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A new species of the carabid beetle genus Bembidion Latreille is described from the Central Valley, Los Angeles Basin, and surrounding areas of California. Bembidionbrownorumsp. 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 Beetles are ubiquitous cave invertebrates worldwide that adapted to scarce subterranean resources when they colonized caves. Here, we investigated the potential role of gut microbiota in the adaptation of beetles to caves from different climatic regions of the Carpathians. The beetles’ microbiota was host-specific, reflecting phylogenetic and nutritional adaptation. The microbial community structure further resolved conspecific beetles by caves suggesting microbiota-host coevolution and influences by local environmental factors. The detritivore species hosted a variety of bacteria known to decompose and ferment organic matter, suggesting turnover and host cooperative digestion of the sedimentary microbiota and allochthonous-derived nutrients. The cave Carabidae, with strong mandibula, adapted to predation and scavenging of animal and plant remains, had distinct microbiota dominated by symbiotic lineages Spiroplasma or Wolbachia. All beetles had relatively high levels of fermentative Carnobacterium and Vagococcus involved in lipid accumulation and a reduction of metabolic activity, and both features characterize adaptation to caves.

Beetles are ubiquitous cave invertebrates worldwide that adapted to scarce subterranean resources when they colonized caves. Here, we investigated the potential role of gut microbiota in the adaptation of beetles to caves from different climatic regions of the Carpathians. The beetles' microbiota was host-specific, reflecting phylogenetic and nutritional adaptation. The microbial community structure further resolved conspecific beetles by caves suggesting microbiota-host coevolution and influences by local environmental factors. The detritivore species hosted a variety of bacteria known to decompose and ferment organic matter, suggesting turnover and host cooperative digestion of the sedimentary microbiota and allochthonous-derived nutrients. The cave Carabidae, with strong mandibula, adapted to predation and scavenging of animal and plant remains, had distinct microbiota dominated by symbiotic lineages Spiroplasma or Wolbachia. All beetles had relatively high levels of fermentative Carnobacterium and Vagococcus involved in lipid accumulation and a reduction of metabolic activity, and both features characterize adaptation to caves. [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]

Pygidial glands are of great importance to ground beetles for defense against predators, especially for the species that live in subterranean habitats. The purpose of our study is to better understand the chemistry of the pygidial gland secretions of subterranean ground beetles, as well as the function and structure of the glands. We studied both the chemical composition of the pygidial gland secretion and morphology of the glands in adults of the troglophilic ground beetle species Laemostenus (Antisphodrus) cavicola (Schaum, 1858). The chemical composition of its defensive secretion was revealed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), while pygidial gland morphology of the beetle was investigated using bright-field microcopy. In total, seven chemical compounds were detected in the secretion mixture. Formic acid was the most dominant compound, followed by dodecyl acetate and undecane. Other chemicals were present in minor amounts. The morphological structure of the pygidial glands of L. (A.) cavicola was compared with the structure of the glands of the related congeneric troglophilic species Laemostenus (Pristonychus) punctatus (Dejean, 1828). Summary data on the semiochemicals that have been recorded so far in subterranean ground beetle species are presented, and the differences in the chemical composition of the secretions between and among troglobitic and troglophilic species are discussed. So far, forty-four compounds have been detected in four subterranean ground beetle species (two troglobites belonging to the tribe Trechini and two troglophiles belonging to the tribe Sphodrini). The results of this study indicate the great diversity of chemicals in the pygidial gland secretions of subterranean ground beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duvalius semecensis tarensis ssp. nov. from two subterranean sites situated on Mt. Tara (western Serbia) is described, illustrated and compared with its most related congeners. It is provisionally placed in the subgenus Biharotrechus Bokor, 1922. The new subspecies is characterized by a depigmented, mediumsized body, the presence of reduced eyes, deep and complete frontal furrows, two pairs of discal setae in third elytral striae, as well as by the shape of aedeagus. It inhabits caves on Mt. Tara and is endemic of this mountain. Data on the distribution and bionomy of the new subspecies are given. Its closest relative, Duvalius (Biharotrechus) semecensis semecensis Winkler, 1926, is redescribed and we designated its holotype by monotypy. A key for the identification and an annotated catalogue of Serbian Biharotrechus and Duvalius s. str. taxa are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground beetles (Carabidae) are one the most numerous and well-studied families of Coleoptera. However, the study of the biodiversity of these beetles in Uzbekistan lags far behind other Central Asian countries. This research was carried out during 2018–2019 in two areas in the west part of the Zarafshan Mountain Range – in the Chakilkalyan and Karatepa mountains. In total, 49 species of ground beetles belonging to 31 genera, 16 tribes and 8 subfamilies were recorded. The most representative was the subfamily Harpalinae (32 species from 20 genera, 65.3%). By the number of individuals, representatives of Harpalinae made up 85.6% of all collected ground beetles. The Trechinae subfamily included five species from three genera (10.2%), the Scaritinae subfamily – four species from two genera (8.2%), the Carabinae subfamily – three species from two genera (6.1%), the Broscinae subfamily – two species from the same genus (4.1%). The subfamilies Brachininae, Cicindelinae and Nebriinae are represented by one species (2.0% each). In the Karatepa Mountains, 34 species from 23 genera were identified, and in the Chakilkalyan Mountains, 34 species from 21 genera. 19 species of ground beetles were common to the two mountains. The fauna of ground beetles in these mountains differed significantly in the composition of the dominant species. In the Karatepa Mountains, the dominant species were Zabrus morio, Eocarterus chodshenticus, Amara aenea, and Acinopus laevigatus, and the subdominant ones were Brachinus explodens, Calathus ambiguus, and Poecilus longiventris. In the Chakilkalyan Mountains, Anchomenus dorsalis, Harpalus rufipes, and Chlaenius extensus are dominant, while Amara aenea, Harpalus distinguendus, Dolichus halensis turned out to be subdominant. However, the composition of dominant species varied at different sites. The rarest species were Anisodactylus binotatus, Cymindis andreae, Taphoxenus goliath, Calosoma sycophanta, Scarites subcylindricus, Chilotomusus gentensis, Calathus peltatus and Broscus punctatus. Different areas of both mountains differed significantly in the diversity of ground beetle fauna. In both mountains, the lowest diversity was noted at the highest altitude areas. In four areas of the Karatepa Mountains, the average value of the Zhakar and Chekanovsky-Sørensen indices was 0.27 and 0.11, and in five areas of the Chakilkalyan Mountains – 0.24 and 0.25. And the similarities between the communities of the two mountains were also insignificant (0.39 and 0.11).

Pygidial glands are of great importance to ground beetles for defense against predators, especially for the species that live in subterranean habitats. The purpose of our study is to better understand the chemistry of the pygidial gland secretions of subterranean ground beetles, as well as the function and structure of the glands. We studied both the chemical composition of the pygidial gland secretion and morphology of the glands in adults of the troglophilic ground beetle species Laemostenus (Antisphodrus) cavicola (Schaum, 1858). The chemical composition of its defensive secretion was revealed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), while pygidial gland morphology of the beetle was investigated using bright-field microcopy. In total, seven chemical compounds were detected in the secretion mixture. Formic acid was the most dominant compound, followed by dodecyl acetate and undecane. Other chemicals were present in minor amounts. The morphological structure of the pygidial glands of L. (A.) cavicola was compared with the structure of the glands of the related congeneric troglophilic species Laemostenus (Pristonychus) punctatus (Dejean, 1828). Summary data on the semiochemicals that have been recorded so far in subterranean ground beetle species are presented, and the differences in the chemical composition of the secretions between and among troglobitic and troglophilic species are discussed. So far, forty-four compounds have been detected in four subterranean ground beetle species (two troglobites belonging to the tribe Trechini and two troglophiles belonging to the tribe Sphodrini). The results of this study indicate the great diversity of chemicals in the pygidial gland secretions of subterranean ground beetles.

The genus Tasmanitachoides Erwin, a genus of very small carabid beetle endemic to Australia, is reviewed. Although uncommon in collections, they can be abundant and diverse on banks of fine gravel or coarse sand next to bodies of fresh water; samples from southeastern Australia suggest numerous undescribed species. An initial phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus is presented, including 19 of the 32 known species. The inferred phylogeny, based upon one mitochondrial and four nuclear genes, shows the kingi group to be sister to remaining Tasmanitachoides, with the wattsensis group and T. lutus (Darlington) also being phylogenetically isolated. Two new species are described: T. baehri sp. nov., from the Australian Capital Territory, is a member of the kingi group; T. erwini sp. nov., from Tasmania, is a member of the wattsensis group. Identification tools for described and some undescribed species are presented, including photographs of all known species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Bembidion are described from river shores in North America. One, Bembidion mimbres sp. nov., from the Gila River watershed in the lands of the Mimbres culture in New Mexico and Arizona, is closely related to the widespread Bembidion levigatum. DNA sequences from several linkage groups and morphology provide evidence of the distinctiveness of B. mimbres. The second, Bembidion corgenoma sp. nov., has been the subject of recent genomic and transcriptomic studies. It belongs in the Bembidion transversale subgroup, and occurs from California north to British Columbia, east to Montana and Nevada. The B.transversale subgroup as a whole is reviewed, and morphological characters that distinguish B. corgenoma from the similar and sympatric B. transversale and B. erosum are described and illustrated. DNA sequences of these three species show no consistent differences in 28S, COI, CAD, and Topoisomerase, and a coalescent species delimitation analysis reveals no notable structure within the complex. This is the first known trio of species within Bembidion for which those genes provide no clear signal of species boundaries. A neotype is designated for the one name in the group that lacks a primary type, Bembidium haplogonum Chaudoir. Chromosomes of the new species and their relatives are as is typical for Bembidion, with eleven pairs of autosomes and an XY/XX sex chromosome system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of troglobitic trechine ground beetles is described from the Ceremošnja Cave in eastern Serbia - Duvalius (Paraduvalius) ceremosnjensis sp. n. All relevant morphological features of the new species are given and images of the new species are presented, along with the diagnosis with the closest relatives. The new trechine taxon is endemic to eastern Serbia.

The western North American genus Lionepha is shown to contain at least 11 species through a combination of eight-gene species delimitation analyses and morphological study. In order to confirm the names of several species, we sequence DNA of primary types of several names, including a LeConte lectotype collected in the 1850s, using next-generation sequencing. We examine chromosomes of eight species, and show that all have 12 pairs of autosomes and an X0/XX sex-chromosome system. The following species are described as new: Lionepha australerasa , L. kavanaughi , L. lindrothi and L. tuulukwa. The name Lionepha erasa is shown to belong to a relatively rare, western species ranging from Oregon through Alaska; the common, widespread species previously known as Lionepha erasa now takes the name L. probata. Bembidion chintimini , B. lindrothellus and B. lummi are synonymized with L. erasa. We provide tools to identify specimens to species, including illustrations, diagnoses and distribution maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The central peaks of the isolated island of St Helena (south Atlantic Ocean) are home to an extraordinary set of ground beetles of the tribe Bembidiini, which belong to three endemic genus-group taxa. These beetles are strikingly different in overall body form from the many bembidiines found elsewhere in the world. At least some of the St Helena species are likely to be extinct, and all are threatened by habitat destruction and invasive species. Through next-generation sequencing of historical museum specimens, we examine the phylogenetic relationships of the St Helena fauna. We find that, in spite of their morphological disparities, the endemic bembidiines of St Helena form a clade of genetically similar species, with their sister group being Bembidion alsium from the Indian Ocean island of La Réunion, and the sister group of this pair being the African subgenus Omotaphus. We propose that the St Helena Peaks Bembidion are an adaptive radiation that arose from a single dispersal event to St Helena from a now-extinct African lineage (sister to Omotaphus) and that this extinct lineage also served as the ancestral source of B. alsium. Given that the St Helena Peaks Bembidion are deeply nested in the genus Bembidion , we move the three taxa back in that genus as subgenera and provide a new name (Bembidion shepherdae) for the now-homonymous Bembidion wollastoni. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors present a contribution to the knowledge of three Duvalius species known from forests and caves in Mount Pílio (Thessalia, Greece). Duvalius (Duvalius) moczarskii (G. Müller, 1917) is redescribed from the type material and further specimens sampled in recent years. Furthermore, the authors describe two sympatric species living in the same massif: D. (D.) marijkeae sp. n., sampled both in a cave and in Superficial Subterranean Habitat (M.S.S.), and D. (D.) chironis sp. n., only sampled by traps in M.S.S. (two individuals in two different years). Notes about relationships and distribution of these and other Duvalius species from Greece are also added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Neotrechus J. Müller, 1913 - N. vonickai sp. nov. from the Albanian Alps is described, illustrated and distinguished from similar species. New data on distribution of Neotrechus suturalis pentheri Winkler, 1926 from Albania are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orotrechus frassanellicus, new species from hypogean environments in northern Colli Euganei (Veneto, Italy), in the municipality of Rovolon (Padova), is here described. It is very close to Orotrechus euganeus Pace, 1974 (s.l.), from which markedly differs for the shape of the median lobe of aedeagus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new troglobitic trechine ground beetle species are described from three caves in eastern and southeastern Serbia: Duvalius (Paraduvalius) bogovinae sp. n., from the Bogovinska Pećina Cave, village of Bogovina, Kučajske Planine Mts., near Boljevac, eastern Serbia; D. (P.) milutini sp. n., from the Samar cave system, village of Kopajkošara, Mt. Kalafat, near Svrljig, southeastern Serbia, and D. (P.) beljanicae sp. n., from the Velika Atula Cave, village of Strmosten, Mt. Beljanica, near Despotovac, eastern Serbia. The new species are easily distinguished from relatives. All important morphological features, along with the diagnoses and illustrations of the new taxa are presented. The new species are relicts and endemics of eastern and southeastern Serbia. They probably belong to old phyletic lineages of Tertiary or even pre-Tertiary origin. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173038]

The following two new troglobitic trechine ground beetle species are described from two caves in eastern and southeastern Serbia: Duvalius (Paraduvalius) petrovici sp. n., from the Resavska Pećina Cave, village of Jelovac, near Despotovac, Kučajske Planine Mts., and D. (P.) sotirovi sp. n., from the Ogorelička Pećina Cave, village of Sićevo, near Niš, Svrljiške Planine Mts. The new species considerably differ from the related taxa. All important morphological characteristics of the species, along with the diagnoses and images of the taxa are presented. These represent relicts and endemics of eastern and southeastern parts of Serbia and are of great age (probably Tertiary or even before). [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173038]

A new genus (Punctoduvalius gen. n.) and a species of trechine ground beetles (Punctoduvalius orlovacensis sp. n.) from Bosnia and Herzegovina have been described and diagnosed. Punctoduvalius gen. n. is clearly distinct from all other phenetically close genera in many important respects, such as: the presence of depigmented reduced eyes, the presence of a pigmented eye border, the presence of deep and complete frontal furrows, the presence of tiny setae on the genae, the presence of distinct longitudinal fissures on the protibias, the ratio of length/width of the first protarsal article in males, the presence of two elytral discal setae, the presence of numerous setiferous punctures in interstrial spaces, the specific position of the humeral setae, and the specific shape of the copulatory piece. This new genus comprises four species: Punctoduvalius pilifer (Ganglbauer, 1891) (endogean from Mts. Treskavica and Bjelašnica, and from a cave on Mt. Visočica, Bosnia and Herzegovina), P. protectus (Winkler, 1926) (from the Pećina kod Ostojića Cave, Mt. Treskavica, and endogean from Mt. Jahorina, Bosnia and Herzegovina), P. brevipilosus (Knirsch, 1927) (endogean from Lupoglav Peak, Mt. Prenj, Bosnia and Herzegovina), and P. orlovacensis sp. n. (from the Orlovača Cave, village of Donje Biševo, near Pale, Bosnia and Herzegovina). The four species clearly differ in many important respects. The following three taxonomic changes are proposed: Punctoduvalius pilifer (Ganglbauer, 1891), comb. n., P. protectus (Winkler, 1926), comb. n., and P. brevipilosus (Knirsch, 1927), comb. n. The new genus and its members belong to an old separate phyletic lineage, distinct from all other existing species groups. Additionally, these forms are relict and endemic to the deep soil and caves of Bosnia and Herzegovina. [Acknowledgments. This study was financially supported by the Serbian Ministry of Education and Science (Grant No. 173038).]

A new species of the carabid beetle genus Bembidion Latreille is described from the Central Valley, Los Angeles Basin, and surrounding areas of California. Bembidionbrownorum 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., (David R. Maddison, John S. Sproul, Kipling Will.)

Genera Antoinella Jeannel, 1937 (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechinae) three new species from Morocco: A. espanyoli n. sp. , A. iblanensis n. sp. y A. fadriquei n. sp. Three new species of the genus Antoinella Jeannel (Carabidae, Trechinae) are described from the region of Taza in Morocco: A. espanyoli n. sp. (the smallest of all Antoniella), A. iblanensis n. sp. (with the end of aedeagus truncate) and A. fadriquei n. sp. (with the aedeagus rather similar to that of A. iblanensis n. sp. but end not trunacte). A brief summary on the geographical dispersion of the genus is given. The most distinctive taxonomic characteristics concern the male genitalia; the accompanying drawings contribute further to the identification of the new taxa.

Winklerites stevanovici sp. nov., of the W. hercegovinensis (Winkler, 1925) species group (sensu GUÉORGUIEV 2007) (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae: Anillini: Scotodipnina), is described from eastern Serbia. Male and female genitalia as well as the habitus are illustrated. The new species is separated from all other species of the group, especially from the very similar W. serbicus Čurćić et al., 2013, by supraorbital setae more distant, posterior pronotal angles pointed and prominent, different position of setae of umbilicate series, median lobe of aedeagus in lateral view with triangular apex longer and slender, with well defi ned pre-apical ventral gibbosity and shorter parameres. The distributional map of all species of the W. hercegovinensis group is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orotrechus biancoi n. sp., from caves of the Bosco del Tretto (Schio, Vicenza) (Gruppo del Carega-Piccole Dolomiti-Pasubio) and Orotrechus euganeus perettoi n. ssp., from subterranean environment and caves of the Berici Mounts (Arcugnano and Longare, Vicenza), are here described. Studing the abundant material it has been demonstrated the great variability of the described subspecies of Orotrechus stephani, so allowing to establish the following two new synonymies: Orotrechus stephani roboretanus Müller, 1933=Orotrechus stephani stephani (Müller, 1913) and Orotrechus stephani perinii Tamanini, 1953=Orotrechus stephani stephani (Müller, 1913). A key for identification, properly modified, to the Orotrechus of the stephani species group, is also proposed. Finally, some ecological notes on the new taxon, inhabiting the Berici Mounts, are given [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]