New defensive chemical data for ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae): interpretations in a phylogenetic framework

Abstract

First reports of major defensive chemicals for ground beetles representing four tribes include: Morionini (formic acid), Dercylini (methacrylic and tiglic acids), Catapieseini (formic acid and decyl acetate) and Perigonini (formic acid and decyl acetate). Multiple species from Loxandrini were sampled and, shown to contain formic acid, not salicylaldehyde as previously reported. Several hexenoic acid compounds were found in the clivinine genus Schizogenius representing a third class of chemicals for that tribe. Salicylaldehyde was found for the first time in a species of Oodini. Additional species from Pterostichini, Patrobini and Odacanthini were sampled and the results were found to be consistent with previously published reports. The taxonomic distribution of defensive secretions is reviewed for tribes across the family Carabidae. The simultaneous occurrence of hydrocarbons and formic acid is noted in phylogenetically more derived carabids. By mapping chemical classes onto a phylogenetic hypothesis, it is shown that formic acid or other relatively strong irritants are correlated with tribes having a high species diversity in tropical regions, whereas tribes exhibiting higher diversity in temperate regions use milder saturated/unsaturated carboxylic acids. Based on this phylogenetic interpretation, the evolution and maintenance of formic acid is interpreted as the result of predation pressures and possibly the evolution of chemical mimicry.