The Role of Nyctelia dorsata Fairmaire, 1905 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on Litter Fragmentation Processes and Soil Biogeochemical Cycles in Arid Patagonia

Cheli, Germán H.; Bosco, Tomás; Flores, Gustavo E.

doi:10.3161/00034541anz2022.72.1.011

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The latter are widely recognized as the insect group best suited for colonizing arid environments and are found worldwide in desert ecosystems. They have developed numerous morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations to cope with extremely arid conditions and are therefore largely responsible for most of the nutrient cycling in deserts ( Cloudsley-Thompson & Chadwick, 1964 ; Cloudsley-Thompson, 2001 ; Crawford, 1982 ; Matthews, 2000 ; Matthews et al, 2010 ; Cheli, Bosco & Flores, 2022 ; Raś, Kamiński & Iwan, 2022 ). Different from most other insect groups, their biodiversity sometimes increases with aridity ( Kergoat et al, 2014a ; Koch, 1962 ; Pfeiffer & Bayannasan, 2012 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phylogenomics of darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from the Atacama Desert

Ragionieri

Zúñiga-Reinoso

Bläser

et al. 2023

PeerJ

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Background Tenebrionidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) are a conspicuous component of desert fauna worldwide. In these ecosystems, they are significantly responsible for nutrient cycling and show remarkable morphological and physiological adaptations. Nevertheless, Tenebrionidae colonizing individual deserts have repeatedly emerged from different lineages. The goal of our study was to gain insights into the phylogenetic relationships of the tenebrionid genera from the Atacama Desert and how these taxa are related to the globally distributed Tenebrionidae. Methods We used newly generated transcriptome data (47 tribes, 7 of 11 subfamilies) that allowed for a comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of the tenebrionid fauna of this hyperarid desert and fills a gap in our knowledge of the highly diversified Tenebrionidae. We examined two independent data sets known to be suitable for phylogenomic reconstructions. One is based on 35 neuropeptide precursors, the other on 1,742 orthologous genes shared among Coleoptera. Results The majority of Atacama genera are placed into three groups, two of which belong to typical South American lineages within the Pimeliinae. While the data support the monophyly of the Physogasterini, Nycteliini and Scotobiini, this does not hold for the Atacama genera of Edrotini, Epitragini, Evaniosomini, Praociini, Stenosini, Thinobatini, and Trilobocarini. A suggested very close relationship of Psammetichus with the Mediterranean Leptoderis also could not be confirmed. We also provide hints regarding the phylogenetic relationships of the Caenocrypticini, which occur both in South America and southern Africa. Apart from the focus on the Tenebrionidae from the Atacama Desert, we found a striking synapomorphy grouping Alleculinae, Blaptinae, Diaperinae, Stenochinae, and several taxa of Tenebrioninae, but not Tenebrio and Tribolium. This character, an insertion in the myosuppressin gene, defines a higher-level monophyletic group within the Tenebrionidae. Conclusion Transcriptome data allow a comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of the tenebrionid fauna of the Atacama Desert, which represents one of the seven major endemic tribal areas in the world for Tenebrionidae. Most Atacama genera could be placed in three lineages typical of South America; monophyly is not supported for several tribes based on molecular data, suggesting that a detailed systematic revision of several groups is necessary.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phylogenomics of darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from the Atacama Desert

Ragionieri

Zúñiga-Reinoso

Bläser

et al. 2023

PeerJ

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“…steppes, temperate and rain forests, ants/termite nets), the family is primarily known for a xerophilous lifestyle of many of its representatives 4 . In several extremely arid ecosystems, such as the Atacama, Namib, or Kalahari deserts, darkling beetles constitute a major component of the arthropod fauna and are a key element in nutrient cycling 1 , 5 – 10 . The extreme xerophily of tenebrionids has fascinated researchers from a wide variety of fields.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fossoriality in desert-adapted tenebrionid (Coleoptera) larvae

Raś

Kamiński

Iwan

2022

Sci Rep

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In many extreme arid ecosystems, insects constitute major faunal components and are key contributors in nutrient cycling. Previous research on xerophily in insects has focused on adult forms. This study investigates skeletomuscular and behavioural adaptations of the Kalahari sandworm beetle larvae (Gonopus tibialis Fabricius) for dwelling in the sand. Microcomputed tomography enabled cuticle thickness distribution analysis, revealing structural reinforcements of the mandibular edge, the middle part of the head, and the ventral side of the front legs. Laboratory observations and the analysis of muscular system allowed for the definition and functional description of the elements of the digging apparatus of the sandworm larvae. Obtained results point to the crucial role of the head and mandibles in the digging process. These observations are important for understanding desert ecology and pose a challenge to develop newer excavation techniques.

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Redefining generic boundaries in subtribe Eurynotina (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): taxonomy of the Schyzoschelus generic group

Lumen,

Kamiński

2024

The European Zoological Journal

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The Role of Nyctelia dorsata Fairmaire, 1905 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on Litter Fragmentation Processes and Soil Biogeochemical Cycles in Arid Patagonia

Cited by 5 publications

References 16 publications

Phylogenomics of darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from the Atacama Desert

Phylogenomics of darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from the Atacama Desert

Fossoriality in desert-adapted tenebrionid (Coleoptera) larvae

Redefining generic boundaries in subtribe Eurynotina (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): taxonomy of the Schyzoschelus generic group

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