Abstract We explored the dependence of some Cetoniidae species on saproxylic environments and microhabitats in a Mediterranean oak forest by analyzing species collected using different kinds of traps—log emergence, hollow emergence, and interception traps—and the sex ratio of the species in each trap. Comparing the sex ratio of the species collected via emergence versus interception was useful to unravel the degree of dependence on saproxylic microhabitats. Among the species studied, Cetonia aurataeformis Curti, 1913 (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) was the only obligate tree hollow inhabitant. Special attention should thus be paid to the maintenance of tree hollows for the species' conservation in Mediterranean forests. A gradient of dependence on tree hollows was established from the more dependent Protaetia (Potosia) cuprea (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and Protaetia (Potosia) opaca (Fabricius, 1787) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) to the less dependent Protaetia (Netocia) morio (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae). All the latter species can be considered facultatively dependent, to varying degrees, on tree hollows. By contrast, the saproxylic affinity of Protaetia (Netocia) oblonga (Gory and Percheron, 1833) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae), Tropinota squalida (Scopoli, 1783) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and Oxythyrea funesta (Poda, 1761) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) was doubtful. Generally, the sex ratio of the studied species was female-biased. A possible explanation may be local male competition for females, suggesting the Cetoniinae is a female world. However, the range of difference in the female-biased sex ratio among species suggests it is important to explore other possible causes, such as differences in dispersal abilities.

中文翻译：

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Saproxylic Cetoniidae（鞘翅目：Scarabaeoidea）：“雌性”世界还是对枯木的依赖问题？

摘要 我们通过分析使用不同类型的陷阱（原木出现、空心出现和拦截陷阱）收集的物种以及每个陷阱中物种的性别比，探讨了一些 Cetoniidae 物种对地中海橡树林中腐殖质环境和微生境的依赖性。比较通过出现与拦截收集的物种的性别比有助于揭示对腐木微生境的依赖程度。在所研究的物种中，Cetonia aurataeformis Curti, 1913（鞘翅目：Cetoniidae）是唯一的专性树空心居民。因此，应特别注意维护树洞，以保护地中海森林中的物种。从更依赖的 Protaetia (Potosia) cuprea (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) 和 Protaetia (Potosia) opaca (Fabricius, 1787) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) 到较少依赖的 Protaetia (Netocia) morio (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae)。所有后一种物种都可以被认为在不同程度上兼性依赖于树洞。相比之下，Protaetia (Netocia) oblonga (Gory and Percheron, 1833) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae)、Tropinota squalida (Scopoli, 1783) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) 和 Oxythyrea funesta (Poda, 1761) (Coleoptera) 的腐熟亲和力很怀疑。一般来说，所研究物种的性别比例偏向女性。一个可能的解释可能是当地的男性争夺女性，表明 Cetoniinae 是一个女性世界。然而，