Arthropod diversity in phytotelmata of Calathea capitata (Zingiberales; Marantaceae) host plants from Peru

Cryptic habitats are often overlooked in biodiversity surveys. Phytotelmata, or plant pools, one type of cryptic habitat that supports diverse fauna a miniature ecosystem. This study surveys the arthropod community two types phytotelmata, bracts and leaf rolls, on single species, Calathea capitata (Ruiz Pav.) Lindl. (Zingiberales: Marantaceae), from Amazon site Peru. Specimens were collected eight rolls. A total 55 arthropods (36 adults, 19 juveniles) found both phytotelmata types. In bract samples found: spiders (Araneae: Corinnidae), beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Erotylidae, Staphylindae), flies (Diptera: Limoniidae), leafhopper nymph (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), unidentified larvae. roll Leaf Chrysomelidae), an earwig (Dermaptera: Spongiforidae), Drosophilidae), adult Cicadellidae). similar survey lutea Schultes Peru revealed dominated by Coleoptera rolls Diptera bracts, with few Dermaptera Hymenoptera, but no Araneae Hemiptera. demonstrates host taxa serve as nursery to immature stages thus impacting life cycles local fauna, which turn affect biodiversity.