Bekir Keskin

Comparative phylogeography of tenebrionid beetles in the Aegean archipelago: the effect of dispersal ability and habitat preference

Comparative phylogeographical studies in island archipelagos can reveal lineage‐specific differential responses to the geological and climatic history. We analysed patterns of genetic diversity in six codistributed lineages of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) in the central Aegean archipelago which differ in wing development and habitat preferences. A total of 600 specimens from 30 islands and eight adjacent mainland regions were sequenced for mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I and nuclear Muscular protein 20. Individual gene genealogies were assessed for the presence of groups that obey an independent coalescent process using a mixed Yule coalescent model. The six focal taxa differed greatly in the number of coalescent groups and depth of lineage subdivision, which was closely mirrored by the degree of geographical structuring. The most severe subdivision at both mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA level was found in flightless lineages associated with presumed stable compact‐soil habitats (phrygana, maquis), in contrast to sand‐obligate lineages inhabiting ephemeral coastal areas that displayed greater homogeneity across the archipelago. A winged lineage, although associated with stable habitats, showed no significant phylogenetic or geographical structuring. Patterns of nucleotide diversity and local genetic differentiation, as measured using ΦST and hierarchical amova, were consistent with high levels of ongoing gene flow in the winged taxon; frequent local extinction and island recolonisation for flightless sand‐obligate taxa; and very low gene flow and geographical structure largely defined by the palaeogeographical history of the region in flightless compact‐soil taxa. These results show that differences in dispersal rate, mediated by habitat persistence, greatly influence the levels of phylogeographical subdivision in lineages that are otherwise subjected to the same geological events and palaeoclimatic changes.

A New Species and New Records of the Genus Nalassus Mulsant, 1854 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Helopini) from Turkey

Abstract. A new species Nalassus bozdagus sp. nov. is described from the Aegean Region of Turkey (Bozdag ridge). The new species differs from all known Nalassus in the following characters: the hair spot on first and second abdominal sternites of male is absent, temple grooves are absent, exosceleton very strongly sclerotized. New records of Nalassus Mulsant, 1854 from Turkey are provided. Two species new for the fauna of Turkey: Nalassus (Helopondrus) gloriosus (Faldermann, 1837) and N. (Helopocerodes) faldermanni (Faldermann, 1837).

A new genus and species of darkling beetles of the tribe Helopini (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) from Turkey

A new genus and species Microdocnemis xerophilicus gen. et sp. n. of the tenebrionid-beetle tribe Helopini is described from southwestern Turkey. The new genus belongs to the cylindrinotoid group of genera and is closely related to the genus Odocnemis Allard, 1876 in the structure of the male genitalia and female genital tubes and in the denticulation of the inner margin of the fore tibia. Microdocnemis differs from Odocnemis in the following characters: body very weakly flattened dorsally and ventrally; apical part of elytra, body ventrally, and epipleura with hairs; anal sternite with double bordering; apical margins of tibiae with short thick spines. The only species of the new genus inhabits xerophytic stony biotopes and has been found under stones; the species of the genus Odocnemis live on tree trunks covered with lichens.

First record of Xanthomus cf. ovulus Seidlitz, 1895 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Turkey.

FROESE, R. & D. PAULY (Eds.) (2006): FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. – www.fishbase.org, version (06/2006). GOLANI, D. (2006): Cartilaginous fishes of the Mediterranean coast of Israel. p. 95–100. In: N. BAŞUSTA, Ç. KESKIN, F. SERENA & B. SERET (Eds.), Proceedings of the Workshop on Mediterranean Cartilaginous Fish with Emphasis on Southern and Eastern Mediterranean. – Turkish Marine Research Foundation, Publication 23, Istanbul. HADJICHRISTOPHOROU, M. (2006): Chondrichthyes in Cyprus. p. 162-168. In: N. BAŞUSTA, Ç. KESKIN, F. SERENA & B. SERET (Eds.), Proceedings of the Workshop on Mediterranean Cartilaginous Fish with Emphasis on Southern and Eastern Mediterranean. – Turkish Marine Research Foundation, Publication 23, Istanbul. KESKIN, Ç. & F. S. KARAKULAK (2006): Preliminary results on depth distribution of cartilaginous fish in the north Aegean Sea and their fishing potential in summer 2001. p. 69–78. In: N. BAŞUSTA, Ç. KESKIN, F. SERENA & B. SERET (Eds.), Proceedings of the Workshop on Mediterranean Cartilaginous Fish with Emphasis on Southern and Eastern Mediterranean. – Turkish Marine Research Foundation, Publication 23, Istanbul. PAPACONSTANTINOU, C. (1988). Check-list of marine fishes of Greece. Fauna Graeciae IV. – Hellenic Zoological Society, Athens, 257 pp. SAAD, A., M. ALI & B. SERET (2006): Shark exploitation and conservation in Syria. p. 202–208. In: N. BAŞUSTA, Ç. KESKIN, F. SERENA & B. SERET (Eds.), Proceedings of the Workshop on Mediterranean Cartilaginous Fish with Emphasis on Southern and Eastern Mediterranean. – Turkish Marine Research Foundation, Publication 23, Istanbul. TORTONESE, E. (1956): Leptocardia, Ciclostomata, Selachii. – Fauna d’Italia, Ediozini Calderini, Bologna, 222–261.

Life forms and strategies of lichen-feeding darkling beetles (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae: Helopini)

Trophic relations of lichen-feeding darkling beetles of the tribe Helopini in Turkey, the Caucasus, and Anti-Atlas are considered. This group is the most diverse in relict Anatolian forests of Cedrus libani, Abies cilicica, Pinus nigra, Juniperus spp., and Quercus cerris, where multitaxon lichenophagous assemblages exist. Three life strategies for attenuation of interspecific competition are distinguished: (1) differentiation of the consumed lichens, (2) separation of the life forms based on the types of the lichens consumed, and (3) segregation of circadian activity in adults. We assume that adaptation of the Helopini larvae to the soil life promoted their wide distribution in different landscapes by elimination of the limiting factor for completing their life cycles, namely the need for ligneous substrate of old rotting trees. The possibility of using lichen-feeding beetles of the tribe Helopini in ecosystem and lichen indication is considered.

A review of the genus Gnaptor Brullé, 1832 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) with description of a new species from Turkey

The new species Gnaptor medvedevi sp. n. is described from southwestern Turkey. The new species is closely related to G. spinimanus but differs from it in narrower parameres, in the structure of the spiculum gastrale, and in the sculpture of the prothoracic hypomera. The new monotypical subgenus Plesiognaptor subgen. n. is described for G. prolixus; the distribution of each species is described. New data on the range of G. prolixus are added. This species is known from Turkey (Izmir, Aydin, Afyon, Konya, and Isparta provinces) and Iran (Elburs, the first record for the country). A key to and illustrations for all the species of the genus Gnaptor are given.

The New Genus Taurohelops Keskin and Nabozhenko (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Anatolia, Turkey

The new tenebrionid genus Taurohelops Keskin and Nabozhenko, new genus (tribe Helopini), including two species from Central Taurus Mountains, Turkey, is described. The new genus belongs to the Cylindrinotus genus-group but differs from other genera of the tribe Helopini by structures of the male tibiae, abdominal ventrites 3–5, male aedeagus, and presence of coeloconic sensilla on the pronotum. One new combination is established: Taurohelops incultus (Allard, 1877), new combination (from Odocnemis Allard). One new species, Taurohelops triplehorni Keskin and Nabozhenko, new species, is described. A lectotype for Helops lordiscelis Reitter, 1900 is designated. Data on distribution, bionomics and morphology of the two species of Taurohelops are given.

Two new species of the genus Gunarus Des Gozis, 1886 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Helopini) from Southern Turkey

Three species of the genus Gunarus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Helopini) are known from Turkey: G. lapidicola (Kuster, 1850), G. gayirbegi sp. n. and G. korkutelensis sp. n. The species G. nodicornis Reitter, 1922 was described from Algeria (Takhat) and erroneously recorded from Turkey (Tokat). A key to the species of Gunarus of Turkey is provided.

A new record for the Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) fauna of Turkey: Mesostena puncticollis Solier, 1835 (Pimeliinae: Tentyriini)

(2005). A new record for the Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) fauna of Turkey: Mesostena puncticollis Solier, 1835 (Pimeliinae: Tentyriini) Zoology in the Middle East: Vol. 34, No. 1, pp. 119-120.

Taxonomic review of the genus Euboeus s. str. Boieldieu, 1865 (= Probaticus s. str. Seidlitz, 1896, syn. n.) (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

The taxonomic history and position of the genera Euboeus and Probaticus within the tribe Helopini are discussed. A new synonymy, based on morphological characters is established: Euboeus Boieldieu, 1865 = Probaticus (s. str.) Seidlitz, 1896, syn. n. As a result, 67 new combinations (from Probaticus to Euboeus) are estabished for all species formerly placed in Probaticus. A review of Euboeus s. str. with four species (Balkanian-Anatolian E. mimonti Boieldieu, 1865 and E. tentyrioides (Küster, 1851), Greek E. mori (Brullé, 1832), and Anatolian E. parvostriatus sp. n.) is given. Three new synonyms are established for Euboeus tentyrioides (= Micispa bysantica Motschulsky, 1858, syn. n.; = Micispa pyraei Motschulsky, 1858, syn. nov.; = Micispa graeca Motschulsky, 1858, syn. n.). The forgotten name Helops (Euboeus) parvicollis Baudi di Selve, 1876, nomen oblitum (junior synonym of E. tentyrioides) is discussed. A lectotype is designated for Helops tentyrioides. A key to the four species within the revised Euboeus sensu stricto, along with distributions and images, is provided.