Data from: Structure and composition of a canopy-beetle community (Coleoptera) in a Neotropical lowland rainforest in southern Venezuela

Species richness, community structure, and taxonomic composition are
important characteristics of biodiversity. Beetle communities show
distinct diversity patterns according to habitat attributes. Tropical
rainforest canopies, which are well known for their richness in
Coleoptera, represent such a conspicuous life zone. Here, I describe a
canopy-inhabiting beetle community associated with 23 tree species in a
Neotropical lowland rainforest. Adult beetles were sampled manually and in
aerial traps using a large tower crane for a cumulative year. The sample
revealed 6738 adult beetles, which were assigned to 862 (morpho-)species
in 45 families. The most species-rich beetle families were Curculionidae
(n = 246), Chrysomelidae (n = 121), and Cerambycidae (n = 89). The most
abundant families were Curculionidae (n = 2746) and Chrysomelidae (n =
1409). Dominant beetle families were found in most assemblages. The beetle
community consisted of 400 singletons (46.4%). A similar proportion was
evident for assemblages of single tree species. I found that 74.5% of all
beetle species were restricted in their occurrence on host trees to the
phenological season and time of the day. This daily and seasonal migration
causes patterns similar to mass effects, and therefore accounts for the
high proportion of singletons.