Research Article |
Corresponding author: Tomáš Lackner ( lackobelansky@mac.com ) Academic editor: Michael Caterino
© 2020 Salman Shayya, Tomáš Lackner.
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:
Shayya S, Lackner T (2020) Contribution to the knowledge of the clown beetle fauna of Lebanon, with a key to all species (Coleoptera, Histeridae). ZooKeys 960: 79-123. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.960.50186
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The occurrence of histerids in Lebanon has received little specific attention. Hence, an aim to enrich the knowledge of this coleopteran family through a survey across different Lebanese regions in this work. Seventeen species belonging to the genera Atholus Thomson, 1859, Hemisaprinus Kryzhanovskij, 1976, Hister Linnaeus, 1758, Hypocacculus Bickhardt, 1914, Margarinotus Marseul, 1853, Saprinus Erichson, 1834, Tribalus Erichson, 1834, and Xenonychus Wollaston, 1864 were recorded. Specimens were sampled mainly with pitfall traps baited with ephemeral materials like pig dung, decayed fish, and pig carcasses. Several species were collected by sifting soil detritus, sand cascading, and other specialized techniques. Six newly recorded species for the Lebanese fauna are the necrophilous Hister sepulchralis Erichson, 1834, Hemisaprinus subvirescens (Ménétriés, 1832), Saprinus (Saprinus) externus (Fischer von Waldheim, 1823), Saprinus (Saprinus) figuratus Marseul, 1855, and Saprinus (Saprinus) niger (Motschulsky, 1849) all associated with rotting fish and dung, and the psammophilous Xenonychus tridens (Jacquelin du Val, 1853). With the exception of Hister sepulchralis, all these taxa belong to the Saprininae subfamily. A most likely undescribed species of Tribalus (Tribalus) (Tribalinae) has also been collected in detritus at wet places near rivers in Lebanon. Because of the complexity of the genus Tribalus, with possible numerous new species present in the circum-Mediterranean area, the Lebanese species is not described herein, pending a revision of the genus. This study advocates further research aimed at improving taxonomic and ecological knowledge of this coleopteran family in Lebanon. The number of Histeridae species currently known from Lebanon stands at 41; a key to all species including images is included.
Coleoptera, faunistics, Lebanon, Histeridae, Histerinae, Saprininae, Tribalinae
The interesting biodiversity of Lebanon is due to its complex topography and altitudinal diversity and its location at the eastern rim of the Mediterranean Sea (
Histeridae may fulfil important practical roles (
Histeridae (clown beetles) contain 4260 species and 400 genera, grouped in nine subfamilies (
Regarding the Saprininae, 23 species are known so far from Lebanon; three belonging to Chalcionellus Reichardt, 1932, one to Gnathoncus Jacquelin du Val, 1857 one to Xenonychus Wollaston, 1864, two to Hypocacculus Bickhardt, 1914, one to Hypocaccus C.G. Thomson, 1867 and 15 species belonging to Saprinus Erichson, 1834 (
Within the Histerinae, eleven species are currently known from Lebanon; one belonging to Atholus Thomson, 1859, one to Eudiplister Reitter, 1909, two to Hister Linnaeus, 1758, three to Margarinotus Marseul, 1853 (all Histerini), one species belonging to otherwise oriental genus Notodoma Lacordaire, 1854 (Exosternini), two species of Platylister Lewis, 1892, and one species of Platysoma Leach, 1817 (Platysomatini) (
No representative of the subfamily Tribalinae has hitherto been recorded from Lebanon, but it was recorded from a geographically close country, Cyprus (two species;
This study is aimed to investigate the diversity of the Histeridae in different Lebanese regions relating to their colonization of ephemeral resources (carrion and dung). We likewise comment on Histeridae that were collected during field trips that are not necessarily associated to the ephemeral resources. A checklist of species, as well as key to all Lebanese Histeridae (including images of all species) are provided.
The majority of specimens were collected in pitfall traps (28 cm height and 16 cm width) baited with rotting fish and pig dung. Specimens were collected after one week of placing the pitfall trap in each locality. The localities and their coordinates are mentioned in Table
District | Locality | Latitude / Longitude | Altitude (m a.s.l.) |
---|---|---|---|
Hasbaya | Hasbaya | 33°23'52.3"N, 35°41.6’6.6"E | 750 |
Kfeir | 33°25'48.0"N, 35°44'22.8"E | 909 | |
Khalwat El Kfeir | 33°25'4.6"N, 35°42'59.2"E | 1000 | |
Mimes | 33°25'12.0"N, 35°42'59.2"E | 789 | |
Matn | Fanar | 33°52'44"N, 35°34'04"E | 250 |
Naas-Bikfaya | 33°54'42.4"N, 35°40'32.7"E | 1090 | |
Rashaya | Ain Harcha | 33°27'35.2"N, 35°46'45.6"E | 994 |
Tanoura | 33°28'29.1"N, 35°47'58.9"E | 985 | |
Bakifa | 33°29'36.5"N, 35°49'8.9"E | 994 | |
Rashaya | 33°26'55.7"N, 35°48'58.9"E | 1223 | |
Kfar Qouq | 33°32'5.7"N, 35°51'32.6"E | 1100 | |
Shouf-Aley | Badghan | 33°46'4.5"N, 35°40'11.4"E | 1211 |
Baissour | 33°45’32.9"N, 35°34'1.8"E | 850 | |
Misherfeh | 33°45'31.5"N, 35°39'17.9"E | 950 | |
Nabaa Al Safa | 33°44'58.7"N, 35°41'41.2"E | 959 | |
Rechmaya | 33°44'13.2"N, 35°35'56.7"E | 450 | |
Sawfar | 33°48'7.9"N, 35°42'8.4"E | 1194 | |
Tyre | Tyre | 33°16'19.2"N, 35°12'12.5"E | 0 |
General observations and dissections were carried out using stereomicroscope Nikon SMZ1500. Without genital extraction, males of Saprinus species can be usually recognized through the examination of the anterior tarsal setae, which are expanded and lamellate, whereas they are unexpanded and pointed in female. Often the males possess a longitudinal depression on the metaventrite and occasionally also a single or two tiny tubercles on the apical metaventral margin. Male genitalia were first macerated in 10% KOH solution for ca. 3 hours, cleared in 80% ethanol, macerated in lactic acid with fuchsine, incubated at 60 °C for another 30 min, subsequently cleared in 80 % ethanol, and then observed in α-terpineol in a small dish. Digital photographs of male genitalia were taken by a Nikon 4500 Coolpix camera and edited in Adobe Photoshop CS5. Genitalia drawings based on the photographs or direct observations were produced with the aid of Hakuba klv7000 light box. Habitus photographs were taken by F. Slamka (Bratislava, Slovakia). Specimens were measured with an ocular micrometer. Higher taxa in our paper are arranged according to
The maps of species distribution were made using Google maps and Microsoft Visual Studio Code (Version 1.37).
List of species recorded from Lebanon; their distribution in the Middle East and biology are mentioned. The list records are based on the Palaearctic catalogue (
Distribution. The subfamily contains five tribes and is distributed worldwide (
Biology. Members of the Abraeinae subfamily are often found under bark, in rotting wood, inside galleries of xylophagous insects; in the case of Acritini it is decaying vegetable matter that they frequent the most (
Stenopleurum J. Müller, 1937
Stenopleurum rothi (Rosenhauer, 1856)
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. This species occurs under the bark of coniferous trees, especially pines, where it presumably preys upon larvae of xylophagous insects (
Distribution. This subfamily contains four tribes and is distributed worldwide (
Biology. The biology of Dendrophilinae is similar to that of Abraeinae, with most taxa being true dendrophiles and several taxa occurring on dung of herbivore mammals (e.g., Xestipyge Marseul, 1862).
Abraeomorphus Reitter, 1886
Distribution. Oriental, Australasian, and Palearctic regions (
Biology. Abraeomorphus species occur in rotting wood, often under bark (
Abraeomorphus besucheti Mazur, 1977
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Israel, Lebanon (
Biology. As with the general biology of the genus.
Abraeomorphus minutissimus (Reitter, 1884)
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Lebanon (
Biology. This species is found under bark of oaks (
Distribution. Worldwide (
Biology. Members of the subfamily are most-commonly found across humid and warm lowland forests, but several taxa are also encountered along streams or rivers. These beetles are often hidden in decaying vegetable debris, but can also be collected from under bark (
Tribalus (Tribalus) sp.
Figures
Distribution. Tribalus contains 65 described species divided into two subgenera and is considered a species-rich genus (
Biology. Members of Tribalus are found mostly under stones in wetter areas near streams. They can be occasionally collected by sifting forest detritus as well (T. Lackner, pers. obs.). We collected 20 specimens of an unidentified species of Tribalus from under stones and tree bark, respectively, in wet areas near rivers of Baissour (8 specimens) and Rechmaya (12 specimens).
Distribution. Worldwide (
Biology. Members of Histerini are most often encountered on decomposing organic matter, such as manure, dung, compost heaps, decaying vegetables, but are also found on carrion and rotting mushrooms. Inquilinous members are also rather numerous in the subfamily, especially in the Palaearctic, Nearctic and Neotropical regions (
Notodoma Lacordaire, 1854
Distribution. Notodoma is distributed predominantly in the Oriental region, with a single Palaearctic species, occurring in Lebanon, Syria and Turkey (
Biology. Mostly found in and on rotting mushrooms where it preys on Diptera that develop on rotting fungi and basidiomycete mushrooms (
Notodoma lewisi Reitter, 1910
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Lebanon, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. A fungivorous, extremely rare species (
Atholus Thomson, 1859
Distribution. The genus Atholus comprises 78 species that inhabit Holarctic, Afrotropical and Oriental regions (
Biology. Members of Atholus can be found in decomposing carrion and dung, but are commonly found also under stones and in animal burrows (
Atholus duodecimstriatus duodecimstriatus (Schrank, 1781)
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. This species shows a preference for dung that has lost much of its moisture; it has likewise been found in association with various stored products where it likely preys on beetle larvae feeding on these materials (
Eudiplister Reitter, 1909
Eudiplister castaneus (Ménétriés, 1832)
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. Unknown. Its congeners Eudiplister peyroni (Marseul, 1857) and Eudiplister planulus (Ménétriés, 1849) were found under plant remains, under stones, under dry excrements, especially in arid places and semi-deserts (
Hister Linnaeus, 1758
Distribution. Hister is the most species-rich genus of the family and comprises 195 species; these can be found in all world regions, with the exception of Antarctica (
Biology. Hister shows preference for dung, but can also be associated with carrion, while some species feed on dung beetle larvae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) present in dung (
Hister limbatus Truqui, 1852
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Lebanon, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. A poorly known species, its biology is unknown.
Hister sepulchralis Erichson, 1834
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. Hister sepulchralis occurs most often in cattle dung (
Margarinotus Marseul, 1853
Distribution. Margarinotus includes ten subgenera containing 109 species altogether, found predominantly in the Holarctic region; several species are likewise autochthonous to the Oriental region (
Biology. Taxa grouped in Margarinotus are varied in their habitat preferences. Several species are linked to carrion or dung, while others prefer rodent burrows (
Margarinotus (Ptomister) brunneus (Fabricius, 1775)
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Iran, Israel, Turkey (
Biology. This species shows a clear preference for carrion (
Margarinotus (Grammostethus) ruficornis (Grimm, 1852)
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Israel, Jordan, Syria and Turkey (
Biology. Often found in decaying wood in the company of various Formicidae (Lasius spp. and Formica spp.); it has likewise been known to occur on excrement (
Platylister Lewis, 1892
Distribution. Genus Platylister contains three subgenera and is distributed predominantly across Afrotropical, Oriental, and Australasian regions, with two species recorded also from circum-mediterranean area (
Biology. Members of Platylister are collected under bark of trees, where they prey on (the larvae of) subcortical insects (
Platylister (Popinus) simeani (Mulsant & Godart, 1875)
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Lebanon, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (
Biology. Attracted to the rotting roots of Astragalus (Fabaceae) (
Platysoma Leach, 1817
Distribution. Platysoma contains three subgenera and is spread across the whole world, albeit only a single species is known from South America (
Biology. Associated with bark of trees, where it preys upon members of subcortical insect communities (
Platysoma (Cylister) cornix Marseul, 1861
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. Found under bark of pines (
Onthophilinae Macleay, 1891
Distribution. Worldwide (
Biology. Members of Onthophilinae have varied habits. They occur in decaying vegetable matter, on dung, and on rotting mushrooms, but the subfamily likewise contains dendrophilous and nidicolous species (
Onthophilus Leach, 1817
Distribution. Onthophilus is predominantly Holarctic in distribution, with several species known also from Central America and a single Australian species (
Biology. Adults prey on fly eggs (but not larvae) and filter feed on the liquid coating of fresh dung; some are known to prey on Diptera that develop on rotting fungi. Their mouthparts bear modified setae that seem to strain particles from liquid (
Onthophilus bickhardti Reitter, 1909
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Israel, Lebanon, Turkey (
Biology. Biology of this rare species is unknown, but most specimens have been collected during November by pitfall traps in higher elevations in Lebanon (Lackner, unpublished).
Onthophilus striatus inconditus Reichardt, 1941
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. Most commonly encountered under decomposing vegetable matter, at times also on outflowing tree sap, in desiccating manure, under carrion or rotting mushrooms (
Saprininae C.É. Blanchard, 1845
Distribution. Worldwide (
Biology. Saprininae have witnessed a remarkable ecological evolution. They are known as colonizers of different ecological niches: ant-nests, dead termitaria, rodent burrows etc. They even gained fine morphological adaptations and distribution throughout Old World deserts. In addition, members of Saprininae have colonized mammal burrows, nests of birds, ants, termites, and even tortoise burrows. Their life histories are varied, as several lineages exhibit diversity in their terrestrial niches (
Chalcionellus Reichardt, 1932
Distribution. Palearctic, Oriental, and Afrotropical regions; a single Afrotropical species has been introduced into Australia (
Biology. Members of Chalcionellus are found in manure, in excrements and on carcasses; the genus contains also a single species occupying the rhizosphere of plants (
Chalcionellus blanchii blanchii (Marseul, 1855)
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. Like its congeners, found on carcasses and excrements (
Chalcionellus libanicola (Marseul, 1870)
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Lebanon, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. Unknown, a rare taxon (Lackner 2011).
Chalcionellus aemulus (Illiger, 1807)
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey (
Biology. Found on carcasses, in excrements etc. (T. Lackner pers. obs.).
Gnathoncus Jacquelin du Val, 1857
Distribution. Predominantly Holarctic in distribution; a single species is known from tropical Africa (
Biology. Members of Gnathoncus occur predominantly in bird nests or burrows of smaller mammals; occasionally they are found also on carrion or decomposing vegetable matter (
6 Platylister (Popinus) algiricus (Lucas, 1846) 7 Platylister (Popinus) simeani (Mulsant & Godart, 1875) 8 Platysoma (Cylister) cornix Marseul, 1861 9 Atholus duodecimstriatus duodecimstriatus (Schrank, 1781) 10 Eudiplister castaneus (Ménétriés, 1832) 11 Hister limbatus Truqui, 1852 12 Hister sepulchralis Erichson, 1834.
Gnathoncus disjunctus suturifer Reitter, 1896
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Lebanon, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. This species is present in burrows of small rodents, e.g., Citellus sp. (
Hemisaprinus Kryzhanovskij, 1976
Distribution. Hemisaprinus contains three described Palaearctic species; one species (H. subvirescens) marginally enters also the Oriental region (
Biology. Members of Hemisaprinus are usually associated with carcasses or decomposing vegetable matter (
Hemisaprinus subvirescens (Ménétriés, 1832)
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. Found chiefly on carrion in arid regions (
Hypocacculus Bickhardt, 1914
Distribution. Genus Hypocacculus contains three subgenera and includes 21 described species, distributed mostly in the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions (
Biology. Taxa included in Hypocacculus are typically collected from carrion and animal excrement and usually found in dry and arid regions. Also, they can be collected in open landscapes and some are psammophiles (
Hypocacculus (Hypocacculus) metallescens (Erichson, 1834)
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Cyprus, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria (
Biology. This species is found in association with small animal carcasses, excrements and other decomposing matter. It also found on coastal dunes in the rhizosphere of psammophilous Graminaceae (
Hypocacculus (Colpellus) praecox (Erichson, 1834)
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Cyprus, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen (
Biology. Hypocacculus (C.) praecox is a psammo-halobiotic species, which frequents coastal dunes near the roots of halophilous plants and can be attracted to animal carcasses (
Hypocaccus C.G. Thomson, 1867
Distribution. Hypocaccus contains three subgenera: Hypocaccus s. str., Baeckmanniolus Reichardt, 1926 and Nessus Reichardt, 1932 and its members are distributed almost across the whole world, being poorly represented in South America and Australasia (
Biology. Members of Hypocaccus s. str. and Baeckmanniolus are coastal wrack specialists, occasionally occurring also on banks of rivers and lakes, while members of the subgenus Nessus are typical generalist predators with several psammophile or inquiline forms (
13 Margarinotus (Grammostethus) ruficornis (Grimm, 1852) 14 Margarinotus (Ptomister) brunneus (Fabricius, 1775) 15 Margarinotus (Stenister) graecus graecus (Brullé, 1832) 16 Abraeomorphus besucheti Mazur, 1977 17 Abraeomorphus minutissimus (Reitter, 1884) 18 Stenopleurum rothi (Rosenhauer, 1856).
Hypocaccus (Nessus) baudii (J. Schmidt, 1890)
Figure
Distribution in the Middle East. Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, Syria (
Biology. Virtually unknown; a rare species.
Saprinus Erichson, 1834
Distribution. Saprinus includes two subgenera Phaonius Reichardt, 1941 and Saprinus s.str. and 157 species distributed around the world (
Biology. Saprinus shows preference to open xeric landscapes and only few are known from mesic biotopes (
Saprinus (Saprinus) aegialius Reitter, 1884
Distribution in the Middle East. Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. This species is present on carcasses, in excrements, manure, mammal burrows and occasionally even on flowers (
Saprinus (Saprinus) calatravensis Fuente, 1899
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Iran, Israel, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Turkey (
Biology. An essentially necrophilous taxon, attracted to small- and medium-sized carrion (Faria e Silva et al. 2006;
19 Chalcionellus aemulus (Illiger, 1807) 20 Chalcionellus blanchii blanchii (Marseul, 1855) 21 Chalcionellus libanicola (Marseul, 1870) 22 Gnathoncus disjunctus suturifer Reitter, 1896 23 Hemisaprinus subvirescens (Ménétriés, 1832) 24 Hypocacculus (Colpellus) praecox (Erichson, 1834) 25 Hypocacculus (Hypocacculus) metallescens (Erichson, 1834) 26 Hypocaccus (Nessus) baudii (J. Schmidt, 1890).
Saprinus (Saprinus) chalcites (Illiger, 1807)
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Yemen (
Biology. A typical saprobiont, attracted to carrion and mammal dung (
Saprinus (Saprinus) externus (Fischer von Waldheim, 1823)
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Iran, Jordan, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. Found among carrion entomofauna at various stages of decomposition, especially in rural areas (
27 Saprinus (Saprinus) aegialius Reitter, 1884, 28 Saprinus (Saprinus) caerulescens caerulescens (Hoffmann, 1803), 29 Saprinus (Saprinus) calatravensis Fuente, 1899, 30 Saprinus (Saprinus) chalcites (Illiger, 1807), 31 Saprinus (Saprinus) externus (Fischer von Waldheim, 1823), 32 Saprinus (Saprinus) figuratus Marseul, 1855, 33 Saprinus (Saprinus) godet (Brullé, 1832).
Saprinus (Saprinus) figuratus Marseul, 1855
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Israel, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria (
Biology. Saprinus (S.) figuratus occurs on carrion, with restriction to the meso-mediterranean holm oak forests on basic soils (
Saprinus (Saprinus) godet (Brullé, 1832)
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Turkey, Saudi Arabia (
Biology. Occurs on carcasses (
Saprinus (Saprinus) niger (Motschulsky, 1849)
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. A member of the carrion entomofauna (
34 Saprinus (Saprinus) maculatus (P. Rossi, 1792) 35 Saprinus (Saprinus) magnoguttatus J. Müller, 1937 36 Saprinus (Saprinus) niger Motschulsky, 1849 37 Saprinus (Saprinus) prasinus prasinus Erichson, 1834 38 Saprinus (Saprinus) robustus Krása, 1944 39 Saprinus (Saprinus) strigil Marseul, 1855.
Saprinus (Saprinus) robustus Krása, 1944
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Cyprus, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. Saprinus (S.) robustus inhabits dung and carrion alike (
Saprinus (Saprinus) strigil Marseul, 1855
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen (
Biology. Saprinus (S.) strigil was encountered on carrion (
Saprinus (Saprinus) subnitescens Bickhardt, 1909
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. Saprinus (S.) subnitescens is a predator without an obvious habitat preference; it has been found on carrion (
Saprinus (Saprinus) tenuistrius sparsutus Solsky, 1876
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Turkey (
Biology. It is known among the entomofauna of carrion (
44 Abraeomorphus besucheti Mazur, 1977– pronotum (re-drawn from Mazur (1977)) 45 Abraeomorphus minutissimus (Reitter, 1884) – pronotum (re-drawn from Mazur (1977)) 46 Platysomatini, protibia (re-drawn from
Xenonychus Wollaston, 1864
Distribution. Xenonychus contains three described species: Xenonychus tridens (Jacquelin du Val, 1853) is distributed from the Cape Verde Archipelago and Canary Islands in the west through the Sahara Belt along the Mediterranean coast to the Arabian Peninsula in the east. Xenonychus aralocaspius Kryzhanovskij, 1976 is found around the Caspian and Aral Seas, and further inland in the middle Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, while Xenonychus somaliensis (Thérond, 1963) is, so far, known exclusively from Somalia (
Biology. The first two species are inhabitants of arid areas of shifting sand, frequent on sand dunes on beaches and also present inland. The biology of the X. somaliensis is unknown, but presumably similar to congeners (
Xenonychus tridens (Jacquelin du Val, 1853)
Figures
Distribution in the Middle East. Cyprus, Israel, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (
Biology. A typical psammo-halobiotic species, usually found under plants on coastal as well as inland dunes; occasionally found also under carrion on sandy surfaces (T. Lackner, pers. obs. 2012). According to
120 Distribution of Tribalus spec. in Lebanon 121 Distribution of Atholus duodecimstriatus duodecimstriatus, Hister sepulchralis, Margarinotus (Ptomister) brunneus and Margarinotus (Grammostethus) ruficornis in Lebanon 122 Distribution of Hemisaprinus subvirescens, Hypocacculus (Hypocacculus) metallescens, Saprinus (Saprinus) calatravensis and Saprinus (Saprinus) chalcites in Lebanon 123 Distribution of Saprinus (Saprinus) externus, Saprinus (Saprinus) figuratus, Saprinus (Saprinus) godet and Saprinus (Saprinus) niger in Lebanon 124 Distribution of Saprinus (Saprinus) robustus and Saprinus (Saprinus) strigil in Lebanon 125 Distribution of Saprinus (Saprinus) subnitescens, Saprinus (Saprinus) tenuistrius sparsutus and Xenonychus tridens in Lebanon.
We should like to stress that our key contains only species recorded from the territory of Lebanon, with a single exception of Spathochus coyei, which has been recorded from the neighboring countries and we strongly suspect it might also occur in Lebanon. If a histerid specimen from Lebanon cannot be identified using our key, we advocate using the monograph of the USSR fauna by
1(4) | Taxa of minute size, PEL = max 1.10 mm | Abraeomorphus Reitter, 1886 |
2(3) | Metaventrite densely punctate, basal pronotal stria medially not distinctly inwardly angulate (Figs |
A. minutissimus (Reitter, 1884) |
3(2) | Metaventrite sparsely punctate (for fig. see Mazur, 1977 fig. 2); basal pronotal stria medially distinctly inwardly angulate (Figs |
A. besucheti Mazur, 1977 |
4(1) | Larger taxa, PEL > 1.10 mm | 5 |
5(8) | Elytra and pronotum with costae | Onthophilus Leach, 1817 |
6(7) | Large species, PEL = 4.20 mm; punctures of pronotum not forming elongate rugae; pronotum medially with two interrupted keels (Fig. |
O. bickhardti Reitter, 1909 |
7(6) | Smaller species, PEL = max 2.50 mm; punctures of pronotum forming elongate rugae; pronotum medially with four complete keels (Fig. |
O. striatus inconditus Reichardt, 1941 |
8(5) | Elytra and pronotum without costae | 9 |
9(34) | Prosternum with prosternal lobe or “presternum” (for fig. see e.g. |
10 |
10(11) | Labrum with setae; protibia with numerous tiny denticles (Figs |
Tribalus sp. |
11(10) | Labrum asetose; protibia usually with several large teeth topped by denticles, never with numerous tiny denticles (Fig. |
subfamily Histerinae Gyllenhall, 1808 |
12(15) | Mesoventrite produced into an anterior angle that fits into an angular emargination of the prosternum (for fig. see e.g. |
tribe Exosternini Bickhardt, 1914 |
13(14) | Larger species, PEL > 3.00 mm; body strongly convex; elytral stria IV basally connected with complete sutural elytral stria; antennal club larger than antennal funicle (Fig. |
Notodoma lewisi Reitter, 1910 |
14(13) | Smaller species, PEL < 3.00 mm; body rather flattened; elytral stria IV basally shortened, not connected with shortened sutural elytral stria; antennal club smaller than antennal funicle (Fig. |
Spathochus coyei Marseul, 1864 |
15(13) | Mesoventrite not produced into an anterior angle, usually rounded anteriorly (for fig. see e.g. |
16 |
16(21) | Protarsal groove deep, S-shaped (Fig. |
tribe Platysomatini Bickhardt, 1914 |
17(18) | Body cylindrical (Fig. |
Platysoma (Cylister) cornix Marseul, 1861 |
18(17) | Body flattened (Fig. |
19 |
19(20) | Anterior angles of pronotum with dense punctures; pronotum on anterior third only slightly narrowed (Fig. |
Platylister (Popinus) algiricus (Lucas, 1864) |
20(19) | Anterior angles of pronotum with sparse punctures; pronotum on anterior third narrowed more strongly (Fig. |
Platylister (Popinus) simeani (Mulsant & Godart, 1875) |
21(16) | Prosternal groove usually shallow, not S-shaped (Fig. |
tribe Histerini Gyllenhal, 1808 |
22(25) | Mesoventrite anteriorly outwardly arcuate, rounded (for fig. see e.g. |
23 |
23(24) | Apical pronotal angles with a single stria; roundly-oval species (Figs |
Atholus duodecimstriatus duodecimstriatus (Schrank, 1781) |
24(23) | Apical pronotal angles with double stria; a depressed taxon (Fig. |
Eudiplister castaneus (Ménétriés, 1832) |
25(22) | Mesoventrite deeply emarginate anteriorly (for fig. see e.g. |
26 |
26(29) | Inner subhumeral stria completely absent (Fig. |
Hister Linnaeus, 1758 |
27(28) | Elytra with red macula (Fig. |
Hister limbatus Truqui, 1852 |
28(27) | Elytra completely black (Figs |
Hister sepulchralis Erichson, 1834 |
29(26) | Inner subhumeral stria present at least as a short fragment, usually complete (Fig. |
Margarinotus Marseul, 1854 |
30(31) | Body large, PEL>7.50 mm, sub-rectangular; elytra usually with only striae I–III complete (Fig. |
Margarinotus (Stenister) graecus graecus (Brullé, 1834) |
31(30) | Body smaller, PEL < 7.50 mm, roundly-oval; elytra with striae I–IV developed | 32 |
32(33) | Pronotum with two lateral striae; a larger species, PEL > 4.50–7.00 mm (Figs |
Margarinotus (Ptomister) brunneus (Fabricius, 1775) |
33(32) | Pronotum with a single lateral stria; a smaller species, PEL = 2.80–4.00 mm (Figs |
Margarinotus (Grammostethus) ruficornis (Grimm, 1852) |
34(9) | Prosternum without prosternal lobe or “presternum” (for fig. see e.g. |
35 |
35(36) | Tiny (PEL < 2.20 mm), completely black, dorsoventrally flattened subcortical taxon; elytra without striae (Fig. |
Stenopleurum rothi (Rosenhauer, 1856) |
36(35) | Usually larger (PEL > 2.20 mm), mostly metallic, occasionally with red macula, roundly-oval, not depressed taxa, never subcortical; elytra always striate (Fig. |
subfamily Saprininae C.É. Blanchard, 1845 |
37(38) | Frontal and supraorbital striae completely absent, basally between elytral stria IV and sutural elytral stria a short hooked appendix present (Fig. |
Gnathoncus disjunctus suturifer Reitter, 1896 |
38(37) | At least supraorbital stria always present, frontal stria often interrupted medially, occasionally prolonged onto clypeus; without basal short hooked appendix between elytral stria IV and sutural stria | 39 |
39(54) | Prosternal foveae present (Fig. |
40 |
40(41) | Carinal prosternal striae divergent anteriorly, “open”, lateral prosternal striae straight, terminating in deep prosternal foveae (Figs |
Hemisaprinus subvirescens (Ménétriés, 1832) |
41(40) | Carinal prosternal striae usually convergent and united anteriorly; lateral prosternal striae usually convergent anteriorly, occasionally surpassing prosternal foveae, in most cases evading them (for fig. see |
42 |
42(43) | Underside of body setose, including elytral epipleuron; a very convex taxon; protibia with three large teeth topped by denticle, followed by five short denticles (Figs |
Xenonychus tridens (Jacquelin du Val, 1853) |
43(42) | Underside of body usually glabrous, rarely pronotal hypomeron with very short setae (Hypocacculus (H.) metallescens)); elytral epipleuron always glabrous; slightly more flattened taxa; protibia usually with 3–8 short teeth topped by denticle, diminishing in size in proximal direction | 44 |
44(49) | Frontal stria usually interrupted medially, slightly prolonged onto clypeus; if complete (C. aemulus) then elytral stria IV basally not united with sutural elytral stria | Chalcionellus Reichardt, 1932 |
45(46) | Pronotum with pronotal post-ocular depressions; cuticle metallic, with bronze or slightly greenish hue (Fig. |
Chalcionellus blanchii blanchii (Marseul, 1855) |
46(45) | Pronotum without post-ocular pronotal depressions; cuticle not metallic, usually dark-brown or black (Fig. |
47 |
47(48) | Frontal stria weakened, but usually complete; elytral stria IV basally not connected with sutural elytral stria (Fig. |
Chalcionellus aemulus (Illiger, 1807) |
48 (47) | Frontal stria widely interrupted medially and prolonged onto clypeus; elytral stria IV basally connected with sutural elytral stria (Fig. |
Chalcionellus libanicola (Marseul, 1870) |
49(44) | Frontal stria usually complete; elytral stria IV usually basally united with sutural elytral stria | genera Hypocacculus Bickhardt, 1914 and Hypocaccus C.G. Thomson, 1857 |
50(53) | Frons with sparse minute punctures (Fig. |
Hypocacculus Bickhardt, 1914 |
51(52) | Frontal stria medially almost straight, forming an acute angle above eyes; supraorbital stria keel-like (Figs |
Hypocacculus (Colpellus) praecox (Erichson, 1834) |
52(51) | Frontal stria medially outwardly arcuate, not forming an acute angle above eyes; supraorbital stria not keel-like (Figs |
Hypocacculus (s.str.) metallescens (Erichson, 1834) |
53(50) | Frons densely and coarsely punctate, occasionally punctures forming coarse elongate rugae (Figs |
Hypocaccus (Nessus) baudii (Schmidt, 1890) |
54(39) | Prosternal foveae absent (Fig. |
Saprinus Erichson, 1834 |
55(60) | Elytra bicolored (Fig. |
56 |
56(57) | At least the entire lateral elytral margin orange-red, usually most part of the elytral disk orange-red with only the short band along the elytral suture black (Fig. |
Saprinus (S.) maculatus (P. Rossi, 1790) |
57(56) | Each elytron with a well-defined orange-red macula, never occupying the entire lateral elytral margin (Fig. |
58 |
58(59) | Black without bronze hue; macula reaching into fourth elytral interval (Fig. |
Saprinus (S.) magnoguttatus Reichardt, 1926 |
59(58) | Black with bronze hue; macula on elytron reaching into third elytral interval (Figs |
Saprinus (S.) externus (Fischer von Waldheim, 1823) |
60(55) | Elytra unicolored, never with red macula (Fig. |
61 |
61(62) | Pronotal hypomeron setose, fourth dorsal elytral stria strongly reduced, often absent; a large, usually metallic species (PEL = 5.00–7.50 mm) (Fig. |
Saprinus (S.) caerulescens caerulescens (Hoffman, 1803) |
62(61) | Pronotal hypomeron asetose, fourth dorsal elytral stria usually not reduced, fully developed; smaller species (PEL = 2.50–6.50 mm) | 63 |
63(64) | Elytra, especially their apical halves with very dense punctation, punctures aciculate and striolate, elytral intervals punctured, third dorsal elytral stria well-developed (Figs |
Saprinus (S .) strigil Marseul, 1855 |
64(63) | Elytra with variously dense punctation, but punctures usually not aciculate or striolate (some specimens of S. (S.) robustus can have striolate punctures, but then the third dorsal elytral stria is always strongly reduced) (Fig. |
65 |
65(70) | Elytra with well-defined polished areas ‘mirrors’, punctation of elytral disk very dense, punctures separated by less than their own diameter, third dorsal elytral stria reduced to absent (Fig. |
66 |
66(67) | Dorsal elytral striae erased by very coarse and dense punctures; pronotum with a well-defined ‘mirror’ consisting of three interconnected ovals of which the middle one is conspicuously larger than other two (Figs |
Saprinus (S .) figuratus Marseul, 1855 |
67(66) | Dorsal elytral striae always visible; pronotum without a well-defined “mirror” (Fig. |
68 |
68(69) | Elytral ‘mirror’ with microscopic scattered punctation, light to dark brown species, without greenish or bronze metallic hue, third dorsal elytral stria reduced, but usually discernible; elytral punctation in fourth elytral interval reaches elytral half (Fig. |
Saprinus (S .) aegialius Reitter, 1884 |
69(68) | Elytral ‘mirror’ glabrous, third dorsal elytral stria usually strongly reduced to absent, dorsum with distinct greenish or bronze metallic hue; punctation in fourth elytral interval does not reach elytral half (Fig. |
Saprinus (S.) prasinus prasinus Erichson, 1834 |
70(65) | Elytra without well-defined polished areas (‘mirrors’), punctation of the elytral disk less dense, punctures usually separated by their own diameter or more (Fig. |
71 |
71(72) | Apices of carinal prosternal striae convergent anteriorly, rather approximate; large (PEL = 4.50–6.50 mm) entirely black species (Figs |
Saprinus (S.) niger Motschulsky, 1849 |
72(71) | Apices of carinal prosternal striae divergent anteriorly (Fig. |
73 |
73(76) | Apices of carinal prosternal striae strongly divergent, laying on lateral sides of the prosternal process (Fig. |
74 |
74(75) | Pronotal post-ocular depressions deep, third dorsal elytral stria usually not reduced, light to dark brown species with slight bronze metallic hue (Fig. |
Saprinus (S.) subnitescens Bickhardt, 1909 |
75(74) | Pronotal post-ocular depressions shallow, third dorsal elytral stria usually strongly reduced, black species without metallic hue (Fig. |
Saprinus (S.) robustus Krása, 1944 |
76(73) | Apices of prosternal striae divergent, but never laying on lateral sides of the pronotal process (Fig. |
77 |
77(78) | Pronotal post-ocular depressions absent, pronotal disk medially with distinct punctation, humeral elytral stria confluent with inner subhumeral one creating a supplementary dorsal elytral stria parallel to first (Fig. |
Saprinus (S.) godet (Brullé, 1832) |
78(77) | Pronotal post-ocular depressions present, pronotal disk medially with only scattered fine punctation (Fig. |
79 |
79(80) | Entire elytral disk with punctation, punctures separated by twice or more their diameter, dorsal elytral striae thin, impunctate (Fig. |
Saprinus (S .) tenuistrius sparsutus Solsky, 1876 |
80(79) | At least the area between united sutural and fourth dorsal elytral striae without punctation (or punctures microscopic), punctures of elytral disk separated usually by less than twice their diameter (Fig. |
81 |
81(82) | Apical margin of metaventrite of male without tubercles. Male terminalia: 8th sternite with two rows of brush-like setae: one situated approximately medially and another apically, aedeagus constricted before apex; apex rounded (Figs |
Saprinus (S.) submarginatus J. Sahlberg, 1913 |
82(81) | Apical margin of metaventrite of male with two distinct tubercles (Fig. |
83 |
83(84) | Tubercles on the apical margin of metaventrite of male slightly removed from metaventral margin (Fig. |
Saprinus (S .) calatravensis Fuente, 1899 |
84(83) | Tubercles situated almost on the very apical metaventral margin (Fig. |
Saprinus (S.) chalcites (Illiger, 1807) |
This checklist is based on
Species | Lebanon | Syria | Israel | Cyprus |
---|---|---|---|---|
Abraeomorphus besucheti Mazur, 1977 | X | X | ||
Abraeomorphus minutissimus (Reitter, 1884) | X | |||
Acritus (Acritus) nigricornis (Hoffmann, 1803) | X | |||
Acritus (Acritus) minutus (Herbst, 1791) | X | |||
Acritus (Pycnacritus) homoeopathicus Wollaston, 1857 | X | |||
Alienocacculus vanharteni Kanaar, 2008 | X | |||
Anapleus raddei (Reitter, 1877) | X | |||
Anapleus wewalkai Olexa, 1982 | X | X | ||
Atholus bimaculatus (Linnaeus, 1758) | X | X | X | |
Atholus corvinus (Germar, 1817) | X | X | ||
Atholus duodecimstriatus duodecimstriatus (Schrank, 1781) | X | X | X | |
Atholus scutellaris (Erichson, 1834) | X | X | X | |
Carcinops pumilio (Erichson, 1834) | X | |||
Chaetabraeus (Chaetabraeus) lucidus (Peyerimhoff, 1917) | X | |||
Chaetabraeus (Mazureus) convexus (Reitter, 1884) | X | X | ||
Chalcionellus aemulus (Illiger, 1807) | X | X | ||
Chalcionellus amoenus (Erichson, 1834) | X | |||
Chalcionellus blanchii blanchii (Marseul, 1855) | X | X | X | X |
Chalcionellus decemstriatus decemstriatus (P. Rossi, 1792) | X | X | X | |
Chalcionellus libanicola (Marseul, 1870) | X | X | ||
Chalcionellus mersinae (Marseul, 1857) | X | |||
Chalcionellus palaestinensis (Schmidt, 1890) | X | X | ||
Chalcionellus tunisius (Marseul, 1875) | X | |||
Chalcionellus turcicus (Marseul, 1857) | X | |||
Chalcionellus tyrius (Marseul, 1857) | X | X | ||
Epierus comptus (Erichson, 1834) | X | |||
Eudiplister castaneus (Ménétriés, 1832) | X | X | X | X |
Eudiplister peyroni (Marseul, 1857) | X | X | ||
Eudiplister planulus (Ménétriés, 1849) | X | X | ||
Gnathoncus disjunctus suturifer Reitter, 1896 | X | X | ||
Gnathoncus rotundatus (Kugelann, 1792) | X | X | ||
Hemisaprinus cyprius Dahlgren, 1981 | X | |||
Hemisaprinus subvirescens (Ménétriés, 1832) | X* | X | X | X |
Hister bipunctatus Paykull, 1811 | X | |||
Hister hanka Kapler, 1994 | X | |||
Hister illigeri reductus G. Müller, 1960 | X | X | ||
Hister judaicus Mazur, 2008 | X | |||
Hister limbatus Truqui, 1852 | X | X | ||
Hister lugubris Truqui, 1852 | X | |||
Hister quadrimaculatus Linnaeus, 1758 | X | |||
Hister sepulchralis Erichson, 1834 | X* | X | ||
Hypocacculus (Colpellus) biskrensis (Marseul, 1876) | X | |||
Hypocacculus (Colpellus) praecox (Erichson, 1834) | X | X | X | X |
Hypocacculus (Hypocacculus) atrocyaneus (J. Schmidt, 1888) | X | |||
Hypocacculus (Hypocacculus) metallescens (Erichson, 1834) | X | X | X | X |
Hypocaccus (Hypocaccus) brasiliensis (Paykull, 1811) | X | X | ||
Hypocaccus (Hypocaccus) crassipes (Erichson, 1834) | X | |||
Hypocaccus (Nessus) baudii (J. Schmidt, 1890) | X | X | X | X |
Hypocaccus (Nessus) interpunctatus interpunctatus (J. Schmidt, 1885) | X | |||
Hypocaccus (Nessus) japhonis (J. Schmidt, 1890) | X | X | ||
Hypocaccus (Nessus) rubripes (Erichson, 1834) | X | X | ||
Hypocaccus (Nessus) curtus (Rosenhauer, 1847) | X | |||
Margarinotus (Eucalohister) kurdistanus kurdistanus (Marseul, 1857) | X | X | ||
Margarinotus (Grammostethus) ruficornis (Grimm, 1852) | X | X | X | |
Margarinotus (Paralister) carbonarius carbonarius (Hoffmann, 1803) | X | X | X | |
Margarinotus (Paralister) carbonarius macedonicus (J. Müller, 1937) | X | |||
Margarinotus (Paralister) purpurascens (Herbst, 1791) | X | |||
Margarinotus (Ptomister) brunneus (Fabricius, 1775) | X | X | ||
Margarinotus (Ptomister) integer (Brisout de Barneville, 1866) | X | |||
Margarinotus (Stenister) graecus graecus (Brullé, 1832) | X | X | X | X |
Margarinotus (Stenister) graecus horni (Bickhardt, 1912) | X | X | ||
Margarinotus (Stenister) obscurus (Kugelann, 1792) | X | X | ||
Merohister ariasi (Marseul, 1864) | X | X | ||
Notodoma lewisi Reitter, 1910 | X | X | ||
Onthophilus affinis L. Redtenbacher, 1847 | X | X | ||
Onthophilus bickhardti Reitter, 1909 | X | X | ||
Onthophilus convictor Normand, 1919 | X | |||
Onthophilus punctatus caucasicus Reitter, 1890 | X | |||
Onthophilus punctatus punctatus (O.F. Müller, 1776) | X | |||
Onthophilus striatus inconditus Reichardt, 1941 | X | X | X | X |
Pachylister (Pachylister) inaequalis (Olivier, 1789) | X | X | ||
Pactolinus major (Linnaeus, 1767) | X | X | X | |
Paravolvulus syphax (Reitter, 1904) | X | |||
Pholioxenus kodymi Olexa, 1984 | X | |||
Pholioxenus krali Olexa, 1984 | X | |||
Platylister (Popinus) simeani (Mulsant & Godart, 1875) | X | |||
Platylomalus complanatus (Panzer, 1797) | X | X | ||
Platysoma (Cylister) cornix Marseul, 1861 | X | X | X | X |
Platysoma (Platysoma) compressum (Herbst, 1783) | X | |||
Platysoma (Platysoma) inexpectatum Lackner, 2004 | X | |||
Plegaderus (Plegaderus) otti Marseul, 1856 | X | |||
Plegaderus (Hemitrichoderus) adonis Marseul, 1876 | X | X | ||
Saprinus (Phaonius) pharao Marseul, 1855 | X | X | X | |
Saprinus (Saprinus) acuminatus acuminatus (Fabricius, 1798) | X | |||
Saprinus (Saprinus) aegialius Reitter, 1884 | X | X | ||
Saprinus (Saprinus) aeneus (Fabricius, 1775) | X | |||
Saprinus (Saprinus) caerulescens caerulescens (Hoffmann, 1803) | X | X | X | X |
Saprinus (Saprinus) calatravensis Fuente, 1899 | X | X | X | |
Saprinus (Saprinus) chalcites (Illiger, 1807) | X | X | X | |
Saprinus (Saprinus) algericus (Paykull, 1811) | X | |||
Saprinus (Saprinus) concinnus (Gebler, 1830) | X | |||
Saprinus (Saprinus) delta Marseul, 1862 | X | |||
Saprinus (Saprinus) externus (Fischer von Waldheim, 1823) | X* | X | ||
Saprinus (Saprinus) figuratus Marseul, 1855 | X* | X | X | |
Saprinus (Saprinus) georgicus Marseul, 1862 | X | X | ||
Saprinus (Saprinus) godet (Brullé, 1832) | X | X | X | |
Saprinus (Saprinus) intractabilis Reichardt, 1929 | X | |||
Saprinus (Saprinus) maculatus (P. Rossi, 1792) | X | X | X | X |
Saprinus (Saprinus) magnoguttatus Reichardt, 1926 | X | X | ||
Saprinus (Saprinus) moyses Marseul, 1862 | X | |||
Saprinus (Saprinus) niger Motschulsky, 1849 | X* | X | X | |
Saprinus (Saprinus) ornatus Erichson, 1834 | X | X | ||
Saprinus (Saprinus) planiusculus Motschulsky, 1849 | X | |||
Saprinus (Saprinus) politus politus (Brahm, 1790) | X | X | ||
Saprinus (Saprinus) prasinus aeneomicans G. Müller, 1960 | X | X | ||
Saprinus (Saprinus) prasinus prasinus Erichson, 1834 | X | X | X | |
Saprinus (Saprinus) robustus Krása, 1944 | X | X | X | X |
Saprinus (Saprinus) ruber gemmingeri Marseul, 1864 | X | X | ||
Saprinus (Saprinus) semistriatus (Scriba, 1790) | X | |||
Saprinus (Saprinus) sinaiticus Crotch, 1872 | X | X | ||
Saprinus (Saprinus) strigil Marseul, 1855 | X | X | X | X |
Saprinus (Saprinus) stussineri Reitter, 1909 | X | |||
Saprinus (Saprinus) submarginatus J. Sahlberg, 1913 | X | X | X | |
Saprinus (Saprinus) subnitescens Bickhardt, 1909 | X | X | X | X |
Saprinus (Saprinus) tenuistrius sparsutus Solsky, 1876 | X | X | X | X |
Spathochus coyei Marseul, 1864 | X | X | X | |
Stenopleurum rothi (Rosenhauer, 1856) | X | X | X | |
Sternocoelis diversepunctatus Pic, 1911 | X | |||
Sternocoelis robustus Pic, 1911 | X | |||
Teretrius (Teretrius) accaciae Reitter, 1900 | X | |||
Teretrius (Teretrius) fabricii Mazur, 1972 | X | X | ||
Teretrius (Teretrius) pulex Fairmaire, 1877 | X | |||
Tribalus (Tribalus) sp. | X* | X | X | |
Tribalus (Tribalus) anatolicus Olexa, 1980 | X | |||
Tribalus (Tribalus) scaphidiformis (Illiger, 1807) | X | |||
Xenonychus tridens (Jacquelin du Val, 1853) | X* | X | X | X |
Zorius exilis Reichardt, 1932 | X | |||
Zorius funereus (Schmidt, 1890) | X |
In general, faunistic inventories are incomplete since the number of studied species continues to increase with the increase of sampling efforts (
Saprinus and Margarinotus are dominant genera on ephemeral and unstable microhabitats like carcasses, dung, and decaying plants (
Saprinus (S.) caerulescens was only attracted to mammalian carrion and it was absent from other baits (rotting fish and dung). This is in accordance with T. Lackner’s personal observation that this species is common on large carcasses. However,
Margarinotus spp. are varied in habits (
Atholus duodecimstriatus duodecimstriatus was collected from carrion only during summer. Unlike the findings of
According to
The subgenus Tribalus s. str. of the genus Tribalus is a species-rich group mostly occurring in Africa with smaller number of species found in the Palaearctic and Oriental regions (
The genus Xenonychus is an ultra-psammophilic group, which is found exclusively in sand dune systems. They are buried in sand and known as sand-swimmers. They can be found by laborious methods near the roots of plants (
Abraeomorphus minutissimus, Eudiplister castaneus, Margarinotus (Grammostethus) ruficornis, Platysoma (Cylister) cornix, and Platylister (Popinus) simeani are often associated with decaying plant matter and/or bark of trees like pine (
This is considered the first faunistic study of the Histeridae family in Lebanon with a key to all locally recorded species, comments on their biology, and possible implications in the country of study. More ecological research should be performed in different Lebanese regions and more quantitative data are needed to clarify the habitat preference of Histeridae species. Different sampling methods such as sifting, Flight Interception Traps (FIT), pitfall traps, etc. should be also used in the future. Seasonal sampling and replicates are needed to show the peak activity, seasonality, and habitat preferences of members of this family.
We should like to thank Prof. Dany Azar and Miss Julia Abboud (Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences II, Fanar, Lebanon) for the help with collecting the specimens, as well as Mr. Mouayad Al Azem, the manager of the laboratory at the Faculty of Health Science at the AUST (Beirut, Lebanon). The wife of the corresponding author, Dr. Pepina Artimová has helped us with line drawings using Adobe Illustrator CS5 and we should like to thank her. F. Slamka (Bratislava, Slovakia) produced all photographs and is also responsible for the graphical layout of the figures used in this paper. The first author’s gratitude goes to the American University of Science and Technology (Lebanon) for their support. Three anonymous reviewers helped with their constructive criticisms and their input on this paper.