Museum of Natural History (Paris, France).
The study identified four species of bess beetles: Passalus emberaorum Jimenez Ferbans et al. (2018) (n=18; 60%), Veturius sinuatocollis Kuwert (1890) (recorded in literature), Veturius aspina Kuwert (1898) (n=10; 33.33%), and Petrejoides caldasi (Reyes-Castillo & Pardo-Locarno, 1995) (n=2; 6.66%). Notably, P. emberaorum and Pe. caldasi are considered new records for the PNNG. The article provides a taxonomic key and illustrations of the species. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for further investigation into the group’s strict saproxylophagous nature and its importance in terms of the conservation value of this unique insular jungle ecosystem.