Vicente M. Ortuño

A NEW FOSSIL RESIN WITH BIOLOGICAL INCLUSIONS IN LOWER CRETACEOUS DEPOSITS FROM ÁLAVA (NORTHERN SPAIN, BASQUE-CANTABRIAN BASIN)

Abstract The occurrence of amber in Sierra de Cantabria (Álava, Basque Country) has been known for more than two decades but biological inclusions have only recently been found. The existence of crustaceans (amphipods and isopods), chelicerates (acari and arachnids), 12 orders of insects, and several bird feathers are reported in this preliminary study. In addition, there are leaf remains, molluscs, and a fair number of inorganic inclusions. Pollen analysis of the clastic series indicates an age between upper Aptian—middle Albian, which allows an assignment of this stratigraphic unit to the Nograro Formation. Chemical analysis indicates that the amber has high maturity, which reflects its Cretaceous age. Chemical composition analysis also indicates an araucariacean origin, which is corroborated by pollen found within the amber deposit. This new fossil site provides information for the reconstruction of paleocommunities of arthropods and sedimentary environments in the extreme south of the Basque-Cantabrian Basin during the Lower Cretaceous, characterized by coniferous forests with an understory of vascular cryptograms. Some of the identified arthropods add to the fossil record for various groups that are poorly known or unknown for this time period. This Lagerstätte constitutes one of the most important deposits of Mesozoic amber in the world.

Diet of wild boar Sus scrofa L. and crop damage in an intensive agroecosystem

The Middle Ebro Valley (MEV) is a semiarid area in northeast Iberia where the original riparian ecosystems are almost extinct and were replaced by intensive irrigated agricultural lands. To minimize crop damages and to understand the impact of wild boar on relict riparian ecosystems, a culling program was undertaken from 1994 until 2004. To assess the impact of wild boars, we analyzed stomach contents and surveyed crop damage. In the MEV, wild boars feed mainly on crops, particularly, maize. Other elements of the diet that are of agricultural origin include wheat, barley, and alfalfa, which are the alternatives to maize in the period between harvest and seeding, which is the basis of seasonal changes in diet. Results indicate that wild boar actively selected maize crops and consumed wheat in proportion to its abundance; barley and alfalfa fields were damaged less than expected based on their abundance. In the MEV, the wild boar population is limited by the availability of shelter areas found in the scarce riparian ecosystems, which do not provide important food items for this population. We conclude that in the region of this study, wild boars are not a significant threat to the flora and fauna of riparian ecosystems, although as these habitats are restored and areas are protected, the carrying capacity for wild boars might increase.

The “Alluvial Mesovoid Shallow Substratum”, a New Subterranean Habitat

In this paper we describe a new type of subterranean habitat associated with dry watercourses in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula, the “Alluvial Mesovoid Shallow Substratum” (alluvial MSS). Historical observations and data from field sampling specially designed to study MSS fauna in the streambeds of temporary watercourses support the description of this new habitat. To conduct the sampling, 16 subterranean sampling devices were placed in a region of Eastern Spain. The traps were operated for 12 months and temperature and relative humidity data were recorded to characterise the habitat. A large number of species was captured, many of which belonged to the arthropod group, with marked hygrophilous, geophilic, lucifugous and mesothermal habits. In addition, there was also a substantial number of species showing markedly ripicolous traits. The results confirm that the network of spaces which forms in alluvial deposits of temporary watercourses merits the category of habitat, and here we propose the name of “alluvial MSS”. The “alluvial MSS” may be covered or not by a layer of soil, is extremely damp, provides a buffer against above ground temperatures and is aphotic. In addition, compared to other types of MSS, it is a very unstable habitat. It is possible that the “alluvial MSS” may be found in other areas of the world with strongly seasonal climatic regimes, and could play an important role as a biogeographic corridor and as a refuge from climatic changes.

Archaeatropidae, a New Family of Psocoptera from the Cretaceous Amber of Alava, Northern Spain

Abstract A new family, genus, and species (Archaeatropidae, n. fam., Archaeatropos alavensis, n. gen., n. sp.) of Psocoptera from Alava Province, Spain, is described and illustrated from Late Cretaceous amber (114 m.y.a.). This new family belongs to the family group Atropetae. The relationships with the family group Atropetae and within Psocatropetae are discussed. We conclude that the Archaeatropidae represents an archaic, extinct lineage of Atropetae and possess some features shared with the Psocatropetae. This reinforces previous hypotheses about the relationships among Atropetae and Psocatropetae. These family groups represent 2 divergent branches arising from a common ancestor. A brief comment on the origin of the hypogean fauna in relation with our findings is made.

Did dinosaurs have any relation with dung‐beetles? (The origin of coprophagy)

It is widely accepted that Mesozoic ecosystems were basically similar to Cenozoic ecosystems and it has been proposed that the role of dung‐beetles in those ecosystems was identical to that of today, but the dung of dinosaurs were used as a source of food instead of the dung of mammals. While dinosaurs have been known since Triassic, Scarabeids are present in the fossil records probably since Lower Jurassic. But a very important metabolic feature of dinosaurs has not been taken into account, the connection between digestive and uro‐genital systems. So here we propose the hypothesis that coprophagy in dung‐beetles has been associated, since it began, with mammals.

Description of a new hypogean species of the genus Trechus Clairville, 1806 from eastern Spain and comments on the Trechus martinezi‐lineage (Coleoptera: Adephaga: Carabidae)

Trechus torressalai new species, a cave‐dwelling ground beetle from eastern Spain is described. Ecological data are also included. Diverse morphological characters suggest they belong in the Trechus fulvus‐group. Detailed study of the aedeagus suggests taxonomic affinities with Trechus martinezi Jeannel, Trechus alicantinus Español, and Trechus beltrani Toribio. The close relationship among these species reveals an adelphotaxon‐complex that constitutes the T. martinezi‐lineage, exclusive to the north‐eastern Betic Mountains. An identification key to the species and biogeographical comments on the T. martinezi‐lineage are also included. Se describe Trechus torressalai nueva especie, carábido cavernícola del Este de España. Se incluyen datos sobre su ecología. Diversos caracteres morfológicos aconsejan su inclusión dentro del amplio grupo de Trechus fulvus. El estudio detallado de la genitalia masculina sugiere su proximidad taxonómica a Trechus martinezi Jeannel, Trechus alicantinus Español y Trechus beltrani Toribio. Las estrechas afinidades entre estas cuatro especies desvela un complejo de adelfotaxones que constituyen el linaje de T. martinezi, exclusivo del extremo nororiental de las montañas Béticas. Se aportan claves de identificación para estas especies. Se incluyen comentarios sobre la biogeografía del linaje de T. martinezi.

Historical perspective, new contributions and an enlightening dispersal mechanism for the endogean genus Typhlocharis Dieck 1869 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae)

A historical review of the study of genus Typhlocharis and a synthesis of current knowledge are carried out, providing a historical context for the description of a new species in the province of Alicante (Spain). Relevant data on the biotic and abiotic environment where the species lives are also provided. With regard to its taxonomic position, it is affiliated with the Typhlocharis monastica group, although it is necessary to redefine that group. The most plausible hypothesis for the unusual presence of unguiform gonocoxites in the genus Typhlocharis and the implications for the systematics of the group are discussed. Finally, a dispersal mechanism for Typhlocharis that would explain its wide distribution in the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa is proposed.

Systématique et biologie d’une espèce paléoendémique hypogée de la péninsule Ibérique: Ildobates neboti Español 1966 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Dryptinae)

Résumé La position taxonomique d’Ildobates neboti Español, 1966, un paléoendémique hypogé de la Cordillère Ibérique, a été confuse depuis sa découverte. Dans la description originale, il a été assigné, avec certaines réserves, à la sous-famille des Dryptinae. Les auteurs postérieurs sont sceptiques à ce sujet, et la considèrent comme plus proche d’autres catégories supragénériques. Ces divergences sont dues, en partie, à la présence de caractères troglobiomorphes qui peuvent masquer les caractères qui définissent les vrais liens de parenté de l’espèce. La capture des spécimens nouveaux de I. neboti nous a permis de compléter la description originale en apportant, en même temps, des illustrations nombreuses dont des photographies électroniques à balayage. Les genitalia du mâle et particulièrement ceux de la femelle ont été étudiés en détail afin de les comparer aux formes voisines. Cet examen nous a conduit à inclure Ildobates dans la tribu des Zuphiini. La distribution de I. neboti montre un parallélisme intéressant avec celles d’autres arthropodes au mode de vie hypogé, considérés également comme des paléoendémiques. Les lignées anciennes de cet ensemble d’espèces paléoendémiques et relictes auraient pu avoir son origine dans l’ancienne plaque Ibérique du Mésozoïque, d’où elles se sont déplacées vers le bord oriental de la Cordillère Ibérique, où elles sont restées pendant le Tertiaire. À la fin de cette période, elles ont dû atteindre la zone karstique du «Baix Maestrat», de la «Serra d’Oropesa» (Castellón) jusqu’à la «Serra de Montsià» (sud de Tarragona), sans dépasser la vallée de l’Ebre. Des arguments de nature lithologique et géostructurale semblent justifier cet isolement de la zone où habite I. neboti, relativement au reste de la péninsule Ibérique.

Hypogenic versus epigenic subterranean ecosystem: lessons from eastern Iberian Peninsula

*alberto.sendra@uv.es epikarst, a very superficial habitat under the surface of the karst in the infiltration zone (Bakalowizc, 2005), which is an ecotone between surface water and groundwater (Pipan, 2005); and the hypotelminorheic habitat (Meštrov, 1962; Culver & Pipan, 2009b), a persistent shallow subsurface of wet spots fed by subsurface water in a slight depression (Fig. 1). The aquatic compartment of the subterranean ecosystem extends through the deepest aquifers such as the Edwards Aquifer in Texas (USA) at 600 to 1000 meters deep, to the shallow interstitial habitats composed of water filled spaces between unconsolidated sediments (Culver & Pipan, 2009a). Among these subterranean compartments, the subterranean-adapted fauna can inhabit from the shallow habitats in the subsurface, through to the deepest known galleries at more than -2000 m and from the giant subterranean chambers to the smallest fissures (Sendra & Reboleira, 2012). In the early 70’s the discovery of the hypogenic karst, firstly studied in Europe and North America INTRODUCTION

A new hypogean Trechus Clairville (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechini) discovered in a non-calcareous Superficial Subterranean Habitat of the Iberian System (Central Spain).

A new hypogean species of Trechus Clairville, Trechus arrecheai sp. nov., is described from the Iberian Peninsula. It was captured by subterranean pitfall traps in a non-calcareous Superficial Subterranean Habitat from the Moncayo Massif (Zaragoza, Spain). Data on the accompanying fauna are provided and the biogeographical implications of this discovery are discussed. A synthesis of the data about the known distribution of the Trechus angusticollis species group is provided.