Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 80 (3): 327-333, 2007
RESEARCH ARTICLE
First records of three species of Oxycraspedus Kuschel (Coleoptera: Belidae) in
Argentina and use of a predictive model to compare their potential distribution with the range of their host-plant, Araucaria
araucana
The first records of the three known species of Oxycraspedus Kuschel
(Belidae: Oxycoryninae) in Argentina are reported, and added to their known distribution in Chile. These weevils are of interest because
of their association with the pehuén or monkey puzzle tree, Araucaria araucana, a species of conservation concern. Their
distribution data are of value for the protection of biodiversity in natural areas of Patagonia. The potential distribution of
Oxycraspedus, as predicted by a model using bioclimatic variables, is coincident as expected, with the geographic range
of the araucaria host-plant.
Key words:
Oxycoryninae,
Araucaria araucana, bioclimatic variables, distribution models
