A behavioural inventory of adult Stenus species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

According to focal animal sampling, the genus-specific behaviour of Stenus beetles (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) can be presented in the form of a comprehensive ethogram including 73 distinct behavioural patterns. Most observed behavioural patterns can be assigned to five functional systems: ‘feeding’, ‘reproduction’, ‘grooming’, ‘resting’ and ‘protection’. In addition to grooming behaviour, searching behaviour takes a large amount of time (50–90% of the total observation time), which is indicative of the broad prey spectrum of Stenus species. The biological significance of selected behavioural aspects concerning ‘searching for prey’, ‘prey capture’, ‘mating’, ‘self-grooming’ and ‘locomotion on the water surface’ is addressed in the discussion.     

Revision of the Chinese species of the genus Belonuchus Nordmann (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Philonthina)

In this paper, the Chinese species of the genus Belonuchus Nordmann, 1837 Nordmann, A. 1837. Symbolae ad monographiam staphylinorum. Ex Academiae Caesareae Scientiarum, Vol. 4, 1–167. Petropoli: Academiae Caesareae Scientiarum.  [Google Scholar] are revised. Four new species are described and illustrated: B. admirabilis sp. nov. from China (Beijing), B. applanatus sp. nov. from China (Yunnan), B. coomani sp. nov. from China (Yunnan and Guangxi) and Vietnam (Hoa-Binh) and B. obvelatus sp. nov. from Indonesia (Sumatra and Java). Belonuchus grandiceps (Kraatz, 1859 Kraatz, G. 1859. Die Staphylinen-Fauna von Ostindien, insbesondere der Insel Ceylan. Arch Naturgesch., 25: 1–196.  [Google Scholar]) and B. imitator Cameron, 1932 Cameron, M. 1932. “The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Coleoptera”. In Staphylinidae, Vol. III, 443London: Taylor & Francis.  [Google Scholar] are reported from China for the first time. Five existing Chinese species are re-described and illustrated: B. grandiceps, B. imitator, B. puncticulus, B. punctifrons and B. rufoniger. Belonuchus gardneri Cameron, 1932 Cameron, M. 1932. “The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Coleoptera”. In Staphylinidae, Vol. III, 443London: Taylor & Francis.  [Google Scholar] is placed in synonymy with B. rufoniger Fauvel, 1895 Fauvel, A. 1895. Staphylinides nouveaux de l'Inde et de la Malaisie. Rev Entomol., 14: 180–286.  [Google Scholar]. Consequently, eight species of the genus Belonuchus are now known from China. An identification key to the Chinese species of the genus Belonuchus is provided and their geographical distribution is mapped.     

Taxonomy of the genus Gabrius Stephens, 1829 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Philonthina) from China,with description of two new species

In this paper, two new species of the genus Gabrius from China are described and illustrated: G. zhoui sp. nov. from Sichuan and G. invisus sp. nov. from Beijing, Hubei, Hunan, Henan, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Zhejiang. Gabrius imitator (Fauvel, 1895 Fauvel, A. 1895. Staphylinides nouveaux de l'Inde et de la Malaisie. Rev Entomol, 14: 180–286.  [Google Scholar]), G. lebedevi (Bernhauer, 1910 Bernhauer, M. 1910. Zur Staphylinidenfauna des palaearktischen Gebietes. Soc Entomol, 25: 71–71. 78–79 [Google Scholar]), G. tirolensis (Luze, 1903 Luze, G. 1903. Eine neue Art der Staphyliniden-Gattung Philonthus Curtis aus Mitteleuropa. Verhandlungen der k. k. Zool-botan Gesellschaft Wien, 53: 386 [Google Scholar]), G. kambaitiensis Scheerpeltz, 1965 Scheerpeltz, O. 1965. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Schwedischen Expedition 1934 nach Indien und Burma. Coleoptera Staphylinidae (except Megalopsidiinae et Steninae). Ark Zool, 17: 93–371.  [Google Scholar], G. cinctiventris Scheerpeltz, 1965 Scheerpeltz, O. 1965. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Schwedischen Expedition 1934 nach Indien und Burma. Coleoptera Staphylinidae (except Megalopsidiinae et Steninae). Ark Zool, 17: 93–371.  [Google Scholar], G. egens (Sharp, 1874 Sharp, DS. 1874. The Staphylinidae of Japan. Entomol Soc London Trans, : 1–103.  [Google Scholar]), G. smetanai Schillhammer, 1997 Schillhammer, H. 1997. Taxonomic revision of the Oriental species of Gabrius Stephens (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Mono Coleop, 1: 1–139.  [Google Scholar] and G. zerchei Schillhammer, 1996 Schillhammer, H. 1996. New genera and species of Asian Staphylinini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae). Koleopterol Rundsch, 66: 59–71.  [Google Scholar] are reported from China for the first time. Thus, a total of 53 species of the genus Gabrius are known from China.     

Mating behaviour and sexual selection in the African ball-rolling scarab Khepher platynotus (Bates) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Mating behaviour of the ball-rolling dung beetle Kheper platynotus (Bates), adults of which are active in rainy seasons, was studied in southeastern Kenya. Male mating behaviour changed with the progression of the rainy season. In the early season when females made food balls, males attempted forced copulation with wandering and food-ball-making females on dung mounds. As the season progressed, females made brood balls, and males attempted to pair off with such females, as well as attempting forced copulation with wandering and food-ball-making females. A male who paired off with a brood-ball-making female cooperated with the female to make the ball. The male usually copulated after burying the ball (pre-copulatory mate guarding), but sometimes copulated during ball-making. In the latter case the male usually showed post-copulatory mate guarding until ball burial, but sometimes left soon after copulation. In the late season, when available females decreased because of maternal care in the underground nests, males started to make food balls to secure food resources for survival until the next rainy season. Male mate guarding involving ball-making, -rolling and -burying seemed to function to raise paternity confidence, but such assistance seemed to be less beneficial to females. Fights frequently occurred between guarding and intruding males on brood balls. Both residency and relative body sizes of fighters were important asymmetries influencing contest outcome. This seemed to result in not active but passive mate choice by brood-ball-making females.     

Comparisons in nesting biology of two sympatric carpenter bee species (Apidae: Xylocopini)

This work analyses the biology and nesting behaviour of Xylocopa ordinaria and Xylocopa frontalis, providing information for their conservation and management. The study was performed from August 2006 to December 2007 and considered 25 nests of X. ordinaria and 23 of X. frontalis. The X. frontalis nested between December and April, while X. ordinaria nested throughout the year. Nests of X. ordinaria dug in wider substrates had more tunnels, and the width of nest tunnels and the dimensions of brood cells were smaller than were observed for X. frontalis. Females spent most of their time in activities inside their nests, followed by nectar and pollen flights and nectar dehydration. Pollen resources used by these bees presented more than 40% similarity, and they were constant to flower resources while provisioning cells. Cissites maculata and a Diptera species were the natural enemies found.     

Taxonomic separation by isozyme electrophoresis of two closely related species of Cicada L. (Hemiptera: Cicadoidea) in Portugal

Cicada orni (Linnaeus, 1758) and Cicada barbara (Stal, 1866), two closely related species of cicadas both present in Portugal, are very similar and often impossible to separate on the grounds of the morphology alone. Acoustic signals produced by males during pair formation and courtship are, however, different, which is evidence for the presence of two independent species. With a view to testing the usefulness of isozyme electrophoresis for distinguishing between this pair of species, specimens of both were collected in several locations either in sympatry or in allopatry, and then assayed for 19 enzyme loci. Starch gel electrophoresis gave evidence of genetic differentiation between the groups and strong support that they constitute two independent biological species. Moreover, three loci proved to be diagnostic for the separation between C. orni and C. barbara: aspartate aminotransferase (AAT-1), creatine kinase (CK-1) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH-1).     

Taxonomy of the genus Thoracostrongylus Bernhauer (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) with descriptions of five new species from China

The Chinese species of the genus Thoracostrongylus Bernhauer, 1915 Bernhauer, M. 1915. Neue Staphyliniden aus Java und Sumatra. Tijdschr Entomol., 58: 213–243.  [Google Scholar] are reviewed. Five new species are described: Thoracostrongylus acerosus sp. nov. from Sichuan and Hubei, Th. aduncatus sp. nov. from Yunnan, Th. baoxingensis sp. nov. from Sichuan, Th. diaoluoensis sp. nov. from Hainan and Th. fujianensis sp. nov. from Fujian. Thoracostrongylus birmanus (Fauvel, 1895 Fauvel, A. 1895. Staphylinides nouveaux de l'Inde et de la Malaisie. Rev Entomol., 14: 180–286.  [Google Scholar]) is recorded from China for the first time. Male genitalia and other critical characters are illustrated not only for the new species but also for the remaining Chinese species, namely Th. formosanus Shibata, 1982 Shibata, Y. 1982. A new species of the genus Thoracostrongylus Bernhauer from Taiwan (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). T Shikoku entomol Soc., 16: 71–76.  [Google Scholar], Th. malaisei Scheerpeltz, 1965 Scheerpeltz, O. 1965. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Schwedischen Expedition 1934 nach Indien und Burma. Coleoptera Staphylinidae (except Megalopsidiinae et Steninae). Ark Zool. (2), 17(2): 93–371.  [Google Scholar], Th. miyakei Bernhauer, 1943 Bernhauer, M. 1943. Neuheiten der palaearktischen Staphylinidenfauna. Mitt münch entomol Ges., 33: 169–188.  [Google Scholar] and Th. velutinus Scheerpeltz, 1965 Scheerpeltz, O. 1965. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Schwedischen Expedition 1934 nach Indien und Burma. Coleoptera Staphylinidae (except Megalopsidiinae et Steninae). Ark Zool. (2), 17(2): 93–371.  [Google Scholar].     

Temperature responses and habitat sharing in two sympatric species of Okanagana (Homoptera: Cicadoidea)

Okanagana striatipes and O. utahensis are species synchronous in location of activity and utilization of host plants. They possess similar acoustic behavior. Analysis of calling songs shows that calls overlap in frequency but differ in temporal pattern. Based on characteristics of the cicada auditory system and the species recognition mechanism, the potential for acoustic interference exists. Both species are ectothermic behavioral thermoregulators. Measurements of thermal preference and body temperature during singing show that although thermal preferences are similar, O. utahensis sings at a significantly higher body temperature. Differences in body temperature required to coordinate singing in the 2 species provide a partial temporal separation of acoustic signaling. We suggest the physiological mechanisms that permit synchronous utilization of a habitat by the 2 species are the production of calling songs of different temporal patterns and the presence of different thermal requirements, which may permit and/or facilitate temporal separation of the acoustic environment during the day.     

Spatial niche variation in two sympatric species of Bokermannohyla (Anura: Hylidae) in southeastern Brazil

We studied patterns of microhabitat use by adults of two sympatric Bokermannohyla species at the Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Santuário do Caraça, southeastern Brazil. We selected three streams, one where both species occurred in syntopy and the other two where each one occurred alone. We sampled 150-m transects in each stream throughout 1 year, recording microhabitat features for each frog located (substrate type, height and distance from water). Microhabitat availability varied between dry and wet seasons in all streams, and overall microhabitat diversity changed in two streams. Bokermannohyla nanuzae seemed to have a niche contraction in the presence of Bokermannohyla martinsi, but this only happened during the dry season. Microhabitat requirements during the wet season may be closely linked to similar reproductive needs that probably represent a strong selective pressure, forcing niche overlap.     

Comparison of the epiproct structure of two closely related species, Sweltsa fidelis (Banks) and S. revelstoka (Jewett) (Plecoptera: Chloroperlidae)

The male epiprocts of 2 closely related western Nearctic species, Sweltsa fidelis (Banks) and S. revelstoka (Jewett), were examined using SEM. The males of these 2 species have been historically distinguished by epiproct measurements. The ratio of the length of the base to greatest width versus total epiproct length ranges from 0.49 μm to 0.67 μm (￣ x = 0.56) in S. fidelis and 0.55 μm to 0.69 μm (￣ x = 0.60) in S. revelstoka . Similarities in measurement suggest that the location of the greatest epiproct width is not a reliable and consistent character for distinguishing males of these 2 species.     

Life cycle and behaviour of Charoxus spinifer and Charoxus major (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae), predators of fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae)

Charoxus spinifer is associated in southern Florida with native fig trees (Ficus aurea and Ficus citrifolia). Winged adult beetles, 3.0–3.6 mm long, mate on Ficus twigs outside the syconia (fruits), and enter the syconia through holes cut by male pollinating wasps. Adults and larvae eat adult wasps within the syconia. Ovaries hold few, large, mature eggs. Larvae develop through three instars. Fully grown larvae abandon the syconia, drop to the ground, burrow to a depth of 1.5–3.7 cm, spin a silken cocoon, and pupate. Pupal duration is 8–9 days. Larval populations are highest in May, when penultimate stage syconia (phase D) are most abundant, but were detected in all months except June. Charoxus major is reported from Veracruz, associated with Ficus lapathifolia. Its adults extract wasp occupants of galled fig ovaries within syconia, and its eggs were found singly in empty galls.     

Mating behaviour of Staminodeus vectoris (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and the value of systematics in behavioural studies

The mating behaviour of Staminodeus vectoris Franz (Curculionidae: Curculioninae: Derelomini) is described and discussed in light of a phylogeny of Staminodeus Franz. At La Selva, Costa Rica, S. vectoris is associated with the staminodes of the inflorescences of Asplundia uncinata Harling and several other species of Cyclanthaceae. The males have a row of 6–10 teeth along the margin of the protibia, whereas the females have a small, curved spine on the frons. The adults arrive in numbers at the inflorescences during the pistillate phase of the anthesis of A. uncinata, feeding on the staminodes. Eventually, a female detaches a staminode with her mandibles, falls to the ground, and transports it to the site of oviposition in the leaf litter. First, she crawls underneath the staminode, then moves it posteriorly with her legs, and finally returns to its distal end before repeating the process. The female turns on her back and maintains her original position during the movement of the staminode, using her frontal spine as a point of resistance against the substrate. Meanwhile, a male associates with the staminode. The males fight with their prothoracic legs, executing fast blows until their protibial teeth cling and dislodge competitors from the staminode. The positive and negative allometries of the lengths of the male protibia and female spine, are consistent with their functions in the contexts of sexual and natural selection, respectively. The phylogeny of all seven species of Staminodeus hypothesises that female transporting behaviour evolved before male fighting behaviour.     

Basking behaviour in two sympatric herbivorous lizards (Liolaemidae: Phymaturus) from the Payunia volcanic region of Argentina

We studied several aspects of the thermal biology of two coexisting saxicolous species of the genus Phymaturus (Liolaemidae) at the Payunia, a volcanic region in Argentina where harsh conditions prevail. We marked individuals in grids and assessed the environmental conditions when the individuals showed their maximum activity (i.e. when more than 50% of marked individuals were active), the time spent basking, and the postural behaviour in relation to different cloudiness conditions. We found that temperatures recorded when the species exhibit their peaks of activity were higher for Phymaturus payuniae, the smaller species, during the summer at one of the three studied sites. Phymaturus roigorum exhibited the longest basking periods, but during these longer periods cloudy conditions prevailed. Both species adopted a head-up posture when conditions were sunny and a head-down posture when under cloudy conditions. This is the first contribution where thermal aspects of two sympatric species of Phymaturus are evaluated.     

Differentiated use of pollen sources by two sympatric species of oil-collecting bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

We identified the food niche breadth of two sympatric species of oil-collecting bees, Centris (Heterocentris) analis (Fabricius, 1804) and Centris (Hemisiella) tarsata Smith, 1874, based on pollen analyses of larval food. We tested differences in the use of pollen sources considering the anther type and pollen size of the flowers. The species presented a low similarity in the use of pollen sources and C. analis had a wider niche breadth than C. tarsata. Centris analis mainly used Heteropterys spp. and other flowers with non-poricidal anthers. In contrast, C. tarsata commonly used Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil., as well as other flowers with poricidal anthers. Despite the differences in pollen composition of larval food, both species predominantly used medium-sized pollen grains. Although C. analis and C. tarsata are sympatric species, belonging to the same functional group and presenting an overlap in nesting periods, they used different pollen sources, which suggests the occurrence of food niche partitioning.     

Taxonomic study on Sathytes Westwood (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) from China. Part I

This is the first part of a series dealing with the taxonomy of the genus Sathytes Westwood from China. Fifteen Chinese species are recognized and all described here as new: Sathytes cristatus sp.nov., Sathytes excertus sp.nov., Sathytes perpusillus sp.nov., Sathytes rarus sp.nov., Sathytes tangliangi sp.nov., Sathytes tibialis sp.nov., Sathytes usitatus sp.nov. and Sathytes yunanicus sp.nov. from Yunnan; Sathytes larinus sp.nov. and Sathytes wuyishanus sp.nov. from Fujian; Sathytes longitrabis sp.nov. from Shaanxi; Sathytes longwangshanus sp.nov. and Sathytes paulus sp.nov. from Zhejiang; Sathytes magnus sp.nov. from Xizang; and Sathytes sichuanicus sp.nov. from Sichuan. Illustrations of major diagnostic characters of the new species are given. A total of 33 species worldwide are placed into seven newly defined groups. A checklist of Sathytes is also provided.     

New species of American Corthylini (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

The following species are described as new to science: Monarthrum cordicticum, M. tetradontium, M. conversum, M. bidentatum (Mexico), M. subgranulatum (Honduras), M. morsum, M. carinatum, M. adustum, M. insignatum, M. fastigiorum, M. limulum, M. carinulum, M. infradentatum, M. corculum, M. posticum, M. proximum (Costa Rica), M. proprium, M. notatum (Costa Rica, Panama). M. bifoveatum (Costa Rica, Venezuela), Corthycyclon caliginis, C. furvus, C. morulas (Costa Rica), C. tardus (Costa Rica, Panama), Corthylocurus debilis (Costa Rica, Panama). &;nbsp;     

New species of American Corthylus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

A search for characters to make the generic classification of Platypodidae more nearly objective resulted in the discovery of new anatomical features that appear to reflect patterns in phylogeny for this family. The Platypodidae are members of the Curculionoidea and are very closely allied to Scolytidae. Three subfamilies of Platypodidae are recognized: (1) Coptonotinae, containing Coptonotini ( Coptonotus Chapuis, Protohylastes Wood, Scolytotarsus Schedl), Mecopelmini ( Mecopelmus Blackman, Protoplatypus Wood), and Schedlarini ( Schedlarius Wood [= Chapuisia Dugès]); (2) Tesserocerinae, containing Diapodini ( Diapus Chapuis, Genyocerus Motschulsky [= Diacavus Schedl], and Tesseroccrini ( Platytarsulus Schedl, Notoplatypus Lea, Tesserocranulus Schedl, Tesserocerus Saunders [= Damicerus Spinola, Tesseroplatypus Schedl, Tesserocephalus Schedl]), Spathidicerus Chapuis, Periommatus Chapuis [= Asetus Nunberg, Setanus Nunberg], Chaetastus Nunberg [= Symmerus Chapuis], Cenocephalus Chapuis, and Mitosoma Chapuis [= Platypicerus Nunberg, Coecephalonus Schedl]); and (3) Platypodinae, containing Platypodini ( Platypus Herbst [= Cylindra Illiger, Stenoplatypus Strohmeyer, Platypinus Schedl, Austroplatypus Browne], Treptoplatypus Schedl, Crossotarsus Chapuis, Trachyostus Schedl, Neotrachyostus Browne, Platyscapulus Schedl [= Platyscapus Schedl, Costaroplatus Nunberg], Baiocis Browne, Cylindropalpus Strohmeyer, Triozastus Schedl, Mesoplatypus Strohmeyer, Doliopygus Schedl [= Scutopygus Nunberg, Pygodolius Nunberg, Mixopygus Nunberg, Mesopygus Nunberg], and 11 genera named as new to science derived from the genus Platypus of Schedl 1972. The following are new genera and their type-species: Peroplatypus (for Platypus truncatipennis Schedl), Dinoplatypus (for Platypus cupulatus Chapuis), Myoplatypus (for Bostrichus or Paltypus flavicornis Fabricius), Oxoplatypus (for Scolytus or Platypus quadridentatus Olivier), Platyphysus (for Platypus obtusus Chapuis), Megaplatypus (for Platypus dentatus Dalman), Euplatypus (for Bostrichus or Platypus parallelus Fabricius), Epiplatypus (for Platypus desceptor Wood), and Teloplatypus (for Platypus concinnus Blandford). The archaic ""sektionen"" used by Schedl in his 1972 classification of this family are eliminated. A key for the identification of genera, a discussion of characters, and remarks on phylogeny are included.