This paper presents the first detailed faunistic study in Mexico for the family Cleridae, an important group of predatory beetles. The study was carried out in El Limón de Cuauchichinola, Tepalcingo, in the state of Morelos, Mexico, over a year of systematic collections (June 2006 to May 2007). The family Cleridae was found to be represented in the study area by seven subfamilies, 18 genera, and 44 species. The dominant genera were Phyllobaenus Dejean with nine species, followed by Cymatodera Gray with eight, and Enoclerus Gahan with seven. The nonparametric estimators Incidence Coverage Estimate, Chao2, and second-order Jacknife estimated that between 65 and 78% of the true richness was recorded. The family showed a marked seasonality, with greater richness and abundance found during the rainy season. Sweeping and beating vegetation were the most efficient collection methods, producing 71.7% of the recorded species richness. Of the species determined, 18 represent new records for Morelos and five of these are new records for the country. The results provide evidence that the tropical dry forest of the Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve is an ecosystem rich in species. The new records also serve to contribute to our general knowledge of the distribution of Cleridae in Mexico.

Trees generate resources for other guilds (e.g., lianas), including the production of supporting branches for the establishment of epiphytes. In a tropical dry forest of central Mexico, we studied whether branch mortality is associated with phorophyte quality. For a one-year period, we monitored the survival of branches with and without vascular epiphytes in tree species with high epiphyte loads (Bursera copallifera (Sessé & Moc. Ex DC.) Bullock, Bursera glabrifolia (Kunth.) Engl.) and low (Bursera fagaroides (Kunth) Engl., Conzattia multiflora (B.L. Rob.) Standl., Ipomoea pauciflora M.Martens & Galeotti, Sapium macrocarpum Müll.Arg.). The lowest (C. multiflora) and highest (I. pauciflora) branch mortalities occurred in phorophytes with low epiphyte loads, whereas branch mortality in S. macrocarpum was 60% and in all Bursera species was <25%. In B. copallifera and B. glabrifolia, the highest branch mortality was in branches with epiphytes, suggesting a negative influence of these plants, but mortality was also associated with larger/older branches. At the end of monitoring, 95% of the epiphytes of I. pauciflora were growing on dead branches. We conclude that branch mortality is low in phorophytes with high epiphyte loads; but in phorophytes with low epiphyte loads, branches can be ephemeral or long lasting. Low epiphyte abundances in phorophytes with long-lasting branches can be caused by other traits that remain to be examined (e.g., seed capture).

Seed dispersal permits the colonization of favorable habitats and generation of new populations, facilitating escape from habitats that are in decline. There is little experimental evidence of the factors that limit epiphyte dispersion towards their hosts. In a tropical dry forest in central Mexico, we monitored the phenology of dispersion of epiphyte species of the genus Tillandsia; we tested experimentally whether precipitation could cause failures in seed dispersal and whether seed capture differs among vertical strata and between host species with high (Bursera copallifera) and low (Conzattia multiflora) epiphyte loads. With the exception of one species that presents late dispersion and low abundance, all of the species disperse prior to the onset of the rainy season. However, early rains immobilize the seeds, affecting up to 24% of the fruits in species with late dispersion. We observed that Tillandsia seeds reach both Bursera and Conzattia hosts, but found that adherence to the host is 4–5 times higher in Bursera. Furthermore, seeds liberated from Bursera travel shorter distances and up to half may remain within the same crown, while the highest seed capture takes place in the upper strata of the trees. We conclude that dispersion of Tillandsia seeds is limited by early rains and by the capture of seeds within the trees where populations concentrate. This pattern of capture also helps to explain the high concentrations of epiphytes in certain hosts, while trees with few epiphytes can be simultaneously considered deficient receivers and efficient exporters of seeds.

A systematic survey was conducted to assess the diversity of Buprestidae in the tropical deciduous forest at El Limón de Cuauchichinola, municipality of Tepalcingo, Morelos State, Mexico. Samples were collected five days each month for one year, and the UAEM (CIUM) insect collection was examined for Buprestidae specimens. Four subfamilies, 12 tribes, 19 genera and 73 species were recorded, with the genera Agrilus Curtis, 1825, Chrysobothris Eschscholtz, 1829, and Acmaeodera Eschscholtz, 1829 having the greatest number of species. Nonparametric estimator analysis estimates that only 68% of buprestid species occurring in the forest were recorded. The annual value of diversity calculated with the Shannon-Wiener index was 3.08. Maximum diversity and evenness values were recorded during the rainy season. Maximum richness and abundance values were recorded during July and August, the months with the highest amount of rainfall, and correlated with rainfall 78% and 72%, respectively. Resumen. Se realizó un trabajo sistemático donde se analizó la diversidad de Buprestidae en la Selva Baja Caducifolia en la localidad de El Limón de Cuauchichinola, Tepalcingo, Morelos, México. Se realizaron muestreos de cinco días cada mes durante un año, y se revisó la Colección de Insectos de la UAEM (CIUM). Se registraron cuatro subfamilias, 12 tribus, 19 géneros y 73 especies, los géneros Agrilus Curtis, 1825, Chrysobothris Eschscholtz, 1829, y Acmaeodera Eschscholtz, 1829 presentaron el mayor número de especies. El estimador no paramétrico indicó que sólo se registró el 68% de las especies de bupréstidos que ocurre en la selva. El valor de diversidad anual calculado con el índice de Shannon-Wiener fue de 3.08. La época de lluvias fue la que tuvo los valores máximos, tanto de diversidad como equitatividad. Los valores máximos observados de riqueza y abundancia fueron registrados en julio y agosto, los meses con mayor precipitación, y estuvieron correlacionadas con la precipitación en 78% y 72%, respe...