Global patterns of tiger beetle species richness (Coleoptera : Cicindelidae): their use in conservation planning

The total numbers of tiger beetles species known in 157 countries or subreg ions in the world are reported and updated, based on both published and unp ublished information. Also reported are the numbers and rate of species end emic to each country and the species richness patterns (total surface in km (2)/number of species) of the individual countries considered. The most cur rent publications providing new data or detailing the tiger beetles of a co untry or political region are provided as references. A comparison is made between the present rank order of the 30 countries with the highest number of recorded tiger beetle species and their rank order in 1992, as well as b etween currently known species numbers in each of the major biogeographical regions of the world and the numbers registered in 1992. These comparisons show considerable constancy in spatial patterns and reinforce the claim fo r taxonomic stability of tiger beetles and for their reliability for use, e specially by non-scientific decision-makers in conservation policy and mana gement plans. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.