Sensilla on the aedeagus of the ground beetle Carabus (Ohomopterus) arrowianus arrowianus (Breuning) (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Sensilla on the aedeagus of the ground beetle Carabus (Ohomopterus) arrowianus arrowianus (Breuning) were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. On the aedeagus, a total of six types of sensillum were confirmed: five basiconic and one coeloconic. The external features and distributional patterns of the sensilla are described.     

Consequences of hybridization between Ohomopterus insulicola and O. arrowianus (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in a segmented river basin: parallel formation of hybrid swarms

A putative hybrid zone between flightless earabid beetles, (iambus (Ohomopterus) insulicola and C. (0.) arrowianus nakamurai in the Ina Valley, central Honshu. Japan, was studied using experimental hybridization and morphological analysis. The principal morphological character analysed was a functional part of the male genitalia (the eopulatory piece), which is also the key diagnostic character in taxonomy. The habitat of the earabid beetles is fragmented by the Tenryu River, which runs through the Ina Valley, and its tributaries. Ohomopterus insulicola and 0. a. nakamurai occur in the upstream and downstream areas of the river basin, respectively, and a putative hybrid swarm (0. insulicola ssp. pseiidinsulkola) is found in the boundary area on the cast side of the Tenryu River. Experimental hybridization between 0. insulicola and 0. a. nakamurai resulted in F₁ offspring that were morphologically similar to 0. i. pseudinsulicola. Pre‐zygotic reproductive isolation was incomplete, although the F₁ males had a dysfunction in sperm production and were almost sterile. Only a single F₁ pair produced F₂, Backcrosses of F₁ females of males of the parental species resulted in offspring that were similar to the parental species in genital morphology. Based on the discriminant function for the shape of the eopulatory piece resulting from the experimental hybridization, we demonstrate that similar hybrid swarms exist on both sides of the Tenryu River, but in locations 25 km apart. This demonstrates parallelism in hybridization events with similar consequences. The hybrid swarms consisted of beetles with intermediate morphological characters and did not contain obvious parental forms. The establishment of such intermediate populations may have been facilitated by selection for fertile hybrids in segregated local sites in the absence of frequent immigration of parental species. This study suggests that a segmented river basin provides an opportunity for establishing novel evolutionary lineages resulting from hybridization.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the ground beetle Carabus problematicus (Coleoptera,Carabidae)

Six microsatellite loci were isolated from the ground beetle Carabus problematicus. The polymorphism ranged from two to 17 alleles and observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.137 to 0.676 and 0.147 to 0.710, respectively.     

Phylogeny of ground beetles subgenus Nialoe (s. lat.) Tanaka (Coleoptera: Carabidae; genus Pterostichus): A molecular phylogenetic approach

We constructed a phylogeny of the ground beetle subgenus Nialoe ( s. lat. ), genus Pterostichus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) based on two mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I and 16S ribosomal DNA) and one nuclear (28S ribosomal DNA) gene sequences. Thirty-three representative species of the group and three outgroup species were analyzed. The resultant trees (maximum parsimonious, maximum likelihood and Bayesian trees of the combined data of the three gene sequences) indicated that there are two large and three small lineages in the group, some of which were supported by a previous morphology-based phylogeny. In all the analyses, the small lineage composed of two Korean species is sister to the rest of the subgenus, but relationships of other four lineages differed among the analyses and remained unresolved. The implications of the present results are discussed in terms of taxonomy and biogeography of the group.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the ground beetle Carabus nemoralis (Coleoptera,Carabidae)

We isolated and characterized 10 microsatellite loci in the ground beetle Carabus nemoralis (Coleoptera, Carabidae), an ubiquist species largely distributed in Europe. Polymorphism ranged from 3 to 12 alleles on the 30 individuals from the same locality examined.     

Morphometry and eye morphology in three species of Carabus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in relation to habitat demands

Morphological features of three common European olfactory hunting carabid beetles, Carabus coriaceus mediterraneus Born, 1906, Carabus lefebvrei Dejean, 1826 and Carabus preslii neumeyeri Schaum, 1856, were compared. According to eye measurements, the three species are nocturnal and/or twilight hunters. They differ, however, in relative length of the antennae, relative surface area of the compound eyes, density of ommatidia and relative head width. These differences can be correlated with the species-specific habitat demands (light intensity, open land or shaded places). In particular, the greater lateral eye protrusion in C. lefebvrei corresponds to its tree-climbing habits, while the larger relative eye surface area and ommatidia density in C. coriaceus correspond to its choice of open habitats.     

拉步甲成虫触角感器的扫描电镜观察

利用扫描电子显微镜,观察了拉步甲Carabus lafossei成虫触角感器的类型、数量和分布规律。结果表明:拉步甲触角表面存在7类、12种感器类型,包括3种毛形感器(Sensilla trichodea,ST)、3种刺形感器(Sensilla chaetica,SCh)、2种锥形感器(Sensilla basiconca,SB)、Bhm氏鬃毛(Bhm bristles,BB)、腔锥形感器(Sensilla coeloconica,SCo)、腔形感器(Sensilla cavity,SCa)和钟形感器(Sensilla campaniformia,SCam),感器类型在雌、雄个体间无差异;雌、雄个体各节触角的感器数量和分布不均匀。研究结果为今后开展电生理学和行为生态学研究打下了基础。     

Ultrastructure structure of antennal sensilla of carabid beetle Carabus elysii Thomson, 1856 (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

The sensilla type, number and distribution in male and female adults of Carabus elysii Thomson, 1856 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that there are seven categories and 12 types of sensilla in C. elysii adults: three types of S.Ch, three types of S.T, two types of S.B and one each of B.B, S.Co, S.Ca and S.Cam. There is no difference between male and female in the types of sensilla. Apart from the significant difference in the number and distribution of S.B.2, S.Co and S.Ca between male dorsal and ventral surfaces, there are no significant differences between male and female antennae. In general, the number of sensilla in females is larger than that in males. The results provide a basic reference for future ultrastructure, electrophysiological, and comparative behavioral studies of Carabus species.     

The Effect of Habitat Changes on the Endangered Ground Beetle Carabus Nitens (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Carabus nitens, one of the most endangered ground beetles in Central Europe, was investigated with pitfall traps at 30 sampling sites in 17 heath fragments of the largest German heath landscape under nature conservation (nature reserve 'Lüneburger Heide'). The preference for damp Erica heaths and dry Calluna heaths in the building phase was thereby evident. Calluna heaths in the mature and degenerate phase, with and without extensive coverage by Avenella flexuosa, are either not inhabited or are avoided. The results of ovary dissections indicate that the populations in two successive spring seasons consisted mainly of animals which had already reproduced and were therefore older than one and a half years. Allozyme electrophoreses revealed variation for three of the nine investigated enzyme loci, and large differences in the allele frequency at one of these loci indicated genetic drift and fluctuations in the size of local populations. According to these results and statements in the literature, the loss of heathland areas and habitat quality are both responsible for the decline of the species. Suitable measures for preserving the species are (1) restoration of building phases of the Calluna heaths and (2) interconnection of at least the smaller heath fragments. Finally, recommendations are given for reintroductions.     

Beschreibung einer neuen Carabus (Lamprostus)-Art aus Persien (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Abstract

A new species of Carabus (Lamprostus) from the province of Gilan, Iran, is described and illustrated: Carabus (Lamprostus) staveni sp. nov., Carabus (Pachystus) rechingerae Mandl, 1972, is considered a junior synonym of Carabus (Lamprostus) calleyi nigrinus Motschulsky, 1865. The specific status of Carabus (Sphodristocarabus) korgei Heinz, 1970, is restored (stat. rev.) and Carabus separatus delirensis Deuve, 2000, is considered to be a junior synonym of it. Carabus (Megodontus) stroganowi javahardensis Deuve, 2000, is considered to be a synonym of Carabus (Megodontus) heinrichi Mandl, 1966; both taxa are from the same type locality.     

Sensilla on the External Genitalia of the Carabid Beetle, Carabus (Ohomopterus) dehaanii dehaanii Chaudoir (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Sensilla on the male and female external genitalia of the carabid beetle, Carabus (Ohomopterus) dehaanii dehaanii Chaudoir, were investigated with scanning electron microscopy. The investigation for female genitalia was conducted on the coxites and styli. As a result, 4 types of sensilla were distinguished. In male, a total of 6 types of sensilla were identified on the aedeagus. The external morphology and distribution pattern of each type of the sensilla in both sexes were described. Results are expected to provide a ground work for future research on the phylogenetic study of the genus Carabus and the comparative ultrastructure or behavior in the carabid beetle.     

Morphological,genetic and behavioural analyses of a hybrid zone between the ground beetles Carabus lewisianus and C. albrechti (Coleoptera,Carabidae): asymmetrical introgression caused by movement of the zone?

We analysed the putative hybrid zone between the ground beetles Carabus lewisianus Breuning and C. albrechti Morawitz from the Kanto and Tanzawa Mountains in central Honshu, Japan, using morphological, genetic, and behavioural data. Canonical discriminant analysis of three external and five genital morphological characters revealed an apparent morphological gap, suggesting restricted sympatry in the contact zone. RFLP and molecular phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial gene ND5 revealed that haplotypes originating from C. lewisianus introgressed extensively into C. albrechti . Fitting tanh curves to morphological (external and genital) and genetic characters showed differential cline widths and centres, suggesting stronger selection for genital morphology with narrower cline widths, and extensive introgression of the nuclear genes responsible for external characters relative to those controlling genital morphology into the range of C. albrechti . Linkage disequilibria between the morphological characters did not differ from zero, suggesting sufficient recombination occurred in the zone but the effect of small sample sizes was not negligible. Mate choice trials demonstrated that males showed a weak but not significant preference for conspecific mates. We interpret these patterns as evidence for (1) partial reproductive isolation presumably by postmating processes; (2) selection against intermediate genital morphologies, and (3) independent responses of the characters to different evolutionary forces that may cause movement of genital clines and introgression of the mitochondrial gene and external morphology. The movement of the boundaries may have resulted in the particular species distribution patterns in the study area.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 86 , 79–94.     

Physical mapping of rDNA genes in the ground beetle Carabus and related genera (Carabidae: Coleoptera)

The major ribosomal DNA (rDNA) loci were localized on meiotic and mitotic chromosomes and in interphase nuclei of 18 ground-beetle species belonging to three tribes of the supertribe Carabitae by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), using a PCR-amplified 18S rDNA as a probe. Meiotic observations indicate that the 18S rDNA sequences are located on the largest autosomal bivalent in 12 species of Carabus , two species of Calosoma (both genera belonging to the tribe Carabini), and three sibling species of Ceroglossus chilensis (tribe Ceroglossini). The data suggest the occurrence of a conservative pattern in these three genera despite the chromosomal rearrangements that have led to karyotypes with higher chromosome numbers in Ceroglossus . A different result is found in Cychrus caraboides (tribe Cychrini), where ribosomal cistrons are located in two medium-sized autosomal pairs. Further species of Cychrini should be studied for corroborating the occurrence of molecular and karyotypical apomorphies in Cychrus with regard to the genera Carabus, Calosoma and Ceroglossus .     

Four new species of the Australian Pamborus Latreille (Coleoptera, Carabidae) carabid beetles

Abstract  Based on an examination of the type specimens of all the known species of the genus Pamborus Latrielle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) four new Australian species are recognised and are described as: P. euopacus sp. n., P. moorei sp. n., P. monteithi sp. n and P. cooloolensis sp. n. In addition, Pamborus viridis Gory, P. opacus Géhin and P. subtropicus Darlington are also redescribed based on the type material and lectotypes are designated for the first two species.     

Hybridization, developmental stability, and functionality of morphological traits in the ground beetle Carabus solieri (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

The assessment of developmental stability in hybrids can provide valuable information in the study of species formation because it allows an evaluation of the degree of incompatibility of genetic systems that control developmental processes. The present study assessed the impact of two hybridization events, assumed to have occurred at different times, on developmental instability in the ground beetle Carabus solieri . Developmental instability was estimated in 678 individuals from 27 populations from the fluctuating asymmetry (FA) levels of four morphological traits: the tibia length of middle and hind legs, which are functional structures, and the length and the proximal width of the hind wings, which are vestigial and thus nonfunctional structures. Significant variations of FA levels between populations were shown only for the wing width. For this trait, FA levels in hybrids were higher than in their parental entities for both hybridization events, indicating a significant divergence of the gene systems controlling development between the parental entities in the two hybridization cases. As expected, wing traits exhibited FA levels at least three times higher than leg trait. Finally, the potential interest of vestigial traits in the particular context of hybridization is discussed.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 89 , 151–158.     

An unexpected clade of South American ground beetles (Coleoptera,Carabidae, Bembidion)

Phylogenetic relationships of the Antiperyphanes Complex of the genus Bembidion are inferred using DNA sequences from seven genes (two nuclear ribosomal, four nuclear protein coding, and one mitochondrial protein coding). Redefined subgenera within the complex are each well-supported as monophyletic. Most striking was the discovery that a small set of morphologically and ecologically heterogeneous species formed a clade, here called subgenus Nothonepha. This unexpected result was corroborated by the discovery of deep pits in the lateral body wall (in the mesepisternum) of all Nothonepha, a trait unique within Bembidion. These pits are filled with a waxy substance in ethanol-preserved specimens. In one newly discovered species (Bembidion tetrapholeon sp. n., described here), these pits are so deep that their projections into the body cavity from the two sides touch each other internally. These structures in Bembidion (Nothonepha) are compared to very similar mesepisternal pits which have convergently evolved in two other groups of carabid beetles. The function of these thoracic pits is unknown. Most members of subgenus Nothonepha have in addition similar but smaller pits in the abdomen. A revised classification is proposed for the Antiperyphanes Complex.     

Genome sizes of three species in the subtribe Carabina (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Genome sizes of three species in the subtribe Carabina (Coleoptera: Carabidae: tribe Carabini) were estimated from nuclei of spermatozoa using a flow cytometry. The estimated haploid genome sizes were about 330 megabases (Mb) for Damaster blaptoides, about 280 Mb for Carabus uenoi and about 260 Mb for Carabus yamato.     

Winter quarters of wetland ground beetles (Coleoptera,Carabidae) in South Scandinavia

Sites at various distances from eutrophic and mesotrophic lakes and fens on the island Öland in southern Sweden were systematically surveyed in summer (May–August) and autumn (late September–October) to elucidate the hibernation sites of wetland carabid beetles. Thirty-five of 47 wetland species were found in their winter quarters. In areas ≤50 m from the lakes and fens, the observed as well as the estimated number of hibernating wetland species was higher in mesic to dry sites than in wet or moist open sites. Very few overwintering beetles were detected far (≥120 m) from the water. There was no significant difference in the frequencies of macropterous and dimorphic (brachypterous) species and individuals hibernating close to, and more distantly from, water. Individuals of small species hibernated closer to water than larger ones. At least in Scandinavia, there is no convincing evidence that wetland species hibernate far away from water, migrating by flight. A considerable number of the species that were collected in their winter quarters are rare and red- listed in at least one of the Scandinavian countries. Winter quarters situated in mesic and dry meadows and woodland close to lakes and fens had the highest number of red-listed species. Therefore, it is of fundamental importance to protect such sites. Threats to the integrity of the current habitats are logging and various transformations of meadows, e.g. digging and removal of large objects such as stones. Cessation of grazing by cattle may also have a negative effect.     

Identification of one X‐linked and five autosomal microsatellite loci in Carabus violaceus (Coleoptera,Carabidae) and their applicability to related taxa

We characterize six microsatellite loci from the ground beetle Carabus violaceus. The polymorphism of the loci was assessed in 46 individuals from one population. The number of alleles ranges between three and eight, and the observed heterozygosities between 0.46 and 0.76. All males are homozygous for locus CVI08106CMPG, whereas most females are heterozygous. This suggests that this locus is situated on the X chromosome. Tests in eight different species of ground beetles showed that four loci could be amplified in C. coriaceus and one each in C. glabratus, C. nemoralis, C. problematicus and Abax parallelepipedus.