Catalogue of Geadephaga (Coleoptera, Adephaga) of America, north of Mexico

Sexual dimorphism of Dyschiriini (Coleoptera, Carabidae): Comparative morphological SEM study of palpi sensilla and its possible role in intraspecific chemical communication

Sexual dimorphism in Dyschiriini (Coleoptera, Carabidae) consists of the presence of an autapomorphic sensory area in apical palpomeres of males, here named as Male Palpi Sensory Area (MPSA). In this work, microstructure of palpi, with focus on MPSA, is characterized and formally described using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Interspecific variability among 13 species and three subgenera of Dyschirius Bonelli, 1810 and one species of Reicheiodes Ganglbauer, 1891 is assessed. Palpi of studied Dyschiriini presented up to 4 sensilla classes (coeloconica, basiconica, digitiformia, trichodea) in both sexes, while males had one more class (sensilla placodea) found grouped in MPSA. Measurements of sensilla and MPSA are provided. Differences among taxa corresponded to development grade of MPSA and its number of sensilla placodea. The MPSA of Dyschirius (Dyschirius) thoracicus Rossi, 1790 were clearly different to the rest of the studied subgenera and species of Dyschirius and Reicheiodes, whose MPSA were similar and had slight intraspecific variability. We suggest that function of MPSA is likely detection of female pheromones, which would evidence chemical communication between sexes. We hypothesize that evolution of MPSA could be related to burrowing habits of Dyschiriini and its possible sexual behavior in soil tunnels. Study of MPSA may help to elucidate phylogenetic relationships among members of the tribe.

On the nomenclatural status of type genera in Coleoptera (Insecta)

More than 4700 nominal family-group names (including names for fossils and ichnotaxa) are nomenclaturally available in the order Coleoptera. Since each family-group name is based on the concept of its type genus, we argue that the stability of names used for the classification of beetles depends on accurate nomenclatural data for each type genus. Following a review of taxonomic literature, with a focus on works that potentially contain type species designations, we provide a synthesis of nomenclatural data associated with the type genus of each nomenclaturally available family-group name in Coleoptera. For each type genus the author(s), year of publication, and page number are given as well as its current status (i.e., whether treated as valid or not) and current classification. Information about the type species of each type genus and the type species fixation (i.e., fixed originally or subsequently, and if subsequently, by whom) is also given. The original spelling of the family-group name that is based on each type genus is included, with its author(s), year, and stem. We append a list of nomenclaturally available family-group names presented in a classification scheme. Because of the importance of the Principle of Priority in zoological nomenclature, we provide information on the date of publication of the references cited in this work, when known. Several nomenclatural issues emerged during the course of this work. We therefore appeal to the community of coleopterists to submit applications to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (henceforth "Commission") in order to permanently resolve some of the problems outlined here. The following changes of authorship for type genera are implemented here (these changes do not affect the concept of each type genus): CHRYSOMELIDAE: Fulcidax Crotch, 1870 (previously credited to "Clavareau, 1913"); CICINDELIDAE: Euprosopus W.S. MacLeay, 1825 (previously credited to "Dejean, 1825"); COCCINELLIDAE: Alesia Reiche, 1848 (previously credited to "Mulsant, 1850"); CURCULIONIDAE: Arachnopus Boisduval, 1835 (previously credited to "Guérin-Méneville, 1838"); ELATERIDAE: Thylacosternus Gemminger, 1869 (previously credited to "Bonvouloir, 1871"); EUCNEMIDAE: Arrhipis Gemminger, 1869 (previously credited to "Bonvouloir, 1871"), Mesogenus Gemminger, 1869 (previously credited to "Bonvouloir, 1871"); LUCANIDAE: Sinodendron Hellwig, 1791 (previously credited to "Hellwig, 1792"); PASSALIDAE: Neleides Harold, 1868 (previously credited to "Kaup, 1869"), Neleus Harold, 1868 (previously credited to "Kaup, 1869"), Pertinax Harold, 1868 (previously credited to "Kaup, 1869"), Petrejus Harold, 1868 (previously credited to "Kaup, 1869"), Undulifer Harold, 1868 (previously credited to "Kaup, 1869"), Vatinius Harold, 1868 (previously credited to "Kaup, 1869"); PTINIDAE: Mezium Leach, 1819 (previously credited to "Curtis, 1828"); PYROCHROIDAE: Agnathus Germar, 1818 (previously credited to "Germar, 1825"); SCARABAEIDAE: Eucranium Dejean, 1833 (previously "Brullé, 1838"). The following changes of type species were implemented following the discovery of older type species fixations (these changes do not pose a threat to nomenclatural stability): BOLBOCERATIDAE: Bolbocerusbocchus Erichson, 1841 for Bolbelasmus Boucomont, 1911 (previously Bolbocerasgallicum Mulsant, 1842); BUPRESTIDAE: Stigmoderaguerinii Hope, 1843 for Neocuris Saunders, 1868 (previously Anthaxiafortnumi Hope, 1846), Stigmoderaperoni Laporte & Gory, 1837 for Curis Laporte & Gory, 1837 (previously Buprestiscaloptera Boisduval, 1835); CARABIDAE: Carabuselatus Fabricius, 1801 for Molops Bonelli, 1810 (previously Carabusterricola Herbst, 1784 sensu Fabricius, 1792); CERAMBYCIDAE: Prionuspalmatus Fabricius, 1792 for Macrotoma Audinet-Serville, 1832 (previously Prionusserripes Fabricius, 1781); CHRYSOMELIDAE: Donaciaequiseti Fabricius, 1798 for Haemonia Dejean, 1821 (previously Donaciazosterae Fabricius, 1801), Eumolpusruber Latreille, 1807 for Euryope Dalman, 1824 (previously Cryptocephalusrubrifrons Fabricius, 1787), Galerucaaffinis Paykull, 1799 for Psylliodes Latreille, 1829 (previously Chrysomelachrysocephala Linnaeus, 1758); COCCINELLIDAE: Dermestesrufus Herbst, 1783 for Coccidula Kugelann, 1798 (previously Chrysomelascutellata Herbst, 1783); CRYPTOPHAGIDAE: Ipscaricis G.-A. Olivier, 1790 for Telmatophilus Heer, 1841 (previously Cryptophagustyphae Fallén, 1802), Silphaevanescens Marsham, 1802 for Atomaria Stephens, 1829 (previously Dermestesnigripennis Paykull, 1798); CURCULIONIDAE: Bostrichuscinereus Herbst, 1794 for Crypturgus Erichson, 1836 (previously Bostrichuspusillus Gyllenhal, 1813); DERMESTIDAE: Dermestestrifasciatus Fabricius, 1787 for Attagenus Latreille, 1802 (previously Dermestespellio Linnaeus, 1758); ELATERIDAE: Elatersulcatus Fabricius, 1777 for Chalcolepidius Eschscholtz, 1829 (previously Chalcolepidiuszonatus Eschscholtz, 1829); ENDOMYCHIDAE: Endomychusrufitarsis Chevrolat, 1835 for Epipocus Chevrolat, 1836 (previously Endomychustibialis Guérin-Méneville, 1834); EROTYLIDAE: Ipshumeralis Fabricius, 1787 for Dacne Latreille, 1797 (previously Dermestesbipustulatus Thunberg, 1781); EUCNEMIDAE: Fornaxaustrocaledonicus Perroud & Montrouzier, 1865 for Mesogenus Gemminger, 1869 (previously Mesogenusmellyi Bonvouloir, 1871); GLAPHYRIDAE: Melolonthaserratulae Fabricius, 1792 for Glaphyrus Latreille, 1802 (previously Scarabaeusmaurus Linnaeus, 1758); HISTERIDAE: Histerstriatus Forster, 1771 for Onthophilus Leach, 1817 (previously Histersulcatus Moll, 1784); LAMPYRIDAE: Ototretafornicata E. Olivier, 1900 for Ototreta E. Olivier, 1900 (previously Ototretaweyersi E. Olivier, 1900); LUCANIDAE: Lucanuscancroides Fabricius, 1787 for Lissotes Westwood, 1855 (previously Lissotesmenalcas Westwood, 1855); MELANDRYIDAE: Nothusclavipes G.-A. Olivier, 1812 for Nothus G.-A. Olivier, 1812 (previously Nothuspraeustus G.-A. Olivier, 1812); MELYRIDAE: Lagriaater Fabricius, 1787 for Enicopus Stephens, 1830 (previously Dermesteshirtus Linnaeus, 1767); NITIDULIDAE: Sphaeridiumluteum Fabricius, 1787 for Cychramus Kugelann, 1794 (previously Strongylusquadripunctatus Herbst, 1792); OEDEMERIDAE: Helopslaevis Fabricius, 1787 for Ditylus Fischer, 1817 (previously Ditylushelopioides Fischer, 1817 [sic]); PHALACRIDAE: Sphaeridiumaeneum Fabricius, 1792 for Olibrus Erichson, 1845 (previously Sphaeridiumbicolor Fabricius, 1792); RHIPICERIDAE: Sandalusniger Knoch, 1801 for Sandalus Knoch, 1801 (previously Sandaluspetrophya Knoch, 1801); SCARABAEIDAE: Cetoniaclathrata G.-A. Olivier, 1792 for Inca Lepeletier & Audinet-Serville, 1828 (previously Cetoniaynca Weber, 1801); Gnathoceravitticollis W. Kirby, 1825 for Gnathocera W. Kirby, 1825 (previously Gnathoceraimmaculata W. Kirby, 1825); Melolonthavillosula Illiger, 1803 for Chasmatopterus Dejean, 1821 (previously Melolonthahirtula Illiger, 1803); STAPHYLINIDAE: Staphylinuspolitus Linnaeus, 1758 for Philonthus Stephens, 1829 (previously Staphylinussplendens Fabricius, 1792); ZOPHERIDAE: Hispamutica Linnaeus, 1767 for Orthocerus Latreille, 1797 (previously Tenebriohirticornis DeGeer, 1775). The discovery of type species fixations that are older than those currently accepted pose a threat to nomenclatural stability (an application to the Commission is necessary to address each problem): CANTHARIDAE: Malthinus Latreille, 1805, Malthodes Kiesenwetter, 1852; CARABIDAE: Bradycellus Erichson, 1837, Chlaenius Bonelli, 1810, Harpalus Latreille, 1802, Lebia Latreille, 1802, Pheropsophus Solier, 1834, Trechus Clairville, 1806; CERAMBYCIDAE: Callichroma Latreille, 1816, Callidium Fabricius, 1775, Cerasphorus Audinet-Serville, 1834, Dorcadion Dalman, 1817, Leptura Linnaeus, 1758, Mesosa Latreille, 1829, Plectromerus Haldeman, 1847; CHRYSOMELIDAE: Amblycerus Thunberg, 1815, Chaetocnema Stephens, 1831, Chlamys Knoch, 1801, Monomacra Chevrolat, 1836, Phratora Chevrolat, 1836, Stylosomus Suffrian, 1847; COLONIDAE: Colon Herbst, 1797; CURCULIONIDAE: Cryphalus Erichson, 1836, Lepyrus Germar, 1817; ELATERIDAE: Adelocera Latreille, 1829, Beliophorus Eschscholtz, 1829; ENDOMYCHIDAE: Amphisternus Germar, 1843, Dapsa Latreille, 1829; GLAPHYRIDAE: Anthypna Eschscholtz, 1818; HISTERIDAE: Hololepta Paykull, 1811, Trypanaeus Eschscholtz, 1829; LEIODIDAE: Anisotoma Panzer, 1796, Camiarus Sharp, 1878, Choleva Latreille, 1797; LYCIDAE: Calopteron Laporte, 1838, Dictyoptera Latreille, 1829; MELOIDAE: Epicauta Dejean, 1834; NITIDULIDAE: Strongylus Herbst, 1792; SCARABAEIDAE: Anisoplia Schönherr, 1817, Anticheira Eschscholtz, 1818, Cyclocephala Dejean, 1821, Glycyphana Burmeister, 1842, Omaloplia Schönherr, 1817, Oniticellus Dejean, 1821, Parachilia Burmeister, 1842, Xylotrupes Hope, 1837; STAPHYLINIDAE: Batrisus Aubé, 1833, Phloeonomus Heer, 1840, Silpha Linnaeus, 1758; TENEBRIONIDAE: Bolitophagus Illiger, 1798, Mycetochara Guérin-Méneville, 1827. Type species are fixed for the following nominal genera: ANTHRIBIDAE: Decataphanesgracilis Labram & Imhoff, 1840 for Decataphanes Labram & Imhoff, 1840; CARABIDAE: Feroniaerratica Dejean, 1828 for Loxandrus J.L. LeConte, 1853; CERAMBYCIDAE: Tmesisternusoblongus Boisduval, 1835 for Icthyosoma Boisduval, 1835; CHRYSOMELIDAE: Brachydactylaannulipes Pic, 1913 for Pseudocrioceris Pic, 1916, Cassidaviridis Linnaeus, 1758 for Evaspistes Gistel, 1856, Ocnosceliscyanoptera Erichson, 1847 for Ocnoscelis Erichson, 1847, Promecothecapetelii Guérin-Méneville, 1840 for Promecotheca Guérin- Méneville, 1840; CLERIDAE: Attelabusmollis Linnaeus, 1758 for Dendroplanetes Gistel, 1856; CORYLOPHIDAE: Corylophusmarginicollis J.L. LeConte, 1852 for Corylophodes A. Matthews, 1885; CURCULIONIDAE: Hoplorhinusmelanocephalus Chevrolat, 1878 for Hoplorhinus Chevrolat, 1878; Sonnetiusbinarius Casey, 1922 for Sonnetius Casey, 1922; ELATERIDAE: Pyrophorusmelanoxanthus Candèze, 1865 for Alampes Champion, 1896; PHYCOSECIDAE: Phycosecislitoralis Pascoe, 1875 for Phycosecis Pascoe, 1875; PTILODACTYLIDAE: Aploglossasallei Guérin-Méneville, 1849 for Aploglossa Guérin-Méneville, 1849, Coloboderaovata Klug, 1837 for Colobodera Klug, 1837; PTINIDAE: Dryophilusanobioides Chevrolat, 1832 for Dryobia Gistel, 1856; SCARABAEIDAE: Achloahelvola Erichson, 1840 for Achloa Erichson, 1840, Camentaobesa Burmeister, 1855 for Camenta Erichson, 1847, Pinotustalaus Erichson, 1847 for Pinotus Erichson, 1847, Psilonychusecklonii Burmeister, 1855 for Psilonychus Burmeister, 1855. New replacement name: CERAMBYCIDAE: Basorus Bouchard & Bousquet, nom. nov. for Sobarus Harold, 1879. New status: CARABIDAE: KRYZHANOVSKIANINI Deuve, 2020, stat. nov. is given the rank of tribe instead of subfamily since our classification uses the rank of subfamily for PAUSSINAE rather than family rank; CERAMBYCIDAE: Amymoma Pascoe, 1866, stat. nov. is used as valid over Neoamymoma Marinoni, 1977, Holopterus Blanchard, 1851, stat. nov. is used as valid over Proholopterus Monné, 2012; CURCULIONIDAE: Phytophilus Schönherr, 1835, stat. nov. is used as valid over the unnecessary new replacement name Synophthalmus Lacordaire, 1863; EUCNEMIDAE: Nematodinus Lea, 1919, stat. nov. is used as valid instead of Arrhipis Gemminger, 1869, which is a junior homonym. Details regarding additional nomenclatural issues that still need to be resolved are included in the entry for each of these type genera: BOSTRICHIDAE: Lyctus Fabricius, 1792; BRENTIDAE: Trachelizus Dejean, 1834; BUPRESTIDAE: Pristiptera Dejean, 1833; CANTHARIDAE: Chauliognathus Hentz, 1830, Telephorus Schäffer, 1766; CARABIDAE: Calathus Bonelli, 1810, Cosnania Dejean, 1821, Dicrochile Guérin-Méneville, 1847, Epactius D.H. Schneider, 1791, Merismoderus Westwood, 1847, Polyhirma Chaudoir, 1850, Solenogenys Westwood, 1860, Zabrus Clairville, 1806; CERAMBYCIDAE: Ancita J. Thomson, 1864, Compsocerus Audinet-Serville, 1834, Dorcadodium Gistel, 1856, Glenea Newman, 1842; Hesperophanes Dejean, 1835, Neoclytus J. Thomson, 1860, Phymasterna Laporte, 1840, Tetrops Stephens, 1829, Zygocera Erichson, 1842; CHRYSOMELIDAE: Acanthoscelides Schilsky, 1905, Corynodes Hope, 1841, Edusella Chapuis, 1874; Hemisphaerota Chevrolat, 1836; Physonota Boheman, 1854, Porphyraspis Hope, 1841; CLERIDAE: Dermestoides Schäffer, 1777; COCCINELLIDAE: Hippodamia Chevrolat, 1836, Myzia Mulsant, 1846, Platynaspis L. Redtenbacher, 1843; CURCULIONIDAE: Coeliodes Schönherr, 1837, Cryptoderma Ritsema, 1885, Deporaus Leach, 1819, Epistrophus Kirsch, 1869, Geonemus Schönherr, 1833, Hylastes Erichson, 1836; DYTISCIDAE: Deronectes Sharp, 1882, Platynectes Régimbart, 1879; EUCNEMIDAE: Dirhagus Latreille, 1834; HYBOSORIDAE: Ceratocanthus A. White, 1842; HYDROPHILIDAE: Cyclonotum Erichson, 1837; LAMPYRIDAE: Luciola Laporte, 1833; LEIODIDAE: Ptomaphagus Hellwig, 1795; LUCANIDAE: Leptinopterus Hope, 1838; LYCIDAE: Cladophorus Guérin-Méneville, 1830, Mimolibnetis Kazantsev, 2000; MELOIDAE: Mylabris Fabricius, 1775; NITIDULIDAE: Meligethes Stephens, 1829; PTILODACTYLIDAE: Daemon Laporte, 1838; SCARABAEIDAE: Allidiostoma Arrow, 1940, Heterochelus Burmeister, 1844, Liatongus Reitter, 1892, Lomaptera Gory & Percheron, 1833, Megaceras Hope, 1837, Stenotarsia Burmeister, 1842; STAPHYLINIDAE: Actocharis Fauvel, 1871, Aleochara Gravenhorst, 1802; STENOTRACHELIDAE: Stenotrachelus Berthold, 1827; TENEBRIONIDAE: Cryptochile Latreille, 1828, Heliopates Dejean, 1834, Helops Fabricius, 1775. First Reviser actions deciding the correct original spelling: CARABIDAE: Aristochroodes Marcilhac, 1993 (not Aritochroodes); CERAMBYCIDAE: Dorcadodium Gistel, 1856 (not Dorcadodion), EVODININI Zamoroka, 2022 (not EVODINIINI); CHRYSOMELIDAE: Caryopemon Jekel, 1855 (not Carpopemon), Decarthrocera Laboissière, 1937 (not Decarthrocerina); CICINDELIDAE: Odontocheila Laporte, 1834 (not Odontacheila); CLERIDAE: CORMODINA Bartlett, 2021 (not CORMODIINA), Orthopleura Spinola, 1845 (not Orthoplevra, not Orthopleuva); CURCULIONIDAE: Arachnobas Boisduval, 1835 (not Arachnopus), Palaeocryptorhynchus Poinar, 2009 (not Palaeocryptorhynus); DYTISCIDAE: Ambarticus Yang et al., 2019 and AMBARTICINI Yang et al., 2019 (not Ambraticus, not AMBRATICINI); LAMPYRIDAE: Megalophthalmus G.R. Gray, 1831 (not Megolophthalmus, not Megalopthalmus); SCARABAEIDAE: Mentophilus Laporte, 1840 (not Mintophilus, not Minthophilus), Pseudadoretusdilutellus Semenov, 1889 (not P.ditutellus). While the correct identification of the type species is assumed, in some cases evidence suggests that species were misidentified when they were fixed as the type of a particular nominal genus. Following the requirements of Article 70.3.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature we hereby fix the following type species (which in each case is the taxonomic species actually involved in the misidentification): ATTELABIDAE: Rhynchitescavifrons Gyllenhal, 1833 for Lasiorhynchites Jekel, 1860; BOSTRICHIDAE: Ligniperdaterebrans Pallas, 1772 for Apate Fabricius, 1775; BRENTIDAE: Ceocephalusappendiculatus Boheman, 1833 for Uroptera Berthold, 1827; BUPRESTIDAE: Buprestisundecimmaculata Herbst, 1784 for Ptosima Dejean, 1833; CARABIDAE: Amaralunicollis Schiødte, 1837 for Amara Bonelli, 1810, Buprestisconnexus Geoffroy, 1785 for Polistichus Bonelli, 1810, Carabusatrorufus Strøm, 1768 for Patrobus Dejean, 1821, Carabusgigas Creutzer, 1799 for Procerus Dejean, 1821, Carabusteutonus Schrank, 1781 for Stenolophus Dejean, 1821, Carenumbonellii Westwood, 1842 for Carenum Bonelli, 1813, Scaritespicipes G.-A. Olivier, 1795 for Acinopus Dejean, 1821, Trigonotomaindica Brullé, 1834 for Trigonotoma Dejean, 1828; CERAMBYCIDAE: Cerambyxlusitanus Linnaeus, 1767 for Exocentrus Dejean, 1835, Clytussupernotatus Say, 1824 for Psenocerus J.L. LeConte, 1852; CICINDELIDAE: Ctenostomajekelii Chevrolat, 1858 for Ctenostoma Klug, 1821; CURCULIONIDAE: Cnemogonuslecontei Dietz, 1896 for Cnemogonus J.L. LeConte, 1876; Phloeophagusturbatus Schönherr, 1845 for Phloeophagus Schönherr, 1838; GEOTRUPIDAE: Lucanusapterus Laxmann, 1770 for Lethrus Scopoli, 1777; HISTERIDAE: Histerrugiceps Duftschmid, 1805 for Hypocaccus C.G. Thomson, 1867; HYBOSORIDAE: Hybosorusilligeri Reiche, 1853 for Hybosorus W.S. MacLeay, 1819; HYDROPHILIDAE: Hydrophilusmelanocephalus G.-A. Olivier, 1793 for Enochrus C.G. Thomson, 1859; MYCETAEIDAE: Dermestessubterraneus Fabricius, 1801 for Mycetaea Stephens, 1829; SCARABAEIDAE: Aulaciumcarinatum Reiche, 1841 for Mentophilus Laporte, 1840, Phanaeusvindex W.S. MacLeay, 1819 for Phanaeus W.S. MacLeay, 1819, Ptinusgermanus Linnaeus, 1767 for Rhyssemus Mulsant, 1842, Scarabaeuslatipes Guérin-Méneville, 1838 for Cheiroplatys Hope, 1837; STAPHYLINIDAE: Scydmaenustarsatus P.W.J. Müller & Kunze, 1822 for Scydmaenus Latreille, 1802. New synonyms: CERAMBYCIDAE: CARILIINI Zamoroka, 2022, syn. nov. of ACMAEOPINI Della Beffa, 1915, DOLOCERINI Özdikmen, 2016, syn. nov. of BRACHYPTEROMINI Sama, 2008, PELOSSINI Tavakilian, 2013, syn. nov. of LYGRINI Sama, 2008, PROHOLOPTERINI Monné, 2012, syn. nov. of HOLOPTERINI Lacordaire, 1868.

The sperm structure of Clinidium canaliculatum (Costa): A contribution to the systematic position of Rhysodidae (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

The systematic position and the phylogenetic relationship of Rhysodidae members is still debated, with some authors considering the group as a separate family of Adephaga, while for others they could be a subfamily of Carabidae. The group have morphological traits quite different from Carabidae and an aberrant behaviour compared to ground beetles being not predaceous. The sperm ultrastructure of C. canaliculatum was studied comparatively with other species of beetles, Carabidae in particular. The results indicate that the sperm structure of this species is similar to that of the Carabinae species. As in these species, C. canaliculatum has sperm conjugates with an apical conical cap protecting the heads and the initial region of flagella. This sperm appearance is also shared by another species of Rhysodidae, Omoglymmius hamatus. The material of the apical cap consists of an electron-dense material with a peculiar outer net configuration. Many species of Carabidae, however, can present a different type of sperm conjugation, the spermatostyle: a long rod-like structure where the individual sperms have only the most apical part inserted in the cortical area and the flagella are completely free. C. canaliculatum sperm are endowed with a mono-layered acrosome, a nucleus of variable shape along its length, a flagellum consisting of a typical axoneme 9 + 9+2, provided with 16 protofilaments in the tubular wall of accessory tubules, two asymmetric mitochondrial derivatives with the left one larger than the opposite one, and the right accessory body elongated and larger than the opposite one. These sperm characteristics, which are shared also by another member of the group, suggest the demotion of the family Rhysodidae to the subfamily Rhysodinae within Carabidae, a result also supported by recent molecular data.

Taxonomic and nomenclatorial revision of the Neotropical genus Phaeoxantha Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae)

Taxonomic and nomenclatorial revision of the Neotropical tiger beetle genus Phaeoxantha Chaudoir, 1850 (originally Megacephala Latreille, 1802) is presented. Ammosia Westwood, 1852 (with type species Megacephala bifasciata) is confirmed as a junior synonym of Phaeoxantha. The results by Naviaux (2008), who rectified commonly confused taxonomy and nomenclature of Phaeoxantha nocturna (Dejean, 1831) and P. laminata (Perty, 1830) versus P. limata, based on Megacephala limata Perty, 1833 which is an unjustified emendation by Perty (1833) in Perty (18301833), are confirmed the date of the unjustified emendation is newly rectified here. Megacephala laminata Perty, 1830 is confirmed as the type species of Phaeoxantha. Lectotype of Megacephala nocturna Dejean, 1831 is designated here, based on syntypes from the Dejean-Chaudoir collection in MNHN. The genus is subdivided here into two clearly differentiated subgenera: Phaeoxantha (Phaeoxantha) and Phaeoxantha (Euphaeoxantha) subgen. nov. The nominotypical subgenus is represented by Phaeoxantha laminata (Perty, 1830), P. (P.) nocturna (Dejean, 1831), P. (P.) nocturna crassipunctata ssp. nov., P. (P.) paranocturna sp. nov., P. (P.) epipleuralis W. Horn, 1923, P. (P.) tremolerasi (W. Horn, 1909), P. (P.) cruciata (Brull, 1837) and P. (P.) bifasciata (Brull, 1837). The latter, based on Megacephala bifasciata Brull, 1837, was published by Brull in order to rectify the concept of Megacephala aequinoctialis sensu auctorum, (primarily sensu Dejean 1825, 1833, 1836), which has been commonly yet incorrectly treated in literature as Phaeoxantha aequinoctialis aequinoctialis (Dejean, 1825). Although Dejean (1825) clearly characterized the same Megacephala species, his act cannot be interpreted as a valid description under Article 12 of the ICZN (1999), because he explicitly referred to the publications by Linnaeus (1763) and redescription by Fabricius (1775). Therefore, his act must be interpreted as a misidentification and subsequent usage of the name Cicindela aequinoctialis Linnaeus, 1763, which is in fact a bombardier beetle (Brachinini, Carabidae), presently known as Pheropsophus aequinoctialis (Linnaeus, 1763), misidentified by Dejean as Megacephala. In contrast, the name Megacephala bifasciata Brull, 1837 was validly published, supported by a rather appropriate illustration and preserved type specimen, being also in common use to the present day; therefore, the confused name aequinoctialis cannot be preserved and is considered an unavailable name being excluded here from Megacephalini and Cicindelidae. The new subgenus Phaeoxantha (Euphaeoxantha) subgen nov. (type species Megacephala testudinea Klug, 1834) comprises following five species: P. (E.) testudinea (Klug, 1834), P. (E.) klugii (Chaudoir, 1850), P. (E.) bucephala (W. Horn, 1909), P. (E.) wimmeri (Mandl, 1958) and P. (E.) lindemannae (Mandl, 1964). Keys to the two subgenera and to their species, descriptions or differential diagnoses and colour photographs of the habitus and of characters of available type specimens of all species of the genus, as well as the variability and characters of individual populations, are presented and their distribution discussed.

MicroCT data provide evidence correcting the previous misidentification of an Eocene amber beetle (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae) as an extant species

The fossil record suggests some insect species have a marked longevity. The oldest fossils purported to represent extant insect species are from the Oligocene and Eocene. One of the most cited fossils is the extant tiger beetle Tetracha carolina (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) that was identified over a century ago by Walther Horn in Eocene Baltic amber. We examined this and compared it to the previously described cincindelid Baltic amber fossil Palaeoiresina cassolai using X-ray microscopy and 3D imaging techniques. We conclude that Horn's fossil tiger beetle specimen is conspecific with the Eocene P. cassolai and is a member of an extinct stem group lineage of Cicindelidae. Based on a review of all the tiger beetle fossils described from Cretaceous and Paleogene deposits, we found that the assignment of these fossil species to extant lineages is not supported. There are currently no synapomorphies known from fossils that can provide evidence for Cretaceous Manticorni or Megacephalini nor is there evidence for Eocene Iresina. We provide evidence that rejects the idea of a recent beetle species persisting since the Eocene period, which is crucial for using the currently known fossil Cicindelidae species to calibrate divergence dating of beetle phylogenies.

Re-collected after 55 years: a new species of Bembidion (Coleoptera, Carabidae) from California

A new species of the carabid beetle genus Bembidion Latreille is described from the Central Valley, Los Angeles Basin, and surrounding areas of California. Bembidion brownorumsp. nov. is a distinctive species, a relatively large member of the subgenus Notaphus Dejean, and within Notaphus a member of the B. obtusangulum LeConte species group. It has faint spots on the elytra and a large, convex, rounded prothorax. Of the 22 specimens from 11 localities, all but one were collected more than 55 years ago. Although the collection of the holotype in 2021 at UV light suggest the species is still extant, the lack of other recent specimens suggests the species may have a more restricted distribution than in the past, and its populations may be in decline.

Annotated checklist of the beetles (Coleoptera) of the California Channel Islands

The beetle fauna of the California Channel Islands is here enumerated for the first time in over 120 years. We provide an annotated checklist documenting species-by-island diversity from an exhaustive literature review and analysis of a compiled dataset of 26,609 digitized specimen records to which were added over 3,000 individual specimen determinations. We report 825 unique species from 514 genera and 71 families (including 17 new family records) comprising 1,829 species-by-island records. Species totals for each island are as follows: Anacapa (74); San Clemente (197); San Miguel (138); San Nicolas (146); Santa Barbara (64); Santa Catalina (370); Santa Cruz (503); and Santa Rosa (337). This represents the largest list of species published to date for any taxonomic group of animals on the Channel Islands; despite this, we consider the checklist to be preliminary. We present evidence that both inventory and taxonomic efforts on Channel Islands beetles are far from complete. Rarefaction estimates indicate there are at least several hundred more species of beetles yet to be recorded from the islands. Despite the incomplete nature of existing records, we found that species diversity is highly correlated with island area. We report 56 species which are putatively geographically restricted (endemic) to the Channel Islands, with two additional species of questionable endemic status. We also report 52 species from the islands which do not natively occur in the southern California region.

Sudden and simultaneous population outbreak of Neoaulacoryssus speciosus in an urban area of 12 municipalities in the Caatinga biome

The ground beetle, Neoaulacoryssus speciosus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) is of high relevance to field because it has been recorded as a pest of seeds and young plants of vegetables and other crops and a predator in agricultural crops, forest and weeds in Brazil. However, natural habitat changes are increasing agriculture and forest insect outbreaks in urban areas. A N. speciosus population outbreak occurred in October and November 2018 simultaneously in 12 neighboring municipalities at the beginning of the rainy season in the northern region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The objectives of this study were to report a sudden and simultaneous population outbreak of N. speciosus and to describe the factors of habitat change that could have contributed to this invasion in 12 municipalities in the northern region of Minas Gerais State in the Caatinga biome of Brazil. In addition, female and male genitals were described and illustrated, the scientific classification revised and common names of N. speciosus listed. Thousands of males and females of N. speciosus agglomerated in shady, humid places during the day and night for about 15 days. Neoaulacoryssus speciosus has been identified and illustrated, its scientific classification revised and four common names listed for this species.

Two new cavernicolous species of Anillinus Casey (Carabidae, Trechinae, Anillini) from Texas with a revised key to Texas species

Two new species of blind cavernicolous ground beetles in the genus Anillinus Casey are described from Texas. Based on the structure of the male genitalia, Anillinus reddellisp. nov. (type locality: SW Bypass Cave, Williamson County, Texas) is closely related to A. forthoodensis Sokolov and Reddell from the neighboring Bell County. Based on the structure of the male genitalia, Anillinus bexarensissp. nov. (type locality: Up the Creek Cave, Bexar County, Texas) is closely related to A. weismanensis Sokolov and Kavanaugh from Hays and Bell Counties. Both new species are illustrated with images of the habitus, body parts, and male and female genitalia. Based on morphological data a new grouping of the Texas species is proposed and discussed.

Checklist of Carabidae (Coleoptera) in the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, a dry forest in the rain shadow region of the southern Western Ghats, India

The first report on the composition of carabids from a natural forest in peninsular India as well as from a dry forest belt in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats is provided, with data on the subfamilies, tribes, genera, species, geographic range, collection techniques, and the relevant literature details for all the listed species. Fifty-four species belonging to 11 subfamilies and 31 genera were recorded. Harpalinae, Lebiinae, and Scaritinae with 15, 14, and seven species, respectively, are the species-rich subfamilies. The species list also includes two first records from India, four first records from southern India, and six species endemic to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka biodiversity hot spot.  

Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Responses to Cattle Grazing, Grassland Restoration, and Habitat across a Precipitation Gradient

Simple Summary

Beneficial insect numbers have sharply declined in recent years, and these declines negatively impact (1) food crops due to reduced pollination services, and (2) wildlife and birds due to reduced food sources. In part, agricultural intensification and habitat fragmentation have led to these declines. In the United States, one conservation effort is the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which provides financial assistance for replanting agricultural land to restored habitat to improve environmental health and quality. Common CRP grassland restorations are CP2 (“native grass” seed mix) and CP25 (“rare and declining habitat” seed mix). We examined the response of ground beetles, a group that is important for wildlife, to CRP restoration and management across three grassland habitats, and 108 sites. We examined two restoration types (CP2, CP25), and the grazing or absence of grazing by cattle. Our findings indicate that ground beetle communities are not negatively impacted by moderate levels of cattle grazing. Additionally, we found that cattle grazing might have positive effects on ground beetle abundance, biomass, and diversity in tallgrass habitats. The positive impact of cattle grazing may provide an additional incentive for CRP restorations that would enhance beneficial insect populations.

Abstract

Grasslands in North America have declined by over 70% since industrialization of settlements due to the conversion of natural habitats to cropland and urban centers. In the United States, the federally supported Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was created to improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, and increase native habitats for wildlife. Within these restored grasslands, ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) are a keystone invertebrate group that fill several crucial niches and may serve as bioindicators of successful land management strategies. To understand the impact of land management on ground beetles, we examined carabid beetle community responses to a grazing treatment and two plant restoration treatments with low and relatively high initial plant diversity over two field seasons. We used pitfall traps at 108 CRP sites across a 63.5 cm precipitation gradient, encompassing three grassland types. Overall, grazing and restoration treatment did not have detectable effects on carabid abundance, biomass, or diversity. Carabid communities, however, responded differently to grazing within grassland types—all three community measures increased in response to grazing in tallgrass sites only. Our short-term study suggests that moderate levels of cattle grazing do not negatively affect carabid communities and might have positive effects on abundance, biomass, and diversity in tallgrass regions.

Illumina Short-Read Sequencing of the Mitogenomes of Novel Scarites subterraneus Isolates Allows for Taxonomic Refinement of the Genus Scarites Fabricius 1775, within the Carabidae Family

Simple Summary

Ground beetles (Carabidae) have important ecological functions and serve as food, biological pest control, and models in biological research. Although there are over 40,000 ground beetle species worldwide, only a small fraction of those has genomic information currently available, which limits their classification and understanding of diversity. Since next-generation genome sequencing has become more mainstream, we used Illumina short-read sequencing to obtain complete mitogenomes from two Scarites beetles that we collected ourselves in Nebraska and Arkansas. Scarites are large ground beetles that resemble tropical beetles with a big head and large mandibles, and their role as predator and prey helps maintain sustainability in local ecosystems. This straightforward sequencing and analysis was found to be accurate and sufficient to help classify these isolates to the subspecies level. This is the first report of mitogenomes for Scarites subterraneus and only the second in that genus. This method is easily applicable to more beetle species and can be used to increase our understanding of beetles worldwide.

Abstract

We sequenced the complete mitogenomes, 18S and 28S rRNA of two new Scarites isolates, collected in Eastern Nebraska and Northern Arkansas (US). Based on molecular sequence data comparison and morphological characteristics, the new isolates were identified as a subspecies of Scarites subterraneus Fabricius 1775, for which we propose the subspecies names ‘nebraskensis’ and ‘arkansensis’. The new 18S and 28S rRNA sequences were found to be 99% and 98% identical to Scarites subterraneus. There are no other Scarites 18S or 28S rRNA sequences in the Genbank database, however, phylogenetic analysis of the Cox1 genes showed S. vicinus Chaudoir, 1843, and S. aterrimus Morawitz, 1863, as the closest relatives. This is the first report of a mitogenome for S. subterraneus, and only the second mitogenome for that genus. The nucleotide sequence identity between the mitogenomes of the two isolates is 98.8%, while the earlier sequenced S. buparius Forster 1771 mitogenome is more distantly related, with only 90% (to ssp. nebraskensis) and 89% (to ssp. arkansensis) overall nucleotide sequence identity. These new mitogenomes, and their phylogenetic analysis, firmly establish the position of Scarites on the Carabidae family tree and further refine the genus. In addition to the molecular data provided for the Scarites species, this approach also allowed us to identify bacterial and viral signatures for Providencia, Myroides, Spiroplasma, and a giant Nucleocytoviricota virus, associated with the Scarites species. We hereby present a simple and efficient protocol for identification and phylogenetic analysis of Scarites, that is applicable to other Coleoptera, based on total DNA extraction and Illumina short-read Next-Gen sequencing.

Life History, Biology, and Distribution of Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in North America

Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger, 1798) is a Palearctic generalist predator native to Europe. It was unintentionally introduced to North America at least twice in the mid 1920s and has since become widespread in Canada and the United States. Although P. melanarius is a valuable natural enemy in many different agricultural systems, we are not aware of any effort to compile in one publication details of its life history, diet, distribution, and factors that influence its populations. Some studies in North America have investigated the effects of P. melanarius on pest species and native carabid assemblages. Moreover, given that it is an exotic species whose range appears to still be expanding, it will be valuable to predict its potential distribution in North America. Therefore, the goals of this paper are to: 1) compile information on the life history and biology of P. melanarius, 2) review the effects of various agricultural practices on this species, and 3) use ecological niche modeling to determine the potential range of P. melanarius in the United States and which climate variables are most important for range expansion. Our review revealed that P. melanarius appears to provide benefits most consistently in diverse agricultural systems managed with no-till or reduced till methods, whereas our modeling revealed that P. melanarius likely occupies, or will occupy, more of the northern U.S. than is currently recognized, particularly in the Appalachian and Rocky Mountain regions.

Nuevos datos sobre Nomius pygmaeus (Dejean, 1831) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) en la península Ibérica

Se ofrece un nuevo registro de Nomius pygmaeus (Dejean, 1831) para la fauna ibérica, el tercero desde que hace un cuarto de siglo se aportaron las dos primeras citas para la península. Las condiciones de colecta de estos especímenes son acordes con los hábitos pirófilos descritos para esta especie. Se discuten algunos aspectos que pueden estar relacionados con la amplia distribución (holártica) y la rareza de N. pygmaeus, en especial en ámbito paleártico.

Telomeric DNA sequences in beetle taxa vary with species richness

Telomeres are protective structures at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, and disruption of their nucleoprotein composition usually results in genome instability and cell death. Telomeric DNA sequences have generally been found to be exceptionally conserved in evolution, and the most common pattern of telomeric sequences across eukaryotes is (TxAyGz)n maintained by telomerase. However, telomerase-added DNA repeats in some insect taxa frequently vary, show unusual features, and can even be absent. It has been speculated about factors that might allow frequent changes in telomere composition in Insecta. Coleoptera (beetles) is the largest of all insect orders and based on previously available data, it seemed that the telomeric sequence of beetles varies to a great extent. We performed an extensive mapping of the (TTAGG)n sequence, the ancestral telomeric sequence in Insects, across the main branches of Coleoptera. Our study indicates that the (TTAGG)n sequence has been repeatedly or completely lost in more than half of the tested beetle superfamilies. Although the exact telomeric motif in most of the (TTAGG)n-negative beetles is unknown, we found that the (TTAGG)n sequence has been replaced by two alternative telomeric motifs, the (TCAGG)n and (TTAGGG)n, in at least three superfamilies of Coleoptera. The diversity of the telomeric motifs was positively related to the species richness of taxa, regardless of the age of the taxa. The presence/absence of the (TTAGG)n sequence highly varied within the Curculionoidea, Chrysomeloidea, and Staphylinoidea, which are the three most diverse superfamilies within Metazoa. Our data supports the hypothesis that telomere dysfunctions can initiate rapid genomic changes that lead to reproductive isolation and speciation.

Early successional dynamics of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in the tropical dry forest ecosystem in Colombia

Little is known about the successional dynamics of insects in the highly threatened tropical dry forest (TDF) ecosystem. For the first time, we studied the response of carabid beetles to vegetal succession and seasonality in this ecosystem in Colombia. Carabid beetles were collected from three TDF habitat types in two regions in Colombia: initial successional state (pasture), early succession, and intermediate succession (forest). The surveys were performed monthly for 13 months in one of the regions (Armero) and during two months, one in the dry and one in the wet season, in the other region (Cambao). A set of environmental variables were recorded per month at each site. Twenty-four carabid beetle species were collected during the study. Calosoma alternans and Megacephala affinis were the most abundant species, while most species were of low abundance. Forest and pasture beetle assemblages were distinct, while the early succession assemblage overlapped with these assemblages. Canopy cover, litter depth, and soil and air temperatures were important in structuring the assemblages. Even though seasonality did not affect the carabid beetle assemblage, individual species responded positively to the wet season. It is shown that early successional areas in TDF could potentially act as habitat corridors for species to recolonize forest areas, since these successional areas host a number of species that inhabit forests and pastures. Climatic variation, like the El Niño episode during this study, appears to affect the carabid beetle assemblage negatively, exasperating concerns of this already threatened tropical ecosystem.

Phylogeny of the supertribe Nebriitae (Coleoptera, Carabidae) based on analyses of DNA sequence data

The phylogeny of the carabid beetle supertribe Nebriitae is inferred from analyses of DNA sequence data from eight gene fragments including one nuclear ribosomal gene (28S), four nuclear-protein coding genes (CAD, topoisomerase 1, PEPCK, and wingless), and three mitochondrial gene fragments (16S + tRNA-Leu + ND1, COI ("barcode" region) and COI ("Pat/Jer" region)). Our taxon sample included 264 exemplars representing 241 species and subspecies (25% of the known nebriite fauna), 39 of 41 currently accepted genera and subgenera (all except Notiokasis and Archileistobrius), and eight outgroup taxa. Separate maximum likelihood (ML) analyses of individual genes, combined ML analyses of nuclear, nuclear protein-coding, and mitochondrial genes, and combined ML and Bayesian analyses of the eight-gene-fragment matrix resulted in a well-resolved phylogeny of the supertribe, with most nodes in the tree strongly supported. Within Nebriitae, 167 internal nodes of the tree (out of the maximum possible 255) are supported by maximum-likelihood bootstrap values of 90% or more. The tribes Notiophilini, Opisthiini, Pelophilini, and Nebriini are well supported as monophyletic but relationships among these are not well resolved. Nippononebria is a distinct genus more closely related to Leistus than Nebria. Archastes, Oreonebria, Spelaeonebria, and Eurynebria, previously treated as distinct genera by some authors, are all nested within a monophyletic genus Nebria. Within Nebria, four major clades are recognized: (1) the Oreonebria Series, including eight subgenera arrayed in two subgeneric complexes (the Eonebria and Oreonebria Complexes); (2) the Nebriola Series, including only subgenus Nebriola; (3) the Nebria Series, including ten subgenera arrayed in two subgeneric complexes, the Boreonebria and Nebria Complexes, with the latter further subdivided into three subgeneric subcomplexes (the Nebria, Epinebriola, and Eunebria Subcomplexes)); and (4) the Catonebria Series, including seven subgenera arrayed in two subgeneric complexes (the Reductonebria and Catonebria Complexes). A strong concordance of biogeography with the inferred phylogeny is noted and some evident vicariance patterns are highlighted. A revised classification, mainly within the Nebriini, is proposed to reflect the inferred phylogeny. Three genus-group taxa (Nippononebria, Vancouveria and Archastes) are given revised status and seven are recognized as new synonymies (Nebriorites Jeannel, 1941 and Marggia Huber, 2014 = Oreonebria Daniel, 1903; Pseudonebriola Ledoux & Roux, 1989 = Boreonebria Jeannel, 1937; Patrobonebria Bänninger, 1923, Paranebria Jeannel, 1937 and Barbonebriola Huber & Schmidt, 2017 = Epinebriola Daniel & Daniel, 1904; and Asionebria Shilenkov, 1982 = Psilonebria Andrewes, 1923). Six new subgenera are proposed and described for newly recognized clades: Parepinebriola Kavanaugh subgen. nov. (type species: Nebria delicata Huber & Schmidt, 2017), Insulanebria Kavanaugh subgen. nov. (type species: Nebria carbonaria Eschscholtz, 1829), Erwinebria Kavanaugh subgen. nov. (type species Nebria sahlbergii Fischer von Waldheim, 1828), Nivalonebria Kavanaugh subgen. nov. (type species: Nebria paradisi Darlington, 1931), Neaptenonebria Kavanaugh subgen. nov. (type species: Nebria ovipennis LeConte, 1878), and Palaptenonebria Kavanaugh subgen. nov. (type species: Nebria mellyi Gebler, 1847). Future efforts to better understand relationships within the supertribe should aim to expand the taxon sampling of DNA sequence data, particularly within subgenera Leistus and Evanoleistus of genus Leistus and the Nebria Complex of genus Nebria.

The preimaginal stages of Galerita ruficollis Dejean, 1825 and the position of the tribe Galeritini in the classification of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

The complete development cycle of Galerita (Galerita) ruficollis Dejean, 1825 was studied for the first time. In laboratory, at a temperature of 22 °C and long-day conditions, the development from egg to adult lasted 58–60 days. The development of the third instar larva lasted particularly long (on average, 19 days), and the most intense increase in biomass (from 20 to 100 mg) was observed at that phase as well. The extended embryonic development (11–20 days) and the relatively short development time of the third instar larva were found to be characteristic of G.ruficollis. The bifurcated protrusion of the anterior edge of the head was proven to represent an outgrowth of the frontal sclerite (frontale), but not of the nasale, as believed previously. The chaetotaxy of Galerita larvae is described in detail for the first time.

Based on larval features, the monophyly of the Galeritini + Dryptini group is confirmed. Based on the morphology of the larvae and pupae, this group can be suggested as occupying a separate position within the Truncatipennia, possibly being related to the assemblage that includes Pterostichini, Harpalini, Licinini, Chlaenini, and Platynini. The monophyly of Zuphiitae (sensu Erwin and Sims 1984; Erwin 1985) and the Zuphiitae clade (sensu Ober and Maddison 2008) is confirmed.

Pygidial Glands in Carabidae, an Overview of Morphology and Chemical Secretion

Predator community structure is an important selective element shaping the evolution of prey defence traits and strategies. Carabid beetles are one of the most diverse families of Coleoptera, and their success in terrestrial ecosystems is related to considerable morphological, physiological, and behavioural adaptations that provide protection against predators. Their most common form of defence is the chemical secretion from paired abdominal pygidial glands that produce a heterogeneous set of carboxylic acids, quinones, hydrocarbons, phenols, aldehydes, and esters. This review attempts to update and summarise what is known about the pygidial glands, with particular reference to the morphology of the glands and the biological function of the secretions.

A new subterranean species of Anillinus Casey (Carabidae, Trechinae, Anillini) from Florida

A new species of blind subterranean ground beetle in the genus Anillinus Casey is described from Florida. Anillinus albrittonorumsp. nov. (type locality: 6 miles NW High Springs, Columbia County, Florida) has a unique structure of female genitalia and occupies an isolated position within the genus. This new species is illustrated with images of the habitus, body parts, and male and female genitalia. Relationships of A. albrittonorum to other members of the genus are discussed.

Two new species of the genus Anillinus Casey (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Anillini) from the southern United States

Two new species of blind ground beetles are described from the southern United States. One species, Anillinusrelictussp. nov. (type locality: E of Oneonta, Blount County, Alabama), based on the structure of male genitalia, is similar to Texan Anillinus, in particular to the endogean A.sinuatus Jeannel. The second species, A.felicianussp. nov. (type locality: 4 mi SW Jackson, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana), is superficially similar to the endogean A.sinuaticollis Jeannel from Roane County, Tennessee, and represents the first record of the genus for the state of Louisiana. All species are illustrated with digital images of habitus, body parts, and male and female genitalia. Biogeographical and evolutionary implications of the new findings are discussed.

Shards, sequences, and shorelines: two new species of Bembidion from North America (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Two new species of Bembidion are described from river shores in North America. One, Bembidionmimbressp. nov., from the Gila River watershed in the lands of the Mimbres culture in New Mexico and Arizona, is closely related to the widespread Bembidionlevigatum. DNA sequences from several linkage groups and morphology provide evidence of the distinctiveness of B.mimbres. The second, Bembidioncorgenomasp. nov., has been the subject of recent genomic and transcriptomic studies. It belongs in the Bembidiontransversale subgroup, and occurs from California north to British Columbia, east to Montana and Nevada. The B.transversale subgroup as a whole is reviewed, and morphological characters that distinguish B.corgenoma from the similar and sympatric B.transversale and B.erosum are described and illustrated. DNA sequences of these three species show no consistent differences in 28S, COI, CAD, and Topoisomerase, and a coalescent species delimitation analysis reveals no notable structure within the complex. This is the first known trio of species within Bembidion for which those genes provide no clear signal of species boundaries. A neotype is designated for the one name in the group that lacks a primary type, Bembidiumhaplogonum Chaudoir. Chromosomes of the new species and their relatives are as is typical for Bembidion, with eleven pairs of autosomes and an XY/XX sex chromosome system.

Relicts from Glacial Times: The Ground Beetle Pterostichus adstrictus Eschscholtz, 1823 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the Austrian Alps

Simple Summary

The extant distribution of many plants and animals is the result of the dynamics of the last ice ages with their recurrent advances and retreats of the northern ice sheet and the glaciers in the mountains. The arctic-alpine distribution is a special case where a species occurs in the subarctic/arctic regions and locally restricted in the alpine mountain regions of central or southeastern Europe. Among the ground beetles, several species display this type of distribution, one of which is Pterostichus adstrictus. In Europe, this ground beetle has been thought to have its southernmost occurrences in Wales and southern Scandinavia. In this study, we provide the first reliable record of P. adstrictus from the Austrian Alps based on morphological determination and comparison to other closely related species as well as molecular genetic data. Furthermore, the seasonal occurrence as well as empirical habitat preferences of P. adstrictus in the Austrian Alps are described.

Abstract

The last ice age considerably influenced distribution patterns of extant species of plants and animals, with some of them now inhabiting disjunct areas in the subarctic/arctic and alpine regions. This arctic-alpine distribution is characteristic for many cold-adapted species with a limited dispersal ability and can be found in many invertebrate taxa, including ground beetles. The ground beetle Pterostichus adstrictus Eschscholtz, 1823 of the subgenus Bothriopterus was previously known to have a holarctic-circumpolar distribution, in Europe reaching its southern borders in Wales and southern Scandinavia. Here, we report the first findings of this species from the Austrian Ötztal Alps, representing also the southernmost edge of its currently known distribution, confirmed by the comparison of morphological characters to other Bothriopterus species and DNA barcoding data. Molecular data revealed a separation of the Austrian and Finish specimens with limited to no gene flow at all. Furthermore, we present the first data on habitat preference and seasonality of P. adstrictus in the Austrian Alps.

Disentangling landscape and local drivers of ground-dwelling beetle community assembly in an urban ecosystem

Community assembly is the process by which local communities are organized and maintained from the regional species pool. Understanding processes of insect assembly are of interest in "shrinking" cities where vacant land has become abundant as a result of protracted economic decline and population loss. Vacant land represents a viable conservation space for insects such as beetles that contribute to ecosystem services including pest suppression, decomposition, and nutrient cycling. However, the inherent heterogeneity of cities may pose challenges for beetle dispersal from source populations, while quality of the urban environment may constrain establishment. The objective of this study was to investigate the constraints to ground-dwelling beetle community assembly in vacant lots and pocket prairies of Cleveland, Ohio using a functional trait-based approach. Functional traits with a strong predictive capacity for ecological functions were measured on beetle species collected via pitfall traps. Assembly of beetle communities was primarily constrained by dispersal limitations to colonization. Over 93% of species found within treatments were capable of flight, and functional diversity of beetle communities was higher across all treatments than expected by chance. Once beetles colonized, successful establishment was influenced by heavy metal contamination and mowing frequency, with these disturbances shaping communities based on body size, antennae length, and origin. Colonization of dispersal-limited species could be facilitated by increasing connectivity among greenspaces in cities, while establishment could be enhanced by managing local environmental conditions. Understanding how insect communities are structured in urban ecosystems provides context for observed patterns of biodiversity, advances conservation efforts, and fosters ecosystem services.

Geographically structured genetic diversity in the cave beetle Darlingtonea kentuckensis Valentine, 1952 (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechini, Trechina)

Cave beetles of the eastern USA are one of many poorly studied groups of insects and nearly all previous work delimiting species is based solely on morphology. This study assesses genetic diversity in the monotypic cave carabid beetle genus DarlingtoneaValentine 1952, to test the relationship between putative geographical barriers to subterranean dispersal and the boundaries of genetically distinct groups. Approximately 400bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene was sequenced from up to four individuals from each of 27 populations, sampled from caves along the escarpments of the Mississippian and Cumberland plateaus in eastern Kentucky, USA. The 81 individuals sequenced yielded 28 unique haplotypes. Hierarchical analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA) within and among geographically defined groups tested two a priori hypotheses of structure based on major and minor river drainages, as well as genetic distance clusters defined a posteriori from an unrooted analysis. High genetic differentiation (FST) between populations was found across analyses. The influence of isolation by distance could potentially account for much but not all of the variation found among geographically defined groups at both levels. High variability among the three northernmost genetic clusters (FCT), low variability among populations within clusters (FSC), and low within-cluster Mantel correlations indicate the importance of unidentified likely intra-karst barriers to gene flow separating closely grouped cave populations. Overall phylogeographic patterns are consistent with previous evidence of population isolation among cave systems in the region, revealing geographically structured cryptic diversity in Darlingtonea over its distribution. The landscape features considered a priori in this study were not predictive of the genetic breaks among the three northern clusters, which are genetically distinct despite their close geographic proximity.

Geographic Life History Differences Predict Genomic Divergence Better than Mitochondrial Barcodes or Phenotype

Species diversity can be inferred using multiple data types, however, results based on genetic data can be at odds with patterns of phenotypic variation. Tiger beetles of the Cicindelidiapolitula (LeConte, 1875) species complex have been taxonomically problematic due to extreme phenotypic variation within and between populations. To better understand the biology and taxonomy of this group, we used mtDNA genealogies and multilocus nuclear analyses of 34,921 SNPs to elucidate its evolutionary history and evaluate the validity of phenotypically circumscribed species and subspecies. Genetic analyses recovered two divergent species that are also ecologically distinct, based on adult life history. These patterns are incongruous with the phenotypic variation that informed prior taxonomy, and most subspecies were not supported as distinct evolutionary lineages. One of the nominal subspecies was found to be a cryptic species; consequently, we elevate C. p.laetipennis (Horn, 1913) to a full species. Although nuclear and mtDNA datasets recovered broadly similar evolutionary units, mito-nuclear discordance was more common than expected, being observed between nearly all geographically overlapping taxonomic pairs. Additionally, a pattern of 'mitochondrial displacement' was observed, where mitochondria from one species unidirectionally displace others. Overall, we found that geographically associated life history factors better predict genomic divergence than phenotype and mitochondrial genealogies, and consequently taxon identifications based on mtDNA (e.g., DNA barcodes) may be misleading.

Review and new species of Tiferonia Darlington, 1962 (Carabidae, Abacetini)

Darlington described Tiferonia based on T.parva from New Guinea. In this review, Tiferonialeytensissp. nov. is described from Leyte Island, Philippines, Tiferoniaschoutedeni (Straneo, 1943) comb. nov. is transferred from Melanchrous Andrewes, and inclusion of Tiferoniabrunnea (Jedlička, 1935) in the genus is confirmed. Characteristics of Tiferonia and genera that have been proposed as closely related to Tiferonia are discussed and a unique character, the post-ocular sulcus, shared among species of Tiferonia and Holconotus is proposed as a synapomorphy for these two genera. A key to identify adults of the four species of Tiferonia is provided.

A genus in disguise. Revision of the genus Salcedia Fairmaire, 1899 with descriptions of nine new species (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Scaritinae, Salcediini)

This monograph on the genus Salcedia Fairmaire, 1899 revises the nine described species S.perrieri Fairmaire, 1899, S.coquilhati Alluaud, 1932, S.elongata Alluaud, 1932, S.africana (Britton, 1947), S.schoutedeni Alluaud, 1930, S.putzeysi (Oberthür, 1883), S.miranda (Andrewes, 1920), and S.parallela Baehr, 1998. The following nine new species are described: S.unifoveatasp. nov., S.failleisp. nov., S.lukuluasp. nov., S.matsumotoisp. nov., S.uteteasp. nov., S.robustasp. nov., S.procerasp. nov., S.tuberculatasp. nov., and S.baroensissp. nov. Photographs of the habitus and male and female genitals are provided for all species. An identification key to the species is given. Morphological characteristics of the genus are described and illustrated. Zoogeography of the group is discussed and distribution records from Africa are displayed on a map. Available biological data are summarised.

DNA barcodes reveal 63 overlooked species of Canadian beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera)

This study demonstrates the power of DNA barcoding to detect overlooked and newly arrived taxa. Sixty-three species of Coleoptera representing 25 families are studied based on DNA barcode data and morphological analysis of the barcoded specimens. Three of the species involve synonymies or previous taxonomic confusion in North America, while the first Canadian records are published for 60 species. Forty-two species are adventive in North America, and 40 of these adventive species originate from the Palaearctic region. Three genera are recorded from the Nearctic region for the first time: Coelostoma Brullé, 1835 (Hydrophilidae), Scydmoraphes Reitter, 1891 (Staphylinidae), and Lythraria Bedel, 1897 (Chrysomelidae). Two new synonymies are established: Mycetoporus triangulatus Campbell, 1991 (Staphylinidae) is a junior synonym of Mycetoporus reichei Pandellé, 1869, syn. nov. while Bledius philadelphicus Fall, 1919 (Staphylinidae) is a junior synonym of Bledius gallicus (Gravenhorst, 1806), syn. nov. The previously suggested move of Ctenicera tigrina (Fall, 1901) to the genus Pseudanostirus Dolin, 1964 (Elateridae) is formalized, resulting in Pseudanostirus tigrinus (Fall, 1901), comb. nov.

The role of dispersal for shaping phylogeographical structure of flightless beetles from the Andes

Background

Páramo is a tropical alpine ecosystem present in the northern Andes. Its patchy distribution imposes limits and barriers to specialist inhabitants. We aim to assess the effects of this habitat distribution on divergence across two independently flightless ground beetle lineages, in the genera Dyscolus and Dercylus.

Methods

One nuclear and one mitochondrial gene from 110 individuals from 10 sites across the two lineages were sequenced and analyzed using a combination of phylogenetics, population genetic analyses, and niche modeling methods.

Results

The two lineages show different degrees of population subdivision. Low levels of gene flow were found in Dyscolus alpinus, where one dominant haplotype is found in four out of the six populations analyzed for both molecular markers. However, complete population isolation was revealed in species of the genus Dercylus, where high levels of differentiation exist at species and population level for both genes. Maximum entropy models of species in the Dercylus lineage show overlapping distributions. Still, species distributions appear to be restricted to small areas across the Andes.

Conclusion

Even though both beetle lineages are flightless, the dispersal ability of each beetle lineage appears to influence the genetic diversity across fragmented páramo populations, where Dyscolus alpinus appears to be a better disperser than species in the genus Dercylus.

Bembidion ambiguum (Coleoptera: Carabidae) is established in California

Background

The ground beetle Bembidion (Neja) ambiguum Dejean is native to Europe and north Africa, in the Mediterranean region.

New information

We report it from North America for the first time, from five localities around San Francisco Bay, California. The earliest record is from 2012.

Phylogeny of the beetle supertribe Trechitae (Coleoptera: Carabidae): Unexpected clades, isolated lineages, and morphological convergence

Using data from two nuclear ribosomal genes and four nuclear protein-coding genes, we infer a well-resolved phylogeny of major lineages of the carabid beetle supertribe Trechitae, based upon a sampling of 259 species. Patrobini is the sister group of Trechitae, but the genus Lissopogonus appears to be outside of the Patrobini + Trechitae clade. We find that four enigmatic trechite genera from the Southern Hemisphere, Bembidarenas, Argentinatachoides, Andinodontis, and Tasmanitachoides, form a clade that is the sister group of Trechini; we describe this clade as a new tribe, Bembidarenini. Bembidarenini + Trechini form the sister group of remaining trechites. Within Trechini, subtribe Trechodina is not monophyletic, as three trechodine genera from Australia (Trechobembix, Paratrechodes, Cyphotrechodes) are the sister group of subtribe Trechina. Trechini appears to have originated in the continents of the Southern Hemisphere, with almost all Northern Hemisphere lineages representing a single radiation within the subtribe Trechina. We present moderate evidence that the geographically and phylogenetically isolated genera Sinozolus (six species in the mountains of China), Chaltenia (one species in Argentina and Chile), and Phrypeus (one species in western North America) also form a clade, the tribe Sinozolini. The traditionally recognized tribe Bembidiini sens. lat., diagnosed by the presence of a subulate terminal palpomere, is shown to be polyphyletic; subulate palpomeres have arisen five times within Trechitae. Anillini is monophyletic, and the sister group of Tachyini + Pogonini + Bembidiini + Zolini + Sinozolini; within anillines, we confirm earlier results indicating the eyed New Zealand genus Nesamblyops as the sister to the rest. Sampled New World Pogonini are monophyletic, rendering the genus Pogonus non-monophyletic. Tachyina and Xystosomina are sister groups. Within Xystosomina, the New World members are monophyletic, and are sister to an Australia-New Zealand clade. The latter consists of the genus Philipis as well as taxa not previously recognized as xystosomines: Kiwitachys, the "Tachys" ectromioides group, and "Tachys" mulwalensis. Within Tachyina, the subgenus Elaphropus is not closely related to other subgenera previously placed in the genus Elaphropus; we move the other subgenera into the genus Tachyura. Tachyina with a bifoveate mentum do not form a clade; in fact, a bifoveate mentum is found in Xystosomina, Sinozolini, Trechini, Trechitae and its sister group, Patrobini. Extensive homoplasy in the morphological characters previously used as key indicators of relationship is supported by our results: in addition to multiple origins of subulate palpomeres and bifoveate menta, a concave protibial notch has arisen independently in Anillina, Xystosomina, and Tachyina. Phylogenetically and geographically isolated, species-poor lineages in Trechini, Bembidarenini, and Sinozolini may be relicts of more widespread faunas; many of these are found today on gravel or sand shores of creeks and rivers, which may be an ancestral habitat for portions of Trechitae. In addition to the description of Bembidarenini, we present a diagnosis of the newly delimited Sinozolini, and keys to the tribes of Trechitae.

The Impact of the Carrot Rust Fly and Carrot Weevil Integrated Pest Management Program on the Ground-Dwelling Beetle Complex in Commercial Carrot Fields at the Holland Marsh, Ontario, Canada

Carrot rust fly (CRF), Psila rosae (Fabricius, 1794) (Psilidae: Diptera) and carrot weevil (CW), Listronotus oregonensis (Le Conte, 1857) (Curculionidae: Coleoptera) are economic pests of carrot; larval tunneling on roots results in direct damage rendering the carrot unmarketable. The Holland Marsh in Ontario, Canada, is a major carrot production area. The ground-dwelling beetle (Coleoptera) fauna in commercial carrot fields in this region has not been described. In 2015 and 2016, eight commercial carrot fields were surveyed using pitfall traps to determine abundance and diversity of the ground-dwelling beetle complex. Research sites, which were used to evaluate the effectiveness of an existing integrated pest management (IPM) program, were also surveyed to determine the impacts of the IPM program on the natural enemy diversity, compared to insecticide-free sites. In total, 50 taxa and 4,127 individual ground-dwelling beetles were identified over the course of the 2 y. Known natural enemies of CRF and CW were identified and recovered in abundance. The abundance and diversity of ground-dwelling beetles among the commercial carrot fields varied greatly in 2015 and 2016 but was similar on research sites sprayed according to the IPM program compared to insecticide-free sites in both years. The importance of this research to promote conservation biological control through the naturalization of nonagricultural areas is discussed.

The Dromiusina Bonelli, 1810 of southwestern Saudi Arabia with description of a new species (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Lebiini)

In this paper, species of the subtribe Dromiusina Bonelli, 1810 from southwestern Saudi Arabia are revised. Eleven species in six genera (Calodromius, Dromius, Mesolestes, Metadromius, Microlestes, and Zolotarevskyella) are recognized. Dromius saudiarabicus Rasool, Abdel-Dayem and Felix, sp. n. is newly described species from Rayda Nature Reserve Asir province. The presence of Metadromius ephippiatus in Saudi Arabia is doubtful. A key is also provided to genera and species level for Dromiusina of Saudi Arabia.

Higher Beetle Diversity in Native Vegetation Than in Stands of the Invasive Arundo, Arundo donax L., along the Rio Grande Basin in Texas, USA

Within the cattle fever tick quarantine zone along the Rio Grande, a steady displacement of native vegetation by Arundo donax L. has been occurring for over a century. Arundo rapidly grows to a height of 3-6 m creating a dense wall of vegetation impeding surveillance and interception of stray cattle breaching the cattle fever tick quarantine from Mexico. Additionally, arundo monocultures may decrease the number and diversity of predatory beetles feeding on cattle fever ticks. To compare predatory beetle abundance and diversity within and between arundo and native vegetation, beetles were trapped at 10 locations twice a month for 16 mo (=38,400 trap nights) in the cattle fever tick quarantine zone along the Mexico-American border between Brownsville and Del Rio, TX. In total, 766 beetles were trapped, which included 34 genera and 43 species. Native vegetation provided more beetles, greater species richness, and increased biological diversity. Thus, greater beetle diversity was found in the more complex native vegetation compared with arundo stands. However, because predatory beetle sample numbers were modest, it is unlikely these mostly polyphagous, opportunistic arthropod predators would apply much pressure on tick populations, leading us to conclude that beetle predation would have little effect on tick populations in native vegetation or within stands of arundo.

Boundaries in ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and environmental variables at the edges of forest patches with residential developments

Background

Few studies of edge effects on wildlife objectively identify habitat edges or explore non-linear responses. In this paper, we build on ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) research that has begun to address these domains by using triangulation wombling to identify boundaries in beetle community structure and composition at the edges of forest patches with residential developments. We hypothesized that edges are characterized by boundaries in environmental variables that correspond to marked discontinuities in vegetation structure between maintained yards and forest. We expected environmental boundaries to be associated with beetle boundaries.

Methods

We collected beetles and measured environmental variables in 200 m by 200 m sampling grids centered at the edges of three forest patches, each with a rural, suburban, or urban context, in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. We identified boundaries within each grid at two spatial scales and tested their significance and overlap using boundary statistics and overlap statistics, respectively. We complemented boundary delineation with k-means clustering.

Results

Boundaries in environmental variables, such as temperature, grass cover, and leaf litter depth, occurred at or near the edges of all three sites, in many cases at both scales. The beetle variables that exhibited the most pronounced boundary structure in relation to edges were total species evenness, generalist abundance, generalist richness, generalist evenness, and Agonum punctiforme abundance. Environmental and beetle boundaries also occurred within forest patches and residential developments, indicating substantial localized spatial variation on either side of edges. Boundaries in beetle and environmental variables that displayed boundary structure at edges significantly overlapped, as did boundaries on either side of edges. The comparison of boundaries and clusters revealed that boundaries formed parts of the borders of patches of similar beetle or environmental condition.

Discussion

We show that edge effects on ground beetle community structure and composition and environmental variation at the intersection of forest patches and residential developments can be described by boundaries and that these boundaries overlap in space. However, our results also highlight the complexity of edge effects in our system: environmental boundaries were located at or near edges whereas beetle boundaries related to edges could be spatially disjunct from them; boundaries incompletely delineated edges such that only parts of edges were well-described by sharp transitions in beetle and/or environmental variables; and the occurrence of boundaries related to edges was apparently influenced by individual property management practices, site-specific characteristics such as development geometry, and spatial scale.

Omoglymmius (s. str.) wukong sp. n., a new species from Xizang, China (Coleoptera, Rhysodidae, Omoglymmiini)

Omoglymmius (s. str.) wukongsp. n. (Coleoptera: Rhysodidae: Omoglymmiini) is described from Xizang, China. Relevant morphological characters of the new species are illustrated with colour plates, and known distribution of the subgenus Omoglymmius in the Himalayan region is mapped.

Revision of Hemiquedius Casey (Staphylinidae, Staphylininae) and a review of beetles dependent on beavers and muskrats in North America

Based on newly discovered characters on the male genitalia, external morphology and an accumulation of ecological data, we revise the single member of the genus Hemiquedius. Two new species, H. infinitus Brunke & Smetana, sp. n. and H. castoris Brunke & Smetana, sp. n., from eastern North America are described, and H. ferox (LeConte), restricted to peninsular Florida, is re-described. Hemiquedius castoris is strongly associated with the microhabitats provided by nest materials of the North American beaver and muskrat. A key to the three species of Hemiquedius is provided and diagnostic characters are illustrated. We also review the beetles known to be obligate associates of beavers and muskrats, and discuss the potential role of these keystone vertebrates in beetle evolution and distribution. Based on nest-associated beetles and their closest living relatives, beaver and muskrat lodges may extend distributions northward by moderating winters, promote sympatric speciation and act as refugia against extinction of lineages on a broader timescale. Further research into these potential impacts by ecologists and evolutionary biologists is encouraged.

A taxonomic review of the Selenophori group (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Harpalini) in the West Indies, with descriptions of new species and notes about classification and biogeography

Primarily a taxonomic review of the West Indian elements of the selenophorine Harpalini, this paper includes a classification, a key, descriptions and illustrations of taxa, re-rankings, and new synonymies. In total, 45 species and subspecies are treated, six of which are described as new. A new genus and new species are as follows, with type localities in parentheses: Paraulacoryssusgen. n., (type species Selenophorus puertoricensis Mutchler, 1934); Neodiachipteryx davidsonisp. n., (Zamba, Dominican Republic); Selenophorus spinosussp. n., seriatoporus species group (Benjamin Constant, state of Amazonas, Brazil); Selenophorus obtusoidessp. n., parumpunctatus species group (near Soroa, Pinar del Rio Province, Cuba); Selenophorus ivieisp. n., nonseriatus species group (Big River, Montserrat, 16°45.719N', 62°11.335W'); Selenophorus irecsp. n., nonseriatus species group (Vernou, Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles); and Selenophorus fabriciisp. n., opalinus species group (Cabo Rojo, Pedernales Province, Dominican Republic). This last species was misidentified as Selenophorus integer (Fabricius). In turn, that species was misidentified as Selenophorus chalybeus Dejean. Selenophorus chalybeus Dejean is a junior synonym of Selenophorus integer Fabricius, syn. n.; and Isopleurus macleayi Kirby is a junior synonym of Selenophorus pyritosus Dejean, syn. n. Biogeographically, log of land area plotted against log of number of species shows that the equilibrium theory of biogeography applies to the West Indian selenophorine fauna. Taxonomically, the selenophorine taxa of the West Indies are arranged in eight genera. The 30 species/subspecies of Selenophorus (sensu stricto) are arranged in 10 species groups. Geographically, the major sources of the selenophorines are the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles and Lesser Antilles. The West Indian islands probably have been invaded by 26 taxa. Of the currently extant taxa, 11 are classified as immigrant, meaning that they are represented both in the islands and on the mainland (South America or Middle America and southern Florida). Thirty three taxa are classified as precinctive, meaning that they originated where they are now living, the implication being that they have descended from immigrants, thus older in the islands than the current-day immigrants. It is postulated that the West Indian taxa represent three age groups: oldest, ancestors having reached the proto-Antilles by a landspan known as GAARlandia; a middle-age group (Neogene period), their ancestors having reached the islands by dispersal over water, between islands; and a young group of extant taxa, no older than the Pleistocene, also having reached the islands over water.

Additions to the knowledge of Nevada carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and a preliminary list of carabids from the Great Basin National Park

Background

Additions to the list of Carabidae known for Nevada, USA and carabid beetles found in the Great Basin National Park, NV are reported with notes on ecology and identification resources.

New information

For 79 species of carabids, we present 57 new state records, two state records previously reported in online resources, one confirmation of a previous questionable record for the state, and report 22 records for the Great Basin National Park that includes three new state records.

The ground beetle genus Bembidion Latreille in Baltic amber: Review of preserved specimens and first 3D reconstruction of endophallic structures using X-ray microscopy (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Bembidiini)

The ground beetle genus Bembidion is a highly diverse group of small predators with more than 1.200 described extant species. In contrast, only two representatives of Bembidion are known from the amber fossil record and their position within this mega-diverse genus is dubious. Here, we address the taxonomic position of these two extinct Bembidion species (B. succini Giebel, 1856 and B. christelae Ortuño & Arillo, 2010). Based on the insufficient description and the missing type specimen, B. succini, nomen dubium, cannot be assigned to the genus Bembidion and/or to the tribe Bembidiini with certainty. The subgenus Archaeophilochthus Ortuño & Arillo, 2010 was erected for the second extinct species, B. christelae, based on external characters. However, this species seems indistinguishable to members of the earlier described subgenus Philochthemphanes Netolitzky, 1943 which comprises about extant 10 species distributed in East and Southeast Asia. Furthermore, we describe two new species, B. bukejsisp. n. and B. alekseevisp. n., from the Eocene Baltic amber using X-ray microscopy. Based on external and genital morphology including endophallic structures, we erected the monotypic subgenus Eodontium subgen. n. for B. bukejsisp. n., which is probably related to the subgenera Andrewesa Netolitzky, 1931, the Hydrium complex, or the Odontium series sensu Maddison (2012). On the other hand, B. alekseevisp. n. can be assigned to the subgenus Eupetedromus Netolitzky, 1911. The occurrence of representatives of at least two species groups adapted to a temperate climate suggests the presence of at least locally temperate climates in Baltic amber forests.