Scaling the Slopes: A Biodiversity Assessment of the Communities of Epigeous Insects Across Mont Nimba's Altitudinal Gradient in Western Côte d'Ivoire

ABSTRACT This study was initiated to investigate the abundance and taxonomic diversity of entomofauna at three levels: 400–500, 800–900 and 1400–1500 m above sea level along the altitudinal gradient of Mount Nimba. The insect inventories were carried out using pitfall traps and coloured traps along an altitudinal gradient in the main vegetation facies. As a result, a total of 2828 individuals were found, which were distributed in eight orders and 86 families. Coleoptera was the most abundant group with 30 families, followed by Diptera (23 families) and Hymenoptera (18 families). The secondary forest (between 400 and 500 m) appears to be the most populated and richest habitat, with 980 insects collected from 53 families. Conversely, the grassy savannah at high altitude meadows (Richard Molard site located between 1400 and 1500 m) is the least populated (39 insects collected) and the least rich (12 families). This pioneering study in the Mont Nimba Integral Nature Reserve provided a general overview of the Reserve's epigeic entomofauna.