The first mitogenomic phylogenetic framework of Dorcus sensu lato (Coleoptera: Lucanidae), with an emphasis on generic taxonomy in Eastern Asia.

BACKGROUND: Dorcus stag beetles in broad sense are one of the most diverse group in Lucanidae and important saproxylic insects playing a crucial role in nutrient recycling and forest biomonitoring. However, the dazzling morphological differentiations have caused numerous systematic confusion within the big genus, especially the puzzlingly generic taxonomy. So far, there is lack of molecular phylogenetic study to address the chaotic situation. In this study, we undertook mitochondrial genome sequencing of 42 representative species including 18 newly-sequenced ones from Eastern Asia and reconstructed the phylogenetic framework of stag beetles in Dorcus sensu lato for the first time. RESULTS: The mitogenome datasets of Dorcus species have indicated the variable mitogenomic lengths ranged from 15,785 to 19,813 bp. Each mitogenome contained 13 PCGs, 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and a control region, and all PCGs were under strong purifying selection (Ka/Ks < 1). Notably, we have identified the presence of a substantial intergenic spacer (IGS) between the trnAser (UCN) and NAD1 genes, with varying lengths ranging from 129 bp (in D. hansi) to 158 bp (in D. tityus). The mitogenomic phylogenetic analysis of 42 species showed that Eastern Asia Dorcus was monophyletic, and divided into eight clades with significant genetic distance. Four of them, Clade VIII, VII, VI and I are clustered by the representative species of Serrognathus Motschulsky, Kirchnerius Schenk, Falcicornis Séguy and Dorcus s.s. respectively, which supported their fully generic positions as the previous morphological study presented. The topology also showed the remaining clades were distinctly separated from the species of Dorcus sensu lato, which implied that each of them might demonstrate independent generic status. The Linnaeus nomenclatures were suggested as Eurydorcus Didier stat. res., Eurytrachellelus Didier stat. res., Hemisodorcus Thomson stat. res. and Velutinodorcus Maes stat. res. For Clade V, IV, III and II respectively. CONCLUSION: This study recognized the monophyly of Dorcus stag beetles and provided a framework for the molecular phylogeny of this group for the first time. The newly generated mitogenomic data serves as a valuable resource for future investigations on lucanid beetles. The generic relationship would facilitate the systematics of Dorcus stag beetles and thus be useful for exploring their evolutionary, ecological, and conservation aspects.

A Measure of the DNA Barcode Gap for Applied and Basic Research.

DNA barcoding has largely established itself as a mainstay for rapid molecular taxonomic identification in both academic and applied research. The use of DNA barcoding as a molecular identification method depends on a "DNA barcode gap"-the separation between the maximum within-species difference and the minimum between-species difference. Previous work indicates the presence of a gap hinges on sampling effort for focal taxa and their close relatives. Furthermore, both theory and empirical work indicate a gap may not occur for related pairs of biological species. Here, we present a novel evaluation approach in the form of an easily calculated set of nonparametric metrics to quantify the extent of proportional overlap in inter- and intraspecific distributions of pairwise differences among target species and their conspecifics. The metrics are based on a simple count of the number of overlapping records for a species falling within the bounds of maximum intraspecific distance and minimum interspecific distance. Our approach takes advantage of the asymmetric directionality inherent in pairwise genetic distance distributions, which has not been previously done in the DNA barcoding literature. We apply the metrics to the predatory diving beetle genus Agabus as a case study because this group poses significant identification challenges due to its morphological uniformity despite both relative sampling ease and well-established taxonomy. Results herein show that target species and their nearest neighbor species were found to be tightly clustered and therefore difficult to distinguish. Such findings demonstrate that DNA barcoding can fail to fully resolve species in certain cases. Moving forward, we suggest the implementation of the proposed metrics be integrated into a common framework to be reported in any study that uses DNA barcoding for identification. In so doing, the importance of the DNA barcode gap and its components for the success of DNA-based identification using DNA barcodes can be better appreciated.

American Lamiinae (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae): new species of Acanthocinini and Hemilophini and a new synonymy in Cirrhicera Thomson.

Four new species are described: Lepturges (Lepturges) consimilis sp. nov. (Acanthocinini), from Costa Rica and Panama; Oedopeza raberi sp. nov. and Oedopeza hovorei sp. nov. (Acanthocinini), from Panama; and Cirrhicera vandenberghei sp. nov. (Hemilophini), from Guatemala. Cirrhicera panamensis Bates, 1885 is synonymized with C. sallei Thomson, 1857.

A Key Interaction Behind the Scenes: Dung Beetles in Livestock Production from Arid and Semi-Arid Rangelands.

Pastoralism is a dominant agricultural activity in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. The interaction between coprophagous insects and livestock is a key but an undervalued topic in rangeland management decisions. The objective was to identify similarities and differences in the composition of coprophagous insects and nesting strategies, associated with different climatic conditions within these regions. We performed a literature review of research articles available in the Scopus database which resulted in 17 articles. We examined the taxonomic diversity of dung beetles and their nesting strategies in relation to temperature and precipitation at the study sites. Results revealed a rich and varied interaction between dung beetles and livestock in arid and semi-arid environments, with 364 species from the Scarabaeoidea superfamily documented worldwide. The greatest diversity of dung beetles was reported in hot arid and semi-arid conditions with dry winters and in cold semi-arid ones with no marked annual precipitation cycle. These insects displayed diverse nesting strategies, with endocoprid strategies predominating in colder and drier settings, and paracoprid and telecoprid strategies in warmer, more humid environments. Domestic animal species are currently key components in promoting this interaction, which indicates that the ecological processes involving coprophagous fauna are occurring in production systems, which are under the influence of human decisions. We discuss the design and planning of livestock and rangeland management in arid and semi-arid environments, emphasizing in a more formalized manner the inclusion of this kind of interaction.

Should beetles be named after Adolf Hitler?

Zoologists debate whether-and how-to change scientific names now deemed offensive.

Molecular phylogeny of mega-diverse Carabus attests late Miocene evolution of alpine environments in the Himalayan-Tibetan Orogen.

The timing, sequence, and scale of uplift of the Himalayan-Tibetan Orogen (HTO) are controversially debated. Many geoscientific studies assume paleoelevations close to present-day elevations and the existence of alpine environments across the HTO already in the late Paleogene, contradicting fossil data. Using molecular genetic data of ground beetles, we aim to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental history of the HTO, focusing on its southern margin (Himalayas, South Tibet). Based on a comprehensive sampling of extratropical Carabus, and ~ 10,000 bp of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA we applied Bayesian and Maximum likelihood methods to infer the phylogenetic relationships. We show that Carabus arrived in the HTO at the Oligocene-Miocene boundary. During the early Miocene, five lineages diversified in different parts of the HTO, initially in its southern center and on its eastern margin. Evolution of alpine taxa occurred during the late Miocene. There were apparently no habitats for Carabus before the late Oligocene. Until the Late Oligocene elevations must have been low throughout the HTO. Temperate forests emerged in South Tibet in the late Oligocene at the earliest. Alpine environments developed in the HTO from the late Miocene and, in large scale, during the Pliocene-Quaternary. Findings are consistent with fossil records but contrast with uplift models recovered from stable isotope paleoaltimetry.

Sternodea arcana, new species (Coleoptera: Cryptophagidae: Caenoscelini): part of the Nearctic fauna?

The leaf litter-inhabiting genus Sternodea Reitter (Cryptophagidae: Cryptophaginae: Caenoscelini) presently contains seven Palearctic species and up to 27 undescribed species from North and Central America. Here we describe Sternodea arcana, new species, ostensibly from Florida but possibly mislabeled, and likely originating from Mexico or Central America. Consequently, the existence of Sternodea among the North American cryptophagid fauna is unknown.

Revision of the Griburius scutellaris (Fabricius, 1801) species group (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae).

Ten species of Griburius Haldeman, 1849, morphologically similar to each other, and some of their synonyms are revised, figured and discussed. Among them is G. scutellaris (Fabricius, 1801), the type species of Griburius. Seven of the studied species are already described: Griburius albilabris (Suffrian, 1852), Griburius boucardi (Jacoby, 1880), Griburius errans (Suffrian, 1852), Griburius larvatus Newman, 1840, Griburius lecontii Crotch, 1873, Griburius montezuma (Suffrian, 1852) and Griburius scutellaris (Fabricius, 1801). In addition, Griburius biverrucatus (Suffrian, 1852) stat. restored and Griburius decoratus (Suffrian, 1852) stat. restored, formerly considered conspecific of G. albilabris and G. larvatus, respectively, are here resurrected to full species status. Griburius spadiceus (Suffrian, 1852) syn. nov. is transferred from the synonymy with G. larvatus to the synonymy with G. decoratus. In addition, the following new or restored synonymies are proposed: G. albilabris (= G. suturalis (Suffrian, 1852) syn. restored; = G. zonatus (Suffrian, 1852) syn. restored); G. montezuma (Suffrian, 1852) (= G. cazicus (Suffrian, 1852) syn. nov.; = G. suffriani (Jacoby, 1880) syn. restored). Lastly, Griburius rileyi sp. nov. is described as new to science. The lectotypes of all previously described valid species and the confirmed synonyms are designated. The new synonymies, the name-bearing type fixations and designations and the nomenclatural acts are critically discussed. An identification key for the species-group is also provided.

Replacement names for three preoccupied genus-group names of Cetoniinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).

The names of three genus-level taxa of Cetoniinae from Southeast Asia are reviewed. Aurelia Thomson, 1880, currently a subgenus of Ixorida Thomson, 1880, is preoccupied by Aurelia Lamarck, 1816, and Emas Allsopp, Jákl & Rey, new replacement name, is proposed. This results in Ixorida (Emas) decorata Antoine, 1986, Ixorida (Emas) gloriosa Jákl, 2014, Ixorida (Emas) kaorui Jákl, 2019, Ixorida (Emas) philippei Sakai & Nagai, 1998, and Ixorida (Emas) thoracica (Wallace, 1867). Legrandia Jákl, 2019, currently a subgenus of Ruteraetia Krikken, 1980, is preoccupied by Legrandia Beddome, 1883, and Legrandetia Allsopp, Jákl & Rey, new replacement name is proposed, resulting in Ruteraetia (Legrandetia) pahangensis Jákl, 2019. Sternoplus Wallace, 1867 is preoccupied by Sternoplus Mulsant & Rey, 1864, and Walsternoplus Allsopp, Jákl & Rey, new replacement name is proposed, resulting in Walsternoplus schaumii (White, 1856), new combination, and Walsternoplus chicheryi (Antoine, 1999), new combination.

American biodiversity in Lamiinae (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae): description of three new species of Eupogonius LeConte and new distribution records.

Three new species of Eupogonius LeConte, 1852 (Desmiphorini) are described from Mexico: E. rifkindi sp. nov., from Colima and E. martinezi sp. nov. and E. pulcher sp. nov., from Nayarit. A new country record is provided for Eupogonius piperitus (Bates, 1885) and new country (Belize) and state (Mexico, Oaxaca) records are provided for Drycothaea spreta Bates, 1885 (Calliini). The differences between D. spreta and D. turrialbae (Breuning, 1943) are discussed. Additional new distribution records are presented for Canidia ochreostictica (Dillon, 1956) and Stenolis multimacula Monné, 2011 (Acanthocinini). In a recent paper by us, the repository acronyms listed under materials and methods do not match the repository acronym listed for the new species, the type repository for those four new species is clarified herein.

American fauna of Cerambycidae and Disteniidae (Coleoptera): new species, new records, and notes.

Sexual dimorphism in Elaphidion scabricolle (Bates, 1872) (Cerambycidae, Cerambycinae, Elaphidiini) is reported and the inclusion of the species in this genus is questioned. Leptostylus bicolor sp. nov. (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Acanthocinini) is described from Panama. Leptostylus pygialis Bates, 1872 is redescribed based on a female with an elytral pubescent pattern different from that of the lectotype; the sex of the lectotype, originally reported as female is commented on. Notes are provided on Lophopoeum saronotum Bates, 1872 (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Acanthocinini). Distenia (Basisvallis) phaeocera Bates, 1880 (Disteniidae) is recorded from Panama and Drycothaea sallei Thomson, 1868 (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Calliini) is recorded from Mexico (Chiapas) and Honduras.

Rediscovery of Tomosomus Motschulsky, 1855 (Coleoptera: Anthicidae) with redescription of the genus, a new genus-rank synonym, and a key to species.

Tomosomus Motschulsky, 1855, an obscure incertae sedis genus of Anthicidae erroneously considered monotypic, was found to be congeneric with the tomoderine genus Holcopyge Champion, 1890. A new genus-rank synonym (Tomosomus Motschulsky = Holcopyge Champion syn. nov.) and two new combinations are proposed for the species hitherto attributed to Holcopyge. Tomosomus subtestaceus Motschulsky, 1855, the type of its genus, is redescribed from rediscovered type material and recently collected specimens. An annotated checklist, key to species and new records of Tomosomus are provided.

Two new species of Paraneseuthia Franz from Okinawa-jima (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae).

Only one (recently discovered) nominal species of the eutheiine genus Paraneseuthia Franz is known to occur on the largest Ryukyuan Island of Okinawa-jima, while five other members of this rare genus inhabit Ishigaki-jima, Shikoku, Kyushu and Honshu. Undescribed species known from females only have been collected also on southwestern Iriomote-jima and northeastern Hokkaido. Two new Okinawan species are described: P. uminzo sp. n. and P. umisatu sp. n., suggesting that the diversity of Paraneseuthia in the Ryukyus is still known fragmentarily and new discoveries can be expected in other forested southern islands.

Two new species of Optatus Pascoe and Macroptatus Heller (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Baridinae), with a reappraisal of generic characters.

Macroptatus deppens Prena new species is described from México and El Salvador. Optatus stockwelli Prena new species is described from Panamá. Optatus Pascoe, 1889 and Macroptatus Heller, 1906 are maintained as distinct genera based on the development of the prosternal process separating the procoxae. Other previously used characters on the rostrum, tarsus, and metaventrite grade together across species or are deemed species-specific. Species of these genera appear to be associated with Annona fruits.

The incredible biodiversity of American Lamiinae (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae): description of four new species, synonymy, and taxonomical notes.

Four new species are described: Urgleptes noguerai sp. nov. (Acanthocinini), from Mexico; Styloleptus charynae sp. nov. (Acanthocinini), from Bolivia; Nealcidion achiraense sp. nov. (Acanthocinini), from Bolivia; and Estola nearnsi sp. nov. (Desmiphorini), from Bolivia. Notes on the differences between Pseudolepturges Gilmour, 1957 and Urgleptes Dillon, 1956 are provided. Styloleptus nigricans (Fisher, 1935) is synonymized with Leptostylus lilliputanus Thomson, 1865, and the species is transferred to Styloleptus Dillon, 1956.

A new species of Eurypogon Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Artematopodidae) from China, with notes on E. sanzang Wang & Liu.

Eurypogon Motschulsky, 1859 is a small artematopodid genus from the Nearctic and Palaearctic realms, with only three species known from mainland China. Here, we describe Eurypogon schuhi Packova & Kundrata, sp. nov. from the Hubei province in China, which is similar in the black body coloration to the recently described Eurypogon sanzang Wang & Liu, 2021 from the Henan province. Both species differ mainly in the ratio of basal antennomeres, elytral surface and proportions, and shape of male genitalia. We report populations of E. sanzang from the Qinling Shan in the Shaanxi province (a new province record) and from the Xiong'er Shan in the Henan province. Additionally, we describe the female of E. sanzang and discuss intraspecific variability in male genitalia. We provide images of main diagnostic characters for both species.

Beyond species loss: How anthropogenic disturbances drive functional and phylogenetic homogenization of Neotropical dung beetles.

Anthropogenic activities drive tropical forest loss and biodiversity decay. However, few studies have addressed how the biodiversity response varies between disturbance-adapted species (i.e., winners) and those highly susceptible to disturbance (i.e., losers), or whether such responses differ between the taxonomic, functional, or phylogenetic dimensions of diversity. Understanding these dynamics can help prevent or buffer biotic homogenization processes. Using a meta-analytical approach with dung beetles as model organisms, we evaluated how anthropogenic habitat disturbances influence the multiple diversity dimensions of winner and loser species relative to conserved forest sites in the Neotropics. Habitats were organized according to a disturbance gradient ranging from second-growth forests, shaded agroforestry, lowly-shaded agroforestry, living fences, and pastures. Our database included 30 studies, from which we calculated nine metrics divided into three alfa diversity aspects: richness, evenness, and divergence. We also evaluated the beta-diversity response to disturbance and forest protection. All dimensions of dung beetle diversity decreased significantly with increasing disturbance levels, with phylogenetic diversity showing the highest losses, whereas evenness metrics increased in second-growth forests and agroforestry systems. Loser dung beetles showed high diversity loss as well as functional and phylogenetic clustering, reflecting a pervasive biotic homogenization in the most severely disturbed habitats, whereas winner species were insensitive to anthropogenic disturbances. Beta diversity increased significantly with disturbance and forest protection. Our study showed that heavy disturbances erode and homogenized all diversity dimensions of loser dung beetles. However, second-growth forests and agroforestry systems mitigated diversity loss and homogenization processes by favoring the coexistence between functional and phylogenetically distant species and maintaining assemblages compositionally similar to those in conserved forests, highlighting their importance for conservation. We encourage natural resource managers to consider protection of disturbed off-reserve forests in management schemes as these are essential for maintaining biodiversity in an increasingly anthropized world.

Coleoborers in Bambusa sp. in the Southern Amazon / Coleobrocas em Bambusa sp. na Amazonia Meridional

Bamboo (Bambusa sp.) is a grass species with high potential for exploitation, however, this raw material is easily attacked by xylophagous agents such as Coleoptera. The objective of this study is thus to analyse the presence of wood-boring beetles associated with Bambusa sp. in Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The study was carried out in a bamboo plantation, from August 2016 to July 2017. Two models of ethanolic traps were used, PET Santa Maria and ESALQ-84. Three families of wood-boring beetles were observed in this study: Bostrichidae, Cerambycidae and Curculionidae. 2,144 individuals were identified, belonging to 19 species, in four subfamilies and 11 tribes, and the species Xyleborus affinis was the most frequently collected. Thus, this study constitutes an important contribution to the knowledge of coleoborers associated with bamboo plantations, with the registration of the occurrence of species, as well as contributing to the knowledge of the entomofauna associated with species cultivated in the Southern Amazon.

O bambu (Bambusa sp.) é uma espécie de gramínea com alto potencial de exploração de fibras, no entanto, essa matéria-prima é facilmente atacada por agentes xilófagos, como os coleópteros. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a presença de besouros associados a Bambusa sp. em Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brasil. O estudo foi realizado em um plantio de bambu, no período de agosto de 2016 a julho de 2017. Foram utilizados dois modelos de armadilhas etanólicas, o PET Santa Maria e ESALQ-84. Três famílias de coleobrocas foram observadas neste estudo: Bostrichidae, Cerambycidae e Curculionidae. Foram identificados 2,144 indivíduos, pertencentes a 19 espécies, em quatro subfamílias e 11 tribos, e Xyleborus affinis foi a espécie com maior número de indivíduos coletados. Assim, este estudo constitui-se em uma importante contribuição para o conhecimento de coleobrocas associadas a plantios de bamboo, com o registro de ocorrência de espécies, bem como contribui para o conhecimento da entomofauna associada a espécies cultivadas na Amazônia Meridional.