Latest Articles from Alpine Entomology Latest 7 Articles from Alpine Entomology https://alpineentomology.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 03:57:32 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://alpineentomology.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Alpine Entomology https://alpineentomology.pensoft.net/ Ants of Kamchatka: checklist, DNA-barcoding and key (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) https://alpineentomology.pensoft.net/article/114185/ Alpine Entomology 8: 19-28

DOI: 10.3897/alpento.8.114185

Authors: Sämi Schär

Abstract: Kamchatka is a remote volcanic peninsula in the sub-arctic Far East of Russia. Its myrmecofauna has been scientifically addressed several times. However, previous species lists are contradictory in part and a modern study seems to be lacking. Based on literature review, I conclude that 12 species and 4 genera (Camponotus, Formica, Leptothorax and Myrmica) of ants may be native to Kamchatka. Of those, 9 were found in the field, 3 having a Holarctic, 3 a trans-Palearctic and 3 an East Palearctic distribution. Most species diversity was found at mid-elevations, in pine shrubs and mixed forests, while deciduous forests and open habitats at lower altitudes were surprisingly species poor. DNA-barcoding was performed for 57 specimens/9 species. Genetic diversity (COI) was low for 8/9 species, with the exception of Leptothorax acervorum, for which all samples were of a different haplotype and 2 haplogroups were identified. For the encountered Holarctic and trans-Palearctic species, closely related haplotypes (<0.7% raw distance) occur in Europe and/or North America. Some Formica ants were morphologically atypical, with workers partially resembling those of F. fusca, while gynes identified as F. lemani. Morphometric analysis and DNA-barcoding suggested that all these specimens belong to a single species, F. lemani. Standard images for all specimens and an illustrated key to the worker caste are provided.

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Research Article Fri, 19 Jan 2024 10:13:45 +0200
Micro-endemism pattern and Wolbachia infection of Quedius obliqueseriatus (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae), a montane rove beetle endemic of the North-Western Caucasus https://alpineentomology.pensoft.net/article/111214/ Alpine Entomology 7: 153-166

DOI: 10.3897/alpento.7.111214

Authors: Angesom Gebremeskel, Maria Salnitska, Valeria Krivosheeva, Alexey Solodovnikov

Abstract: We conducted an integrative taxonomic study of a forest floor dwelling montane rove beetle Quedius obliqueseriatus Eppelsheim, 1889. It is one of many endemic species of the North-Western Caucasus, a region considered a global biodiversity hotspot. Examination of the morphological characters in 93 specimens of Q. obliqueseriatus and phylogenetic assessment of the COI barcode for 28 of them, revealed that this species in fact consists of two distinct (p-distance of 4.0%) allopatric lineages, western and eastern. They subtly differ in the structure of the aedeagus, which was not noticed in the previous revision of this species. Nuclear DNA markers (H3, ITS1, ITS2, Wg and 28S) sampled in both lineages, did not show any divergence. Variation of the non-genitalic morphological characters, such as body size or coloration, is continuous across both lineages. Discovery of microendemic lineages within an endemic rove beetle species highlights how little is understood about the patterns and drivers of endemism in arthropods of the North-Western Caucasus. We refrained from the description of a new species due to shortage of data from the area where newly discovered western and eastern lineages meet. As Q. obliqueseriatus was found to be largely infected with Wolbachia, we gave a review of this infection among insects and other arthropods and its impact on speciation. Finally, we described our method of removal of the Wolbachia COI amplicon by endonuclease restriction enzyme in order to get the desired beetle amplicon from infected specimens.

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Research Article Thu, 5 Oct 2023 19:28:25 +0300
The female of Megacraspedus peslieri Huemer & Karsholt, 2018 (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae), a new case of brachyptery in alpine Lepidoptera https://alpineentomology.pensoft.net/article/103981/ Alpine Entomology 7: 37-44

DOI: 10.3897/alpento.7.103981

Authors: Peter Huemer

Abstract: Megacraspedus peslieri was described from the Pyrenees in 2018 and subsequently also discovered at a few localities in the northern Cottian Alps (Italy). The hitherto unknown female was collected in these localities after a targeted search. As with some other representatives of the genus, the female is flightless and shows a strikingly strong reduction of the wings (brachyptery). Whereas the forewings are significantly shortened and narrowed, the hindwings are strongly reduced. Both the external morphology and the genitalia of the female are described and illustrated in detail, together with previously unpublished photographs of live adults of both sexes. The identification of specimens from the Alps as well as of the male and female were determined by means of a DNA barcode comparison with the holotype.

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Research Article Tue, 25 Apr 2023 09:47:40 +0300
Lack of genetic structure suggests high connectivity of Parnassius phoebus between nearby valleys in the Alps https://alpineentomology.pensoft.net/article/80405/ Alpine Entomology 6: 1-6

DOI: 10.3897/alpento.6.80405

Authors: Andreas Jaun, Hans-Peter Wymann, Kay Lucek

Abstract: The spatial scale of intraspecific genetic connectivity and population structure are important aspects of conservation genetics. However, for many species these properties are unknown. Here we used genomic data to assess the genetic structure of the small Apollo butterfly (Parnassius phoebus Fabricius, 1793; Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) across three nearby valleys in the Central Swiss Alps. One of the valleys is currently used for hydropower production with future plans to raise the existing dam wall further. We found no significant genetic structure, suggesting a currently high connectivity of this species in our studied region.

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Short Communication Thu, 24 Mar 2022 10:11:04 +0200
Relict populations of Lyonetia ledi Wocke, 1859 (Lepidoptera, Lyonetiidae) from the Alps indicate postglacial host-plant shift to the famous Alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum L.) https://alpineentomology.pensoft.net/article/76930/ Alpine Entomology 5: 101-106

DOI: 10.3897/alpento.5.76930

Authors: Peter Huemer, Jürg Schmid

Abstract: Lyonetia ledi Wocke, 1859 (Lyonetiidae), was hitherto considered as a boreal species with a circumpolar distribution pattern and relict populations in isolated peat bogs north-east of the Alps (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany). In Europe it is known as a leaf-miner on Rhododendron tomentosum Stokes ex Harmaja (Ericaceae) as the primary host-plant and also Myrica gale L. (Myricaceae). The first record of L. ledi from the Swiss Alps on Rhododendron ferrugineum L., the famous Alpenrose, indicates an ancient host-plant switch during postglacial periods when R. tomentosum and R. ferrugineum shared habitat in the prealps. Conspecificity with northern populations is supported by the adult morphology and supplementing DNA barcodes (mtDNA COI gene). L. ledi is the first obligatory leaf-mining species on R. ferrugineum. Details of the life-history and habitat are described and figured. The record finally substantiates the probability of an autochthonous population in Carinthia (Austria), from where the species was recently published as new to the Alps.

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Research Article Mon, 22 Nov 2021 14:39:52 +0200
Nemapogon helveticola sp. nov. aus der Schweiz (Lepidoptera, Tineidae) https://alpineentomology.pensoft.net/article/51727/ Alpine Entomology 4: 73-79

DOI: 10.3897/alpento.4.51727

Authors: Reinhard Gaedike, Rudolf Bryner

Abstract: Aus der Schweiz wird Nemapogon helveticola als neue Art beschrieben. Dabei handelt es sich um eine taxonomisch isolierte Art, welche bisher nur an einer einzigen Stelle gefunden worden ist. Der Falter und die männlichen Genitalien werden abgebildet.

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Research Article Wed, 20 May 2020 15:04:29 +0300
Integrative revision of the Caryocolum schleichi species group – a striking example of a temporally changing species concept (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) https://alpineentomology.pensoft.net/article/50703/ Alpine Entomology 4: 39-63

DOI: 10.3897/alpento.4.50703

Authors: Peter Huemer

Abstract: The taxonomy of the Palaearctic Caryocolum schleichi species group is revised, leading to a largely new species concept. Initially described as four different species (C. schleichi, C. arenariella, C. dianthella, C. improvisella), these taxa were later considered as subspecies. Recently the taxon C. arenariella was re-instated to species level without, however, revision of the remaining three subspecies. Analysis of DNA barcodes of the mtCOI (Cytochrome c Oxidase 1) gene of all four validly described taxa showed an unexpected pattern of genetic diversity. Careful re-examination of morphological traits, particularly male and female genitalia, fully supported this pattern, leading to the re-instatement of C. dianthella sp. rev. and C. improvisella sp. rev. as valid species and the description of three new species, all of them occurring in the Alps: C. messneri sp. nov. (Italy, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Greece), C. lamai sp. nov. (Italy, France) and C. habeleri sp. nov. (France, Switzerland, Germany). All species are described in detail and the adults and genitalia of both sexes are illustrated.

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Research Article Thu, 23 Apr 2020 16:05:14 +0300