Chorotypes, zones for the conservation of Scarabaeoidea, and representativity in protected areas of El Salvador

Ecological niche models and species distribution models (SDMs) are tools that can define a species' niche based on presence records and identify those areas where appropriate ecological conditions converge as zones of potential distribution for the species. SDMs help to optimise conservation efforts, particularly important in countries with ecological and economical problems.

We constructed SDMs by means of the Maxent algorithm for 160 species of scarab beetles (Scarabaeoidea) to identify chorotypes and important zones for conservation in El Salvador, and to evaluate richness representativity within the System of Protected Natural Areas (SANP).

The chorotypes were identified with UPGMA method, with a matrix of presence‐absence in ≈3 km², and important zones for conservation were identified with the Zonation algorithm. The richness representation in the SANP was done with EstimateS, comparing the estimated by Chao 2 ± confidence intervals (95%) in the same number of cells (n = 811).

We identified five chorotypes: (C1) lowland and middleland species, (C2) species widely distributed, (C3) species with an affinity for mid‐elevations, (C4) species limited to lowlands, and (C5) species limited to high montane areas.

Most important conservation zones are located in montane regions. As in other tropical areas, the volcanic and montane slopes of El Salvador represent key areas for conserving biodiversity.

Species richness in the SANP was not significantly greater than that outside the system; therefore, we recommend continuous prioritisation and amplification of the protected natural heritage of the country, with emphasis on the mountainous area of the territory.