Search

Agricultural intensification and expansion has been suggested to be a major driver of the loss of biodiversity and associated ecosystem services. Recent studies have shown that landscape‐level effects in addition to on‐site management are of significant importance for insect declines.We here compared carabid beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) assemblages of wet meadows among three pairs of highly fragmented 'modern' and less fragmented 'traditional' agricultural landscapes, using pitfall trapping.Taxonomic diversity and abundance of Carabidae did not differ between modern and traditional landscapes, whereas the proportions of brachypterous, large‐bodied, and habitat specialist species were lower in modern compared to traditional landscapes.These results suggest that landscape type affects functional rather than taxonomic carabid beetle diversity, based on species turnover.To preserve functional diversity in agricultural landscapes, conservation strategies should consider the landscape level in addition to on‐site management, by securing connectivity between remnants of semi‐natural habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pterostichus macrogenys species group is an endemic subterranean Japanese carabid clade that provides intriguing material for studying morphological differentiation, speciation and interspecific relationships. However, its diversity remains not fully explored. We investigated specimens from northern Tohoku District, an area where knowledge of this species group is notably limited. Our research led to the description of three new species: P. namahage sp. nov., P. kamurosanus sp. nov. and P. atsumidakensis sp. nov. We also updated distribution records for three known species: P. asahinus Habu & Baba, 1960; P. kitakamisanus Sasakawa, 2005; and P. chokaisanus Sasakawa, 2009. This report includes both the expanded distribution ranges of the known species and the discovery of a new sympatric species pair (P. chokaisanus and P. asahinus). We conducted a morphological phylogenetic analysis of all but one species, for which no male specimens were available, accounting for a total of 42 species within the group. The resulting phylogenetic tree implies that the initial differentiation of this species group originated on the Sea of Japan side, in the northern part of their current distribution, followed by dispersion to other areas and subsequent differentiation. Additionally, our findings indicate that sympatric species of varying body sizes are distantly related phylogenetically. These insights into the differentiation process align with regional distribution patterns of species-level diversity and sympatric sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and new species of Trechina (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae: Trechini), Ryukyuaphaenops pulcherrimus gen. & sp. nov. is described from the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. This is the first troglomorphic Carabidae in the Ryukyus and probably the most cave-adapted beetle in Japan. Interestingly, our observations suggest that this new trechine beetle is not similar to any genera of Trechina distributed in Kyushu and Taiwan, which are geographically close to the Ryukyu Archipelago, but is more similar to several aphaenopsian genera distributed in the inland of China. The genetic diversity of the new species is discussed based on mitochondrial DNA (COI-5', COI-3', 16S). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Crystal-Wonder Cave System developed in the Western Escarpment of the southern Cumberland Plateau in the Interior Low Plateau karst region of south-central Tennessee, USA is a global hotspot of cave-limited biodiversity. We combined historical literature, museum accessions, and database occurrences with new observations from bio-inventory efforts conducted between 2005 and 2022 to compile an updated list of troglobiotic and stygobiotic biodiversity for the Crystal-Wonder Cave System. The list of cave-limited fauna includes 31 species (23 troglobionts and 8 stygobionts) with 28 and 18 species documented from the Crystal and Wonder caves, respectively, which represents five phyla, ten classes, nineteen orders, and twenty-six families (six arachnids, three springtails, two diplurans, three millipedes, six insects, three terrestrial snails, one flatworm, five crustaceans, and two vertebrates, respectively). The Crystal-Wonder Cave System is the type locality for six species—Anillinus longiceps, Pseudanophthalmus humeralis, P. intermedius, Ptomaphagus hatchi, Tolus appalachius, and Chitrella archeri. The carabid beetle Anillinus longiceps is endemic to the Crystal-Wonder Cave System. Sixteen species are of conservation concern, including twelve taxa with NatureServe conservation ranks of G1–G3. The exceptional diversity of the Crystal-Wonder Cave System has been associated with several factors, including a high dispersal potential of cave fauna associated with expansive karst exposures along the Western Escarpment of the southern Cumberland Plateau, a high surface productivity, and a favorable climate throughout the Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active grassland restoration requires soil disturbance by harrowing or plowing prior to seeding to create favorable conditions for plant germination. Yet, it is still unknown if these soil interventions are detrimental to the local ground‐dwelling invertebrate fauna. We evaluated how ground beetle (Carabidae) and spider (Araneae) communities, two important grassland bioindicators, respond to three common grassland restoration methods, differing in soil disturbance intensity and seed application method. The study was carried out in 47 extensively managed mesic meadows using a before‐after‐control‐intervention design. It was applied at the field scale and replicated 12 times across selected Swiss lowland sites. We did not detect any significant differences in abundance and species richness of ground beetles and spiders between restored and control meadows 1 year after restoration. At the community level we observed a slight shift towards a preference for wetter habitat (for both invertebrate groups), and restored meadows harbored a smaller weighted mean body size of spiders than control meadows. The latter was mainly driven by a higher abundance of some small pioneer species typically found in frequently disturbed habitats, notably in arable fields. Our results suggest that 1 year after restoration action, the ground‐beetle and spider communities recovered almost entirely to their predisturbance state, indicating that, with respect to above ground‐dwelling invertebrates, harrowing or plowing can be applied when restoring plant species‐poor grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fragmentation of landscapes and habitats has been identified as the main driver of biodiversity loss. Ecological corridors may support the conservation of biota in fragmented landscapes due to enhanced habitat connectivity. We conducted a study in order to assess the potential of a linear woodland landscape element along a railway line as ecological corridor using carabid beetles as indicators. The results showed that for some forest species the studied woodland strip has potential as an ecological corridor. Trophy and soil acidity were most often significantly correlated with parameters and species, but width of the woodland strip and distance from the forest site were of highest importance for the formation of the whole carabid assemblages. The results of our study provide with information regarding rules for the construction of woodland strips as ecological corridors. Management strategies should integrate such areas in concepts of sustainable regional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endangered endemic ground beetle, Carabus nankotaizanus Kano, 1932 (Coleoptera: Carabidae), consists of 4 subspecies distributed across the lowlands to mountain forests of Taiwan. However, continuous morphological variation among the subspecies and large altitudinal range gaps between lowland and mountain populations of C. nankotaizanus raise questions concerning its species boundaries. We assessed the species boundaries between lowland and mountain populations of C. nankotaizanus using an integrative approach combining morphological, molecular, life-history, and ecological traits. Future suitable habitats were predicted using ecological niche models to evaluate the effect of range shifts driven by climate warming. The analyses of morphological and ecological traits indicate that the lowland and mountain populations of C. nankotaizanus are 2 distinct phenetic and ecological species. The molecular phylogeny further supported 4 divergent groups (paraphyletic C. nankotaizanus sp. 1 of the northern lowland + monophyletic C. nankotaizanus sp. 2 of the northern mountain, paraphyletic C. nankotaizanus sp. 3 of the southeastern lowland + monophyletic C. nankotaizanus sp. 4 of the mountain groups). We recommend the designation of the 4 cryptic C. nankotaizanus as candidate species and officially protected evolutionary lineages. Future range shifts of C. nankotaizanus sp. 1 to higher latitudinal lowlands of northern Taiwan may pose significant challenges to its conservation due to urban development and island boundary. By contrast, upcoming range shifts of the mountain C. nankotaizanus species to higher altitudes of protected national parks and forest reserves in the Central Mountain Range may not represent a major threat to its survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first record of the tribe Paussini Latreille is reported based on a specimen from late Eocene Rovno amber. It is the first known close relative of the genus Eohomopterus (subtribe Carabidomemnina) in the Old World. The recent and Neogene distribution of Eohomopterus is Neotropical, with extant representatives in Ecuador, Brazil and the West Indies, and extinct species in Dominican and Mexican amber. The occurrence of the Neotropical Carabidomemnina in Rovno amber and the presence of the Oriental Protopaussini in Dominican amber are of significant interest as evidence of the probable transarctic migrations of their ant host in the early Eocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new species of the genus Taridius Chaudoir, 1875 from northwest Thailand, Taridius thailandicus sp. nov., is described, illustrated and compared with related congeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parathlibops brunki sp. nov. from Malaysia (Borneo: Sarawak) and P. dostali sp. nov. from Malaysia (Perak) are described, illustrations of habitats and aedeagus of the species are provided and the new species are distinguished from the similar taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

A new species of the genus Notiobia Perty, 1830 from South America, Argentina and Bolivia respectively, belonging to the subgenus Notiobia (s. str.) namely Notiobia sericea sp. nov. is described. The newly described species and its position in the species group is discussed, it is compared with the most closely related known species. A check-list of the subgenus Notiobia (s. str.) is added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Favorable climatic conditions, diversity of landscapes and rich vegetation of the Karabakh region of the Azerbaijan Republic contributed to the formation of a peculiar entomocomplex here. Pedunculate oak, alder, mulberry, silverberry, hawthorn, cherry plum, garland thorn, pomegranate, etc. grow in the forests. One of the main places among insects is occupied by beetles, the most numerous group, many of which are considered pests of agricultural plants, and therefore information about them will be of great importance in the future development of agriculture in the region. The paper provides information, compiled according to literary sources about representatives of the Coleoptera order living in the territory of the Karabakh region and being pests of various plants. In total, data are provided on 53 species of beetles belonging to 5 families. Despite the fact that most representatives of the ground beetle family (Carabidae) are predatory, there are also pests of crops. This family is represented by 3 species that were observed on cereal crops. The family of scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae) is very rich in species, among which herbivorous beetles can be dangerous pests. 14 representatives of the family of scarab beetles are found on cereals, fodder and industrial crops, as well as fruit trees. Click beetles (Elateridae), whose larvae are wireworms, are important for agriculture as pests. The family is represented by 11 species, among which there are species having wide range of fodder crops. They damage to vegetable gardens, melons, fodder crops, technical crops and fruit crops. Jewel beetles (Buprestidae) are also of great importance as trunk pests. The larvae of these beetles, feeding on wood and cambial layers of trees and shrubs, cause significant damage. 8 species recorded in Karabakh are mainly pests of fruit trees, but there are species found on the ears of cereal plants. The most numerous family of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), among which there are many harmful species, is represented by 17 species; they are pests of many trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liassodites obsti gen. et sp. nov., an Early Jurassic member of Trachypachidae, is described from Western Pomerania (Germany). An epoxy resin transfer method is applied for the preparation of three-dimensionally preserved fossil. An annotated list of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic trachypachid genera was elaborated. For each trachypachid fossil member and erroneously placed genus, a short diagnosis or available arguments on systematic position are proposed. The relations of the subfamilies Eodromeinae and Coptoclaviscinae (Coptoclavidae) are discussed. The description of Liassodites obsti gen. et sp. nov. makes it possible to suppose that the currently recognised hiatus between families Carabidae and Trachypachidae is not great enough to regard them as two separate families. The genus Coptoclavisca should be regarded as a member of Trachypachidae or Carabidae (including Trachypachinae). The new genus Apermunda gen. nov. is proposed for Petrodromeus minor. Novunda nom. nov. is proposed for Unda and the following binominal names are changed: Novunda angulata comb. nov., N. cursoria comb. nov., N. microplata comb. nov., N. pachycephala comb. nov. and N. chifengensis comb. nov. A synonymy of Evertus and Fortiseode is established, with change of species name: Evertus pervalimand comb. nov. The taxa Beipiaocarabus, Leptopodocoleus (including Leptopodocoleidae), Praedodromeus, Procalosoma, Xinbinia, 'Eodromeus' viriosus, 'Unda' chonggezhuangensis and 'Unda' pandurata, 'Karadromeus' xiangfanggouensis are regarded as incertae sedis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: As one of the most diverse and economically important families on Earth, ground beetles (Carabidae) are viewed as a key barometer of climate change. Recent meta‐analyses provide equivocal evidence on abundance changes of terrestrial insects. Generalizations from traits (e.g., body size, diets, flights) provide insights into understanding community responses, but syntheses for the diverse Carabidae have not yet emerged. We aim to determine how habitat and trait syndromes mediate risks from contemporary and future climate change on the Carabidae community. Location: North America. Time period: 2012–2100. Major taxa studied: Ground beetles (Carabidae). Methods: We synthesized the abundance and trait data for 136 species from the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) and additional raw data from studies across North America with remotely sensed habitat characteristics in a generalized joint attribute model. Combined Light Detection and RAnging (LiDAR) and hyperspectral imagery were used to derive habitat at a continental scale. We evaluated climate risks on the joint response of species and traits by expanding climate velocity to response velocity given habitat change. Results: Habitat contributes more variations in species abundance and community‐weighted mean traits compared to climate. Across North America, grassland fliers benefit from open habitats in hot, dry climates. By contrast, large‐bodied, burrowing omnivores prefer warm‐wet climates beneath closed canopies. Species‐specific abundance changes predicted by the fitted model under future shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP) scenarios are controlled by climate interactions with habitat heterogeneity. For example, the mid‐size, non‐flier is projected to decline across much of the continent, but the magnitudes of declines are reduced or even reversed where canopies are open. Conversely, temperature dominates the response of the small, frequent flier Agonoleptus conjunctus, causing projected change to be more closely linked to regional temperature changes. Main conclusions: Carabidae community reorganization under climate change is being governed by climate–habitat interactions (CHI). Species‐specific responses to CHI are explained by trait syndromes. The fact that habitat mediates warming impacts has immediate application to critical habitat designation for carabid conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many omnivorous arthropods act as important pest control agents in agroecosystems. Assessing their prey choices helps to better understand their biocontrol potential in different environmental settings. To this end, multi‐target approaches of molecular gut content analysis allow studying their prey choices. Yet, DNA‐based analysis of trophic interactions is challenged by the question of whether the detected food DNA was ingested primarily as direct prey, or secondarily via the gut content of a consumed animal. Experimental data are needed to understand the potential bias derived through secondary predation. Here we address this issue for a phloem‐feeding aphid consumed by omnivorous carabids. In feeding experiments, Pseudoophonus rufipes beetles were offered grain aphids Sitobion avenae as primary prey, which had fed on barley seedlings. Gut content samples of carabids collected after 0, 3, 9, 12, 24, 32 or 64 h of digestion time and whole‐body aphids were screened for the presence of aphid and plant DNA. Samples positive for plant DNA were subsequently tested with Poaceae‐specific primers. None of the 7.8% gut content samples that tested positive for general plant DNA amplified with the Poaceae primers. Moreover, none of the whole‐body extracted aphids tested positive for plant DNA, neither with general nor with family‐specific primers. We, therefore, conclude that the plant DNA detections in our experiment can be ascribed to remnants of plant material in the guts of the field‐collected carabids. Our findings demonstrate that these phloem‐feeding aphids are an unlikely cause of false trophic link assignment because no secondarily consumed plant DNA, derived either from aphid gut content or host‐plant environmental DNA on aphid bodies, could be detected in carabid gut content samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tachyura (s. str.) polita polita (Motschulsky, 1852) is redescribed and figured, including male and female genitalia. This species is native to the southeastern part of the Palaearctic region and the Oriental region. In the present paper, T. polita polita is recorded for the first time in Europe based on specimens from the Czech Republic (as adventive species). In addition, it is newly recorded from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia. The exact locality data based on which the species was listed in the Palaearctic Catalogue (Kopecký 2003, 2017) from the Chinese provinces of Fujian, Guangdong, and Guizhou are presented. The year of publication, usually given as 1851, is corrected to 1852 based on Bousquet & Davies (2021). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dyschiriini (Coleoptera Carabidae) is a tribe of ground beetles that has never received specific attention in the Ibero-Balearic region, resulting in a general lack of taxonomic, ecological and distributional knowledge. In this work, we revise the available bibliography and published data, analyse the origins of the study on each taxon and its progression through time (with emphasis on chorology) and assess the precise known distribution of all the species in the territory. A total of 117 works treating Ibero-Balearic Dyschiriini was found, published from 1825 to 2021. Among them, the most common works appeared as local journal articles, and the most common scope was faunistic (including catalogues and/or collection material lists). The accumulation in time of published Dyschiriini records has been closely related to historical events that both obstructed and promoted the scientific activity in Spain and Portugal. A tendency of publishing repeated records was noticed in the catalogues edited in the last decades. Precise distribution maps were made combining bibliographic records with occurrences available in GBIF. Distribution patterns could be identified in the case of some species, whereas others remain poorly recorded in the study area. The current knowledge gaps and the future of studies on Iberian Dyschiriini are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Palearctic ground beetle Carabus granulatus Linneaus, 1758 has been accidentally introduced to North America on multiple occasions. We review previous reports of its North American colonization history, and document range expansion into northern California, Montana, New York state, Vermont, and Maine. We also review its several reported interceptions. The species is eurytopic, occupying marginal heathland and open wet forest habitats in the Old World, and is not particularly associated with human habitation. New World populations retain these habitat preferences, with established introductions often occurring along coastlines or waterways. Spread by the flightless C. granulatus in North America is compared to two other carabid species introduced to North America: 1, the exceedingly synanthropic, also flightless, Carabus nemoralis Müller; and 2, the flight-capable, extremely eurytopic Nebria brevicollis (F.). Geographic expansion in all three species is positively associated with breadth of habitat preference, dispersal ability, and degree of synanthropic association. For all three species, transport via human activities is an important factor promoting range expansion. Based on the Palearctic distribution of C. granulatus, its North American range can be expected to expand trans-continentally, coalescing populations originating from the independent colonizations, while also expanding southward where habitats meet the ecological criteria necessary for the species' persistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In defensive mimicry, resemblance between unequally defended species can be parasitic; this phenomenon has been termed quasi-Batesian mimicry. Few studies have used real co-mimics and their predators to test whether the mimetic interactions were parasitic. Here, we investigated the mimetic interaction between two well-defended insect species, the bombardier beetle Pheropsophus occipitalis jessoensis (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and the assassin bug Sirthenea flavipes (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), using their potential predator, the pond frog Pelophylax nigromaculatus (Anura: Ranidae), which coexists with these insect species in the same habitat in Japan. We observed behavioural responses of this frog species (adults and juveniles) to adult Ph. occipitalis jessoensis and adult S. flavipes under laboratory conditions. Among the frogs, 100% and 75% rejected Ph. occipitalis jessoensis and S. flavipes, respectively, suggesting that, compared with the assassin bug S. flavipes, the bombardier beetle Ph. occipitalis jessoensis is more well-defended against frogs. An assassin bug or a bombardier beetle was provided to a frog that had encountered the other insect species. Frogs with a history of assassin bug encounter demonstrated a lower rate of attack toward bombardier beetles. Similarly, frogs with a history of bombardier beetle encounter demonstrated a lower rate of attack toward assassin bugs. Therefore, both the bombardier beetle Ph. occipitalis jessoensis and the assassin bug S. flavipes benefit from the mimetic interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphometric parameters of Acinopus (Acinopus)laevigatusMénétriés, 1832 (Coleoptera, Carabidae) were studied and their altitudinal variability was assessed. The length of head is the most variable, and the smallest value of the coefficient of variation is observed for the width of elytra. The length of body parts (head, pronotum, elytra) were more variable compared to their width. The correlation relationship between the morphometric parameters of different parts of the body was analyzed. A high correlation was found between the elytra length (EL) and the total body length (BL) (r=0.93), and the lowest correlation was found between the elytra width (EW) and the pronotum length (PL) (r=0.57). According to all measurement indicators, high-mountain representatives of beetles were inferior to middle-mountain individuals, and the variation in traits was also less. Only the width of the elytra turned out to be more variable in individuals of the highlands. Statistical analysis showed a rather high reliability of the influence of altitudinal belts on the morphometric parameters of beetles for all studied parameters. However, changes in body proportions in different altitudinal zones were not significant, except for the EW/BL index.

Wind disturbances and consequent salvage logging lead to drastic changes in forest soil conditions, vegetation and microclimate, potentially affecting arthropod communities. In mountain regions, topography is expected to be particularly important to modulate the effect of canopy removal and soil disturbance potentially amplifying the ecological contrast between forest and disturbed areas. Here, we studied the short-term response of ground beetles (Carabidae), spiders (Araneae), and harvestmen (Opiliones) in wind-damaged spruce forests along statistically orthogonal gradients in elevation, slope, and aspect. We addressed three main ecological questions: (i) Does the effect of wind disturbance on diversity depend on topography? (ii) Are there specific taxon-related responses to disturbances?, and (iii) What is the role of dispersal in shaping species assembly dynamics? We generally observed that increasing slope and elevation amplified the differences between undisturbed forest and windfall areas. On the one hand, the diversity of ground beetles and harvestmen seemed to be negatively affected by wind disturbance, causing a loss of specialized forest species with a low rate of colonization of species typical of open habitats. On the other hand, several novel spider species were able to rapidly colonize windfalls and community composition strongly shifted from forest to disturbed areas. Species with long-range dispersal strategies (e.g. flying and ballooning) were those more likely to colonize windfalls. Our findings suggest that disturbance effects on ground-dwelling organisms were modulated by underlying environmental gradients and that short-term response of different taxa was dependent on their dispersal ability.

Movement facilitates and alters species interactions, the resulting food web structures, species distribution patterns, community structures and survival of populations and communities. In the light of global change, it is crucial to gain a general understanding of how movement depends on traits and environmental conditions. Although insects and notably Coleoptera represent the largest and a functionally important taxonomic group, we still know little about their general movement capacities and how they respond to warming. Here, we measured the exploratory speed of 125 individuals of eight carabid beetle species across different temperatures and body masses using automated image-based tracking. The resulting data revealed a power-law scaling relationship of average movement speed with body mass. By additionally fitting a thermal performance curve to the data, we accounted for the unimodal temperature response of movement speed. Thereby, we yielded a general allometric and thermodynamic equation to predict exploratory speed from temperature and body mass. This equation predicting temperature-dependent movement speed can be incorporated into modeling approaches to predict trophic interactions or spatial movement patterns. Overall, these findings will help improve our understanding of how temperature effects on movement cascade from small to large spatial scales as well as from individual to population fitness and survival across communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological effects on populations of non‐game species driven by the annual release and management of tens of millions of gamebirds for recreational shooting are complex and relatively poorly understood. We investigated these effects at a national scale, considering multiple taxa simultaneously. We used records from the UK National Biodiversity Network Atlas to compare animal species and diversity metrics previously suggested to be affected by behaviors of the released birds, or because resources or habitats are influenced by game management or both processes. We contrasted records from 1 km grid squares where gamebirds were reported released in Great Britain, and control squares with similar land cover but where no releases were reported. There were more records overall reported from release grid squares (RGS) compared with controls (CGS), perhaps due to greater reporting effort or greater biological richness. We found fewer foxes in RGS and fewest in grid squares with largest releases, but more carrion crows in RGS. We found no consistent effects for buzzards, ravens, jays, or magpies. There were more rodents and gray squirrels reported from RGS but no differences for reptiles. There were more butterflies but fewer beetles reported from RGS but no consistent patterns for Orthoptera or ground beetles considered common gamebird prey. Farmland and woodland birds exhibited higher abundance, richness, and diversity in RGS when considering absolute records, but woodland bird abundance and richness were lower when correcting for the relative number of records. These nationwide results, despite crude data resolution, reveal diverse effects of gamebird release and management at a national scale and across trophic levels, increasing some non‐game animal populations while decreasing others. This should alert practitioners, opponents, and legislators that a focus on single taxa effects, either positive or negative, may obscure the simultaneous changes in other taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arthropods, especially insects, are highly sensitive to environmental changes and are considered excellent bioindicators. Therefore, the objective of this research was to know the entomofauna of beetles bioindicators of a forest fragment in the municipality of Abaetetuba-PA and to evaluate the environmental quality of this fragment according to the characteristics of the individuals collected. To collect the specimens, pitfall traps were used as a passive collection method and an entomological net as an active collection method. The sampling effort lasted six months, totaling 21 collections by each method. It was possible to collect specimens from 8 different families, of which six are considered environmental indicators (Curculionidae, Carabidae, Coccinellidae, Scarabaeidae, Cerambycidae and Chrysomelidae), with the Scarabaeidae family (52.87%) being the most abundant. The presence of bioindicator families point to the existence of degradation at the site, but do not show signs of severe environmental disturbance, in addition to indicating a possible recovery of the border vegetation, with a tendency to increase the complexity of the ecosystem. Thus, the study will contribute to future environmental monitoring actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is based on the examination of the female holotype and a male specimen of Lebia (s. str.) nigricollis Gené, 1839, both coming from the type locality of the species. The Authors recognize the specific validity of this taxon, currently cited as a synonym of L. cruxminor Linné, 1758 in several recent catalogues and checklists of carabid beetles. This species, endemic to Mount Gennargentu in central-eastern Sardinia (Italy), is confirmed as very close to the widely spread, palaearctic species L. cruxminor, but is markedly distinct from the latter by several external features, different color, and different shape of aedeagus. The synonymies of L. nigripes Dejean, 1825 and L. caucasica Motschulsky, 1844 with L. cruxminor are confirmed. Enigmatic is so far the taxonomic status of L. cruxminor subsp. pilosula Antoine, 1963, described from Central High Atlas in Morocco, which for several morphological characters should be a distinct species. In conclusion, Lebia (s. str.) nigricollis Gené, 1839, known so far from two only specimens and never found again, is added as a further interesting species to the very diverse Italian fauna, in an area of Sardinia where most of the endemic insular carabid taxa are localized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a short illustration of the main geological as well as climatic and vegetational features of the Ceronda Valley, a synthesis of the researches carried out so far in this area is reported. A topographic catalogue of the 134 Tiger beetle and Ground beetle species recorded from this territory is given, with notes regarding the ecology and the distribution of the most interesting ones. Furthermore, the main observed carabid assemblages are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For more than 20 years, restoration measures have been conducted on watercourses in Germany to increase habitat diversity and thus promote biodiversity. However, their ecological efficacy often proved to be limited. While some studies report an increase in species diversity, others show little evidence of improvement even many years after the implementation of restoration measures. In general, ecological efficacy of hydromorphological restoration measures is highest for terrestrial and semiaquatic groups of organisms such as floodplain vegetation and ground beetles. According to the literature, macrophytes responded most strongly to in-stream restoration measures, while fish stocks showed little improvement and macroinvertebrates showed little or no effect in terms of species richness and diversity. These findings raise the question of reasons for the low ecological efficacy of hydromorphological restoration measures, especially for macroinvertebrate communities. The following literature review and a case study for the river Horloff will provide possible indications for failing success of intensive restoration measures. Results: One reason for the inadequate ecological status of many restored river stretches is the inappropriate scaling of restoration measures. Often, small-scale restoration measures are planned, although the respective water bodies exhibit stressors at the catchment scale that impair the ecological efficacy of restoration measures. In particular, chemical contamination of running waters is often insufficiently addressed in the planning and implementation of restoration measures and hampers efficacy of hydromorphological restoration measures. For a holistic water resource management, the planning and implementation of measures should therefore be more closely coordinated and harmonized between federal states and neighboring countries. For this purpose, the establishment of so-called river basin communities is suitable, as they already exist today on the rivers Rhine, Danube, Meuse, Weser, Elbe, Ems, Eider, Schlei/Trave, Warnow/Peene. Conclusion: The literature review indicated that for a successful recolonization of restored river stretches by macroinvertebrates and the enhancement of the ecological status, large-scale stressors, i.e., stressors acting at the catchment scale, should be eliminated initially by restoration measures focusing on the chemical contamination and the surrounding land use. Structural restoration measures acting on the reach or local scale should ideally be implemented contemporarily to the removal of large-scale stressors like chemical contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat ground beetle Zabrus tenebrioides (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) is an important wheat pest in Iran and some regions of the world. This pest causes damage to wheat by feeding on the root, stalk, and leaves. Farmers try to control this pest by the foliar application of different insecticides, but this method causes damage to the environment. To find an effective method to control this pest, the thiamethoxam insecticide (Cruiser®) efficiency was evaluated using seed treatment in this study. An experiment based on a randomized complete block design with four treatments and four replications was conducted in a field in Ramhormoz city, Khuzestan province (Iran). The treatments were 150 and 200 ml of thiamethoxam plus 2350 ml of water for seed treatment, 2,000 ppm of diazinon by field spraying at the wheat tillering stage, and a control. The results indicated that the average plant density in 150 and 200 ml of thiamethoxam (333.58 and 333.28 plant/m2, respectively) was more than those of diazinon (258.28 plant/m2) and the control (182.12 plant/m2). The average ear density in 150 and 200 ml of thiamethoxam (513.78 and 506.12 plant/m2, respectively) was more than those of diazinon (321.22 plant/m2) and the control (260.86 plant/m2). According to the present results, farmers can use 150 ml of thiamethoxam plus 2350 ml of water for 100 kg of seeds to control this pest by seed treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the effects of the huge diversity of cropping systems on local biodiversity is challenging but necessary to implement agroecological systems. Through a functional approach, the translation of cropping systems into resource and disturbance gradients is a promising way to decipher the relationship between cropping systems and biodiversity but has never been implemented for arthropods.To investigate the contributions of resource and disturbance gradients arising from cropping systems vs environmental context (regional effect, meteorological conditions and landscape characteristics) on beneficial arthropod communities, we used a dataset collected in 60 crop fields from three French areas over a 5‐year period. It includes all farmer interventions, crop sequences, meteorological data, landscape composition and carabid samplings.We found that environmental context contributed to about 75% of explained carabid variations on average, while resource and disturbance gradients contributed to about 25% of explained carabid variations. The resource and disturbance gradients were particularly important in winter and in the spring preceding the spring–summer period to determine carabid variations.Moreover, we identified thresholds above which resource and disturbance gradients start being beneficial or detrimental for carabids. For example, increased treatment index in spring decreased the total activity density of carabids during the spring–summer period.Synthesis and applications. While implementing for the first time a functional approach to understand the effects of different facets of cropping systems on arthropods, our study also allows us to identify periods and thresholds above which specific practices affect carabids. Finally, avoiding bare soils all along the year, keeping pesticide use intensity below the identified thresholds and adopting a wide diversity of tillage strategies at the landscape scale should all contribute to enhance in‐field carabid occurrences and richness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the W Italian Alps, an area characterized by considerable environmental complexity, the widespread Platynus were studied by focusing on their species composition. The ecological niche realized by the genus in this area encompasses a preference for humid and cold environments, sometimes associated with altitude. Several specimens from private and public collections were investigated by geometric morphometrics, a powerful technique capable of detecting even minor morphological variation. The quantitative analysis was paired to a qualitative survey of anatomical traits. To classify and discriminate species, external traits (head, pronotum, right elytron) and internal structures (male and female genitalia, mouthparts) were evaluated by direct examination and dissection. The results supported the presence of the five species already known from the study area and also helped to identify four new cryptic taxa to which the specific rank was assigned. They are herein described as Platynus maritimus n. sp., Platynus occitanus n. sp., Platynus simonisi n. sp., and Platynus vignai n. sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fragments of woodland represent important natural and semi-natural elements that contribute to ecological stability and biodiversity in a landscape. In the Czech Republic, they are part of the Territorial System of Ecological Stability (TSES), which consists of bio-centers, bio-corridors, and interaction elements. The presence of fragments of woodland is of growing importance in the agricultural landscape, where they provide effective protection against soil erosion and serve as a refuge for many animals, whose presence is crucial in maintaining essential ecosystem functions. A functioning ecosystem is especially important in intensively farmed landscapes, which are exposed to frequent and heavy disturbance. Our aim was to evaluate the influence of certain habitat characteristics of fragments of woodland on the activity-density and species richness of selected groups of soil invertebrates (ground beetles, spiders, harvestmen, centipedes, millipedes, and isopods). The research was conducted in the agricultural landscape of South Moravia (Czech Republic) in the summers of 2016–2017, for which we used pitfall traps to collect soil invertebrates on preselected fragments of woodland. The results highlight a wide range of habitat preferences of individual groups of invertebrates, wherein it is not possible to clearly determine the most favorable environmental conditions for all organisms. Consequently, the priority should be to maintain the highest possible degree of heterogeneity among natural and semi-natural features, including with respect to their surrounding landscape. In addition, we found that due to their small size and width, fragments of woodland that are not included in the concept of bio-centers and bio-corridors can similarly support the activity-density and diversity of soil fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scaphinotus longiceps Van Dyke, 1924 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) has formerly been recorded from only three sites (two of which are based on specimens collected in 1901 and the 1930s) in northwestern California. The limited known range, apparent restriction to old growth forests, and few specimens have caused this species to be regarded as potentially threatened or endangered. Ten additional sites have since been found, significantly increasing the known range and potential ecological amplitude of this poorly understood species. Habitus and other images are presented to aid in distinguishing this species from several related species found in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "Bodleian Plate", an early eighteenth-century engraved copper printing plate, bears a series of images of buildings erected in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA, as well as depictions of plants and animals. Four of these natural history images portray fragments of marine algae here identified as Sargassum spp. (Sargassaceae) and Ascophyllum nodosum (Fucaceae). A fifth botanical subject is identified as fragments of the inflorescences of Tilia sp. (Malvaceae). Two of the Sargassum fragments show commensal marine organisms, a bryozoan (probably Jellyella tuberculata (Membraniporidae)) and goose barnacles (Lepas sp. (Crustacea; Cirripedia)). A seahorse (Hippocampus sp. (Syngnathidae)), a ground beetle and a spider are also depicted. These new identifications contradict the hypothesis that the illustrations portray agricultural or other commodities of financial importance in Virginia during the early 1700s. A putative link with William Byrd II of Westover, Virginia, is not supported by the natural history images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid expansion of the human population poses a challenge for wildlife conservation in agricultural landscapes. One proposal for addressing this challenge is to increase biodiversity in such landscapes by increasing crop diversity. However, studies report both positive and negative effects of crop diversity on biodiversity. One possible explanation, derived from the "area–heterogeneity tradeoff hypothesis," is that the effect of crop diversity on biodiversity depends on a tradeoff between increasing the number of crop types in a landscape and decreasing the amount of each single crop type. This should cause positive effects of increasing crop diversity at low to intermediate crop diversity and negative effects at intermediate to high crop diversity. We also propose two factors that could change the point at which the effect of increasing crop diversity shifts from positive to negative. First, we predicted that this shift would occur at a lower crop diversity when the surrounding landscape contains less semi‐natural habitat and at a higher crop diversity when the landscape contains more semi‐natural habitat. This should increase the likelihood of detecting negative effects of crop diversity when semi‐natural cover is low and positive effects when it is high. Second, we predicted that the shift from a positive to negative effect would occur at a lower crop diversity when it is measured locally than when it is measured at greater distances from the site, making detection of negative crop diversity effects more likely when measurements are at local extents. We tested these predictions using data on the biodiversity of herbaceous plants, butterflies, syrphid flies, woody plants, bees, carabid beetles, spiders, and birds at 221 crop field edges in Eastern Ontario, Canada. We found support for an area–crop diversity tradeoff. Semi‐natural cover and measurement extent influenced the biodiversity–crop diversity relationship, with positive effects when semi‐natural cover was high and negative effects when semi‐natural cover was low and when crop diversity was measured at local extents. The results suggest that policies/guidelines designed to increase crop diversity will not benefit biodiversity in the landscapes where conservation action is most urgently needed, that is, in landscapes with high agricultural use and low semi‐natural cover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Declining biodiversity in agricultural landscapes has increased the need for research and monitoring of insect abundance and diversity at the landscape level. Objectives: We investigated the accuracy of different spatial sampling designs in estimating landscape-level abundance and species richness of carabids in agricultural landscapes and, further, which sample size per landscape section was required and whether dominating land use or landscape subdivision affected accuracy and required sample size. Methods: We developed a simulation model that created raster maps of agricultural landscapes, compiled local carabid communities (species composition and abundances) within raster cells and simulated the sampling of carabids with pitfall traps using different spatial sampling designs and sample sizes between 4 and 49 sampling points per landscape section. Spatial sampling designs included random, systematic grid-based, stratified and clustered schemes. Results: To estimate landscape-level abundance, area-proportional stratified random sampling was most accurate followed by systematic grid-based designs. A sample size of 25 appeared to be the best trade-off between accuracy and sampling cost. Accuracy was not affected substantially by landscape characteristics in most cases. With respect to species richness, all designs except for clustered sampling had comparable accuracies, but even 49 samples were not sufficient to detect 80% of the species. Conclusion: Systematic grid-based designs are generally recommendable for sampling of carabids in agricultural landscapes and, in case a carabid-specific habitat classification is available, area-proportional stratified random sampling provides optimal accuracy for estimating landscape-level abundance. For assessment of species richness, large sample size is more important than spatial sampling design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent global need for the ecological intensification of agricultural systems to reduce negative impacts on the environment while meeting the rising demand for agricultural products. Enriching grasslands with floral species is a tool to promote diversity and the associated services at higher trophic levels, and ultimately, to enhance the agricultural landscape matrix. Here, we studied an organic pastures-based dairy production system with plant species enhanced grass–clover pastures with respect to the effect on the activity density, functional traits, carabid assemblages, and species richness of carabid beetles. To understand the effect of land management on carabid beetles, we studied two types of grass–clover pastures with low and relatively high plant diversities in an integrated crop–livestock rotational grazing system (ICLS). As a comparison, organic permanent grasslands and conventionally managed maize were studied. We installed pitfall traps for three weeks in early summer, and for two weeks in autumn. In total, 11,347 carabid beetles of 66 species were caught. Grass–clover pastures did not differ in activity density, functional traits, habitat guilds, or species richness, but conventional maize did show a higher activity density in autumn and a higher proportion of eurytopic species and mobile species compared to grass–clover pastures. On grass–clover pastures, we found more endangered species, Carabus beetles, and a distinct carabid assemblage compared to maize. However, we attribute the lack of an effect of increased plant diversity of the grass–clover pastures on carabid species richness and functional traits to the intensive grazing regime, which resulted in the compositional and structural homogeneity of vegetation. Still, the presence of specialized and endangered species indicated the potential for organically managed grass–clover pastures to promote dispersal through an otherwise depleted and fragmented agricultural landscape. By increasing crop diversity in ICLS, more resources for foraging and nesting are created; therefore, organically managed grass–clover pastures add to the multi-functionality of agricultural landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests within urban areas are important for the survival of some native plant and animal communities. Urban forests are negatively affected by human-mediated disturbances, including those that increase nonnative plant invasion. Nonnative plants alter forest structure, and can contribute to dense understory vegetation, more open canopy structure, and less leaf litter volume. This modified vegetation structure alters resources urban forests provide for native forest species. Carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) are used globally to understand community-level responses to changes in ecosystem quality. We sampled carabids in 24 urban temperate deciduous and mixed forests in two cities, Raleigh, North Carolina and Newark, Delaware, to understand how carabid communities in different regions change in response to nonnative plant invasion. We predicted forests invaded by nonnative plants would have denser understories and carabid communities with less forest specialist species and more open area specialist species. We focused on forest specialist carabids, species that depend on intact forest canopies, and open area specialist carabids, species that depend on open or no canopies, to determine whether urban forests support species indicative of intact forest ecosystems. We found greater native ground cover was associated with greater forest specialist diversity, greater canopy openness increased open area specialist capture and diversity, and understory vegetation density reduced open area specialist diversity. However, relationships were dependent on regional plant and carabid community composition. This study suggests abundant nonnative plants and associated dense vegetation structure are potential mechanisms explaining differences between rural and urban carabid communities and provides a unique example of how nonnative plants influence a guild of arthropods other than obligate herbivores. Our results indicate urban forests are not negligible ecosystems, but rather a reservoir for native biota. We suggest urban forest managers promote native species by managing nonnative species invasion in the understory of urban forests, to improve ecosystem quality for native forest specialist species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of two possible factors, prevention of pest immigration and enhancement of natural enemies, in suppressing onion thrips, Thrips tabaci L. were estimated in a small-scale experimental system of spring-planted onions intercropped with barley. The population dynamics of the thrips and their potential predatory natural enemies were investigated in four treatments: control (bare ground), insect net barrier, and onion-barley intercropping with or without trimming. We found that intercropping significantly suppressed onion thrips. It is unlikely that this effect was due to the prevention of thrip immigration because they seemed to move over the camouflage and/or physical barriers of the barley and the net barrier surrounding the onions easily. Intercropping with barley significantly increased hoverfly (Syrphidae) larvae numbers on onion leaves, and that of some groups of ground-dwelling predators such as large carnivorous ground beetles (Carabidae), ants (Formicidae), and wolf spiders (Lycosidae). We conclude that the suppression of thrips in this system was associated with the enhancement of hoverfly larvae abundance, mainly Sphaerophoria macrogaster (Thomson) (Syrphidae: Diptera) because they were observed together with thrips on onions and have been reported to predate thrips as well as aphids. Some hoverfly larvae on barley might move to nearby onions to search for new food sources and attack thrips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carabids (Coleoptera: Carabidae) are abundant predators in ecosystems and serve as pest biocontrol in agroecosystems and forestry. Here we test the impact of thiamethoxam, among the most used neonicotinoids on the consumption rate, locomotion, metabolomics, and oxidative stress level measuring superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in a predatory carabid, Abax parallelus (Duftschmid, 1812), after acute exposure in the laboratory trials, to get additional data that might link the use of pesticides and predation efficiency. Beetles were exposed to increasing concentrations of thiamethoxam by dipping method, and left to feed overnight prior to the assays. The results showed that individuals treated with higher concentrations of thiamethoxam (20 and 40 mg/L) consumed significantly less food per body weight and had a higher share of intoxicated and moribund individuals. The mass of consumed food per beetle body weight and observed locomotion did not differ significantly between control and groups treated with lower concentrations of thiamethoxam. There are significant differences in concentrations of some metabolites between treated and control individuals, primary in succinate and d-glucose, indicating a disruption in energy production. On the other hand, there is no statistically significant differences in SOD activity among the groups. To conclude, acute exposure to thiamethoxam can result in negative sub-lethal effects in predatory activity and energy budget, while the effects of long-term exposure to lower doses require further research, as well as field assessment on the predation efficiency after pesticide application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the carabid beetle genus Bembidion Latreille is described from the Central Valley, Los Angeles Basin, and surrounding areas of California. Bembidion brownorum sp. nov. is a distinctive species, a relatively large member of the subgenus Notaphus Dejean, and within Notaphus a member of the B. obtusangulum LeConte species group. It has faint spots on the elytra and a large, convex, rounded prothorax. Of the 22 specimens from 11 localities, all but one were collected more than 55 years ago. Although the collection of the holotype in 2021 at UV light suggest the species is still extant, the lack of other recent specimens suggests the species may have a more restricted distribution than in the past, and its populations may be in decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carabid beetles are common inhabitants of agricultural fi elds where they encounter a variety of food options - including prey and weed seeds. The feeding behaviors of carabids are often infl uenced by the physical and chemical traits of prey and seed species, as such traits determine prey or seed species that are suitable for consumption. However, some carabid species may prey upon other carabids, complicating their role as benefi cial insects due to consumptive (direct) and non-consumptive (indirect) intra-guild predation effects. The non-consumptive effects of intra-guild predation are expected to infl uence prey and seed foraging behaviors of carabids because those behaviors are likely to be adapted as a function of duration and intensity of predation risk. In this study, we wanted to explore the non-consumptive effects of the carabid intra-guild predator Pterosticus melanarius on mobility and feeding behavior of two carabid omnivores: Harpalus amputatus and Amara spp. Choice and no-choice feeding arenas coupled with a video system were used to study the responses of carabid beetles to the odor cues of P. melanarius. Odor cues left by P. melanarius caused H. amputatus to reduce its activity when canola seeds (Brassica napus) were offered in the feeding arenas. In contrast, P. melanarius cues did not cause H. amputatus to alter its mobility when freeze-killed fruit fl ies were offered in the feeding arenas, although this species did increase consumption of fruit fl ies under these cues. Amara spp. offered canola seeds increased their mobility and relative seed preferences when exposed to the odor cues of P. melanarius. Overall, our work shows carabid species do alter aspects of their foraging behavior under intra-guild predation risks, but this is unlikely to reduce their contributions to seed or prey biocontrol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-mining sites represent important secondary refuges for invertebrates as well as for fungal species, often providing biodiversity hotspots in homogenous landscapes. Our study focuses on assemblages of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), spiders (Araneae), and macromycetes (Fungi: Basidiomycota, Ascomycota) in abandoned kaolin quarries and their immediate surroundings in the Pilsen region, Czech Republic. We studied mined and unmined sites and the impact of past mining, the vegetation composition of the sites, cover of herb and tree layers, and the amount of dead wood on the target groups. In total, we confirm the occurrence of 54 carabid beetle, 147 spider, and 139 macromycetes species, including several Red-listed species across the given groups. Carabid beetles and spiders, as well as the all Red-listed species, tend to prefer early successional open habitats. The fungal species displayed affinity to dead wood. Our results indicate that not only the invertebrates, but also macromycetes species prefer open post-mining sites, which are a substitute for endangered habitats such as natural wetlands or xerophilic grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent collecting of robber flies and their prey in eastern New Mexico and adjacent west Texas produced 313 specimens in 20 families of Coleoptera being fed upon by more than 44 species in 16 genera of Asilidae. The specimens represent 171 unique predator-prey combinations of which 120 have not been reported previously. The main beetle families preyed upon were Carabidae (26%), Scarabaeidae (24%), Melyridae (15%), Chrysomelidae (14%), and Curculionidae (5%). Only one or two specimens were in each of seven other families of Coleoptera. The main asilid predators of beetles were species in genera Cerotainiops Curran, Efferia Coquillett, and Proctacanthella Bromley. Based on non-Coleoptera prey for Asilidae collected in this study, no robber fly seemed to specialize in beetles. About half of the asilids with beetle prey were collected with only one or two specimens. Corrigenda are provided for prey records previously published by Pollock and Lavigne (2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the species richness of (meta‐)communities emerge from changes in the relative species abundance distribution (SAD), the total density of individuals, and the amount of spatial aggregation of individuals from the same species. Yet, how human disturbance affects these underlying diversity components at different spatial scales and how this interacts with important species traits, like dispersal capacity, remain poorly understood. Using data of carabid beetle communities along a highly replicated urbanization gradient, we reveal that species richness in urban sites was reduced due to a decline in individual density as well as changes in the SAD at both small and large spatial scales. Changes in these components of species richness were linked to differential responses of groups of species that differ in dispersal capacity. The individual density effect on species richness was due to a drastic 90% reduction of low‐dispersal individuals in more urban sites. Conversely, the decrease in species richness due to changes in the SAD at large (i.e., loss of species from the regional pool) and small (i.e., decreased evenness) spatial scales were driven by species with intermediate and high dispersal ability, respectively. These patterns coincide with the expected responses of these dispersal‐type assemblages toward human disturbance, namely, (i) loss of low‐dispersal species by local extinction processes, (ii) loss of higher‐dispersal species from the regional species pool due to decreased habitat diversity, and (iii) dominance of a few highly dispersive species resulting in a decreased evenness. Our results demonstrate that dispersal capacity plays an essential role in determining scale‐dependent changes in species richness patterns. Incorporating this information improves our mechanistic insight into how environmental change affects species diversity at different spatial scales, allowing us to better forecast how human disturbance will drive local and regional changes in biodiversity patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of exaggerated sexual traits may be possible by the relaxation of various constraints on exaggeration. Functional constraints refer to the reduced performance of exaggerated traits per se or increased survival costs by holding the exaggerated traits. Genetic constraints, such as genetic correlations or pleiotropy, may hinder the independent evolution and exaggeration of traits. Structural constraints, such as competition for space and resources among traits, may require the coordination of the exaggerated trait with surrounding structures. The remarkable diversity of male genital morphology provides an ideal opportunity for examining constraints on sexual trait exaggeration. In this study, we addressed the constraints on the evolution of exaggerated male genital morphology based on a comparative analysis of phenotypic covariation between the genitalia and other body parts using Ohomopterus ground beetles. We found that exaggerated male genitalia were related to a relaxation of functional constraint, as revealed by a steeper allometric slope in the species with exaggerated male genitalia. By contrast, genetic constraint based on a shared genetic basis for the male genitalia and other appendages may have little effect on diversification in male genitalia. Structural constraints were strongest in the species with the most exaggerated male genitalia, suggesting that the observed constraint was a result of exaggeration. These findings improve our understanding of sexual trait exaggeration and underlying constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the beetle family Carabidae, feeding habits are important life history traits that determine their role in ecosystems and suitability as bioindicators. However, they have not been elucidated for most species, especially in the larval stages. Using laboratory‐rearing experiments, this study examined the larval feeding habits of two large carabid species: Lesticus magnus (tribe Pterostichini) and Chlaenius costiger (tribe Chlaeniini). Although previous studies failed to rear these larvae on insect larva diets, the mandible morphology of the first instars described in those studies, together with subsequently obtained knowledge of the relationship between mandible morphology and feeding habits in other carabid larvae, suggests that they are earthworm feeders. Rearing experiments with three types of animal diet (insect larvae, mixed snail and slug, and earthworm diets) showed that as expected, their larvae are earthworm feeders. In L. magnus, although the larvae accepted the mixed snail and slug diet and the earthworm diet, only larvae reared on the earthworm diet reached adulthood. In C. costiger, the larvae accepted only the earthworm diet and reached adulthood. This is the first report of earthworm feeding during the larval stage for the genus Lesticus (tribe Pterostichini) and tribe Chlaeniini. The importance of these results is discussed from ecological and evolutionary perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epigeic generalist predators play a crucial role in terrestrial ecosystems, connecting aboveground and belowground food webs. Using stable isotope compositions (δ13C and δ15N values), we assessed the trophic niches of the two main groups of generalist predators (ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) and spiders (Arachnida: Aranei)), as well as their potential prey (phytophagous and saprophagous insects), plants, and soils in the forest, steppe, and transitional ecosystems located in the forest–steppe of southwestern Siberia. We hypothesized that (1) the trophic niche of carabids is wider than that of spiders, because some ground beetles are omnivorous, and (2) the contribution of invertebrates from the detrital food web (saprophages) to the diet of generalist predators is higher in the "detrital" forest ecosystem than in the steppe, which should be reflected in increased δ13C and δ15N values of the predators in the forest. In total, 16 species of carabid and 17 species of spider were analyzed. The δ15N values of ground beetles suggested a wide range of trophic niches corresponding to two or three trophic levels. Omnivorous carabids of the genera Amara and Harpalus had the minimum δ15N values. The carbon isotope compositions of the ground beetles suggests that most predatory species were predominantly involved in grazing food chains. Spiders had on average increased δ15N values compared to ground beetles, and a relatively narrow range of δ15N values. The isotopic niche occupied by spiders hardly overlapped with the isotopic niche of carabids, which may indicate a significant difference in the range of consumed resources. Thus, our data suggest a significant difference in the trophic niches of the key generalist predators, ground beetles and spiders, which was observed both in the forest and the steppe habitats. Spiders appear to be more closely associated with detrital food webs than ground beetles. Contrary to our expectations, we did not find higher δ13C and δ15N values in ground-dwelling generalist predators in the forest compared to the steppe ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainability of agroecosystems is at risk owing to continuous anthropogenic disturbance. As such, there is a need to evaluate indicator taxa that may be used to monitor the health of agricultural management systems. Carabid beetles are ubiquitous and functionally crucial in agroecosystems while at the same time are sensitive to the changes caused by management practices. Their quick response to anthropogenic disturbances has been proposed as a practical and realistic tool for monitoring the sustainability of agricultural practices. However, there is still disagreement about carabids as possible indicators of agroecosystem sustainability. We conducted a systematic review of the responses of carabid beetles to agricultural systems in different biogeographical areas. We examined whether these beetles could serve as potential indicators of agroecosystem sustainability. The ISI Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus were used to search for papers published from 2000–2019. In total, we included 69 studies indicating the use of carabids to monitor the impact of management practices in agroecosystems. Most studies were conducted in European countries (n = 37), while Southern Africa and East Asia countries were significantly under-represented (n = 10). Carabid beetle response to agroecosystems varied between management practices, with biodiversity indices (n = 41: positive 60%, negative 19%, and neutral 19%) being the most measured response variable, followed by functional diversity (n = 28: positive 67%, negative 25%, and neutral 7%). Overall, our findings highlight the need for more research in underdeveloped countries, to investigate the potential of overlooked carabids and include response variables measuring functional diversity in assessing the sustainability of agricultural management. This will assist policy makers and land managers in making active and informed decisions about agroecological disturbances and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paussus, commonly known as ant nest beetles, is the most diverse genus of Paussinae (Coleoptera: Carabidae) with a very complex taxonomic history. Biodiversity research in Southeast and South Asia yields new species that can contribute to a better understanding of the morphological disparity and species-group or subgenus delimitation. Here, we describe nine new species from Southeast Asia and China: Paussus (Scaphipaussus) fencli sp. nov. (China), P. (S.) mawdsleyi sp. nov. (Borneo), P. (S.) bakeri sp. nov. (Philippines), P. (S.) jendeki sp. nov. (Laos), P. (S.) saueri sp. nov. (India), P. (S.) annamensis sp. nov. (Vietnam), P. (S.) phoupanensis sp. nov. (Laos, Vietnam), P. (S.) bilyi sp. nov. (Thailand), and P. (S.) haucki sp. nov. (Thailand). We also bring new data on P. (S.) corporaali Reichensperger, 1927 (Java) and P. (S.) madurensis Wasmann, 1913 (India). Besides formal descriptions, we provide photographs of the habitus in the dorsal and dorsolateral view, antennal club, head crest, and male genitalia if the male is available. Based on the comparison of new and earlier described species, we show that the antennae are highly diverse within the Scaphipaussus. Considering other characters, some species are placed in Scaphipaussus, but they differ from putative relatives in the antennal morphology. The presence of the frontal protuberances and crests is a more reliable character. Additional species show that Scaphipaussus is most diverse in southeastern Asia, especially in Indo-Burma. Concerning its supposed late Miocene origin, the group underwent rapid radiation. The species diversity of Scaphipaussus almost doubled in the last decade, and it is highly probable that further species will be described in the future.