An inordinate fondness for beetles

In this paper we consider the extent of our knowledge of global beetle dive rsity. Depending on the estimates adopted, some 70 95% of all beetle specie s remain to be formally described, and at the current rate of progress it c ould be more than 200 years until the task is completed. One of the reasons for this is the difficulty of adequately sampling tropical beetle faunas a nd thereby ensuring sufficient material is available to taxonomists for com parative studies. Despite this, recent years have seen significant advances in our understanding of beetle taxonomy, biology, ecology and biogeography , and we are now in a good position to apply this understanding to ecologic al and management issues. Saproxylic (dead-wood-associated) beetles are use d to illustrate this latter point.