Check List 8(6): 1232–1247, 2012 © 2012 Check List and Authors Chec List ISSN 1809-127X (available at www.checklist.org.br) Journal of species lists and distribution An updated checklist of the Thysanoptera of Panama with PECIES S comments on host associations OF Arturo Goldarazena 1* 2 and Cheslavo Korytowski ISTS L 3 3 1 Neiker, Instituto Vasco, deFrancesco Investigación yGattesco Desarrollo Agrario,, Randy Departamento Atencio de Protección Vegetal. Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute, Apdo 46. E-01080. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Alava, Spain. 2 Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Biologia Sezione Ecologia. Via Celoria 26. 20133. Milano, Italy. * 3 CorrUniversidadesponding de author.Panamá, E-mail: Facultad [email protected] de Ciencias, Maestría de Entomología. Estafeta Universitaria, Apartado 3366, Panamá 4. Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá. Abstract: An updated biological catalogue of the Thysanoptera of Panama is presented. As a result the new checklist presented here records 246 species, 87 of which were collected during a recent survey. Introduction Mound 1989). Tropical forests play a fundamental role in key The present paper was produced in response to a ecosystems processes, affecting the dynamics of regional 90 days research invitation to the senior author by the and global climates. In addition, tropical ecosystems are Department of Entomology of the University of Panama reputed to support most of the world’s biodiversity: almost to implement a course on thrips taxonomy during countless species of animals and plants, a large number of which are still unknown. Less still is known about the potential pest thrips species, especially Thrips palmi and complex web of interactions that weave these species into Frankliniella2008-2011. Oneoccidentalis of the ,targets using multimedia was the identification and e-learning of ecological communities. Thus, tropical forests represent methodology (Moritz et al. 2004). These courses provided one of the last great frontiers of biological exploration to an opportunity to further sample Panamian Thysanoptera, and as a result the new catalogue presented here records of tropical forest habitat degradation and destruction 246 species, 87 of which were newly collected during the arewhich higher increasing than in numbers almost any of scientists other biome are flocking.and we areRates in study. danger of losing the vast majority of species before we have An additional target was to increase our knowledge of documented them (Lawton and May 1995). In comparison the association between thrips and natural plants on Barro with most temperate ecosystems, Panamanian tropical Colorado Island and inland Panama. It is important to ecosystems are characterized by extraordinarily high but conduct plant-association surveys in order to understand poorly inventoried insect diversity, and by an absence of the role of thrips in ecosystems, to ascertain which plant basic biological and ecological information (Godfray et al. species support pest thrips (Mound and Marullo 1996), 1999; Novotny et al. 2002). Information on the Neotropical and to assess the impact of different thrips species on species of the insect Order Thysanoptera is widely populations of other organisms within crops, amenity scattered (Mound and Marullo 1996). Here we attempt plantings and noncultivated areas. The thrips fauna of to summarize the available information concerning the Panama cannot be considered a static entity. Not only are biodiversity of these insects in Panama. these insects particularly vagile, but populations of most Thrips are particularly diverse in the tropics, and species seem to increase and decrease rapidly. Moreover, new species are constantly being introduced accidentally, via the Panama Canal and airports due to the agricultural includedthe species 175 known species from together the Republic with a historicalof Panama review were trade market. Other species can be expected to be lost offirst the listed Thysanoptera. by Mound Also and included Palmer was (1992). information That liston through vegetational changes, including the construction bionomics, distribution and a discussion of problems of the new Canal that started in 2009. associated with the effective sampling of this group of The purpose of this paper is to list all recorded taxa, together with some indication of their biological characteristics, with the hope that by providing etinsects al. 2011). in the Laurencefield (Hood Mound 1934; has Mound published and Palmer extensively 1992; Panamanian students with an introduction to the recent onBournier the taxonomy 1993; Mound of the and Thysanoptera Marullo 1996; worldwide Sanchez-Monge and has literature on Thysanoptera, further studies on the biology been at the forefront of developing our understanding and taxonomy of these insects will be facilitated. of the phylogenetic, and hence systematic, relationships Materials and Methods within the Thysanoptera (Mound and Palmer 1983; 1986; 1232 Goldarazena et al. | Thrips from Panama www.theplantlist.org/). In general, thrips are most easily collected by beating Sampling sites (Figure 1). Agroecosystems: the sites selected varied from dry areas in Panama (Arco Seco, leaves, over a small plastic tray (see: http://anic.ento. Provinceprovinces (Boquete), of Herrera, BocasLos Santos, del Toro Coclé, and Veraguas Darien. and Natural west csiro.au/thrips/).flowers and vegetation, Thrips werealso killeddead branchesin 60% ethanol and dead and habitats:area of Panama two sites Province) were selected to the humid for general regions survey, of Chiriquí Barro mounted on microscopic slides using Canada balsam. The tarsal arolium of thrips adheres to the surface whilst any excess of rubbish is blown away. The beating process createdColorado during Island construction (BCI) and Pipeline of the PanamaRoad. At Canal 09°6’11” in the N, is laborious but is the only way to collect thrips from 79°50’48” W, BCI is a 1500-ha island in an artificial lake, mm.early The1900s. dry Meanseason monthly often begins temperature in December is 26°C and with ends a techniquesindividual leaves and specimensand flowers, preparation and thus be see more Mound certain and of inmaximum April or of May. 27°C Median in April. rainfall Annual between rainfall averages January 2600 and their host association. For more details about collecting March is 84 mm. A more extensive description of the site climaticWalker (1982;areas of1986) Panama, and includingMound and the Marullotropical (1996).area of et al. (1996). BCI is covered by a semi-deciduous tropical DarienSamples and were Chiriqui carried composed out in ofJuly primary 1998 rainfrom forest different and moistcan be forestfound (Holdridgein Croat (1978), et al. Windsor1971). The (1990) southern and Leigh and western parts of the island are old forest (>400 y) whereas by huge horticultural areas of rice, sugar and watermelon the remaining area is younger forest (100 y) with small crops.cloud forest, and the dry area of Arco Seco, predominated The catalogue is arranged systematically under m transect to sample in the different environments on the families and the two largest families are each divided into clearings near the laboratory buildings. We chose a 3500- two subfamilies. Genera are listed alphabetically within trails, making the total study area include > 1.4 ha. Pipeline each family or subfamily. New records are indicated by island. Flowers were collected at least 2 m on each side of an *. New information for the species previously collected in Panama by other scientists (sampling data) is also ofRoad Gatun is part Lake of as the close 22,000-ha as 2 km Parque from BCI. Nacional Average Soberania rainfall provided. Information on biological aspects of some thrips is(09°05’17” higher than N, 79°35’51” on BCI because W) located the alongroad runsthe eastern in a south side to north direction toward the Caribbean coast, which plants those on which both sexes of thrips were collected, withis given larvae when in theavalaible. majority We of considered the cases. asIt ispotential not possible host to be sure that these larvae correspond to the adults with forreceives a minimum 3500 mm area annual of 2.8 rainfall. ha. The We park worked is composed along km of mature4 to 10 lowlandon Pipe Roadforest Line with and some near roadside the town covered of Gamboa, by 60- identify feeding associations. In Table 1 we present data onmorphological the thrips collectedstudies only, in Agroecosystemsbut it is a first step and to natural try to habitat were more strongly represented here than on habitats. This checklist is based on our sampling (more BCI.70-y Transectsold secondary were forest. walked Secondary from early forest morning and disturbed to early than 10,000 slides have been made after the survey), together with published records. Nomenclature follows that is used in a web-based world checklist (Mound keysafternoon and the (BCI) names or until were late checked afternoon in the (PR). IPNI Alldatabase the plants and 2012) and all thrips collected during the present study Thewere Plant identified List, a withworking specialized list of all botanical plant species dichotomous (http:// were certified with the collection of Thysanoptera at Figure 1. Sampling points. 1. Colón, 2 Barro Colorado Island, 3 Pipe Road Line, 4 Tocumen, 5 Chepo, 6 Tortí, 7 Santa Fé de Darién, 8 Chame, 9 La Chorrera, 10 Capira, 11 El Valle de Antón, 12 Penonomé, 13 Río Hato, 14 El Copé, 15 Agua Dulce, 16 Calobre, 17 Divisa, 18 Parita, 19 Los Santos, 20 Ocú, 21 Las Tablas, 22 Las Cañas, 23 Macaracas, 24 Carretera a Cerro Cambutal, 25 Tonosí, 26 Santiago, 27 Soná, 28 Guarumal, 29 Santa Fé de Veraguas, 30 Boquete, 31 Dolega, 32 David, 33 Puerto Arnuelles, 34 Volcán Barú, 35 Cerro Punta, 36 Almirante, 37 Guabito. 1233 Goldarazena et al. | Thrips from Panama Darwin Center of the Department of Entomology (The Anaphothrips Uzel, 1985 Natural History Museum, London). The studied material is THRIPIDAE-THRIPINAE deposited in the Insect Collection of the Basque Institute of *Anaphothrips obscurus (Müller, 1776). *Anaphothrips sudanensis Trybom, 1911. Anaphothrips sp. Apterothrips Bagnall, 1908 ResultsResearch andand DevelopmentDiscussion (Neiker) in Spain.