TY - JOUR AU - Monge, Julián PY - 2019/09/02 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Harvestmen as a model to explain the aggregations of Macrohaltica beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) JF - Revista de Biología Tropical JA - Rev. Biol. Trop. VL - IS - SE - DO - UR - https://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/rbt/article/view/38848 SP - Darwin AB - <p><strong>Neotropical beetles of the genus <em>Macrohaltica </em>form aggregations exceeding 5000 individuals, but there are no studies testing the four hypotheses available to explain why. Based on the better studied Opiliones aggregations, I propose that <em>Macrohaltica</em> aggregations were selected for three of the reasons proposed by William Eberhard and colleagues in 1993: enhanced defense against parasites and predators; keeping adequate moisture and temperature; and facilitating mating. Additionally, also based on Opiliones, I suggest that two unreported behaviors may occur: males occupying the exposed parts of groups; and females leaving the aggregation after mating.</strong></p> ER -