Comparisons of two cryptic Ampedus species (Coleoptera: Elateridae) by using classical systematics, ecological niche modeling, and DNA barcoding.

The presence of cryptic species is one of the important problems in systematics. To deal with this systematic issue, certain approaches have been utilized. DNA sequencing is one of the common techniques for estimating biodiversity, such as DNA barcoding, which might reveal cryptic species. In this study, we explore how to identify two cryptic saproxylic species using a combination of general and aedeagus morphologies, distributional patterns (in provinces and altitude), specimen abundance, ecological niche modeling (ENM), and mtDNA sequencing data (for the endemic species Ampedus platiai and A. samedovi). The close relationship and validity of these species based on classical systematics was confirmed by the available literature and by Neighbor-Joining (NJ) analysis in Mega Software. Additionally, the DNA barcoding data acquired in this study also confirmed the species status of these species within the genus Ampedus. This also provides insights into classical systematics. ENMs for possible current and future distributional scenarios of endemic A. platiai and A. samedovi are created by Maxent Software. Possible suitable habitats in 2050 and 2070 for the species are calculated according to IPCC5 Climate scenarios. Precipitation seasonality (coefficient of variation) has the highest percentage contribution to the resulting prediction pattern for A. platiai (52.3), the mean temperature of the wettest quarter has the highest percentage contribution to the resulting prediction pattern for A. samedovi (42.7) respectively among used bioclimatic variables in ENM. Depending on the temperature increase in 2050 and 2070, the distributions of A. platiai and A. samedovi could decrease gradually.

Extraction, characterization and comparison of chitins from large bodied four Coleoptera and Orthoptera species.

Chitins were extracted from large insect species of order Coleoptera (Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lucanidae) and Polyphylla fullo (Linnaeus, 1758) (Scarabaeidae) and order Orthoptera (Bradyporus (Callimenus) sureyai Ünal, 2011) (Tettigonidae) and Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa (Linnaeus, 1758) (Gryllotalpidae)) for the first time. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FT-IR) confirms that isolation of chitin is successful. Yields of chitins on dry basis from P. fullo, L. cervus, G. gryllotalpa and B. (C.) sureyai are 11.3%, 10.9%, 10.1% and 9.8% respectively. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) showed a variety of thermal stability of chitin samples from 614 °C to 748 °C with a small percent of ash. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data showed a crystallinity index percent from 80.6% to 85.2%. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was examined for surface characterization determining as fibrous and porous for all species and changes from nm scales to µm scales. Elemental analysis has been applied to determine the elemental composition of chitin and nitrogen percent was relatively low for all specimens than expected. It is detected that examined insects have α-chitin form from XRD and FT-IR data. If these species can be grown in the laboratory, adults of them could be accepted as promising alternative chitin sources without negative effects on biodiversity.

A new species of the Agriotes nuceus species group from Turkey.

A new Elateridae species, Agriotes longipronotum n. sp. (Coleoptera: Elateridae: Elaterinae: Agriotini), is described from Siirt province, Turkey. Photographs of the imago and the aedeagus, and drawings of the aedeagus of the new species, A. sameki , A. bulgaricus , and A. rahmei are given. A rearranged diagnostic key of all Turkish species of nuceus -group is given. The new species is discussed in relation with closely related species. The species of the Agriotes nuceus -group from Turkey are listed, and their distributions are given.

Faunistic composition, ecological properties, and zoogeographical composition of the Elateridae (Coleoptera) family in the Western Black Sea region of Turkey.

The main aim of this study was to understand the faunistic composition, ecological properties, and zoogeographical composition of the family Elateridae (Coleoptera) of the Western Black Sea region of Turkey. As a result, 44 species belonging to 5 subfamilies and 19 genera were identified. After adding species reported in the literature to the analysis, the fauna in the research area consists of 6 subfamilies, 23 genera and 72 species. Most of the Elateridae fauna of the Western Black Sea region were classified in the subfamilies Elaterinae and Dendrometrinae. The genus Athous was the most species-rich genus. The species composition of the Elateridae fauna of the Western Black Sea region partially overlaps with the known Elateridae fauna of Turkey. The Western Black Sea region shares the most species with the European part of the Western Palaearctic region, including many of those in the Elateridae family, compared to other regions. Comparisons of the three geographical regions of Turkey show that fauna composition, ecological properties, and zoogeographical compositions of the Middle and Western Black Sea regions are more similar to each other than to those of the Central Anatolian region.

A new species of Elathous Reitter (Coleoptera: Elateridae) from Turkey.

A new click-beetle species, Elathous serti, from Denizli and Isparta provinces of Turkey is described. Photographs of the adults, drawings of the aedeagi, a contrasting comparison table, a key to all Turkish Elathous species, a distribution map, and a table of collecting months and collecting provinces of all Turkish species are provided.

A new species, Athous (Orthathous) cagatayae, from Turkey.

A new Elateridae species, Athous (Orthathous) cagatayae n. sp., is presented from Ankara, Turkey. The morphology of the new species is described. Photographs of imago and aedeagus, aedeagi drawings of the new species, and identification key are given. The new species is discussed with species of acutangulus group, with a differential diagnosis.

Faunistic composition, ecological properties and zoogeographical composition of the family Elateridae (Coleoptera) of the Central Anatolian region of Turkey.

The focus of this study was to understand the faunistic composition, ecological properties and zoogeographical composition of Elateridae (Coleoptera) of the Central Anatolian region. 72 species belonging to seven subfamilies and 25 genera were identified. The major part of the Elateridae fauna of the Central Anatolian region is formed by the subfamilies Elaterinae and Cardiophorinae. The genus Cardiophorus was the most species-rich genus. The species composition of the Elateridae fauna of the Central Anatolian region is partially consistent with known Elateridae fauna of Turkey. The Central Anatolian region shares most species with the European part of the Western Palaearctic as does the Elateridae fauna of Turkey. Detailed localities of nine species are given for the first time for Turkey, with emphasis on the Central Anatolian region.