Research Article |
Corresponding author: José Carlos Otero ( josecarlos.otero@usc.es ) Academic editor: Michael Thomas
© 2017 José Carlos Otero, Yousra Benyahia, Hervé Brustel.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Otero JC, Benyahia Y, Brustel H (2017) Faunistic notes on Cryptophagidae and Latridiidae of Talassemtane National Park, Western Rif, Morocco, with the description of a new species (Coleoptera, Cucujoidea). ZooKeys 668: 69-82. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.668.11347
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In order to contribute to the knowledge of beetles (Coleoptera) of the mountainous region of Morocco, Talassemtane National Park (Western Rif, Chefchaouen district, Morocco) was surveyed. This is an exceptional protected area of the Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve (RIBM). The checklist was made using different traps combined with active periodical searches during 2013–2015. A total of 153 beetles belonging to 19 species from four subfamilies (Cryptophagidae: Cryptophaginae and Atomariinae; Latridiidae: Latridiinae and Corticariinae) was collected. Dienerella (Cartoderema) talassemata, a new species (Coleoptera: Latridiidae) was compared to other morphologically related species. One species is recorded for the first time for North Africa; three species are new records for Morocco. In addition, amongst the species listed, three are endemic to Morocco: Dienerella talassemtana sp. n., Caenoscelis humifera and Dienerella besucheti.
Coleoptera , Cryptophagidae , Dienerella (Cartoderema) talassemtana sp. n., Latridiidae , Morocco, Rif, Talassemtane National Park
Created in October, 2004, Talassemtane National Park (PNTLS) is located in the western area of the calcareous ridge of the Rif mountain range. The park constitutes a unique territory containing natural landscapes of great heritage value at a national level. Its position at the boundary line between Europe and Africa, its climatic and geological characteristics, and its paleogeographic history, have given rise to unique fauna and flora. As such, the national park is included in the Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve (RBIM), intended for the conservation of the most emblematic natural areas of northern Morocco and southern Spain. Talassemtane National Park harbours more than 750 plant species (56 endemic) belonging to 103 families (
Cryptophagidae is a moderately large group of small-sized beetles (1–6 mm long) containing more than 1,000 described species belonging to approximately 50 genera. Cryptophagidae has a worldwide distribution, and as indicated by
PNTLS covers an area of 64,601 ha. Two-thirds of the park are located within the province of Chefchaouen and one-third belongs to the province of Tetouan (Fig.
Terminology and measurements of new species follow an earlier paper (
The records of trap contents were performed once every 15 days, for 7 months (April–October), during 2013 and 2014. Window flight traps, and in particular the multidirectional PolytrapTM, were used as they are probably the best suited for inventorying saproxylophagous beetles in temperate forest. The output of these traps and their selective power are rather enlightening, as far as the capture of Coleoptera is concerned, compared to other arthropods (
Active searching was done during April 2013, August 2013, October 2013, June 2014, September 2014 and November 2015, most often during the installation of the protocol or the placement of traps. Many active methods were then used such as barking dead trees, raising stones, beating or sifting.
L length;
WL width/length ratio;
E eccentricity of the eyes, which is calculated as width/half of the length (width is measured across the widest part of a line joining the anterior and posterior limit of the eye; length is the maximum length of the eye);
L length in dorsal view;
W width;
Ø diameter.
CBT coll. H. Brustel, Toulouse, France.
COCC coll. O. Courtin, Castres, France.
CWR coll. W. Rucker, Neuwied, Germany.
USCO Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, coll. J.C. Otero, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
In total, 153 beetles belonging to 19 species from four subfamilies (Cryptophagidae: Cryptophaginae and Atomariinae; Latridiidae: Latridiinae and Corticariinae) were collected. Dienerella (Cartoderema) talassemata represents a new species (Coleoptera: Latridiidae) for the Palaearctic Region. One species is recorded for the first time for the north of Africa: Cryptophagus cylindrellus C. Johnson, 2007. Three species are new records for Morocco: Cryptophagus pallidus Sturm, 1845; Cryptophagus uncinatus Stephens, 1830 and Atomaria (Atomaria) nigripennis (Kugelann, 1794). In addition, amongst the species listed, two others are endemic to Morocco: Caenoscelis humifera Esser, 2008 and Dienerella (Cartoderema) besucheti Vincent, 1994.
Caenoscelis humifera Esser, 2008: 7
Morocco, Rif, Talembote, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 10-13.XI.2015, 1 ex (leg. H. Brustel). Mts Rif, Al-Hoceima, Torres-de-Alcatá, Steilküste, 27.XII.2001, 1 ex; Jbel Tazzeka, Taza, Gorges du Zireg, 5.I.2002, 1 ex (leg. Esser)
Endemic to Morocco (
Cryptophagus cylindrellus C. Johnson, 2007: 66
Morocco, Rif, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 22. V.2014, 1 ex.; 15.VI.2014, 1 ex; 19.VI.2014, 2 exx; 3.X.2014, 3 exx (leg. H. Brustel).
Throughout Europe and Turkey (
First mention for North Africa.
Cryptophagus dentatus (Herbst, 1793:15)
Morocco, Rif, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 19.VII.2012, 1 ex; 4. V.2013, 1 ex; 9. V.2013, 1 sp; 24. V.2013, 1 ex; Talembote, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 30. X.2015, 1 ex; 10-13.XI.2015, 3 exx (leg. H. Brustel).
Europe, North Africa, Central Asia and North America (
Cryptophagus jakowlewi Reitter, 1888: 424
Morocco, Rif, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 4.V.2013, 8 sp.; 9.V.2013, 4 exx; 26.IX.2013, 1 sp; 31.X.2013, 4 exx; 30.IV.2014, 2 exx; 15.VI.2014, 7 exx; 19.VI.2014, 24 exx; 18.X.2014, 1 sp; 15.X.2016, 2 exx; Talembote, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 7.V.2015, 1 ex; 10-13.XI.2015, 8 exx (leg. H. Brustel).
Europe, North Africa, Caucasus, Asia Minor, Central Asia and Eastern Siberia (
Cryptophagus pallidus Sturm, 1845: 69
Morocco, Rif, Talembote, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 10-13.XI.2015, 3 exx (leg H. Brustel).
Throughout Europe, North Africa (Algeria, Lebanon and Tunisia), Iran, Israel, Lebanon and Turkey (
First mention for Morocco.
Cryptophagus pubescens Sturm, 1845: 103
Morocco, Rif, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 15.VI.2014, 1 ex (leg H. Brustel).
Europe, Caucasus and North Africa (
Cryptophagus punctipennis Brisout de Barneville, 1863: 63
Morocco, Rif, Talembote, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 10-13.XI.2015, 5 exx (leg. H. Brustel).
Cosmopolitan species (
Cryptophagus scanicus (Linnaeus, 1758: 357)
Morocco, Rif, Talembote, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 7.V.2015, 2 exx (leg. H. Brustel).
Holarctic (
Cryptophagus uncinatus Stephens, 1830: 75
Morocco, Rif, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 30.IV.2014, 1 ex (leg. H. Brustel).
Throughout Europe, North Africa (Algeria) and Turkey (
First record for Morocco.
Atomaria (Atomaria) nigripennis (Kugelann, 1794: 578)
Morocco, Rif, Talembote, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 10-13.XI.2015, 9 exx (leg H. Brustel).
Europe and North Africa (Tunisia) (
First record for Morocco.
Atomaria (Atomaria) pallidipennis Holdhaus, 1903: 364
Morocco, Rif, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 4. V.2013, 1 sp.; 30.IV.2014, 1 ex (leg. H. Brustel).
Europe and North Africa (
Atomaria (Atomaria) pusilla (Paykull, 1798: 295)
Morocco, Rif, Talembote, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 10-13.XI.15, 1 ex (leg. H. Brustel).
Europe, Caucasus, Mongolia, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, North Africa, Madeira and the United States (
Cartodere (Aridius) nodifer (Westwood, 1839: 155)
Morocco, Rif, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 19.VI.2014, 1 ex (leg H. Brustel).
Cosmopolitan species (
Dienerella (Cartoderema) besucheti Vincent, 1994: 77
Morocco, Rif, 12 km W Bab Berret, 35°01'06"N, 05°00'40"W, 11.IV.2013, 2 exx (det. W. Rücker) (leg. H. Brustel).
Endemic to Morocco (
Body length: 1.16–1.31 mm. Body elongated, narrow and superficially depressed. Reddish grey-brown or testaceous-brown colour; lighter appendages. Body (Fig.
Morocco. Holotype (m). Morocco, Rif, Talembote, P.N. Talassemtane, 10-13.XI.2015 (leg. H. Brustel) (USCO).
1 m. Morocco, Rif, P.N. Talassemtane, 13.XI.2015 (leg O. Courtin), (COCC). 1 f. Morocco, Rif, Talembote, P.N. Talassemtane, 10-13.XI.2015 (leg. H. Brustel) (
Morocco.
This species is named in reference to the region in which the type material was collected.
In order to distinguish the species of Dienerella Reitter of the group elongata (Curtis), the following table may be useful (from
1 | Posterior margin of tergite V in males with distinct apical widening (Fig. |
D. huguettae Vincent |
– | Posterior margin of tergite V masculine without distinct apical widening. Aedeagus with very elongated apical end | 2 |
2 | Posterior margin of tergite V masculine rounded (Fig. |
3 |
– | Posterior margin of the tergite V masculine slightly pointed (Figs |
4 |
3 | Aedeagus with very elongated and narrow apical end; armour of internal sac as in Fig. |
D. clathrata (Mannerheim) |
– | Aedeagus with very elongated and narrow apical end; C-shaped armour of internal sac (Fig. |
D. besucheti Vincent |
4 | Aedeagus with elongated and spatulate apex (Fig. |
D. separanda (Reitter) |
– | Aedeagus with very elongated and not widened apex (Figs |
D. talemsattana sp. n. |
Enicmus brevicornis (Mannerheim, 1844: 102)
Morocco, Rif, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 9.IV-4. V.2013, 1 ex; 24.V-4.VI.2013, 1 ex; 4. VI-20.VI. 2013, 2 exx; 20.VI.4.VII. 2013, 1 ex; 31.VII-15. VIII.2013, 11 exx (det. W. Rücker); 15. VIII.2013, 11 exx; 31. VIII.2013, 1 ex; 10.IX-26.IX. 2013, 1 ex (det. W. Rücker); 31. X.2013, 4 exx; 10. IV-30.IV.2014, 1 ex; 30.IV.2014, 1 ex; 15.V.2014, 1 ex; 30.VI-15.VII. 2014, 1 ex (det. W. Rücker); 15.VII.2014, 1 ex; Talembote, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 10-13.XI.15, 1 ex, (leg. Y. Benyahia)
Europe, North Africa, Iran and Turkey (
Revelieria genei (Aubé, 1850: 333)
Morocco, Rif, 12 km W Bab Berret, 11.IV.2013, 35°01'06"N, 05°00'40"W, 11.IV.2013, 1 ex (det. W. Rücker) (leg H. Brustel).
France, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Israel, Turkey (
Corticaria illaesa Mannerheim, 1844: 33
Morocco, Rif, Talembote, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 10-13.XI.2015, 1 ex (leg. H. Brustel).
Widespread but sporadic throughout the Mediterranean region (
Corticaria inconspicua Wollaston, 1860: 260
Morocco, Rif, Talembote, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 10-13.XI.2015, 1 ex, Sapinière de Talassemtane, 10.IV.2013, 1 ex (det. W. Rücker); Sapinière de Tazaot, 35°15'50"N 05°06'14"W, 1 ex (det. W. Rücker) (leg. H. Brustel).
Europe, North Africa and Cyprus (
This brief survey allows us to contribute to the Moroccan faunistic checklist with some new data:
Dienerella (Cartoderema) talassemtana (Coleoptera: Latridiidae) represents a new species from Morocco and the the Palaearctic Region. In addition, amongst the species listed, two other species are apparently endemic to Morocco: Caenoscelis humifera Esser, 2008 and Dienerella (Cartoderema) besucheti Vincent, 1994. One species is mentioned for the first time for North Africa: Cryptophagus cylindrellus C. Johnson, 2007.
Three species are new records to Morocco: Cryptophagus pallidus Sturm, 1845; Cryptophagus uncinatus Stephens, 1830 and Atomaria (Atomaria) nigripennis (Kugelann, 1794).
This research effort must continue in the future to improve our knowledge on the Moroccan entomofauna. It is also especially interesting for the definition of the local biodiversity hot spot and the selection of suitable taxa to establish a red list of saproxylic beetles in Maghreb.
We would like to thank the project financers (Agronomic Research Program for Development (PRAD), who developed this joint action of the French Ministry of Foreign affairs, the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the High Commissioner for Water, Forests and the Fight against Desertification (HCEFLCD). We also thank Wolfgang Rücker who studied the first Latridiidae of this project; Olivier Courtin, El Hassan Dahmani, Salwa El Antry, Noureddin Maatouf and Lionel Valladares for field trip assistance and data collection; Moustafa Naima, for having guided us along the Moroccan roads and Mohamed Guenbour for participating in the installation, recording and monitoring of the traps.