ABSTRACT
'Carabidologists do it all' (Niemelä 1996a) is a phrase with which most European carabidologists are familiar. Indeed, during the last half a century, professional and amateur entomologists have contributed enormously to our understanding of the basic biology of carabid beetles. The success of the field is in no small part due to regular European Carabidologists' Meetings, which started in 1969 in Wijster, the Netherlands, with the 14th meeting again held in the Netherlands in 2009, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first meeting and 50 years of long-term research in the Dwingelderveld. This paper offers a subjective summary of some of the major developments in carabidology since the 1960s. Taxonomy of the family Carabidae is now reasonably established, and the application of modern taxonomic tools has brought up several surprises like elsewhere in the animal kingdom. Progress has been made on the ultimate and proximate factors of seasonality and timing of reproduction, which only exceptionally show non-seasonality. Triggers can be linked to evolutionary events and plausibly explained by the "taxon cycle" theory. Fairly little is still known about certain feeding preferences, including granivory and ants, as well as unique life history strategies, such as ectoparasitism and predation on higher taxa. The study of carabids has been instrumental in developing metapopulation theory (even if it was termed differently). Dispersal is one of the areas intensively studied, and results show an intricate interaction between walking and flying as the major mechanisms. The ecological study of carabids is still hampered by some unresolved questions about sampling and data evaluation. It is recognised that knowledge is uneven, especially concerning larvae and species in tropical areas. By their abundance and wide distribution, carabid beetles can be useful in population studies, bioindication, conservation biology and landscape ecology. Indeed, 40 years of carabidological research have provided so much data and insights, that among insects - and arguably most other terrestrial organisms - carabid beetles are one of the most worthwhile model groups for biological studies.
ABSTRACT
Over a seven year period from 1991 to 1997, 22 species of tiger beetles, representing nine genera, were recorded near Manaus, Brazil. In the Whitewaterfloodplains along the Rio Solimões-Amazonas (Ilha de Marchantaria), three diurnal species inhabit inundation forests and six species (two diurnal, four nocturnal) live in open areas. Data on their natural history and adaptation to living conditions in floodplains are presented. Fifteen species were located on non-flooded uplands (Reserva Florestal A. Ducke). Five diurnal species inhabit the forest floor, two species are canopy dwellers, and eight species (seven diurnal, one nocturnal) live in open areas on whitesand or laterite. Only one species, Pentacomia lacordairei, was found in both floodplain and upland forests. A key to the larvae of tiger beetle genera located near Manaus is presented.
Durante um período de sete anos (1991-1997), 22 espécies de cicindelídeos, representando 9 gêneros, foram encontradas perto de Manaus, Brasil. Nas várzeas ao longo do Rio Solimões-Amazonas (Ilha de Marchantaria), três espécies diurnas habitam as florestas inundáveis e seis espécies (duas diurnas, quatro noturnas) vivem nas áreas abertas. Apresenta-se dados sobre sua história natural e suas adaptações às condições de vida nas áreas alagáveis. Quinze espécies foram localizadas na terra firme (Reserva Florestal A. Ducke). Cinco espécies diurnas habitam o chão da floresta, duas espécies a copa de árvores, e oito espécies (sete diurnas, uma noturna) vivem em áreas abertas sob areia branca ou sob laterita. Somente uma espécie, Pentacomia lacordairei, foi encontrada nas florestas inundáveis e da terra firme. Apresenta-se uma chave para os gêneros das larvas de cicindelídeos localizadas perto de Manaus.
ABSTRACT
Two canopies of a widely distributed Amazonian tree species, Goupia glabra Aubl. (Celastraceae, height 38 and 45m) were fogged several times with 1% natural pyrethrum during the rainy and dry seasons (1991-1994) in the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve near Manaus/Brazil. Between 50 and 158 ind./m2 of arthropods were obtained per tree and fogging event. Hymenoptera, mostly Formicidae, and Diptcra dominated. A total of 95 ant species occurred on a single tree. Most ants were permanently foraging in the canopy and their recolonization after fogging seems to follow stochastic pathways. Data indicated an interaction between - 1) predating Formicidae and gall building Cecidomyiidae and - 2) Cecidomyiidae and the parasitic Hymenoptera.
Duas copas de uma espécie de árvore amplamente distribuída na Amazônia, Goupia glabra Aubl. (Celastraceae, altura 38 e 45m) foram renebulizadas várias vezes com píretro natural 1%, durante o período chuvoso e seco (1991-94) na Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke próximo de Manaus/Brasil. Entre 50 e 158 ind./m2 de artrópodos foram obtidos por árvore e evento de nebulização. Hymenoptera, na sua maioria Formicidae, e Diptera dominaram. Um total de 95 espécies de formigas ocorreram numa única árvore. A maioria das formigas estava permanentemente forrageando na copa e a sua recolonização depois a nebulização parece seguir vias estocásticas. Os dados sugerem uma interação entre Formicidae e Cecidomyiidae (construindo galhas) e Cecidomyiidae e Hymenoptera parasítica.
ABSTRACT
The spatial and temporal distribution of a guild of eight diurnal tiger beetle species was studied on a 105 m long transect near the field station of the Reserva Florestal A. Ducke near Manaus (AM), Brazil. The transect followed a path that included both shaded and an open areas. Five of the species, restricted to primary forest, occurrred only in shaded areas of the transect, and three species occurred in open areas. Of all eight species only two of the open habitat species showed no clear seasonality in adult activity. In six species the activity of adults was limited to the rainy season. The most pronounced annual rhythm was found in Pentacomia ventralis, an open habitat species. Activity of adults was limited to October/November. First in-star larvae appeared shortly thereafter. Larval development mainly took place from January to May. The third instar larva entered a dormancy which lasted up to 10 months, and which enabled the synchronisation of emerging adults with annual seasons.
A distribuição espacial e temporal de uma associação de cicindelídeos diurnos foi estudada num transecto de 105 m próximo à estação de campo da Reserva Florestal A. Ducke, perto de Manaus (AM), Brasil. O transecto seguiu uma trilha, incluindo áreas sombrias e ensolaradas. Cinco das espécies, restritas à floresta primária, ocorreram somente nas áreas sombrias do transecto, e três espécies ocorreram em áreas abertas. Das oito espécies, somente duas, dos habitats abertos, não mostraram uma distinta atividade sazonal. Em seis espécies, a atividade foi restrita à época de chuva. O ritmo anual mais pronunciado foi constatado para Pentacomia ventralis, uma espécie de habitats abertos. A atividade de adultos foi limitada a Outubro/Novembro. Larvas do primeiro estádio apareceram logo em seguida. O principal desenvolvimento larval foi de Janeiro até Maio. A larva do terceiro estádio entrou em dormência, com uma duração de até 10 meses, possibilitando assim a sincronização da eclosão dos adultos com as estações do ano.
ABSTRACT
When exposed to continuous darkness at a temperature of 20°C, the mean annual temperature in its biotope, Broscus laevigatus Dej. needs nearly 1 year for its complete development. 7-8 of this are needed for the maturation of the gonads.Continuous darkness combined with a temperature of 30°C delays the maturation of the gonads whereas it is accelerated if this exposure to 30°C is followed by exposure to 20°C.A period of long days with 14/10h-L/D retards the development of the gonads in B. laevigatus. If a period of long days is followed by one of short days with 10/14h-L/D maturation of the gonads is accelerated.Middle European photoperiods have a stronger influence on the development of the gonads than the North African photoperiods.The propagation rhythm of this North African carabid beetl shows marked relations to Middle-European species characterized by autumn propagation and aestivation.
ABSTRACT
The larvae of the North African winter breeders Broscus laevigatus and Orthomus atlanticus survive a temperature of 30° C and a relative atmospheric humidity of 75% only briefly. The first larval instar of O. atlanticus is particularly sensitive to dehydration. It does not live longer than the corresponding larval instar of the Central European species Pterostichus angustatus Dft.Examinations at a temperature of 20° C and a relative atmospheric humidity of 75% proved that the first larval instar of Br. laevigatus is well adapted to these conditions and on average remains alive for 121.7 hours, as against 19.6 hours at a temperature of 30° C. This is regarded as adaptability to the short periods of drought which still occur at the beginning of the rainy season. In their first stage the larvae of O. atlanticus die after as little as 4.5 hours.The two species develop at a low temperature which corresponds to the average winter temperature in the Cyrenaika (Libya, North Africa). Susceptibility to drought at high temperatures and the absence of the low temperatures they need for their development prevent Br. laevigatus and O. atlanticus from breeding during the North African summer.As the larvae of O. atlanticus in their first stage of development are susceptible to dehydration, reproduction in this species is mainly limited to the winter. Its different stages of development withstand high temperatures better than those of B. laevigatus. On account to the poor adaptability of its larval stages to high temperatures B. laevigatus is forced to propagate during the winter. Low temperatures (14° C) during the first larval instars accelerate the development of the third instar of the two species at a temperature of 20° C and reduce the mortality rate of O. atlanticus considerably. The accelerated development caused by low temperatures reflects in a somewhat lesser degree the larval diapause of the autumn breeders that live in the temperature zones.
ABSTRACT
In a 30 km deep coastal area of the Cyrenaika (Libya) a total of 28 species of carabids was collected on regular excursions in 1967 and 1968. In midsummer almost no carabids were caught. They appeared at the beginning of autumn and were caught in winter regularly in equal numbers. During March, April and May the number of catches increased considerably. Using ground traps no more than two species (Carterus silvestrii, Pristonychus picicornis) were caught and that only from December to May. From the pattern of their occurrence we can conclude that in the Cyrenaika carabid beetles propagate mainly during the winter.By examining the gonads, catching larvae and breeding, it was possible to prove that the speciesBroscus laevigatus, Harpalus litigiosus ssp.cyrenaicus andPristonychus picicornis propagate in winter. Examination of the gonads also indicates a winter propagation of the speciesPterostichus barbarus andLaemostenus complanatus ssp.cyrenaicus. It is not certain, however, thatCarterus silvestrii propagates during the winter.The speciesCalathus fuscipes andCalathus mollis from the temperate northern regions, which are known as autumn breeders, were caught in Libya too, which indicates a relation between the autumn breeders of Middle and Northern Europe and the 'winter breeders' of the South Mediterranean countries. The presence ofPogonus chalceus in Libya strongly suggests that, in certain biotopes, spring breeders may develop besides the dominant autumn breeders.
ABSTRACT
The emergence times of the following species of Carabid beetles were investigated in a long day of LD 18/6: Agonum assimile Payk., Pterostichus angustatus Dft., P. nigrita F., and P. oblongopunctatus F.The hatching of the beetles was examined by means of an automatically controlled photorecorder.In one series of experiments flash-light was used for taking photographs. In a second series photographs were taken only during the light phase by the light of a fluorescent tube of the same type as used for the illumination of the breeding chamber.Both series of experiments produced no evidence of the existence of a typical emergence rhythm in the four Carabid species. In each species the number of beetles hatched per hour is slightly greater during the phtophase than during the scotophase. This difference was statistically significant only for P. angustatus. From this it is concluded that some Carabid species have a latent capability for synchronization of emergence by a light dark change.The sexes of P. angustatus show no difference in the distribution of their emergence times.
