Molecular Diversity of Compounds from Pygidial Gland Secretions of Cave-Dwelling Ground Beetles: The First Evidence.

Three adult cave-dwelling ground beetle species were induced to discharge secretions of their pygidial glands into vials. Dichloromethane extraction was used to obtain the secretions. In total, 42 compounds were identified by GC/MS analysis. Pheggomisetes ninae contained 32 glandular compounds, Laemostenus (Pristonychus) punctatus 13, whereas Duvalius (Paraduvalius) milutini had nine compounds. Caproic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids were present in the samples of all analyzed species. Undecane was predominant in the extract of L. punctatus. Palmitic acid was the major component in the secretion of D. milutini. Finally, the most abundant compounds in P. ninae secretion were heptacosene and nonacosadienes. Herein, we present the first data on the identification of pygidial gland secretion components in both troglophilous and troglobite cave-dwelling ground beetles. Some compounds are reported for the first time in the secretions of ground beetles and other higher or lower taxa. The adaptation to underground life has not led to a reduction or changes in the chemical defense mechanism in the analyzed troglophilous and troglobitic Platyninae and Trechinae taxa.

First report of aphaenopsoid trechines (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechini) from Serbia, with descriptions of new taxa.

The trechine ground beetle taxa, Velesaphaenops gen. n., Velesaphaenops tarensis sp. n., and Acheroniotes lethensis sp. n., are described and diagnosed. The new taxa differ clearly from their closest relatives in a number of external characters and the shape of the genitalia. They probably belong to phyletic lineages of Pliocene age (the age of the palaeokarst of Kamena Gora and Mt. Tara). The new taxa are endemic to western and southwestern Serbia. Keys to the aphaenopsoid trechine genera in Serbia and to species of the genus Acheroniotes Lohaj Lakota, 2010 are appended.

Seven new taxa of Leptodirini (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Cholevinae) from the Balkan Peninsula.

Seven new troglobitic leiodid beetle taxa (six new species and one new subspecies) from several caves and pits in the Balkan Peninsula (Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia) are described and diagnosed. Three new species belong to the genus Adelopidius Apfelbeck, 1907, two-to the genus Pholeuonopsis Apfelbeck, 1901, one-to the genus Leonhardia Reitter, 1901, while a new subspecies belongs to the genus Apholeuonus Reitter, 1889. All important morphological characteristics of the new taxa have been mentioned and imaged, including the aspects of the male and female genitalia. The new leiodid taxa are properly distinguished from their relatives and are endemics of the Dinaric mountain chain. A key to Adelopidius taxa is added.

Description of a new species of Niphargus (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Niphargidae): the first record of a lake ecomorph in the Carpathian Mountains.

We describe and phylogenetically characterize a new species Niphargus mirocensis from Mt. Miroc, eastern Serbia. This species shows distinct morphology typical for a lake ecomorph of niphargid amphipod, i.e. large and stout body, elongated appendages and raptorial gnathopods and presents the first record of this ecomorph in Carpathian Mountains. Phylogenetic analyses based on Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit 1 gene (COI), Histone (H3) and 28S rRNA (28S) suggests that species is nested within a clade of lake ecomorphs spread in Italy and Central Dinaric Region. The new finding is geographic extension of clade's range, the species of which are generally narrow endemics.

A new troglobitic species of the genus Pholeuonopsis (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Cholevinae: Leptodirini) from western Serbia, with a key to the species from Serbia.

A new leptodirine leiodid beetle species, Pholeuonopsis (Pholeuonopsis) sljivovicensis sp. n., from a cave in western Serbia is described and diagnosed. The views of both male and female genitalia and other taxonomically important characters are imaged. The new species is clearly distinct from the closest relatives. It probably belongs to an old phyletic lineage of Mesogeid origin, like other known Pholeuonopsis taxa from the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. The new species is both an endemic and a relict inhabiting solely western Serbia. Morphological comparisons among the Serbian Pholeuonopsis species are provided, together with a key to the species. The genus Serbopholeuonopsis B. Curcic & Boskova, 2002 is regarded as a junior synonym of the genus Pholeuonopsis Apfelbeck, 1901.