The conservation status and distribution of Mediterranean saproxylic beetles

Abstract

The designation of geographical entities in this report and the presentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN or other participating organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN or other participating organizations.

Catalogue, distribution, taxonomic notes, and conservation of the Western Palearctic endemic hunchback beetles (Tenebrionidae, Misolampus)

“…This fact, combined with the addition of new recent records for some of the species, enables us to state that, from a general perspective, the species of Misolampus are not in decline, but rather seem to exhibit an adequate conservation status. This status could be further guaranteed, because the distribution range of all species of Misolampus include numerous protected areas (National and Natural Parks, Natura 2000 protected areas; see https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/biodiversidad/servicios/banco-datos-naturaleza/informacion-disponible/ENP.aspx ), which could ensure to some extent the long-term persistence of these saproxylic beetles, if combined with the implementation of adequate agroforestry practices, consistent with the general strategies of saproxylic arthropods conservation from the Mediterranean forests ecosystems ( Sánchez Martínez et al 2012 ; Marcos García and Galante 2013 ; García et al 2018 ).…”

“…The saproxylic nature of Misolampus calls into question their conservation status, since saproxylic beetles have been identified as a highly threatened animal assemblage due to habitat loss derived from logging and the decline of veteran trees throughout the landscape ( Davies et al 2008 ; Ricarte et al 2009 ; Nieto and Alexandre 2010; Marcos García and Galante 2013 ; García-López et al 2016 ; García et al 2018 ). Despite the potential threats to which the species of Misolampus can be subjected to, their current level of threat has not been evaluated within the frame of the regional IUCN Red List of Mediterranean saproxylic beetles ( García et al 2018 ).…”

Antennal sensilla in an anophthalmic wood‐dwelling species, Clinidium canaliculatum, Costa 1839 (Coleoptera, Rhysodidae)

“…Saproxylic insects are a functional group of species that play a key role in forest ecosystems and include bark‐feeders, feeders on wood‐decomposing fungi, associated predators, parasitoids, detritivores, and other commensals (Bouget, Larrieu, & Brin, 2014 ; Jonsell & Weslien, 2003 ; Stokland, Siitonen, & Jonsson, 2012 ). Clinidium canaliculatum , Costa 1839 (Coleoptera, Rhysodidae) is an obligate saproxylic species inhabiting montain forests in central and southern Italy and Greece (García et al, 2019 ; Mazzei, Audisio, Taglianti, & Brandmayr, 2019 ). As larvae and adults live in rotten wood of conifers and feed on Myxomycetes (Bell, 1994 ; Hammond & Lawrence, 1989 ), they are an important component of the biodiversity in old‐growth forest communities.…”

Exploring Compound Eyes in Adults of Four Coleopteran Species Using Synchrotron X-ray Phase-Contrast Microtomography (SR-PhC Micro-CT)

“…However, the ommatidia are spread apart, occupying in total a lower surface area than that covered by the overlying cornea. C. canaliculatum is an obligate saproxylic species, inhabiting the rotten wood of mountain forests in central and southern Italy and Greece [ 47 , 48 , 80 ]. Thus, it probably needs a larger lens to increase the light incidence angle and achieves sufficient contrast sensitivity by increasing light transmittance crystalline cones in low light conditions [ 25 , 81 ].…”

“…Thus, the aim of this study was to indicate a new application of SR-PhC micro-CT for investigating compound eyes in insects. Virtual sections and 3D renderings of the head were performed in four coleopteran species, inhabiting different habitats and with different ecological roles, i.e., (a) Clinidium canaliculatum (Costa, 1839) (Rhysodidae), a saproxylic beetle, which feeds on wood-decomposing fungi in coniferous forests—listed as a vulnerable species in the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) [ 47 , 48 ]; (b) Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus, 1758) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Tenebrionidae), pests of stored grain and cosmopolitan in distribution [ 49 ]; and (c) Pterostichus melas italicus (Dejean, 1828) (Carabidae), a generalist predator, inhabiting pastures, open forests, forest edges and agricultural land [ 50 ], well known as a bioindicator of exposure to agrochemicals [ 51 , 52 , 53 ]. The study was designed to provide a proof that high-resolution images of compound eyes can be obtained using SR-PhC micro-CT as an exploratory alternative to invasive and time-consuming techniques.…”