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A new species of the genus Reicheiodes Ganglbauer, 1891, R. (Iberiodes) felixi sp. nov. from Spain is described. The new species is figured including its female genitalia and is differentiated from the nearest species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study that identified Laemostenus, Antisphodrus, portsensis n. sp. as a new species of Laemostenus Bonelli, 1810, Coleoptera, Carabidae, from Els Port Natural Park in Catalonia in northeastern Iberian peninsula. Topics discussed include new taxon distinguished by its big, ovoid, longer than wide head, that is narrower than pronotum base, and morphology of male genitalia from geographical neighbors L., A., levantinus, Bolivar, 1919, and L., A., lassallei Mateu, 1989.

The article presents a study which investigated a new method for agile tiger beetle collection through live pitfall trapping. The study, conducted in the Cantabrianmountain range in Spain, subjected two tiger beetle species, such as Cicindela sylvatica and Cicindela campestris. It notes that outer-inner cups' arrangement seemed to keep the trapped insects from fighting.

A molecular phylogeny of the species from the Trechus brucki clade (previously T. uhagoni group) based on fragments of four mitochondrial genes and one nuclear gene is given. We describe Trechus (Trechus) bouilloni sp. n. from the western pre-Pyrenees: Sierras de Urbasa-Andía, Navarra, Spain. The species was collected in mesovoid shallow substratum (mss), a subterranean environment. Molecular as well as morphological evidences demonstrate that the new species belongs to the Trechus brucki clade. A narrow endemic species of high altitude in western French Pyrenees merged with T. brucki Fairmaire, 1862a, T. bruckoides sp. n., is described. A lectotype is designated for T. brucki and T. planiusculus Fairmaire, 1862b (junior synonym of T. brucki). The species group is redefined based on molecular and morphological characters, and renamed as the brucki group, as T. brucki was the first described species of the clade. A unique synapomorphy of the male genitalia, a characteristic secondary sclerotization of the sperm duct, which is shared by all the species of the brucki group sensu novo, is described and il- lustrated. The T. brucki group sensu novo is composed of Trechus beusti (Schaufuss, 1863), T. bouilloni sp. n., T. brucki, T. bruckoides sp. n., T. grenieri Pandellé, 1867, T. uhagoni uhagoni Crotch, 1869, T. uhagoni ruteri Colas, 1935 and T. pieltaini Jeannel, 1920. We discuss the taxonomy of the group and provide illustrations of structures showing the differences between the species, along with distribution data and biogeographical comments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species rich semi-natural grasslands are disappearing across Europe, affecting invertebrate diversity negatively. In NW Spain, the recent abandonment of traditional farming practices and the gradual decrease in grazing pressures are reducing the number and extent of montane grasslands. In this context, we investigated the composition of carabid beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) assemblages that inhabit semi-natural grasslands situated in long-term managed oak and beech forested landscapes. According to their spatial arrangement, the studied grasslands were classified into: (1) interior or gap grasslands (small and completely surrounded by continuous forest) and (2) exterior grasslands (large and connected to a variety of habitat types). Our results indicate that, within each forested landscape, the gap and exterior grasslands harboured particular carabid assemblages (i.e. exclusive or abundantly collected species), which were also distinct from the surrounding forest carabid fauna. Dissimilarities between gap and exterior grasslands in each landscape suggest great carabid diversity at the regional scale. We also detected species-specific responses as several carabids were mainly associated with gap or exterior grasslands. Consequently, in highly modified forested landscapes, semi-natural grassland remnants may constitute great value for the protection of the carabid fauna. Specifically, we recommend conservation strategies that preserve variety in grassland features and maintain proper management activities to prevent the loss of specialised species and a decrease in regional carabid diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A historical review of the study of genus Typhlocharis and a synthesis of current knowledge are carried out, providing a historical context for the description of a new species in the province of Alicante (Spain). Relevant data on the biotic and abiotic environment where the species lives are also provided. With regard to its taxonomic position, it is affiliated with the Typhlocharis monastica group, although it is necessary to redefine that group. The most plausible hypothesis for the unusual presence of unguiform gonocoxites in the genus Typhlocharis and the implications for the systematics of the group are discussed. Finally, a dispersal mechanism for Typhlocharis that would explain its wide distribution in the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The intensification of olive production methods in southern Spain, has involved a widespread use of chemicals and the progressive loss of many Mediterranean forest patches, natural landscapes and semi-natural vegetation. Species level inventories require an enormous amount of time and financial resources, mainly due to the necessity of employing taxonomists in the early stages of a study. The use of a higher taxonomic level is particularly useful when rapid biodiversity surveys are required. This survey investigates the reliability of a rapid method to detect which high taxonomic level of epigeal insects could best distinguish different farming systems in olive agroecosystems, taking into account three higher taxonomic categories as surrogate measures of insect diversity: orders for all the insects, families of Coleoptera and carabid morphospecies. Insects were collected in pitfall traps in olive orchards under organic, integrated and conventional farming systems in two provinces in Andalusia (Córdoba and Granada) with different surrounding landscapes over three different years. In 1999 and 2000 a study of trends over time was undertaken between March and October of both years in Granada, and in 2003 a geographically extended study was conducted in 18 different orchards during pre-blooming and post-blooming periods in Granada and Córdoba. To rapidly assess biodiversity in olive agroecosystems by examining soil communities, in order to classify farming systems on a regional scale, the taxonomic level of order seems to be a more reliable approach than a lower taxonomic level in insects. This methodology could be used as a possible useful short-cut to assess biodiversity in olive orchards at a local scale, the order surrogacy being useful when results are required rapidly and in a context of limited financial resources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We studied the short- and medium-term effects of experimental nitrogen fertilization (3 and 15 months after the treatment) on the arthropods of Calluna vulgaris heathlands in NW Spain. Three heathland sites were selected with two permanent plots per site: control and fertilized. Ammonium nitrate fertilizer (56kgNha−1 yr−1) was applied monthly and insects were caught using pitfall traps. We found mainly species-level responses to nitrogen addition. Seven species (e.g. Lochmaea suturalis) showed a consistent trend (benefited or harmed) in both periods and were proposed as possible reliable indicators of the effects of nitrogen deposition in these ecosystems. We also found variable arthropod trophic-group responses: (a) herbivores (leaf beetles, true bugs) increased in abundance on a short-term scale; (b) predators (carabid beetles, true bugs) showed opposite and less clear responses in both periods. Further long-term studies are needed to determine the mechanisms underlying the observed arthropod responses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Trechus torressalai new species, a cave-dwelling ground beetle from eastern Spain is described. Ecological data are also included. Diverse morphological characters suggest they belong in the Trechus fulvus -group. Detailed study of the aedeagus suggests taxonomic affinities with Trechus martinezi Jeannel, Trechus alicantinus Español, and Trechus beltrani Toribio. The close relationship among these species reveals an adelphotaxon-complex that constitutes the T. martinezi -lineage, exclusive to the north-eastern Betic Mountains. An identification key to the species and biogeographical comments on the T. martinezi -lineage are also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]