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PeerJ 2024Many native insects have evolved defenses against native predators. However, their defenses may not protect them from non-native predators due to a limited shared...
Many native insects have evolved defenses against native predators. However, their defenses may not protect them from non-native predators due to a limited shared history. The American bullfrog, (Anura: Ranidae), which has been intentionally introduced to many countries, is believed to impact native aquatic animals through direct predation. Adults of whirligig beetles (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae), known for swimming and foraging on the water surface of ponds and streams, reportedly possess chemical defenses against aquatic predators, such as fish. Although whirligig beetles potentially encounter both bullfrogs and other frogs in ponds and lakes, the effectiveness of their defenses against frogs has been rarely studied. To assess whether whirligig beetles can defend against native and non-native frogs, we observed the behavioral responses of the native pond frog, (Anura: Ranidae), and the invasive non-native bullfrog, . , to native whirligig beetles, and , in Japan. Adults of whirligig beetles were provided to frogs under laboratory conditions. Forty percent of . and . were rejected by . , while all whirligig beetles were easily consumed by . . Chemical and other secondary defenses of . and . were effective for some individuals of . but not for any individuals of . . These results suggest that native whirligig beetles suffer predation by invasive non-native bullfrogs in local ponds and lakes in Japan.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Introduced Species; Predatory Behavior; Japan; Ranidae; Rana catesbeiana
PubMed: 38646489
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17214 -
Zootaxa Oct 2023A morphological study of the Western Palaearctic genus Leptocharis Reitter revealed remarkable differences between L. microphthalmus Meybohm and all remaining congeners....
A morphological study of the Western Palaearctic genus Leptocharis Reitter revealed remarkable differences between L. microphthalmus Meybohm and all remaining congeners. This species is the only Eurasian member of Stenichnini with the mesocoxae not separated by the mesoventral process. A new genus, Turkocharis gen. n., is proposed to accommodate L. microphthalmus. Morphological details of both Leptocharis and Turkocharis are illustrated and discussed, and the Nearctic genus Neladius Casey is indicated as morphologically most similar to the presumably closely related Leptocharis and Turkocharis. As the genus name Leptocharis is of a feminine grammatical gender, specific adjectives previously with masculine endings are corrected to Leptocharis algerica Besuchet, L. cretica (Pic), and Turkocharis microphthalma (Meybohm) comb. n. An updated key for identification of the Eurasian and New Guinean genera of Stenichnini is given.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Animal Distribution; Animal Structures; Body Size; Polychaeta
PubMed: 38220672
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5353.5.2 -
Journal of Environmental Management Jun 2024Conservation of biodiversity requires in-depth knowledge of trait-environment interactions to understand the influence the environment has on species assemblages....
Conservation of biodiversity requires in-depth knowledge of trait-environment interactions to understand the influence the environment has on species assemblages. Saproxylic beetles exhibit a wide range of traits and functions in the forest ecosystems. Understanding their responses to surrounding environment thus improves our capacity to identify habitats that should be restored or protected. We investigated potential interactions between ecological traits in saproxylic beetles (feeding guilds and habitat preferences) and environmental variables (deadwood, type and age of surrounding forest). We sampled beetles from 78 plots containing newly created high stumps of Scots pine and Silver birch in boreal forest landscapes in Sweden for three consecutive years. Using a model based approach, our aim was to explore potential interactions between ecological traits and the surrounding environment at close and distant scale (20 m and 500 m radius). We found that broadleaf-preferring beetle species are positively associated with the local broadleaf-originated deadwood and broadleaf-rich forests in the surrounding landscapes. Conifer-preferring species are positively associated with the local amount of coniferous deadwood and young and old forests in the surrounding landscape. Fungivorous and predatory beetles are positively associated with old forests in the surrounding landscapes. Our results indicate that both local amounts of deadwood and types of forests in the landscape are important in shaping saproxylic beetle communities. We particularly highlight the need to increase deadwood amounts of various qualities in the landscape, exempt older forests from production and to increase broadleaf-rich habitats in order to meet different beetle species' habitat requirements. Trait responses among saproxylic beetles provide insights into the significance of broadleaf forest and dead wood as essential attributes in boreal forest restoration, which helps conservation planning and management in forest landscapes.
Topics: Animals; Biodiversity; Coleoptera; Forests; Conservation of Natural Resources; Ecosystem; Sweden
PubMed: 38733839
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121080 -
Zootaxa Aug 2023A new species, Xylodes (Diegous) korinae Zahradnk & Trzna sp. nov. (Bostrichoidea: Ptinidae, Ptininae, Ptinini), from east Madagascar is described, illustrated and...
A new species of Xylodes Waterhouse from Madagascar, with a key to the genera of the tribe Ptinini from Madagascar, Mascarenes and adjacent regions, and a key to species of Xylodes, subgenus Diegous (Coleoptera: Ptinidae).
A new species, Xylodes (Diegous) korinae Zahradnk & Trzna sp. nov. (Bostrichoidea: Ptinidae, Ptininae, Ptinini), from east Madagascar is described, illustrated and compared with other species from the subgenus Diegous Pic, 1896. Male and female genitalia are studied and illustrated. Keys to morphologically similar genera from Madagascar and adjacent areas, to both subgenera of the genus Xylodes Waterhouse, 1876, and to all species of the subgenus Diegous are presented. Ecological notes, including photographs of habitats of the new species are also provided.
Topics: Female; Male; Animals; Coleoptera; Madagascar; Genitalia, Female; Ecosystem; Animal Distribution
PubMed: 38220882
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5330.1.4 -
Zootaxa Jul 2023Austramastodus apterus gen. et sp. nov. from the Cape Range Peninsula, Australia (Western Australia) is described. This is the first Thaumastodinae recorded from...
Austramastodus apterus gen. et sp. nov. from the Cape Range Peninsula, Australia (Western Australia) is described. This is the first Thaumastodinae recorded from continental Australia and the only terrestrial member of the subfamily not associated with any permanent aquatic habitat. It is probably closely related to Pseudeucinetus Heller, 1921, which is widespread in the Paleartic, Oriental and Australian regions. The new genus is apterous and characterized by the transverse head, widely separated eyes (space between them being larger than an eye diameter) and non-forwardly projecting frons. A key to all known genera of Thaumastodinae is provided.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Australia; Ecosystem
PubMed: 37518407
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5315.6.3 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Sep 2023Developing sustainable control tools for managing noxious pests attacking stored foodstuffs is a timely research challenge. Acmella oleracea (L.) R. K. Jansen is a crop...
Developing sustainable control tools for managing noxious pests attacking stored foodstuffs is a timely research challenge. Acmella oleracea (L.) R. K. Jansen is a crop widely cultivated for its multiple usages on an industrial level. In this study, the extracts prepared with A. oleracea aerial parts were applied on wheat kernels for the management of eight important arthropod pests attacking stored products, i.e., Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Tenebrio molitor, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Trogoderma granarium, Tribolium castaneum, Tribolium confusum, Alphitobius diaperinus (adults/larvae), and Acarus siro (adults/nymphs). Extraction of A. oleracea was optimized on the base of the yield and content of spilanthol and other N-alkylamides which were analysed by HPLC-DAD-MS. Two concentrations of n-hexane or methanol extracts (500 ppm and 1000 ppm), obtained through Soxhlet extraction, were tested to acquire mortality data on the above-mentioned pests after 4, 8, and 16 h and 1 to 7 days of exposure. Both extracts achieved complete mortality (100.0%) of C. ferrugineus adults. In the case of A. diaperinus adults, mortalities were very low at any concentrations of both extracts. In general, the n-hexane extract was more efficient than methanol extract against almost all species and stages. Considering both extracts, the susceptibility order, from most to least susceptible species/stage, was C. ferrugineus adults > A. diaperinus larvae > C. ferrugineus larvae > T. granarium adults > T. molitor larvae > O. surinamensis adults > O. surinamensis larvae > T. confusum larvae > T. castaneum larvae > A. siro adults > T. molitor adults > A. siro nymphs > T. granarium larvae > T. castaneum adults > T. confusum adults > A. diaperinus adults. Our research provides useful knowledge on the efficacy of N-alkylamides-rich A. oleracea extracts as grain protectants, pointing out the importance of targeting the most susceptible species/ developmental stages.
Topics: Animals; Arthropods; Pesticides; Methanol; Coleoptera; Larva; Insecticides
PubMed: 37542017
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28577-8 -
Zootaxa Jul 2023Jan Bechyné described several genera within the species-rich subtribe Oedionychina Chapuis, 1875. A large part of his collection is housed at the Naturhistorisches...
Types of Cuyabasa Bechyné, Palmaraltica Bechyné and Rhynchasphaera Bechyné (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini: Oedionychina) of the Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel, with keys to species and descriptions of genitalia, and new combinations for species transferred to the oedionychine...
Jan Bechyné described several genera within the species-rich subtribe Oedionychina Chapuis, 1875. A large part of his collection is housed at the Naturhistorisches Museum Basel - Georg Frey holdings (NMB). Images of type specimens of the following species are provided: Cuyabasa chiquitoensis Bechyné, 1959, Cuyabasa gastrophysoides Bechyné, 1959, Cuyabasa minor (Bechyné, 1955), Palmaraltica heteronycha Bechyné, 1959, Rhynchasphaera basisticta Bechyné, 1958, Rhynchasphaera latipleura Bechyné, 1956 and Rhynchasphaera orophila Bechyné, 1955. Additionally, photographs of Palmaraltica yepezi Bechyné & Bechyné, 1969 and Palmaraltica tomentosa (Jacoby, 1880), comb. nov. are provided. Keys to species of the treated genera are provided, as well as notes on taxonomy and distribution. Lastly, the following new combinations are established: Palmaraltica tomentosa (Jacoby, 1880), Walterianella basimaculata (Jacoby, 1905), Walterianella dimidiaticornis (Jacoby, 1905), Walterianella discolor (Jacoby, 1886), Walterianella illigeri (Jacoby, 1886), Walterianella jansoni (Jacoby, 1886), Walterianella marginicollis (Jacoby, 1885), Walterianella montana (Jacoby, 1886) and Walterianella pavonina (Jacoby, 1892), all comb. nov.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Museums; Animal Structures; Genitalia
PubMed: 37518397
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5318.1.3 -
Zootaxa Nov 2023The tyrine species Tyrodes segrex Kurbatov, 1990, known from Far East Russia, is newly discovered from Japan, and Tyrodes amamianus sp. nov. is described from...
The tyrine species Tyrodes segrex Kurbatov, 1990, known from Far East Russia, is newly discovered from Japan, and Tyrodes amamianus sp. nov. is described from Amami-shima Is., Japan. Also, we suggest that some characteristics may be useful for the diagnosis of the genus and provide an updated diagnosis of Tyrodes segrex.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Japan; Animal Distribution
PubMed: 38220835
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5375.1.4 -
Scientific Reports Aug 2023Mutualistic interactions between organisms often mediate the innovation of traits essential to maintain the relationship. Yet our understanding of these interactions has...
Mutualistic interactions between organisms often mediate the innovation of traits essential to maintain the relationship. Yet our understanding of these interactions has been stymied due to various hurdles in studying the genetics of non-model animals. To understand the genetic mechanisms by which such traits develop, we examined the function of genes breathless (btl), trachealess (trh), and doublesex in the development of a novel fungus-carrying organ (mycangium) that facilitates an obligate relationship between fungus-farming ambrosia beetles and specific fungal partners. Gene knockdown by RNA interference and subsequent micro-computed tomography visualization suggest btl and trh are required for initiation of mycangia and that tubulogenesis may have been co-opted for early mycangial development.
Topics: Animals; Weevils; Coleoptera; Symbiosis; X-Ray Microtomography; Agriculture; Ambrosia; Dyspnea; Fungi
PubMed: 37640917
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40296-1 -
Journal of Economic Entomology Dec 2023Adult male cerambycid beetles of the subfamilies Cerambycinae and Lamiinae emit aggregation-sex pheromones that attract both sexes, and these chemicals can be utilized...
Adult male cerambycid beetles of the subfamilies Cerambycinae and Lamiinae emit aggregation-sex pheromones that attract both sexes, and these chemicals can be utilized for quarantine surveillance for related exotic species which produce the same or similar pheromones. Here, we assess how attraction of 7 cerambycid species to pheromone-baited traps was influenced by the release rates of synthesized pheromones from polyethylene sachet emitters. Compounds tested included racemic 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one, the (R)-enantiomer of which is the sole or major pheromone component of numerous cerambycine species, and 2 compounds that are pheromone components of many lamiine species: (E)-6,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-yl acetate (fuscumol acetate) and 6-methylhept-5-en-2-ol (sulcatol). We confirmed release rates of these compounds could be manipulated by varying the doses loaded into emitters. Various doses and concentrations, ranging from very dilute to the neat compounds, were then tested in field trials. Several species were most strongly attracted to the highest dose of a tested compound, one species to an intermediate dose, while another species was equally attracted regardless of dose. Our results demonstrate the importance of characterizing dose-response relationships for cerambycid species targeted by pheromone-based trapping.
Topics: Female; Male; Animals; Coleoptera; Pheromones; Sex Attractants; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Acetates
PubMed: 37878589
DOI: 10.1093/jee/toad193