Palearctic Species Research Articles

The genus Colydium Fabricius in Europe (Coleoptera, Zopheridae, Colydiinae) with description of a new species, Colydium noblecourti sp. nov.

A new species of the genus Colydium Fabricius, 1792 (Coleoptera, Zopheridae, Colydiinae), Colydium noblecourtisp. nov. is described. An illustrated and updated key for the identification of the Western Palearctic species of Colydium is presented. Distribution maps for the three species are provided.

First record of <i>Canthocamptus (Canthocamptus) microstaphylinus</i> Wolf 1905 (Harpacticoida, Copepoda) from a shallow coastal area of Lake Baikal

Female and male specimens of the Palearctic species, Canthocamptus (Canthocamptus) microstaphylinus Wolf 1905, were found in the coastal zone of Lake Baikal, Siberia. This was the first record of the species in Lake Baikal and the Baikal region. A general description and brief morphological characteristics were made using scanning electron microscopy. The authors compared the principal diagnostic morphological traits of C. (C.) microstaphylinus from Lake Baikal and some water bodies from the European part of Russia (within the Syktyvkar City, Republic of Komi). As a result, specimens from Lake Baikal and the Syktyvkar area were shown to be similar in the structure of their thoracic appendages and caudal rami.

A new species of Gamasiphis Berlese (Acari: Ologamasidae) from Iran with complementary description of Gamasiphis denticus Hafez and Nasr and a key to the Palearctic species of the genus

ABSTRACT Genus Gamasiphis Berlese is the most diverse genus of Ologamasidae, with 75 described species, three of which were recorded from Iran. The main objective of this paper is the description of Gamasiphis caspius n. sp. based on specimens collected from northern Iran and review of the genus Gamasiphis in Iran. Gamasiphis novipulchellus Ma and Yin and G. denticus Hafez and Nasr are new records for Iran’s mite fauna. A complementary description for G. denticus and identification key to the Palearctic species of genus Gamasiphis are also provided. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E15E233E-4A90-4D50-9D69-486EE997B66E

Mitochondrial DNA reveals the impact of Pleistocene glaciations on a widespread palearctic bat species

Mitochondrial DNA reveals the impact of Pleistocene glaciations on a widespread palearctic bat species

Polypore fungus beetles (Coleoptera: Tetratomidae) in a remnant of semi-deciduous forest of the Brazilian Cerrado: checklist and the description of a new species of Eustrophopsis Champion, 1889

Tetratomidae Billberg, 1820 is a small family of tenebrionoid beetles that primarily feed on polypore fungi. Their Neotropical diversity remains poorly known, with most recent studies concentrating on Nearctic and Palearctic species. The few records from the neotropics are from samplings in the Atlantic Forest or Amazon Rainforest. Here we present illustrations of genitalia and photos of two species of Eustrophopsis Champion, 1889, E. laurae sp. nov. and E. bilunulata Pic, 1912. The samplings were carried out with malaise traps in the Parque Estadual Altamiro de Moura Pacheco (PEAMP), Goiás, Brazil, a remnant Cerrado mostly covered by semi-deciduous forest. These species represent the first records of Tetratomidae for the Brazilian Cerrado since their original descriptions, elucidating the paucity of studies on the fauna of Coleoptera in Brazil. This research is part of our ongoing efforts to better understand the insect diversity of this region, especially in current scenarios of rapid deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Museomics help resolving the phylogeny of snowfinches (Aves, Passeridae, Montifringilla and allies)

Historical specimens from museum collections provide a valuable source of material also from remote areas or regions of conflict that are not easily accessible to scientists today. With this study, we are providing a taxon-complete phylogeny of snowfinches using historical DNA from whole skins of an endemic species from Afghanistan, the Afghan snowfinch, Pyrgilauda theresae. To resolve the strong conflict between previous phylogenetic hypotheses, we generated novel mitogenome sequences for selected taxa and genome-wide SNP data using ddRAD sequencing for all extant snowfinch species endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and for an extended intraspecific sampling of the sole Central and Western Palearctic snowfinch species (Montifringilla nivalis).Our phylogenetic reconstructions unanimously refuted the previously suggested paraphyly of genus Pyrgilauda. Misplacement of one species-level taxon (Onychostruthus tazcanowskii) in previous snowfinch phylogenies was undoubtedly inferred from chimeric mitogenomes that included heterospecific sequence information. Furthermore, comparison of novel and previously generated sequence data showed that the presumed sister-group relationship between M. nivalis and the QTP endemic M. henrici was suggested based on flawed taxonomy. Our phylogenetic reconstructions based on genome-wide SNP data and on mitogenomes were largely congruent and supported reciprocal monophyly of genera Montifringilla and Pyrgilauda with monotypic Onychostruthus being sister to the latter. The Afghan endemic P. theresae likely originated from a rather ancient Pliocene out-of-Tibet dispersal probably from a common ancestor with P. ruficollis. Our extended trans-Palearctic sampling for the white-winged snowfinch, M. nivalis, confirmed strong lineage divergence between an Asian and a European clade dated to 1.5 – 2.7 million years ago (mya). Genome-wide SNP data suggested subtle divergence among European samples from the Alps and from the Cantabrian mountains.

Fossil flying squirrels (Petauristinae, Sciuridae, Rodentia) from the Yumidong Cave in Wushan County, Chongqing, China

Flying squirrels are important forest environment indicators. There have been many reports on them from fossil localities of the Late Cenozoic in southwest China, but relatively few detailed studies have been carried out on them. Numerous flying squirrel fossils of the Mid-Late Pleistocene were unearthed from the Yumidong Cave in Wushan County, Chongqing Municipality, China, providing excellent materials for morphological comparison and further research on this group. Four species have been recognised from this locality, including Pteromys volans, Trogopterus xanthipes, Belomys pearsonii and Aeretes melanopterus. P. volans and A. melanopterus are Palearctic species, which adapted to the cold environment and had been completely extinct in the study area since the Holocene Megathermal period. Based on the analyses of paleozoogeography and paleoecology of these four species, it could be concluded that the Yumidong Cave area was dominated by subalpine evergreen coniferous forest or coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest during MIS 2 and MIS 4 periods, which were colder and had more coniferous forest than now, while the vegetation landscape of MIS 3 and MIS 5 periods were similar to that of nowadays.

Species Delimitation of Some Melanargia Species (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae) in The Southeastern Anatolia Region Based On The mtCOI Gene

Among the Palearctic species, butterflies of the genus Melanargia are known for their black and white wing patterns. The morphological character polarization of this genus is full of varying combinations of subgenus, species complex, and subspecies status. Its taxonomy is open to debate, especially in species and subspecies categories, with definitions mostly based on wing color. In recent years, cryptic species, phenotypically masked species, and species with intense intraspecific variation have been identified through the determination of lineages under the leadership of molecular systematics. The mtCOI gene, which is especially described as a species signature, is an important DNA barcode used for Lepidoptera. In the presented study, the mtCOI gene sequence of the populations of Melanargia larissa, M.grumi, M.hylata, M.syriaca, and M.russiae species in the southeastern Anatolia region was determined for the first time. To determine the boundaries of these species, gene characterization and genetic distances were carried out according to the Kimura-2 Parameter, and putative species analyses were carried out by the ABGD method. Trees were constructed with Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference algorithms to determine the phylogenetic relationships between species of the genus. In light of these analyses, it has been shown that the genetic distance of morphological species M. larissa, M. grumi, M.hylata, and M. syriaca is not at the species level and that M.larissa maintains its species status according to the principle of priority. In addition, the M.russiae population presented in this study forms a monophyletic clade with other populations of the same species in the phylogenetic tree, proving that this taxon is a stable species.

Genetic diversity of European tree frogs (Hyla arborea group): A systematic review

Amphibian populations are increasingly threatened by global change and the study of their genetic diversity is a major conservation priority. Western palearctic tree frog species of the Hyla arborea group are commonly distributed across Europe and the Middle East and many have declining populations. We performed a PRISMA systematic review to gain insight into the genetic diversity of H. arborea group. Sixteen published studies were included in the final qualitative analysis. While the genetic diversity of H. arborea group species was widely variable, it could often be explained by phylogeographic history. Populations in Western and Northern Europe had lower genetic diversity, with some populations also affected by habitat fragmentation. However, important regions of high genetic diversity were found in the Balkan peninsula for H. arborea sensu stricto and around the Black Sea for H. orientalis. Genetic diversity of H. molleri, H. savignyi, H. meridionalis, H. felixarabica, H. intermedia, H. sarda has been investigated only across extensive phylogeographical studies, while data regarding their genetic diversity at the local level are missing. Through our review, we identify knowledge gaps about the genetic diversity of the H. arborea group that require further investigation, of and illustrate how filling these gaps might translate into future conservation efforts.

Taxonomic review of Palearctic Eurypogon Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Artematopodidae), with a redescription of the only European species and descriptions of three new species from China

Eurypogon Motschulsky, 1860 is a small genus in the beetle family Artematopodidae distributed in the Holarctic region. Here, we review the Palearctic members of this genus, with main emphasis on the dark-colored species. We redescribe E. cribratus (Hampe, 1867) from Italy and describe three new species from China: E. pubescens sp. nov. from Shaanxi province, E. ruzickai sp. nov. from Yunnan province, and E. turnai sp. nov. from Hubei province. This brings the total number of Eurypogon species to 16. Additionally, we provide morphological diagnoses and photographs of selected characters for all previously described East Palearctic species as well as an updated identification key for the species of mainland China. We discuss the variability of main diagnostic characters, including the shape of pronotum, the surface and punctation of elytra, and the shape of male genitalia.

Can species endure massive introgression? Genomic evidence of asymmetric gene flow in Melitaea butterflies

AbstractHybridisation and introgression are increasingly seen as important drivers of the evolution of organisms, particularly in Lepidoptera. One group that is gaining attention due to recently published cases of interspecific gene flow is the genus Melitaea Fabricius (Nymphalidae). In this study, we used genomics to investigate the role of hybridisation in the evolution of the western Palearctic species of the Melitaea phoebe group M. ornata Christoph, the recently described M. pseudornata Muñoz Sariot & Sánchez Mesa, M. phoebe (Denis & Schiffermüller), M. punica Oberthür, and M. telona (Fruhstorfer). We provide evidence of asymmetric gene flow from M. phoebe to both M. ornata and M. pseudornata. Gene flow from M. phoebe to M. pseudornata was very high (25.0%–31.9%), widespread throughout the distribution of the latter, and not equally distributed along the genome. The Z chromosome showed patterns compatible with the large‐Z effect, which were mimicked by two autosomes. Melitaea pseudornata endured massive introgression while remaining a separate entity from M. phoebe, although gene flow may have altered its phenotype, including its voltinism and the morphology of the adults and caterpillars. These findings suggest that hybridisation may be pervasive in this genus and highlight its key role in the evolution of butterflies, emphasising the need for further research on this topic.

(R)-(+)-γ-Decalactone is Conserved in North America as a Pheromone Component of Osmoderma eremicola (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and a Kairomone of Elater abruptus (Coleoptera: Elateridae).

The scarab genus Osmoderma (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) includes several large species called hermit beetles that develop within dead and decaying hardwood trees. Males of at least three Palearctic species produce the aggregation-sex pheromone (R)-(+)-γ-decalactone, including the endangered O. eremita (Scopoli). However, hermit beetles have received less attention in the western hemisphere, resulting in a large gap in our knowledge of the chemical ecology of Nearctic species. Here, we identify (R)-( +)-γ-decalactone as the primary component of the aggregation-sex pheromone of the North American species Osmoderma eremicola (Knoch). Field trials at sites in Wisconsin and Illinois revealed that both sexes were attracted to lures containing (R)-(+)-γ-decalactone or the racemate, but only males of O. eremicola produced the pheromone in laboratory bioassays, alongside an occasional trace of the chain-length analog γ-dodecalactone. Females of the congener O. scabra (Palisot de Beauvois) were also significantly attracted by γ-decalactone, suggesting further conservation of the pheromone, as were females of the click beetle Elater abruptus Say (Coleoptera: Elateridae), suggesting that this compound may have widespread kairomonal activity. Further research is needed to explore the behavioral roles of both lactones in mediating behavioral and ecological interactions among these beetle species.

Phenology and impact of abiotic factors with a temporal lag on the abundance of common crab spider, Xysticus cristatus (Clerck, 1757) (Araneae: Thomisidae) in the agroecosystems of Kashmir

ABSTRACT Xysticus cristatus is a Palearctic species, very abundant in the north-western Himalayas having a temperate climate. It is one of the predominant species in the agroecosystems of Kashmir. For a period of two years, we conducted a study on the population of Xysticus cristatus inhabiting the agroecosystems of Kashmir. A phenological study was conducted under field and laboratory conditions and temperature, rainfall, and humidity were monitored as indicators of population size. The spiders appear to have an annual reproductive cycle and a spring–summer stenochronous phenological pattern. Adult spiders emerge in spring, recruitment of spiders occurs in summer, they undergo overwintering in the immature stage and all stages of development show sequential phenological maxima. Under laboratory conditions, almost all spiders took VII instars to develop, and considerable variations were observed among all the instars. The abundance of Xysticus cristatus did not show any correlation with climatic variables at time 0, although there was a correlation with temporal lag. The best-adjusted correlation was found with a 3 month time lag, indicating that species require time to respond to changes in the environment.

Bird diversity in a Sahelian ecosystem under restoration: A study in the great Grenn wall extension area of Senegal

In this study, we survey the avian biodiversity in Koyli Alpha, Senegal, located in the extension area of the Great Green Wall (GGW) project in Senegal to restore the degraded ecosystems by the long years of drought during the 1970s in addition to anthropogenic pressures. Data are collected during a period of 52 days between July 2019 and Jun 2021 in Koyli Alpha and their surroundings, we identified the presence of avian species through daytime focal observations using transects, fixed points and trapping cameras. Thus, we recorded the presence of 198 total bird species. Species composed of 143 landbirds and 55 waterbirds distributed in 22 orders and 59 families. The most common were granivorous birds such as the Golgen sparrow (Passer luteus) and the Red-billed quelea (Quelea quelea). Among these inventoried species, three are categorized as critically endangered species (CR) (IUCN Redlist). They are the Rüppell's vulture (Gyps rueppelli), the White-backed vulture (Gyps africanus) and the hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus). Additionally, the Martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) is categorized as endangered (EN), and the Great grey shrike (Lanius meridionalis), the Abyssinian ground hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus) and the European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) are categorized as vulnerable species (VN). Furthermore, 37% of observed birds are palearctic migratory species.

An alarming tendency towards freshwater mussel misidentification in scientific works may bias endangered and invasive species management

Abstract Freshwater mussels (order Unionida) are a popular group for a wide array of non‐taxonomic research driven by questions related to their functions in ecosystems, to relationships among species, to biogeochemical and morphometric patterns of certain species and others. Valid taxonomy and correct species identification are key requirements for all of these aspects. However, species‐level identification of representatives from this group is a rather complicated task and should be based on an integrative approach, combining DNA sequences, morphological and anatomical investigation and biogeographical estimates. This article reconsiders a selection of non‐taxonomic scientific works (N = 25), containing misidentified occurrences of freshwater mussel species. The dataset contains records of the endangered Margaritifera margaritifera (endemic to eastern North America and Europe) from the Philippines and West Africa, as well as occurrences of the Nearctic Gonidea angulata from West Africa and the Middle East. Several Palearctic and Nearctic unionid species were erroneously reported from the Indus River, Pakistan. Subfossil shells of the native Simpsonella sp. from a prehistoric site in the Philippines were misidentified as the invasive Sinanodonta woodiana that was introduced to the islands in the 20th century. Samples of the tropical lineage of S. woodiana from Indonesia were mistaken for the native Pilsbryoconcha exilis, and vice versa. Salinity tolerance and morphometric characteristics of the estuarine clam Geloina sp. (Cyrenidae) from Sumatra were examined, but these data were published as belonging to the strictly freshwater S. woodiana. It is clear that this information, being reused by researchers, conservationists and stakeholders, will lead to incorrect conclusions on the range, status, biogeochemistry, morphometry and ecological tolerance of certain freshwater mussel taxa, including invasive and endangered species (the so‐called ‘error cascades’ in biological sciences caused by ‘bad taxonomy’). To reduce the growing body of literature containing misidentifications of the Unionida taxa, practical recommendations are proposed for researchers, who include freshwater mussels in non‐taxonomic surveys, as well as for journal editors dealing with articles that focus on these animals.

Delimitation of the widely distributed Palearctic Stenodema species (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Miridae): insights from molecular and morphological data.

Species delimitation presents a significant challenge in biology, particularly in systematics. Here, an integrative approach is employed to assess the species boundaries of widely distributed Palearctic Stenodema species. Due to their diversity, wide distribution, and the absence of comprehensive morphological and molecular data for most species, revising Stenodema is both daunting and time-consuming. Our study focuses on detailed examinations of male and female genitalia, coupled with phylogenetic analyses based on two mitochondrial markers (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 16S rRNA) and species delimitation analyses. Eight species with wide distributions are reviewed, Stenodematrispinosa Reuter, 1904 is synonymized with S.pilosa (Jakovlev, 1889), and a lectotype for Stenodematuranica Reuter, 1904 is designated. Morphological and molecular data effectively distinguish all species, revealing distinct clades and relationships. Notably, S.calcarata and S.pilosa form a well-supported clade, while S.virens and S.turanica share a lineage with Nearctic species. Stenodemarubrinervis and S.sibirica are morphologically similar and form a distinct clade in all phylogenies. Species delimitation analyses confirm the separation of all studied species, and genetic distances suggest the potential existence of cryptic species within S.calcarata and S.pilosa. This study highlights the advantages of integrative taxonomy in delimiting species with intricate and relatively recent phylogeographic histories.

The Sixth Interdisciplinary Biogeographic Expedition of the St. Petersburg Association of Scientists & Scholars to the Western Himalaya, Himachal Pradesh, India (October 2022)

A biogeographic expedition to the state of Himachal Pradesh (India) in October 2022 is briefl y described. It was organized by the Center for Himalayan Research of the St. Petersburg Association of Scientists & Scholars (SPASS) and also took place under the auspices of the Russian Association of Researchers of the Himalaya and Tibet. In a row, this was the 6th interdisciplinary SPASS expedition to the Western Himalaya and the 4th SPASS expedition to Himachal Pradesh. Participants explored the central and eastern parts of this state. Particular interest was shown in the transition zone from the Indus basin (Sutlej River and tributaries) to the Ganges basin (Tons River and tributaries). Observations were made in the fi eld of botany, zoology (herpetology, ornithology, entomology) and veterinary science. Attention was paid to the distribution of Oriental and Palearctic species of plants and animals, plant communities of various types. The vertical zonation from subtropical forest to the cold high-mountain desert near Tibet was studied.

Provisional atlas of breeding birds of Walvis Bay in the coastal Namib Desert


 
 
 In austral summer 2016/17, a provisional bird atlas project was conducted in the town of Walvis Bay (~260 ha), Namibia. In total, 18 breeding bird species were recorded. Four eudominant species (Cape Sparrow, Rock Dove, Laughing Dove, and Common Waxbill) comprised together 65.2% of all breeding birds. Three dominant species – House Sparrow, Southern Masked Weaver, and Speckled Pigeon – comprised additional 23.0%. The community dominance index (DI) was = 0.40, Shannon’s Diversity Index H’ = 2.21, Simpson’s Diversity Index D = 0.87, and Pielou’s Evenness Index J’ = 0.76. By far the most numerous feeding guild were granivores (88.0% of all birds recorded) followed by insectivores (6.0%) and frugivores (5.3%). Tree and/or shrub nesting birds comprised 59.5%, while birds nesting in/on buildings the remaining 40.5%. There were neither ground-nesting nor holenesting birds. Structure-wise, the avian community in the town resembles avian communities in other parts of the world (strong dominance of granivores, such as sparrows and doves). In austral summer 2018/19, a total of 25 marine species were recorded in the lagoon, of which nine (36%) were Palearctic migrant and 16 (64%) African residents. In terms of the number of individuals, Palearctic migrants constituted 17% and African residents 83%. More than half of all marine birds were Greater Flamingos, while the most numerous Palearctic species was the Curlew Sandpiper.
 
 

Morphology of the wings and attachment apparatus in the evolution of the family Hippoboscidae (Diptera).

Using a complex analysis of the molecular genetics, morphological, and ecological characteristics of Hippoboscidae flies, the phylogenetic structure and trends in the evolution of morphological characters that contribute to the ectoparasitic lifestyle of hippoboscid flies of the north of Eurasia were studied for the first time. The research was carried out on 26 Palearctic species from 10 genera. The analysis of molecular phylogeny revealed the levels of clustering of the family with the species predominantly parasitizing mammals or birds, the time of cluster formation, and the divergence of species in the Palearctic conditions. An independent adaptation to birds occurred in the genera Icosta, Pseudolynchia, Ornithoica, and others. Bird parasites are characterized by bifid tarsal claws, long hooks on pulvilli, and long empodium setae (except genus Ornithoica). Mammalian parasites are characterized by simple tarsal claws, short lobes of hooks on pulvilli, and zones on empodium with short setae. Specialization in empodium and pulvillus morphotypes and wing reduction are higher diverged in mammalian parasites than in bird parasites. The decrease of flight ability and wing reduction independently arose in different subfamilies of Hippoboscidae flies. Our results assume that the tribe Ornithomyini is a paraphyletic group, since, according to the complex of morphological features, the genus Ornithoica can be considered a separate lineage of evolution.

Эффективность контроля численности совки хлопковой (Helicoverpa armigera Hbn.) в посевах подсолнечника

Cotton noctuid (Helicoverpa armigera Hbn.) (1805) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a widely spread in Pale-arctic species. It is the main pest of many agricultural crops, which cause annual damage in the world agri-culture more than two billion dollars. Therefore, the insecticide treatments are essential to control it. Often pesticide application increases the insect resistance that leads to doses increase and (or) replacement by new highly toxic chemicals. Therefore, a search of the safety and reliable protection means of agricultural crops against the pest has been still a problem. In 2017–2019, the efficiency of insecticides against H. armigera in sunflower sowings was studied in the V.S. Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops (Krasnodar, Russia). The number of H. armigera cat-erpillars in 2017 was at a level of 3.2 pcs/plant, in 2018 – 4.5, and in 2019 reached 6.0 pcs/plant. The insecticides based on Bifetrin + Chlorpirifos, EC (87%) and Chlorantraniliprol, CS (91 %) had the highest biological efficiency. Phytoverm V, EC was the best organic insecticide – 56 %. In an industrial experiment, sunflower plants treatment with Beta-cipermetrin + Dimetoat, EC (standard) and Chlorantraniliprol, CS caused the decrease in the cat-erpillar number by 71.7 and 97.0%, respectively. Sun-flower yield in the variants with insecticides were reli-ably higher than in the control one, the saved yield reached 0.23 and 0.39 t/hа.