Ground beetles of the Ukraine (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

A review of the ground beetles of the Ukrainian fauna is given. Almost 750 species from 117 genera of Carabidae are known to occur in the Ukraine. Approximately 450 species of ground beetles are registered in the Carpathian region. No less than 300 species of ground beetles are found in the forest zone. Approximately 400 species of Carabidae present in the forest-steppe zone are relatively similar in species composition to those in the forest territories. Some 450 species of Carabidae are inhabitants of the steppe zone. Representatives of many other regions of heterogeneous biotopes such as forest, semi desert, intrazonal, etc. can be found in the steppe areas. The fauna of Carabidae (ca. 100 species) of the lowlands of southern Ukraine (sandy biotopes), situated mostly in the Kherson region, is very peculiar. The fauna of the Crimean mountains contains about 300 species. Conservation measures for the Carabidae are discussed.     

Diversity of litter-dwelling beetles in the Ouachita Highlands of Arkansas, USA (Insecta: Coleoptera)

A survey of forest litter-inhabiting Coleoptera was conducted in deciduous forests of the Ouachita Mountains in western Arkansas during 1991–1992. A total of 102 Berlese samples were collected, weighed, and processed during the 12-month study. From 741kg of sifted forest litter, we counted and sorted 10663 adult beetles representing 46 families and 400 species. The family Staphylinidae was taxonomically and numerically dominant, comprising 46% of species and 63% of individuals. Problems in assessing species richness of forest litter Coleoptera faunas result from a lack of taxonomic revisions, occurrence of sex-limited diagnostic characters, and inadequate information about larval-adult species associations and life histories. A randomized species accumulation curve indicated that species addition ranged from 14 species per sample during the first ten samples to 1.5 species per sample during the final ten. Richness estimates generated from the empirical data ranged from 434 species (Michaelis–Menten and Coleman richness estimators) to 590 species (second order jacknife). The area sampled is biogeographically significant because it harbors numerous habitat- restricted species that are endemic to the Ouachita Mountains or the Interior Highland region, as well as disjunct populations of species that are also found in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Deciduous forest habitats of the Ouachita Mountains, particularly beech-maple riparian forest, should be given special consideration in forest conservation planning because of their significance as refugia for these and other endemic and disjunct arthropods.     

Further contributions to the aleocharine fauna of the Yukon Territory, Canada (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae)

The aleocharine beetles of the Yukon Territory, Canada are reviewed based on material studied since the most recent survey of the territory in 2008. The present contribution recognizes a fauna of 125 species, of which 9 are new to science, 20 represent new territorial records and one represents a new Canadian record. Seventeen species are considered Holarctic, 6 introduced, and 2 species are of undetermined status (Holarctic or adventive). The Yukon fauna is classified in 32 genera and 8 tribes. The new species are: 1) Acrotona horwoodae Klimaszewski & Godin, sp. n.; 2) Atheta (Microdota) microelytrata Klimaszewski & Godin, sp. n.; 3) Atheta (Microdota) riparia Klimaszewski & Godin, sp. n.; 4) Atheta (Datomicra) whitehorsensis Klimaszewski & Godin, sp. n.; 5) Ocyusa yukonensis Klimaszewski & Godin, sp. n.; 6) Philhygra pseudolarsoniKlimaszewski & Godin, sp. n.; 7) Philhygra terrestris Klimaszewski & Godin, sp. n.; 8) Boreophilia davidgei Klimaszewski & Godin, sp. n.; and 9) Boreophilia herschelensis Klimaszewski & Godin, sp. n.     

A catalogue of Lithuanian beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera)

This paper presents the first complete and updated list of all 3597 species of beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) belonging to 92 familiesfound and published in Lithuania until 2011, with comments also provided on the main systematic and nomenclatural changes since the last monographic treatment in two volumes (Pileckis and Monsevičius 1995, 1997). The introductory section provides a general overview of the main features of the territory of Lithuania, the origins and formation of the beetle fauna and their conservation, the faunistic investigations in Lithuania to date revealing the most important stages of the faunistic research process with reference to the most prominent scientists, an overview of their work, and their contribution to Lithuanian coleopteran faunal research.Species recorded in Lithuania by some authors without reliable evidence and requiring further confirmation with new data are presented in a separate list, consisting of 183 species. For the first time, analysis of errors in works of Lithuanian authors concerning data on coleopteran fauna has been conducted and these errors have been corrected. All available published and Internet sources on beetles found in Lithuania have been considered in the current study. Over 630 literature sources on species composition of beetles, their distribution in Lithuania and neighbouring countries, and taxonomic revisions and changes are reviewed and cited. An alphabetical list of these literature sources is presented. After revision of public beetle collections in Lithuania, the authors propose to remove 43 species from the beetle species list of the country on the grounds, that they have been wrongly identified or published by mistake. For reasons of clarity, 19 previously noted but later excluded species are included in the current checklist with comments. Based on faunal data from neighbouring countries, species expected to occur in Lithuania are matnioned. In total 1390 species are attributed to this category and data on their distribution in neighbouring countries is presented. Completion of this study provides evidence that the Lithuanian coleopteran fauna has yet to be completely investigated and it is estimated that approximately 28 % of beetle species remain undiscovered in Lithuania. More than 85% of beetle species expected for Lithuania have been found in the following families: Cerylonidae, Geotrupidae, Haliplidae, Kateridae, Lycidae, Lucanidae, Mycetophagidae, Scarabaeidae and Silphidae. In families with few species such as Alexiidae, Boridae, Byturidae, Dascilidae, Drilidae, Eucinetidae, Lampyridae, Lymexilidae, Megalopodidae, Nemonychidae, Nosodendridae, Noteridae, Orsodacnidae, Pyrochroidae, Pythidae, Psephenidae, Rhysodidae, Sphaeritidae, Sphaeriusidae, Sphindidae, Stenotrahelidae and Trogidae, all possible species have already been discovered. However in some beetle families such as Aderidae, Bothrideridae, Eucnemidae, Laemoploeidae, Mordellidae, Ptiliidae, Scraptidae and Throscidae less than 50% of all possible species are known. At present the beetle species recorded in Lithuania belong to 92 families, with species from 9 other families such as Agyrtidae, Biphylidae, Deradontidae, Mycteridae, Ochodaeidae, Phleophilidae, Phloeostichidae, Prostomidae, Trachypachidae are expected to be found.A bibliography and a index of subfamily and genus levels are provided. The information published in the monograph will serve to further faunistic and distribution research of beetles and will help to avoid confusion in the identificatation of coleopteran fauna of Lithuania.     

Global diversity of water beetles (Coleoptera) in freshwater

The global diversity of True Water Beetles, False Water Beetles and Phytophilous Water Beetles (sensu Jäch, 1998a. In Jäch &; Ji (eds), Water Beetles of China, Vol. II. Zoologisch-Botanische Gesellschaft in Österreich and Wiener Coleopterologenverein, Wien: 25–42.) is assessed. Facultative Water Beetles, Parasitic Water Beetles and Shore Beetles (sensu Jäch, 1998a. In Jäch &; Ji (eds), Water Beetles of China, Vol. II. Zoologisch-Botanische Gesellschaft in Österreich and Wiener Coleopterologenverein, Wien: 25–42.) are here classified as “paraquatic” and are thus not included in the assessment. It is estimated that about 18,000 species of aquatic Coleoptera are roaming the earth at present. About 12,600 (70%) of these are already described (deadline: October 2005). About 30 beetle families have aquatic representatives, and in 25 of these families at least 50% of the species are to be considered as aquatic. Six families are supposed to include 1,000 or more aquatic species: Dytiscidae (3,908 described species/5,000 estimated), Hydraenidae (1,380/2,500), Hydrophilidae (1,800/2,320), Elmidae (1,330/1,850), Scirtidae (900/1,700) and Gyrinidae (750/1,000). Scirtidae and Hydraenidae are regarded as the least explored families, the number of described species in each of these two families probably will be almost doubled in the future. The Palearctic (ca. 3,350 described species/ca. 3,900 estimated), the Neotropical (2,510/3,900) and the Afrotropical Region (2,700/3,750) harbour almost the same number of water beetle species, followed by the Oriental (2,200/3,580) and the Australian/Pacific Realm (1,340/2,100). The Nearctic (1,420/1,550) is by far the poorest region in terms of water beetle diversity.     

New species of Late Eocene dermestid beetles (Coleoptera, Dermestidae) from the Rovno and Baltic ambers

Fossil beetles of the family Dermestidae are reviewed. Three new species are described: Dermestes progenitor and Megatoma electra from the Baltic amber and Dermestes vetustus from the Rovno amber (Late Eocene).     

New Triassic beetles (Coleoptera) from northern European Russia

Beetle remains from the Triassic Khey-Yaga locality, Nenets National District, Korotaikha Basin, Nyadeita Formation, Olenekian-Anisian are described. Only isolated elytra have been found. Tetracoleus tshalyshevi gen. et sp. nov. and T. minimus sp. nov. are described and assigned to Tricoleidae, and six new species are described in formal taxa. Tetracoleus is close to Permian tricoleids just found in the Newcastle Group of Australia and the Vyatkian Aristovo locality of northern European Russia. The composition of elytra in the locality is closer to that of Lower Triassic localities than other Middle Triassic localities and characterizes the beginning of a recovery after the Permian-Triassic ecological crisis. Longxianocupes Hong in Liu, Liu et Hong, 1985 is shown to be a junior synonym of Sogdelytron Ponomarenko, 1969. The species Palademosyne ovum Ponomarenko, 2004, P. elongatum Ponomarenko, 2004, and P. latum Ponomarenko, 2004 are transferred to the genus Pseudochrysomelites Handlirsch, 1906.     

Annotated checklist of Iranian Hydrophilidae (Coleoptera: Polyphaga: Hydrophiloidea)

This checklist comprises all species of Hydrophilidae (Coleoptera: Hydrophiloidea) quoted in the literature referring to Iran and confirmed by our study. In total, 104 species within 17 genera and five subfamilies, Hydrophilinae (eight genera, 63 species), Chaetarthriinae (three genera, five species), Enochrinae (single genus, 20 species), Acidocerinae (single genus, three species) and Sphaeridiinae (four genera, 13 species), are listed for the fauna of Iran. Three species are endemic; four species are recorded here for the first time from Iran, and nine species are excluded from Iranian fauna.     

Pupal cell-building behavior in passalid beetles (Coleoptera: Passalidae)

In passalids, metamorphosis takes place inside pupal cells which are built by adults piling detritus on the pupa until it is completely covered by a cell. The results reported in this paper show the significance of an olfactory stimulus in the release of this behavior. Adults do not differentiate conspecific pupae originating from their own or other nests for the construction of pupal cells; however, they do not build these cells for heterospecific pupae. It was not possible to demonstrate significant differences between males and females with regard to the presentation of this behavior, but differences were found between young and mature adults. The former require greater stimulation and are less efficient in the construction of cells than the latter. Nevertheless, all adults, including very young ones, can perform the behavior. It was also found that, under laboratory conditions, metamorphosis is normally developed in the absence of pupal cells. Some hypotheses about the possible function of these cells are discussed.     

Two New Lacconectus Species from Vietnam (Coleoptera; Dytiscidae)

Two new species of Lacconectus Motschulsky are described from Vietnam, Lacconectus valeriae sp. n. and L. baolocensis sp. n., and a key is given for the species described from and occurring in that country. Together with the two new species, seven species are now known from Vietnam, and the number of Lacconectus species rises to 60.     

New species of scarabaeoid beetles from the family Glaresidae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) from the Cretaceous of Transbaikalia

A new species from the family Glaresidae, Cretoglaresis ovalis, sp. nov., is described from the Lower Cretaceous site Baisa in Transbaikalia. Improved diagnosis of the genus Cretoglaresis Nikolajev, 2007 is given.     

Jumping mechanisms and performance in beetles. II. Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Rhamphini)

We describe the kinematics and performance of the natural jump in the weevil Orchestes fagi (Fabricius, 1801) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and its jumping apparatus with underlying anatomy and functional morphology. In weevils, jumping is performed by the hind legs and involves the extension of the hind tibia. The principal structural elements of the jumping apparatus are (1) the femoro-tibial joint, (2) the metafemoral extensor tendon, (3) the extensor ligament, (4) the flexor ligament, (5) the tibial flexor sclerite and (6) the extensor and flexor muscles. The kinematic parameters of the jump (from minimum to maximum) are 530–1965 m s^?2 (acceleration), 0.7–2.0 m s^?1 (velocity), 1.5–3.0 ms (time to take-off), 0.3–4.4 μJ (kinetic energy) and 54–200 (g-force). The specific joint power as calculated for the femoro-tibial joint during the jumping movement is 0.97 W g^?1. The full extension of the hind tibia during the jump was reached within up to 1.8–2.5 ms. The kinematic parameters, the specific joint power and the time for the full extension of the hind tibia suggest that the jump is performed via a catapult mechanism with an input of elastic strain energy. A resilin-bearing elastic extensor ligament that connects the extensor tendon and the tibial base is considered to be the structure that accumulates the elastic strain energy for the jump. According to our functional model, the extensor ligament is loaded by the contraction of the extensor muscle, while the co-contraction of the antagonistic extensor and flexor muscles prevents the early extension of the tibia. This is attributable to the leverage factors of the femoro-tibial joint providing a mechanical advantage for the flexor muscles over the extensor muscles in the fully flexed position. The release of the accumulated energy is performed by the rapid relaxation of the flexor muscles resulting in the fast extension of the hind tibia propelling the body into air.     

Species status and population genetic structure of the flightless chafer beetles Prodontria modesta and P. bicolorata (Coleoptera; Scarabaeidae) from South Island, New Zealand

This study uses isozyme electrophoresis to investigate the systematic status of two rare flightless chafer beetle species, Prodontria modesta and P. bicolorata , currently distinguished solely on the basis of colour. Seven polymorphic loci were analysed for the species in sympatry and allopatry. In sympatry, gene frequencies imply no genetic barrier between the two colour forms. Wright's hierarchical F-statistics were calculated to determine how the genetic variation is partitioned across the geographic range of the two species. Strong geographic structuring occurs at the population level but there is little genetic differentiation attributable to species. Comparisons of morphological measurements are in support of the electrophoretic results. The systematic significance of the two distinct colour forms is thus questionable. Under the biological, recognition or phylogenetic species concepts, the genetic data suggest that there is only one species, polytypic for a colour pattern. Most of the genetic diversity of this group of beetles lies within and among populations, which differ quite markedly over their geographic range, rather than between the two named species.     

Species delimitation in northern European water scavenger beetles of the genus Hydrobius (Coleoptera,Hydrophilidae)

The chiefly Holarctic Hydrobius species complex (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) currently consists of Hydrobius arcticus Kuwert, 1890, and three morphological variants of Hydrobius fuscipes (Linnaeus, 1758): var. fuscipes, var. rottenbergii and var. subrotundus in northern Europe. Here molecular and morphological data are used to test the species boundaries in this species complex. Three gene segments (COI, H3 and ITS2) were sequenced and analyzed with Bayesian methods to infer phylogenetic relationships. The Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) model and two versions of the Bayesian species delimitation method BPP, with or without an a priori defined guide tree (v2.2 & v3.0), were used to evaluate species limits. External and male genital characters of primarily Fennoscandian specimens were measured and statistically analyzed to test for significant differences in quantitative morphological characters. The four morphotypes formed separate genetic clusters on gene trees and were delimited as separate species by GMYC and by both versions of BPP, despite specimens of Hydrobius fuscipes var. fuscipes and Hydrobius fuscipes var. subrotundus being sympatric. Hydrobius arcticus and Hydrobius fuscipes var. rottenbergii could only be separated genetically with ITS2, and were delimited statistically with GMYC on ITS2 and with BPP on the combined data. In addition, six or seven potentially cryptic species of the Hydrobius fuscipes complex from regions outside northern Europe were delimited genetically. Although some overlap was found, the mean values of six male genital characters were significantly different between the morphotypes (p < 0.001). Morphological characters previously presumed to be diagnostic were less reliable to separate Hydrobius fuscipes var. fuscipes from Hydrobius fuscipes var. subrotundus, but characters in the literature for Hydrobius arcticus and Hydrobius fuscipes var. rottenbergii were diagnostic. Overall, morphological and molecular evidence strongly suggest that Hydrobius arcticus and the three morphological variants of Hydrobius fuscipes are separate species and Hydrobius rottenbergii Gerhardt, 1872, stat. n. and Hydrobius subrotundus Stephens, 1829, stat. n. are elevated to valid species. An identification key to northern European species of Hydrobius is provided.     

荒漠拟步甲科鳖甲族三种幼虫头壳色素区的观察

荒漠拟步甲科鳖甲族昆虫的幼虫具有相似的圆柱状体形,从形态上不易区别。以往对荒漠拟步甲幼虫的形态研究注重于上唇和足等部位的刚毛和小刺的特征,少有对头壳颜色的记载。通过在体视显微镜下观察室内饲养的鳖甲族昆虫(鞘翅目:拟步甲科)小胸鳖甲Microdera punctipennis Kaszab、光滑鳖甲Anatolica polita borealis Kaszab和细颈露颚甲Colposcelis microderoides microderoides Reitter的大龄幼虫,发现它们的头壳色素区呈现出不同的形状和大小,可方便地用于区分这3种幼虫。同时,测量结果显示幼虫头壳宽与前胸背板宽之比在这3种幼虫有显著差异。     

New jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and similar beetles from the Cretaceous and Early Paleogene of Asia

A new genus and two new species of jewel beetles are described, Andakhudukia ponomarenkoi gen. et sp. nov. from the Lower Cretaceous of Mongolia and Metabuprestium ustkivdense sp. nov. from the lowermost Paleogene of the Amur Region. In addition, four new monotypic genera that share some features with jewel beetles are described: Cretoelaterium kazanovense gen. et sp. nov. from the Lower Cretaceous of Eastern Transbaikalia and Cretopoena gratshevi gen. et sp. nov. from the Lower Cretaceous of Mongolia have been referred to the families Elateridae and Eucnemidae; Cretofalselaterium baiankhongoricum gen. et sp. nov. from the Lower Cretaceous of Mongolia and Cretogermen turonicum gen. et sp. nov. from the Upper Cretaceous of Kazakhstan have been erected for isolated elytra and placed in Coleoptera incertae sedis.     

Lehr's fields of campaniform sensilla in beetles (Coleoptera): Functional morphology. III. Modification of elytral mobility or shape in flying beetles

Some flying beetles have peculiar functional properties of their elytra, if compared with the vast majority of beetles. A “typical” beetle covers its pterothorax and the abdomen from above with closed elytra and links closed elytra together along the sutural edges. In the open state during flight, the sutural edges diverge much more than by 90°. Several beetles of unrelated taxa spread wings through lateral incisions on the elytra and turn the elytron during opening about 10–12° (Cetoniini, Scarabaeus, Gymnopleurus) or elevate their elytra without partition (Sisyphus, Tragocerus). The number of campaniform sensilla in their elytral sensory field is diminished in comparison with beetles of closely related taxa lacking that incision. Elytra are very short in rove beetles and in long-horn beetles Necydalini. The abundance of sensilla in brachyelytrous long-horn beetles Necydalini does not decrease in comparison with macroelytrous Cerambycinae. Strong reduction of the sensory field was found in brachyelytrous Staphylinidae. Lastly, there are beetles lacking the linkage of the elytra down the sutural edge (stenoelytry). Effects of stenoelytry were also not uniform: Oedemera and flying Meloidae have the normal amount of sensilla with respect to their body size, whereas the sensory field in the stenoelytrous Eulosia bombyliformis is 5–6 times less than in chafers of the same size but with normally linking broad elytra.     

Multiple-chromosome sex systems in the darkling beetles Blaps gigas and Blaps gibba (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

We have studied mitotic and meiotic chromosomes in the males of two species of Blaps: B. gigas and B. gibba. Karyological characteristics such as the occurrence of a multivalent configuration at diakinesis and two types of metaphase-II spreads support the notion that multiple-chromosome sex systems involving five chromosomes in B. gigas and eight chromosomes in B. gibba have developed in these species. Results obtained by means of silver staining and C-banding techniques suggest that the complex sex systems occurring in B. gigas and B. gibba may have originated from exchanges of terminal ribosomal genes among the Y chromosome and some autosomes.     

Data on molecular taxonomy and genetic diversification of the European Hermit beetles, a species complex of endangered insects (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae, Osmoderma)

A molecular analysis was carried out on the European hermit beetles (the Osmoderma eremita species complex) to explore their genetic diversification and the robustness of previous morphologically based taxonomic arrangements. Complete sequences of mtDNA cytochrome C oxidase I gene were obtained from 26 individuals. Mean levels of interspecific sequence divergence ranged from 0.044 to 0.186. The results indicate a clear-cut distinction between two clades. The first one includes the W-European O. eremita Scopoli 1763 ; and the two Italian endemic taxa Osmoderma italicum Sparacio, 2000 and Osmoderma cristinae Sparacio, 1994 ; from southern peninsular Italy and Sicily, respectively. The second one includes the widespread E-European Osmoderma barnabita ; and the southern Balcanic Osmoderma lassallei Baraud and Tauzin, 1991 from Greece and European Turkey. Within the two clades, molecular and morphological data well support a specific rank for O. lassallei and O. barnabita on one side, and for O. eremita and O. cristinae on the other side, while the taxonomic position of O. italicum , more closely related to O. eremita , is still uncertain. Current geographical distribution, interspecific genetic diversification, and very low levels of intraspecific genetic divergence in western European populations of O. eremita sensu stricto are hypothesized to be the result of multiple speciation events (mainly occurred in refugial forest areas of the Italian and Balkan peninsulas and Sicily before and during the Pleistocene glacial peaks), followed by fast post-glacial northward and westward expansion of some species.