Adrian Smolis

A European monitoring protocol for the stag beetle, a saproxylic flagship species

Developing protocols for threatened invertebrates is often challenging, because they are not only rare but also elusive. This is the case with the stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), a protected and flagship species for the saproxylic beetle fauna in Europe. We applied a standard transect walk at a European scale (8 countries, 29 transects) to test its practicability and reliability as survey design. A total of 533 sightings were recorded throughout the sampling period, but detection probability changed as the season progressed. Considering the observed activity pattern, occupancy models showed that a short period of three consecutive weeks, between the middle of June and the first week of July, resulted in a high probability of detection (P > 0.7). As time of the peak of activity varies from year to year and between sites, we propose to extend the sampling period to five weekly surveys. Detailed information on the transect characteristics and the optimal time for surveying were analysed. The data indicate that a weekly transect at dusk provides a reliable method for monitoring this species throughout its distributional range. No correlation was found between latitude, longitude and phenology of sightings, however. However, a standard method such as the one presented, allows broadening the scale of monitoring studies, provinding data to evaluate the efficacy of conservation measures.

Sex pheromones as a tool to overcome the Wallacean shortfall in conservation biology: a case of Elater ferrugineus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

The “Wallacean shortfall”—lack of distributional information—is one of the main problems when trying to assess the threats to and planning conservation strategies for many invertebrate species. Based on published and unpublished records since 1840, as well as on our own field survey, we attempted to estimate if and to what extent the use of pheromone traps increased the detectability of a rare, saproxylic click beetle Elater ferrugineus. The significant increase in the number of records in 2011–2013 shows that the pheromone method made it much easier to detect the occurrence of the species. Advantages of the pheromone method are that it does not disturb the habitat, can be used by non-specialists, is less costly and less time-consuming, and thus providing a useful tool for conservation research (studying biology, ecology and genetics of local populations).

Persanura hyrcanica , a new genus and species of Neanurinae (Collembola: Neanuridae) from Iran, with a key to genera of the tribe Neanurini

Persanura hyrcanica, a new genus and species of Neanurini from Iran is described and illustrated. It has a unique suite of morphological characters: labrum with only 4 chaetae, fusion of tubercles So and L on head, tubercle Di on th. II-III with 2 chaetae and separation of tubercles Di on abd. V. The erected genus is closely related to Neanura MacGillivray, 1893, Kalanura Smolis, 2007 and Xylanura Smolis, 2011. An updated key to genera of the tribe Neanurini is given.

“Primeval forest relict beetles” of Central Europe: a set of 168 umbrella species for the protection of primeval forest remnants

Identification of forest stands with priority for the conservation of biodiversity is of particular importance in landscapes with a long cultural and agricultural history, such as Central Europe. A group of species with a high indicator value for the naturalness of forest ecosystems are saproxylic insects. Some of these species, especially within the order Coleoptera, have been described as primeval forests relicts. Here, we compiled a list of 168 “primeval forest relict species” of saproxylic beetles based on expert knowledge. These species can serve as focal and umbrella species for forest conservation in Central Europe. They were selected because of their dependence on the continuous presence of primeval forest habitat features, such as over-mature trees, high amounts of dead wood, and dead wood diversity, as well as their absence in managed Central European forests. These primeval forest relict species showed a moderately strong clumping pattern within the phylogeny of beetles, as indicated by phylogenetic signal testing using the D-statistic. When we controlled for phylogenetic relatedness, an ordinal linear model revealed that large body size and preference for dead wood and trees of large diameter are the main characteristics of these species. This list of species can be used to identify forest stands of conservation value throughout Central Europe, to prioritize conservation and to raise public awareness for conservation issues related to primeval forests.

Remarkable diversity of the genus Endonura Cassagnau, 1979 (Collembola: Neanuridae: Neanurinae) in the Caucasus

Endonura alticola (Stach, 1951) comb. nov. is redescribed based on the type material and seven new species of the genus Endonura are described from the various parts of the Caucasus. E. paracantabrica sp. nov. can be recognized by the number of chaetae (L+So) on head and a fusion of tubercles Di and De on the first thoracic segment. Specific traits of E. aibgai sp. nov. include small body size, low number of chaetae (L+So) on head, nonogival labrum, dentate claws, and long tibiotarsal chaetae B4 and B5. E. diminutichaeta sp. nov. is characterized by an unusually short chaeta Di1on abdomen IV. E. dobrolyubovae sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by notably long chaeta Ocp on head and the presence of male ventral organ. The absence of chaetae E and O on head, ogival labrum, cryptopygy and dentate claws are typical of E. cryptopyga sp. nov. E. ossetica sp. nov. is most easily recognized by an unusual shape of tubercle Af on head connected with chaetae D and E. Main characteristics of E. kremenitsai sp. nov. include the presence of chaeta E and five chaetae Dl on head. A key to all known species of the genus including the above outlined taxa is given. General remarks on distribution and possible historical biogeography of the genus are also provided.

Endonura Cassagnau in Iran, with a key to species of the genus (Collembola, Neanuridae, Neanurinae)

Abstract Three new species of Endonura are described from Iran. Endonura dichaeta sp. n. can be recognized by an ogival labrum, head without chaetae O and E, chaeta D connected with tubercle Cl, tubercle Dl with five chaetae on head, absence of tubercles Di on thorax I and tubercle (Di+Di) of thorax V with 2+2 chaetae. Endonura ceratolabralis sp. n. is characterized by large body size, reduction of labral chaetotaxy, ogival labrum, head without chaeta O and fusion of tubercles Di and De on first thoracic segment. Endonura persica sp. n. is distinguished from its congeners by a nonogival labrum, absence of chaeta O, tubercles Dl and (L+So) with five and eight chaetae respectively and claw with inner tooth. The key to all species of the genus is given.

REDESCRIPTION OF ENDONURA CRETENSIS (ELLIS, 1976) (COLLEMBOLA: NEANURIDAE: NEANURINAE) WITH A NEW RECORD FROM ISRAEL

Abstract. Endonura cretensis (Ellis, 1976) is redescribed, disscused and illustrated on the basis of the holotype and new specimens. The species is recorded from Israel for the first time. Within the genus it is strongly isolated and the most similar to E. urotuberculata Pomorski et Skarżyński, 2000 from Bulgaria.

Three new remarkable species of the genus Endonura Cassagnau, 1979 from the Middle East and Central Asia (Collembola, Neanuridae, Neanurinae, Neanurini)

Abstract New species belonging to the genus Endonura is described and illustrated in detail. Endonura longirostris sp. n., from northern Iran, is distinctive due to an exceptionally elongate buccal cone compared to that of most other species of the genus. Other characteristic features of the species are the white body with pigmented eyes, a reduced chaetotaxy of the lateral part of the head, the thorax II–III and abdomen I–III with free chaetae De2 and 3, and abdomen IV with particularly short chaetae Di1. The main characteristics of Endonura paracentaurea sp. n. include a white body with dark pigmented eyes, a nonogival labrum, the presence of tubercles Di on the first thoracic segment and of microchaetae on the rudimentary furca. Endonura turkmenica sp. n. can be recognized by its bluish-grey body, labral chaetotaxy, free chaetae E on the head, and notably short chaetae De3 on the thorax and the abdomen. Short remarks on the possible importance of labral modifications are also provided.

Identification of Larvae of Endangered Cucujus cinnaberinus and C. haematodes (Coleoptera: Cucujidae)

ABSTRACT. The red flat bark beetle Cucujus cinnaberinus (Scopoli, 1763) is included as a protected species in the Berne Convention and the European Habitat Directive—Annex II and IV (92/43 EU of 21 May 1992) which requires the establishment of special areas of conservation in the European Union, and listing the species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species under the near-threatened category. Cucujus haematodes Erichson, 1845 is considered to be one of the most threatened saproxylic species, a relic of primeval forests, in many European countries (including Poland) under protection. Morphology of the larvae of two rare European species of the genus Cucujus (cinnaberinus and haematodes) is compared here. We point out differences which allow the two species to be properly distinguished and which, until now, have been omitted or misinterpreted in literature. The best characteristics seem to be the arrangement of minor spines on the top of basal tooth, the shape of frontal suture, size of stemmata, shape of I antennal joint, localization of basal tooth, and morphology of VIII abdominal tergites.

Redescription of Protanura papillata Cassagnau & Delamare Deboutteville, 1955 (Collembola, Neanuridae, Neanurinae), with new records from Middle East, and with supplemented diagnosis and key to the genus

The poorly known Neanurini genus Protanura is rediagnosed and briefly compared with Lathriopyga. Protanura papillata Cassagnau & Delamare Deboutteville, 1955, known to date only from Lebanon, is redescribed based on the lectotype and new extensive material from Middle East.