First description of the larva of Dinaraea Thomson, 1858, with comments on chaetotaxy, pupa, and life history based on two saproxylic species from Europe (Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae, Athetini).

Bernard Staniec,Krzysztof Pawlęga,Ewa Pietrykowska-Tudruj

doi:10.3897/zookeys.752.24440

Bernard Staniec, Krzysztof Pawlęga + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.752.24440

Copy DOI

Abstract

The paper describes the morphological ultrastructure of the previously unknown early (L1) and late larval instars (L2–3) of Dinaraea, including chaetotaxy, pupal cocoon, prepupa, and pupa, based on the saproxylic species D. aequata Erichson and D. linearis Gravenhorst. Diagnostic larval characters for the genus Dinaraea are given for the first time. Morphological differences between mature larvae of these two species relate to the colouration and degree of flattening of the body, details of antennal structure, anterior margin of the labrum, mandibles, and mala. The differences are relatively small, probably because of the similar ecological preferences of both species. As in the case of other aleocharine larvae, L1 in Dinaraea differs from L2–3 in the lack of some setae on the dorsal surface of the head and thorax, and on the abdominal tergites and sternites; the presence of a subapical seta on the urogomphi; egg bursters on some thoracic and abdominal tergites; a darker antennal segment III; and the relatively longer urogomphi and their apical setae. The differences established in the features of the chaetotaxy of L1 and L2–3 between Athetini (Dinaraea), Oxypodini (Thiasophila) and Homalotini (Gyrophaena) correspond with the molecular marker-based relationships of these taxa.

Highlights

The genus Dinaraea Thomson, 1858 (Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae, Athetini) includes 21 species worldwide, 12 of which are known from the Nearctic and nine from the Palaearctic; five of the latter (D. aequata Erichson, D. angustula Gyllenhal, D. arcana Erichson, D. hungarica Ádám, D. linearis Gravenhorst) occur in Europe
The main aim of this study is to describe in detail the external morphology, including the chaetotaxy and ultrastructure, of the early (L1) and late (L2–3) larval instars of Dinaraea based on D. aequata and D. linearis
Colour: whole head reddish brown (D.a.) or anterior area of head reddish brown, but posterior distinctly paler (D.l.), ocellus dark; all tergites yellowish brown (D.a.) or all thoracic and abdominal tergites I–V almost colourless, tergites gradually darkening from yellow (VI) to yellowish brown (VII) and reddish brown (VIII, IX) (D.l.); abdominal sternites gradually darkening from yellowish brown (I) to brown (VIII and IX) (D.a.) or abdominal sternites I–V almost

Summary

Introduction

The genus Dinaraea Thomson, 1858 (Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae, Athetini) includes 21 species worldwide, 12 of which are known from the Nearctic and nine from the Palaearctic; five of the latter (D. aequata Erichson, D. angustula Gyllenhal, D. arcana Erichson, D. hungarica Ádám, D. linearis Gravenhorst) occur in Europe. They are small insects (the lengths of the European species are 2.5–3.7 mm) with a subparallel, flattened body, and the integument has a distinct meshed microsculpture and distinct punctation. Dinaraea species inhabit the subcortical galleries of other insects They are found in rotting tree trunks and in the fruiting bodies of various polypores. The diet of these rove beetles remains unknown, as do other aspects of their biology (Benick and Lohse 1974, Nikitsky and Schigel 2004, Klimaszewski et al 2013, Löbl and Löbl 2015)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion