DOCSLIB.ORG

Developing Scarab Beetle Identification Tools for Hawaii and the Pacific

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Developing Scarab Beetle Identification Tools for Hawaii and the Pacific DEVELOPING SCARAB BEETLE IDENTIFICATION TOOLS FOR HAWAII AND THE PACIFIC A Thesis by Joshua Buck Dunlap Bachelor of Science, University of Western Washington, 2009 Submitted to the Department of Biological Sciences and the faculty of the Graduate School of Wichita State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science May 2016 © Copyright 2016 by Joshua Buck Dunlap All Rights Reserved DEVELOPING SCARAB BEETLE IDENTIFICATION TOOLS FOR HAWAII AND THE PACFIC The following faculty members have examined the final copy of this thesis for form and content, and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science with a major in Biological Sciences. ___________________________ Mary Liz Jameson, Committee Chair ___________________________ David Hughes, Committee Member ___________________________ Gregory Houseman, Committee Member iii DEDICATION To Hawaiian insects and the entomologists who love them iv “Sometimes you're the windshield. Sometimes your the bug.” ― Mark Knopfler v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to take the time to thank my graduate advisor, Mary Liz Jameson, whose guidance and forbearance made both the Hawaiian scarab project and my Masters of Science degree possible. I would also like to acknowledge those institutions and stakeholder organizations whose time, hard work and financial support enabled the project: The United States Department of Agriculture Plant Protection and Quarantine offices in Fort Collins, CO and Honolulu, HI, the Hawaiian Department of Agriculture, the University of Hawaii, the University of Nebraska Lincoln, the University of Kansas, the Florida State Arthropod Collection, the National Insect Collection and the University of Guam. I should like to extend a further thanks to Col. Dunlap for her spellchecking and rolly-polly wrangling efforts. Last but never least I must thank Wichita State University's Marcia Norton for her help with travel and budget issues, Dr. James Beck for his help with DNA protocols and the Entomology lab's trio of terror: Schmemmy, Stoneheart, and Jackie. vi ABSTRACT The last decade has seen the arrival of a number of pest scarabs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) to the state of Hawaii and the US territory of Guam. Despite the arrival of such injurious species as the coconut rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) and the masked chafer (Cyclocephala pasadenae) there remains no comprehensive resource pertaining to scarabs of the American Pacific or their identification. To allow for the ready identification of the 71 scarabs known from Hawaii and the 21 species reported from Guam an all-inclusive online "tool" was created in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture and Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA PPQ) division. The tool was created from the assemblage of several distinct subcomponents: 1) A species checklist compiling all scarabaeoids (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) recorded from Hawaii, with a second checklist for Guam. 2) "Fact sheets" or species pages that assemble relevant information for each species created by examination of preserved specimens and an exhaustive review of published literature. 3) Extensive imaging of relevant species supporting image-based identification for the fact sheets. 4) Creation of an image-based matrix key that facilitates the identification of specimens. The completed tool will fill the gap in taxonomic knowledge regarding Hawaiian and Guamanian scarabs, allowing port screeners, quarantine workers, and other end users to correctly and efficiently identify specimens. The complete, peer-reviewed identification tool was released in February 2016. The web-application and mobile- application identification tools may be accessed on the USDA-ITP (Identification Technology Program) ID Tools web site: http://idtools.org. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 1 Scarabs as Pests 1 Scarabs in Hawaii and Guam 2 Purpose and Intent 4 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 5 Included Taxa 5 Specimen Acquisition 6 Specimen Imaging 7 Fact Sheets 8 Key Characters 10 Introductory and Supplemental Content 10 Peer Review Website Development and Mobile App Development 12 3. RESULTS 13 USDA-ITP Identification Tools 13 Fact Sheets 13 Adoretus compressus Adoretus sinicus Anomala albopilosa Anomala cuprea Anomala orientalis Anomala sulcatula Anomala viridana Aphodiinae Apterocyclus honoluluensis Apterocyclus kawaii Apterocyclus munroi Apterocyclus palmatus Apterocyclus waterhousei Ateuchus lecontei Canthon humectus Canthon indigaceus Canthon pilularius Canthon viridis Catharsius molossus Copris incertus Copris remotus Cotinis mutabilis Cyclocephala pasadenae viii TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Chapter Page Dichotomius carolinus Digitonthophagus gazella Euoniticellus africanus Euoniticellus intermedius Figulus integricollis Holotrichia bipunctata Hybosorus roei Lepidiota carolinensis Ligyrus gibbosus Maladera castanea Maladera japonica Microserica guamensis Neosisyphus spinipes Omorgus procerus Omorgus suberosus Oniticellus cinctus Oniticellus militaris Onitis alexis Onitis phartopus Onitis vanderkelleni Onthophagus armatus Onthophagus binodis Onthophagus comperei Onthophagus cuniculus Onthophagus foliaceus Onthophagus granulatus Onthophagus incensus Onthophagus laminatus Onthophagus nigriventris Onthophagus nuchicornis Onthophagus oklahomensis Onthophagus sagittarius Onthophagus tuberculifrons Oryctes Oryctes rhinoceros Papuana Phanaeus daphnis Phyllophaga ephilida Popillia japonica Popillia lewisi Popillia quadriguttata Protaetia fusca Protaetia orientalis Temnorhynchus retusus ix TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Chapter Page Tomarus subtropicus Trox scaber Trypoxylus dichotomus Xylotrupes 4. CONCLUSIONS 271 REFERENCES 272 APPENDIX 294 Checklist to Scarabaeoidea of Hawaii 295 Checklist to Scarabaeoidea of Guam 297 x LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Checklist to Scarabaeoidea of Hawaii 295 2. Checklist to Scarabaeoidea of Guam 296 xi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS C Celsius CRB coconut rhinoceros beetle cm centimeters FSM Fact Sheet Manager ITP Identification Technology Program mm millimeters PPQ Plant Protection and Quarantine sp. species (singular) spp. species (plural) USDA United States Department of Agriculture xii Chapter 1 Introduction Scarabs as Pests The family Scarabaeidae contains a number of well known and invasive pest species (Jackson and Klein, 2006). These pest scarabs include both generalist such as Popillia japonica, the infamous Japanese beetle, and more specialized pests such as the Oryctes rhinoceros, the coconut rhinoceros beetle. The economic importance of scarabs is highlighted by both of these species. The Japanese beetle is regarded as the single most destructive insect pest of lawns, gardens, and golf courses in the eastern U.S. (Klein, 2008). Indeed in 2000, the USDA estimated that $US 450 million were spent annually in the U.S. on control of P. japonica (Potter and Held, 2002). The coconut rhinoceros beetle, too, causes significant damage with palm damage costs exceeding $US 2.5 million between 2007-2009 just on the tiny island of Guam (Moore, 2009). Many of the most destructive pest scarabs are also invasive species that have now been widely spread by human activity. The previously mentioned Japanese beetle was spread to the eastern U.S. from Japan via commercial shipments of iris bulbs (Klein, 2008). Other widespread scarab species include Maladera castanea (the Asian garden beetle) (Ahrens, 2007; Skelley, 2012) and Anomala orientalis (the oriental beetle), both introduced to the U.S. from eastern Asia (Reding and Klein, 2006). In the Indo-pacific Protaetia fusca (the mango flower beetle) (Woodruff, 2006) and closely related Protaetia orientalis (the oriental flower beetle) (LeBlanc et al., 2013) have been spread via human activity, as has the destructive coconut rhinoceros Beetle (Molet, 2013; Bedford, 2015). The range of crops and plants damaged by scarab pests is considerable. The 1 Japanese beetle is known to damage over 300 different species of plants (Vittum et al., 1999), including both agricultural and horticultural species. Other broad generalists include Adoretus sinicus, the Chinese rose beetle, which has been recorded feeding on over 500 species of plants (Hession et al., 1994). The larvae of many scarabs (often referred to as grubs) are major turf grass pests, feeding on the roots of grasses and thereby killing the entire plant. Major turf grass pests include the Phyllophaga (Watschke et al., 1994) and Holotrichia species, sometimes called May beetles, as well as various members of the subfamilies Dynastinae (Jameson et al., 2009), Rutelinae (Suzuki et al., 1994; Krischik, 2011) and Aphodiinae (Shetlar and Niemczyk, 1999). In the tropics scarabs are also major pests of palms (coconut rhinoceros beetle)(Bedford, 2015) and sugarcane (Lepidiota species) (Kuniata and Young, 1992). Despite their clear importance and economic consequence there is no comprehensive tool useful for identifying scarabs on a worldwide scale. This is, in part, because of the sheer diversity of scarabs, with estimates placing the number of scarab species at 31,000 (Jameson and Ratcliffe, 2002). The impracticality of treating such a great number of species within a single key means identification on a global level is impeded by the limits of available keys, with most such materials being restricted to narrow taxonomic groups and/or specific geographic regions. Identification is further hampered by a dearth of taxonomic expertise, even when
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Two Additional Invasive Scarabaeoid Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) in Hawaii
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Papers in Entomology Museum, University of Nebraska State 12-2009 Two Additional Invasive Scarabaeoid Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) in Hawaii Mary Liz Jameson Wichita State University, [email protected] Darcy E. Oishi 2Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Plant Pest Control Branch, Honolulu, [email protected] Brett C. Ratcliffe University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Grant T. McQuate USDA-ARS-PBARC, U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Hilo, HI, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/entomologypapers Part of the Entomology Commons Jameson, Mary Liz; Oishi, Darcy E.; Ratcliffe, Brett C.; and McQuate, Grant T., "Two Additional Invasive Scarabaeoid Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) in Hawaii" (2009). Papers in Entomology. 147. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/entomologypapers/147 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Museum, University of Nebraska State at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Papers in Entomology by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. AProcddition. HawaiianAl inv AEsiventomol scA.r SAocbs. in(2009) HAwA 41:25–30ii 25 Two Additional Invasive Scarabaeoid Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) in Hawaii Mary Liz Jameson1, Darcy E. Oishi2, Brett C. Ratcliffe3, and Grant T. McQuate4 1Wichita State University, Department of Biological Sciences, 537 Hubbard Hall, Wichita, Kansas 67260 [email protected]; 2Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Plant Pest Control Branch, 1428 South King St., Honolulu, HI 96814 [email protected]; 3University of Nebraska State Museum, Systematics Research Collections, W436 Nebraska Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588 [email protected]; 4USDA-ARS-PBARC, U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Handbook Publication.Pub
    Table of Contents Maui County’s Landscape and Gardening Handbook Xeriscaping in Maui County ................................................................. 1 Planning and Design................................................................................................................. 1 Hydro-zones.............................................................................................................................. 1 Plant Selection and the Maui jkCounty Planting Zones............................................................ 2 Soil Preparation ........................................................................................................................ 4 Mulching.................................................................................................................................... 5 Irrigation .................................................................................................................................... 5 Maintenance ............................................................................................................................. 7 Other Interesting Techniques for the Ambitious ..................................... 8 Xeriscape Ponds....................................................................................................................... 8 Aquaponics in the Backyard ..................................................................................................... 9 Water Polymer Crystals ...........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Wooden and Bamboo Commodities Intended for Indoor and Outdoor Use
    NAPPO Discussion Document DD 04: Wooden and Bamboo Commodities Intended for Indoor and Outdoor Use Prepared by members of the Pest Risk Analysis Panel of the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) December 2011 Contents Introduction ...........................................................................................................................3 Purpose ................................................................................................................................4 Scope ...................................................................................................................................4 1. Background ....................................................................................................................4 2. Description of the Commodity ........................................................................................6 3. Assessment of Pest Risks Associated with Wooden Articles Intended for Indoor and Outdoor Use ...................................................................................................................6 Probability of Entry of Pests into the NAPPO Region ...........................................................6 3.1 Probability of Pests Occurring in or on the Commodity at Origin ................................6 3.2 Survival during Transport .......................................................................................... 10 3.3 Probability of Pest Surviving Existing Pest Management Practices .......................... 10 3.4 Probability
    [Show full text]
  • Title of Article: Current Status of Viral Disease Spread In
    Int. J. Indust. Entomol. 31(2) 70-74 (2015) IJIE ISSN 1598-3579, http://dx.doi.org/10.7852/ijie.2015.31.2.70 Title of Article: Current status of viral disease spread in Korean horn beetle, Allomyrina dichotoma (Coleoptera: Scarabeidae) Seokhyun Lee, Hong-Geun Kim, Kwan-ho Park, Sung-hee Nam, Kyu-won Kwak and Ji-young Choi* Industrial Insect Division, National Institute of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Jeollabuk-do, Korea Abstract The current market size of insect industry in Korea is estimated at 300 million dollars and more than 500 local farms are related to many insect industry. One of the strong candidates for insect industry is Korean horn beetle, Allomyrina dichotoma. Early this year, we reported a viral disease extremely fatal to A. dichotoma larvae. While we were proceeding a nationwide investigation of this disease, it was informed that similar disease symptom has been occurred occasionally during past over 10 years. The symptom can be easily confused with early stage of bacterial infection or physiological damage such as low temperature and high humidity. A peroral infection with the purified virus to healthy larvae produced a result that only 21% of larvae survived and became pupae. Although some of the survived adult beetle was deformational, many of them had no abnormal appearance and even succeeded in mating. Later, these beetles were examined if they were carrying the virus, and all except one were confirmed as live virus carrier. This implies that these beetles may fly out and spread the Received : 14 Oct 2015 disease to the nature.
    [Show full text]
  • Morphology, Taxonomy, and Biology of Larval Scarabaeoidea
    Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/morphologytaxono12haye ' / ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS Volume XII PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS *, URBANA, ILLINOIS I EDITORIAL COMMITTEE John Theodore Buchholz Fred Wilbur Tanner Charles Zeleny, Chairman S70.S~ XLL '• / IL cop TABLE OF CONTENTS Nos. Pages 1. Morphological Studies of the Genus Cercospora. By Wilhelm Gerhard Solheim 1 2. Morphology, Taxonomy, and Biology of Larval Scarabaeoidea. By William Patrick Hayes 85 3. Sawflies of the Sub-family Dolerinae of America North of Mexico. By Herbert H. Ross 205 4. A Study of Fresh-water Plankton Communities. By Samuel Eddy 321 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS Vol. XII April, 1929 No. 2 Editorial Committee Stephen Alfred Forbes Fred Wilbur Tanner Henry Baldwin Ward Published by the University of Illinois under the auspices of the graduate school Distributed June 18. 1930 MORPHOLOGY, TAXONOMY, AND BIOLOGY OF LARVAL SCARABAEOIDEA WITH FIFTEEN PLATES BY WILLIAM PATRICK HAYES Associate Professor of Entomology in the University of Illinois Contribution No. 137 from the Entomological Laboratories of the University of Illinois . T U .V- TABLE OF CONTENTS 7 Introduction Q Economic importance Historical review 11 Taxonomic literature 12 Biological and ecological literature Materials and methods 1%i Acknowledgments Morphology ]* 1 ' The head and its appendages Antennae. 18 Clypeus and labrum ™ 22 EpipharynxEpipharyru Mandibles. Maxillae 37 Hypopharynx <w Labium 40 Thorax and abdomen 40 Segmentation « 41 Setation Radula 41 42 Legs £ Spiracles 43 Anal orifice 44 Organs of stridulation 47 Postembryonic development and biology of the Scarabaeidae Eggs f*' Oviposition preferences 48 Description and length of egg stage 48 Egg burster and hatching Larval development Molting 50 Postembryonic changes ^4 54 Food habits 58 Relative abundance.
    [Show full text]
  • An Annotated Checklist of Wisconsin Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera)
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Center for Systematic Entomology, Gainesville, Insecta Mundi Florida March 2002 An annotated checklist of Wisconsin Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera) Nadine A. Kriska University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI Daniel K. Young University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/insectamundi Part of the Entomology Commons Kriska, Nadine A. and Young, Daniel K., "An annotated checklist of Wisconsin Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera)" (2002). Insecta Mundi. 537. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/insectamundi/537 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for Systematic Entomology, Gainesville, Florida at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Insecta Mundi by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. INSECTA MUNDI, Vol. 16, No. 1-3, March-September, 2002 3 1 An annotated checklist of Wisconsin Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera) Nadine L. Kriska and Daniel K. Young Department of Entomology 445 Russell Labs University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 53706 Abstract. A survey of Wisconsin Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera) conducted from literature searches, collection inventories, and three years of field work (1997-1999), yielded 177 species representing nine families, two of which, Ochodaeidae and Ceratocanthidae, represent new state family records. Fifty-six species (32% of the Wisconsin fauna) represent new state species records, having not previously been recorded from the state. Literature and collection distributional records suggest the potential for at least 33 additional species to occur in Wisconsin. Introduction however, most of Wisconsin's scarabaeoid species diversity, life histories, and distributions were vir- The superfamily Scarabaeoidea is a large, di- tually unknown.
    [Show full text]
  • Autographa Gamma
    1 Table of Contents Table of Contents Authors, Reviewers, Draft Log 4 Introduction to the Reference 6 Soybean Background 11 Arthropods 14 Primary Pests of Soybean (Full Pest Datasheet) 14 Adoretus sinicus ............................................................................................................. 14 Autographa gamma ....................................................................................................... 26 Chrysodeixis chalcites ................................................................................................... 36 Cydia fabivora ................................................................................................................. 49 Diabrotica speciosa ........................................................................................................ 55 Helicoverpa armigera..................................................................................................... 65 Leguminivora glycinivorella .......................................................................................... 80 Mamestra brassicae....................................................................................................... 85 Spodoptera littoralis ....................................................................................................... 94 Spodoptera litura .......................................................................................................... 106 Secondary Pests of Soybean (Truncated Pest Datasheet) 118 Adoxophyes orana ......................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of the Primary Types of the Hawaiian Stag Beetle Genus
    A peer-reviewed open-access journal ZooKeys 433: 77–88A review (2014) of the primary types of the Hawaiian stag beetle genus Apterocyclus... 77 doi: 10.3897/zookeys.433.8022 RESEARCH ARTICLE www.zookeys.org Launched to accelerate biodiversity research A review of the primary types of the Hawaiian stag beetle genus Apterocyclus Waterhouse (Coleoptera, Lucanidae, Lucaninae), with the description of a new species M.J. Paulsen1, David C. Hawks2 1 Systematics Research Collections, University of Nebraska State Museum, W436 Nebraska Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0546 USA 2 Department of Entomology, University of California- Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521 USA Corresponding author: M.J. Paulsen ([email protected]) Academic editor: Andrey Frolov | Received 3 June 2014 | Accepted 31 July 2014 | Published 13 August 2014 http://zoobank.org/065CFC3A-4DD8-4759-B55D-040FCC3351AA Citation: Paulsen MJ, Hawks DC (2014) A review of the primary types of the Hawaiian stag beetle genus Apterocyclus Waterhouse (Coleoptera, Lucanidae, Lucaninae), with the description of a new species. ZooKeys 433: 77–88. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.433.8022 Abstract The species of the Hawaiian stag beetle genus Apterocyclus Waterhouse (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) are re- viewed following an examination of all primary types. Although the continued existence of the species is unknown and some possibly are extinct there are five recently extant species, including one species that is described here as new. The holotypes for all available names are pictured, and synonymies discussed and updated. Lectotypes are designated for Apterocyclus honoluluensis Waterhouse and A. munroi Sharp. A key to species and a revised catalog for the genus are provided.
    [Show full text]
  • Scarabaeidae) in Finland (Coleoptera)
    © Entomologica Fennica. 27 .VIII.1991 Abundance and distribution of coprophilous Histerini (Histeridae) and Onthophagus and Aphodius (Scarabaeidae) in Finland (Coleoptera) Olof Bistrom, Hans Silfverberg & Ilpo Rutanen Bistrom, 0., Silfverberg, H. & Rutanen, I. 1991: Abundance and distribution of coprophilous Histerini (Histeridae) and Onthophagus and Aphodius (Scarabaeidae) in Finland (Coleoptera).- Entomol. Fennica 2:53-66. The distribution and occmTence, with the time-factor taken into consideration, were monitored in Finland for the mainly dung-living histerid genera Margarinotus, Hister, and Atholus (all predators), and for the Scarabaeidae genera Onthophagus and Aphodius, in which almost all species are dung-feeders. All available records from Finland of the 54 species studied were gathered and distribution maps based on the UTM grid are provided for each species with brief comments on the occmTence of the species today. Within the Histeridae the following species showed a decline in their occurrence: Margarinotus pwpurascens, M. neglectus, Hister funestus, H. bissexstriatus and Atholus bimaculatus, and within the Scarabaeidae: Onthophagus nuchicornis, 0. gibbulus, O.fracticornis, 0 . similis , Aphodius subterraneus, A. sphacelatus and A. merdarius. The four Onthophagus species and A. sphacelatus disappeared in the 1950s and 1960s and are at present probably extinct in Finland. Changes in the agricultural ecosystems, caused by different kinds of changes in the traditional husbandry, are suggested as a reason for the decline in the occuJTence of certain vulnerable species. Olof Bistrom & Hans Si!fverberg, Finnish Museum of Natural Hist01y, Zoo­ logical Museum, Entomology Division, N. Jarnviigsg. 13 , SF-00100 Helsingfors, Finland llpo Rutanen, Water and Environment Research Institute, P.O. Box 250, SF- 00101 Helsinki, Finland 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Insect Remains from Various Sites in Southwark: Draft for Consultation
    Insect remains from various sites in Southwark: Draft for consultation H. K. Kenward Environmental Archaeology Unit, University of York, York YO1 5DD. [NB: This report was reformatted from a Runoff file on 18th March 2008. The only changes have been to preserve internal consistency and to correct typographical errors. HK. The original was an archive report deposited in the former Environmental Archaeology Unit, York, and the Ancient Monuments Laboratory, and allocated post hoc as Reports from the Environmental Archaeology Unit, York 90/10.] Introduction This report is an account of insect remains from a large number of samples from several sites in Southwark. The material was provided in processed form. The majority of the assemblages were dry in plastic tubes, and the remainder in IMS in glass vials. In some cases, material in both forms was available for a sample. Almost all the groups of insects were, by comparison with the material normally used for interpretation, very small, often only one to a few fragments. In a few cases some twenty or so individuals of beetles and bugs were represented by the remains; the largest group was perhaps twice this size, still less than half the number of individuals generally taken as a reasonable working minimum for interpretation of a mixed assemblage (Kenward 1978). The dry material appeared to be biassed in favour of large taxa, and presented considerable difficulty in handling because of the effect of static attraction between fossils and the plastic vials. Many fossils were damaged while attempting to remove them, and others sprang away as a result of static repulsion as soon as they were taken from the tubes.
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of Phylogenetic Hypotheses Regarding Aphodiinae (Coleoptera; Scarabaeidae)
    STATE OF KNOWLEDGE OF DUNG BEETLE PHYLOGENY - a review of phylogenetic hypotheses regarding Aphodiinae (Coleoptera; Scarabaeidae) Mattias Forshage 2002 Examensarbete i biologi 20 p, Ht 2002 Department of Systematic Zoology, Evolutionary Biology Center, Uppsala University Supervisor Fredrik Ronquist Abstract: As a preparation for proper phylogenetic analysis of groups within the coprophagous clade of Scarabaeidae, an overview is presented of all the proposed suprageneric taxa in Aphodiinae. The current knowledge of the affiliations of each group is discussed based on available information on their morphology, biology, biogeography and paleontology, as well as their classification history. With this as a background an attempt is made to estimate the validity of each taxon from a cladistic perspective, suggest possibilities and point out the most important questions for further research in clarifying the phylogeny of the group. The introductory part A) is not a scientific paper but an introduction into the subject intended for the seminar along with a polemic against a fraction of the presently most active workers in the field: Dellacasa, Bordat and Dellacasa. The main part B) is the discussion of all proposed suprageneric taxa in the subfamily from a cladistic viewpoint. The current classification is found to be quite messy and unfortunately a large part of the many recent attempts to revise higher-level classification within the group do not seem to be improvements from a phylogenetic viewpoint. Most recently proposed tribes (as well as
    [Show full text]
  • Larvae of Ataenius (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae
    Eur. J. Entomol. 96: 57—68, 1999 ISSN 1210-5759 Larvae ofAtaenius (Coleóptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae): Generic characteristics and species descriptions José R. VERDÚ and E duardo GALANTE Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Alicante, E-03080 Alicante, Spain Key words.Scarabaeidae, Aphodiinae, Ataenius, larvae, description, key, dung beetles, turfgrass beetles, taxonomy Abstract. We compared the larval morphology of the genera Ataenius and Aphodius. The third larval instars of five Ataenius species: Ataenius opatrinus Harold, A. picinus Harold, A. platensis (Blanchard), A. simulator Harold and A. strigicauda Bates, are described or redescribed and illustrated. The most important morphological characteristics of the larvae of Ataenius are found in the respiratory plate of thoracic spiracle, the setation of venter of the last abdominal segment, the setation of the epicranial region and the morphology of the epipharynx. A key to larvae of the known species of Ataenius is included. INTRODUCTION del Sacramento (Uruguay). For the purpose of laboratory studies, a total of 10 to 20 adult specimens of each species were The genus Ataenius Harold comprises 320 species, of kept in cylindrical plastic breeding cages (20 cm high, 10 cm which 228 species are found in America, 49 in Australia, wide) with moist soil and dry cow dung from which they had 11 in Africa, 6 in East Asia, 2 in Madagascar, and single been collected. The lid was an opening (6 cm diameter) covered species in India, Sri Lanka, Turkestan, Japan, Hawaii and with gauze screen. These breeding cages were maintained in an Sumatra, respectively (Dellacasa, 1987). Despite the rich­ environmental chamber at 25 : 20°C (L : D), 80 ± 5% RH, with ness of this genus and its worldwide distribution, the lar­ a photoperiod of 15 : 9 (L : D).
    [Show full text]