Distribution, abundance and diversity of rove beetles (coleoptera: staphylinidae) in the pare mountains, Tanzania

Distribution, abundance and diversity of rove beetles were studied in the Pare Mountains. Rove beetles were sampled in several forest fragments in both blocks of the Pare Mountains, the North and the South. Forest leaf litter beetles were sampled using sifter and extracted using Winkler funnels. The goal of the study was to determine how the rove beetle abundance and diversity change with altitude, to compare species distribution, abundance and diversity between the two blocks of the Pare Mountains and among the individual forests, and to identify the areas of local endemism of rove beetles. A total of 2394 specimens from 10 subfamilies representing 184 species were collected in 30 samples. There was no difference in abundance of rove beetles both, between the North and South Pare blocks and among individual forests. There were differences in diversity of rove beetles between the North and South Pare blocks and among some of the individual forests. The middle altitudinal zone was the highest not only in terms of species abundance and diversity, but also in terms of species richness. Kwizu, Chome East, Kindoroko, Ngofe and Chome West were identified as areas rich in local endemics. Similar environmental conditions and vegetation types, species area relationships and limited geographical ranges are among the important factors influencing abundance, diversity and distribution of rove beetles in the Pare Mountains. Protection strategies like setting of boundaries around the forests, conservation education, monitoring research, involvement of local communities, alternative sources of income generating and addition to conservation funds can improve the conservation of the Pare Mountains biodiversity.