Based on a comprehensive literature review, we present an analysis of the richness of the subfamily Scarabaeinae and its Distribution in Mexico’s Chiapas state. The reviewed works provided information from 185 localities where 134 species belonging to 24 genera were recorded. Fourteen species (10.4%) are endemic to Chiapas, mainly restricted to montane forests. The number of species places Chiapas as one of the regions with the highest species richness in Mexico, representing 39.2% of the Scarabaeinae diversity known in the country. Although the sampling effort is relatively high compared to other regions, there is a strong sampling bias, with localities unevenly distributed in the state territory, most of them concentrated in easily accessible areas, with extensive regions with little or no representativeness, including mountainous areas and several natural protected areas. This information may constitute a valuable contribution to future projects on the taxonomy and biodiversity of dung beetles, so considering poorly explored regions constitutes a niche of opportunities that would allow expanding the knowledge on Scarabaeinae at a regional level.
Dung beetles, Endemicity, Sampling bias, Spatial Distribution, Species list
