Marcin Kadej

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 Based on published and unpublished records since 1840, as well as on our own field survey, we attempted to estimate if and to what extent the use of pheromone traps increased the detectability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).

A Taxonomic Study on the Genus Orphinus Motschulsky, 1858 of Korean Peninsula (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae)

Abstract. Orphinus (Orphinus) changdoi sp. nov. is described from Korean peninsula. The habitus, antennae, and male genitalia are illustrated and compared with a related species from the same area. Some complementary morphological details are added to the description of O. mroczkoxvskii Háva et Kadej, 2006 and the species is moved to the subgenus Falsoorphinus Pic, 1931 from nominotypical subgenus.

“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.

A New Species of Anthrenus Geoffroy, 1762 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) from California, with a Key to the Nearctic Species

ABSTRACT Anthrenus (s. str.) pulaskii Kadej, new species, is described from Riverside County, California, USA. The habitus, antennae, scales, and galea with lacinia are illustrated and compared with related species. A key to the Nearctic species of Anthrenus Geoffroy is presented.

New Species of Anthrenus Geoffroy, 1762 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae) from Angola

Abstract. Anthrenus (Nathrenus) maltzi sp. nov. is described from Angola. The habitus, antennae, and aedeagus are illustrated and compared with a related species. Key to the species most similar to A. (N.) maltzi is presented.

Detailed Description of the Morphology of the Last Instar Larva of Trogoderma megatomoides Reitter, 1881 (Dermestidae: Megatominae: Megatomini) with Comparison to Related Species

Abstract A description of the last larval instar (based on the exuvium) of Trogoderma megatomoides Reitter, 1881 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) is presented. New morphological characters of T. megatomoides larvae such as general morphology of antenna, epipharynx, mandibula, maxilla, ligula with labial palpi, hastisetae, legs, terga and condition of antecostal suture are documented and discussed. General morphological differences among mature larvae of the following Trogoderma species are compared and summarized: T. anthrenoides (Sharp, 1902), T. glabrum (Herbst, 1783), T. grassmani Beal, 1954, T. inclusum LeConte, 1854, T. ornatum (Say, 1825), T. simplex Jayne, 1882, T. sternale sternale Jayne, 1882, T. megatomoides Reitter, 1881, T. variabile Ballion, 1878.

Description of a new species of Orphinus Motschulsky, 1858 from Papua New Guinea

Orphinus harveyi, sp. nov. is described from Papua New Guinea. The habitus, antenna, genitalia and other morphological structures are illustrated. An updated list of species in the family Dermestidae from Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea is also provided. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:06366AB1-32A7-473D-9616-2CF166F05935

Description of a New Species of Globicornis from China (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae) with Comparison to Related Species

Abstract Globicornis (Pseudomesalia) emeii Háva & Kadej, sp. nov. is described from China. The habitus, antenna and genitalia are illustrated and compared with those of related species.

On the Genus Anthrenus Geoffroy, 1762 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) from Nepal and North India with a Description of a New Species

Abstract. Anthrenus (Florilinus) nepalensis sp. nov. is described from Nepal. The habitus, antennae, scales, and galea with lacinia are illustrated and compared to related species. Key to Anthrenus species from Nepal and North India is presented. Revised checklist of Anthrenus species from Nepal and North India is also given.