ABSTRACT
Resumen Introducción: El uso de artrópodos en estudios ecológicos en el bosque seco tropical (Bs-T) de Colombia se centra mayormente en arañas, mariposas, hormigas y escarabajos coprófagos; por lo tanto, es necesario comprender como es la dinámica estacional de otros grupos como Geadephaga en este ecosistema. Objetivo: Evaluar la variación espacio-temporal y el efecto de las condiciones ambientales sobre la diversidad de las comunidades de Geadephaga en dos fragmentos de Bs-T en el Caribe colombiano. Métodos: El estudio se llevó a cabo en cuatro eventos de muestreo entre febrero y junio de 2018; cada uno con una duración de cuatro días y cuatro noches. En cada localidad (Reserva Campesina La Montaña = RCM y Reserva La Flecha = RLF), se marcaron cuatro estaciones distanciadas 350 m, con parcelas de 50×50 m. En el centro de cada parcela se instaló una trampa de luz, mientras que en los cuatro vértices se instalaron trampas de caída, y se realizó captura manual, cernido de hojarasca y perturbación de follaje. Resultados: Se capturó un total de 348 ejemplares de Carabidae y 114 de Cicindelidae. La riqueza y la abundancia presentaron los valores más bajos durante el período seco, mientras que los mayores valores se observaron durante el período de lluvias, en ambos fragmentos. Tetracha affinis (Dejean, 1825) fue la especie más abundante en la RCM durante el período lluvioso. Conclusiones: La variación de la riqueza y abundancia de Geadephaga responde a un patrón estacional en ambos fragmentos. Se encontró una amplia disimilitud entre las comunidades de Geadephaga de ambos fragmentos, pese a tener condiciones ambientales parecidas.
Abstract Introduction: The use of arthropods in ecological studies in the tropical dry forest (TDF) of Colombia focused mainly on spiders, butterflies, ants, and dung beetles; therefore, it is necessary to understand the seasonal dynamics of the other groups such as Geadephaga in this ecosystem. Objective: To evaluate the spatio-temporal variations and the effect of environmental conditions on the diversity of the Geadephaga communities in two TDF fragments in the Colombian Caribbean. Methods: This study was conducted during four sampling events between February and June 2018, each lasting four days, and four nights. Four sampling stations were selected in each locality (Reserva Campesina La Montaña = RCM and Reserva La Flecha = RLF), separated 350 m one from another, with square plots of 50 × 50 m. A light trap was installed in the center of each square, while pitfall traps were installed in the four vertices, and manual capture, beating sheets and leaf litter sieve were carried out. Results: A total of 348 Carabidae and 114 of Cicindelidae were captured. In both fragments, the richness and abundance presented the lowest values in dry season, while the highest values were observed during the rainy season. Tetracha affinis (Dejean, 1825) was the most abundant species in RCM during rainy season. Conclusions: The richness variation and abundance of Geadephaga corresponds to a seasonal pattern at both locations. A high dissimilarity between the communities of Geadephaga from the two fragments was found, despite having similar environmental conditions.
Subject(s)
Animals , Coleoptera/classification , Sampling Studies , Colombia , BiodiversityABSTRACT
Lophyra flexuosa, a eurytopic tiger beetle characterized by long phenological activity, wide geographic and altitudinal distribution, and occurring in the highest number of habitats among all Cicindelidae known from North Africa, was chosen to study its geographic variation in morphology and sexual dimorphism. Here, we found significant sexual dimorphism exhibited in larger body size of females and longer mandibles in males, which can be explained by different roles of particular sexes in courtship. Moreover, we recorded significant differences in body sizes between western and eastern Maghreb populations which could suggest genetic isolation between these populations. As the species is related to habitats placed close to the water reservoirs, which in the desert countries are under significant human pressure (including climate change), we expect a reduction of habitat occupied by this taxon. Therefore, the geographic morphological variability that we observe today in the tiger beetle Lophyra flexuosa in the future could lead to speciation.
ABSTRACT
Two new tiger beetle taxa, Cylindera germanica erzincana ssp. nov. Boetzl Franzen, 2020 from eastern Anatolia and Cylindera germanica persiana ssp. nov. Boetzl Franzen, 2020 from southern Iran are described based on morphological characters. We present the current knowledge on the distribution of C. germanica (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Middle East and present a first record of C. germanica muelleri (Magistretti, 1966) for Turkey. An identification key for the subspecies of C. germanica occurring in the Middle East is provided.
Subject(s)
Coleoptera , AnimalsABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Classification/methods , Coleoptera/genetics , DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics , Phylogeography , Animals , Coleoptera/classification , DNA, Mitochondrial/classification , Genetic Variation , Genome, Insect/genetics , Haplotypes/genetics , Life History Traits , Mitochondria/genetics , Phenotype , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
All larval instars of the tiger beetle species Cylindera (Eugrapha) contorta (Fleutiaux) are described for the first time based on material from Southern Ukraine (Kherson Region). New data on habitat preferences, ecology and bionomy for adults and larvae of C. contorta are listed. Larval characters are differentiated for all instars of species in the subgenus Eugrapha and some other Palearctic genera of the subtribe Cicindelina. The key for second and third instar of all known larvae of Eugrapha is given.
Subject(s)
Coleoptera , Animals , Ecology , Ecosystem , Larva , UkraineABSTRACT
The tiger beetles (Carabidae: Cicindelinae) include about 2,822 species and 120 genera around the world. They are one of the most widely studied families of Coleoptera. However, the knowledge about their immature stages is incipient and usually restricted to the larval stages. Pupal characteristics have been among the most ignored aspects of tiger beetle biology. Here we compile and update the current knowledge of tiger beetle pupae.
Subject(s)
Coleoptera , Animals , Larva , PupaABSTRACT
Se registra un nuevo espécimen de Langea euprosopides W. Horn, 1901 en la región Cusco (Perú). El género Langea W. Horn contiene tres especies. Debido a la falta de observaciones de miembros de este género en su ambiente natural, se desconocen sus hábitos, ciclo biológico y sus estadios de ciclo de vida. El género es aparentemente endémico del Perú. Se presentan algunos datos sobre el posible sustrato de captura y un mapa de distribución de la especie en el Perú.
A new specimen of Langea euprosopides W. Horn, 1901 is recorded from the Cusco region of Perú. The genus Langea W. Horn presently contains three species. Due to a lack of observations of members of this genus in the wild, its habits, natural history and life cycle stages are unknown. The genus is apparently endemic to Perú. Some data on the likely capture substrate and a distribution map of the species in Perú are presented
ABSTRACT
The Australian salt lakes are a natural archipelago-like laboratory for investigating evolutionary and population processes. Their environmental conditions have not undergone relevant changes since the aridification of Australia 10-5 million years ago. The genus Pseudotetracha, a group of nocturnal tiger beetles found on these remote salt lakes, includes 20 described species. Recent studies based on molecular markers and cytogenetics hinted at the existence of cryptic species within this group. Here we use various species delimitation algorithms to detect a high number of cryptic and undescribed taxa, and challenge the validity of the taxonomic characters traditionally used for discerning species in this group. Our analyses show that the divergence dates of the clades, between 10 and 5 million years ago, correspond to the period in which Australia was undergoing an aridification process that probably isolated the ancestral Pseudotetracha populations to individual lakes or palaeodrainage basins. This implies an important role of the isolation, produced by the aridification of Australia, in the speciation and divergence of Pseudotetracha, which underwent a remarkable radiation as the populations became geographically restricted.
Subject(s)
Biological Evolution , Coleoptera/classification , Desert Climate , Islands , Lakes , Animals , Australia , Bayes Theorem , Coleoptera/anatomy & histology , Coleoptera/genetics , Likelihood Functions , Models, Theoretical , Phylogeny , Phylogeography , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
Based on field studies, museums collections and literature sources, the current knowledge of the tiger beetle fauna of Israel and adjacent lands is presented. In Israel eight species occur, one of them with two subspecies, while in the Sinai Peninsula nine species of tiger beetles are now known. In the combined regions seven genera from two tribes were found. The Rift Valley with six cicindelids species is the most specious region of Israel. Cylindera contorta valdenbergi and Cicindela javeti azari have localized distributions and should be considered regional endemics. A similarity analysis of the tiger beetles faunas of different regions of Israel and the Sinai Peninsula reveal two clusters of species. The first includes the Great Rift Valley and most parts of the Sinai Peninsula, and the second incorporates most regions of Israel together with Central Sinai Foothills. Five distinct adult phenological groups of tiger beetles can be distinguished in these two clusters: active all-year (three species), spring-fall (five species), summer (two species), spring-summer (one species) and spring (one species). The likely origins of the tiger beetle fauna of this area are presented. An annotated list and illustrated identification key of the Cicindelinae of Israel and adjacent lands are provided.
ABSTRACT
The tiger beetle fauna of the Maghreb region is one of the richest in the Palaearctic, including 22 species and 5 subspecies and 19% of all Palaearctic species of Cicindelinae. Assembled to their chorotypes, the Maghreb tiger beetles fall into eight different groups that include Maghreb endemics (26% of fauna), Mediterranean (7%), West Mediterranean (40%), North African (4%), Mediterranean-Westturanian (4%), West Palaearctic (4%), Afrotropico-Indo-Mediterranean (4%), and Saharian (11%) species. The Mediterranean Sclerophyl and Atlas Steppe are the Maghreb biogeographical provinces with the highest species richness, while the Sahara Desert has the lowest Cicindelinae diversity. Twenty-five cicindelid species and subspecies (93% of Maghreb fauna) are restricted to only one or two habitat types in lowland areas. Only Calomeralittoralislittoralis and Lophyraflexuosaflexuosa are recognized as eurytopic species and occur in three types of habitat. The highest tiger beetle diversity characterizes salt marshes and river banks (in both cases 11 species and subspecies or 41% of Maghreb fauna). Approximately 85% of all Maghreb tiger beetle species and subspecies are found in habitats potentially endangered by human activity.
ABSTRACT
The Brasiella tiger beetle fauna on Hispaniola, the second largest island of the Greater Antilles, has more species diversity than currently recognized as all populations previously have been assigned to the insular endemic Brasiella dominicana (Mandl). A comparative study of adult morphology, particularly male genitalic and female abdominal characters, for available Brasiella specimens from populations on Hispaniola, proposes eight additional new species also endemic to this island. Except for three sympatric species in the Sierra de Baoruco in southern Dominican Republic occurring in different habitats, all the Brasiella on Hispaniola appear to be allopatric. Most species occur in the major mountainous regions of Hispaniola. Two species, however, are known only from river floodplains in the southern coastal plain of the Dominican Republic. Brasiella dominicana (Mandl) and Brasiella ocoa, new species, occur along river floodplains emanating from the eastern end of the Cordillera Central in the Dominican Republic. Two new Brasiella species, Brasiella bellorum, and Brasiella philipi, occur in the Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic, the former species from central portions, and the latter species from north slopes of this mountain range, respectively. Three new Brasiella species, Brasiella rawlinsi, Brasiella iviei, and Brasiella youngi, are isolated in the Sierra de Baoruco, Dominican Republic, where each occupies a different habitat along an altitudinal gradient. The two new Brasiella species in Haiti are Brasiella darlingtoniana, in the Massif de la Selle, and Brasiella davidsoni, in the Massif de la Hotte. All nine Brasiella species on Hispaniola, along with Brasiella viridicollis (Dejean) and its two subspecies on Cuba, belong to the viridicollis species group of the genus Brasiella based on criteria presented in earlier published phylogenetic studies of Brazilian and West Indian tiger beetles. The subspecies Brasiella viridicollis fernandozayasi (Kippenhan, Ivie and Hopp) may represent a distinct species within this species group, whereas removal of Brasiella wickhami (W. Horn) from this species group seems warranted based on evidence presented. A general overview of species relationships for the Brasiella on Hispaniola are discussed, along with the current and ancestral geographic distributions of the Brasiella viridicollis species group in the West Indies.
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
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
The daily movements of two co-occurring tiger beetle species were monitored in conjunction with changes in microclimate along streams in Northeast Arizona. Cicindela oregona and C. tranquebarica temporarily segregated across areas of beach exhibiting different microclimates. C. oregona progressively moved from the dry upper beach to the wet stream edge as beach temperatures increased and humidity decreased. The actively foraged throughout the day in this moist habitat at air temperatures between 25 and 38°C. C. tranquebarica remained on the dry, upper portions of the beach and shuttled between sun and shade at air temperatures above 35°C. Only when stream edge temperatures exceeded 30°C was tranquebarica found in this subhabitat. Both species exhibited physiological tolerances in the laboratory that were consistent with their microhabitat preferences in the field. Although both species had similar high lethal temperatures (47-48°C) in saturated air, oregona died at lower temperatures (39-43°C) than tranquebarica (46-47°C) under dry (0% RH) conditions. C. oregona was considerably more active than tranquebarica at body temperatures below 30°C and exhibited higher levels of active metabolism between 25 and 40°C. In addition, C. tranquebarica exhibited significantly lower water loss rates than oregona at 30, 35 and 40°C.
