The beetle fauna of Dominica, Lesser Antilles (Insecta: Coleoptera): Diversity and distribution

摘要: The beetle fauna of the island Dominica is summarized. It presently known to contain 269 genera, and 361 species (in 42 families), which 347 are named at a level. Of these, 62 endemic island. other naturally occurring number 262, another 23 such wide distribution that they have probably been accidentally introduced distributed, least in part, by human activities. Undoubtedly, actual numbers on many times higher than now reported. This highlights poor level knowledge beetles Lesser Antilles general. occur elsewhere, largest shared with neighboring Guadeloupe (201), then South America (126), Puerto Rico (113), Cuba (107), Mexico-Central (108). Antillean chain represents main avenue natural overwater dispersal via intermediate stepping-stone islands. distributional patterns elsewhere Caribbean suggest stages dynamic taxon cycle origin, range expansion, contraction, re-speciation.