Research Article |
Corresponding author: Mario García-París ( mparis@mncn.csic.es ) Academic editor: Aaron Smith
© 2020 Natalia Rosas-Ramos, Paloma Mas-Peinado, Diego Gil-Tapetado, Ernesto Recuero, José L. Ruiz, Mario García-París.
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:
Rosas-Ramos N, Mas-Peinado P, Gil-Tapetado D, Recuero E, Ruiz JL, García-París M (2020) Catalogue, distribution, taxonomic notes, and conservation of the Western Palearctic endemic hunchback beetles (Tenebrionidae, Misolampus). ZooKeys 963: 81-129. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.963.53500
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Hunchback darkling beetles of the Ibero-Maghrebian genus Misolampus Latreille, 1807 (Tenebrionidae, Stenochiinae) encompass six species: M. gibbulus (Herbst, 1799), M. goudotii Guérin-Méneville, 1834, M. lusitanicus Brême, 1842, M. ramburii Brême, 1842, M. scabricollis Graells, 1849, and M. subglaber Rosenhauer, 1856. Previously known distribution ranges of the species were delineated using many old records, the persistence of such populations being questionable under the current situation of global biodiversity loss. Additionally, the status of geographically isolated populations of the genus have been the subject of taxonomic controversy. An exhaustive bibliographical revision and field search was undertaken, and the Misolampus collection of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (
Coleoptera, geographic range, morphological variability, new synonymies, population persistence, saproxylic, scientific collections, Stenochiinae
Species identification is an essential process for almost all biodiversity studies and can constitute a major constraint for conservation evaluation and legislation due to the inherent difficulty of identifying many of the groups, the long time needed for processing the samples, and the extensive taxonomic experience that this process requires (
Tenebrionidae is one of the most species-rich families of beetles, with approximately 20,000 species worldwide and many more taxa yet to be described (
The genus Misolampus [type species: Misolampus hoffmannseggii Latreille, 1807 (= Pimelia gibbula Herbst, 1799), by monotypy], currently included within Cnodalonini Oken, 1843, in the subfamily Stenochiinae Kirby, 1837 (= Coelometopinae Schaum, 1859; = Cnodaloninae; see
Despite database records shortfall, the distribution ranges of the species of Misolampus are relatively well known (
In the light of these considerations, first, we aimed to provide an updated geographic distribution range for all the species of Misolampus, to evaluate their persistence in the areas where they were reported. For this purpose, we undertook a thorough bibliographical revision, an exhaustive field search, and we revised the Misolampus collection of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (
Field work to locate Misolampus was carried out by members of the research team for two periods, a non-intensive period from 1982 to 2000 in which specimens were collected, georeferenced, and dry-mounted for their morphological study, and a more intensive period from 2001 to 2013, with additional collections in 2019–2020, aimed to detect changes in populations previously known from records dating from the 19th and 20th centuries. Field data collection was carried out along most of the areas where the presence of the genus was documented (Spain, Portugal, and Morocco). Information on the location of previously known populations was obtained by undertaking an exhaustive bibliographic revision and by reviewing the Misolampus collection held at the
We studied 1304 specimens representing all known taxa of Misolampus (812 collected before 1945, and 492 collected after 1982). Of those, 355 specimens are preserved in ethanol, and 949 specimens dry-mounted (Table
Specimens of Misolampus studied. Number of specimens by preservation mode (ethanol or dry-mounted) and date of collection (before 1945 or after 1982). The total number of specimens of each species is also provided.
Species | Before 1945 | After 1982 | Dry-mounted | Alcohol | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Misolampus gibbulus | 339 | 163 | 392 | 110 | 502 |
Misolampus goudotii | 108 | 66 | 145 | 29 | 174 |
Misolampus lusitanicus | 1 | 27 | 1 | 27 | 28 |
Misolampus ramburii | 11 | 26 | 32 | 5 | 37 |
Misolampus scabricollis | 310 | 178 | 328 | 160 | 488 |
Misolampus subglaber | 43 | 32 | 51 | 24 | 75 |
Unresolved taxonomic issues, such as the validity of subspecies within the North African taxon, the specific assignation of the populations from Algarve (
Distribution maps based on current data represent the extent of occurrence of each species following a relaxed modification of IUCN criteria (
To obtain morphological data, dry-mounted specimens were examined under a stereomicroscopy. Specimen length was measured in dorsal view as the distance between the anterior margin of the pronotum and the elytral apex (ignoring elytral convexity). The head was excluded from measurement since it is usually directed ventrally. Maximum width was measured as the distance between the outer edges of the elytra at approximately three-fourths of the elytral length, also in dorsal view. Photographs of live specimens were taken with a Nikon digital camera. Extended depth-of-focus images of dry-mounted specimens, were taken on a Leica M165C stereo-microscope, with a digital camera Leica DFC450, using the LAS X software from Leica Microsystems.
Pimelia gibbula Herbst, 1799: 51. Terra typica: unknown: “Das vaterland ist mir unbekannt”.
Misolampus hoffmannsegii
Latreille, 1807: 161. Terra typica: “e Lusitania allatus”.
Misolampus gibbulus
(Herbst, 1799):
Portugal – Beja: Beja: 1 ex.; Beja, V-1909 (exp. del Museo): 1 ex.; São Martinho das Amoreiras, 200 m, 37°36'57.4"N, 08°27'57.3"W, 4-I-2013: 10 exx. – Evora: Evoramonte, 17-X-1992: 1 ex.; Monte São Bento, 353 m, 38°34'54.33"N, 7°56'12.10"W, 11-III-2010: 1 ex.; Valverde, 232 m, 38°31'39.8"N, 8°00'25.4"W, 4-X-2002: 1 ex.; – Faro: Alferce: 1 ex.; Alferce, V-1909 (Exp. del Museo): 2 exx.; carretera Monchique-Laranjeira [Gil Bordalo], 21-X-1992: 6 exx.; Foia, 742 m, 37°18'29.4"N, 08°35'56.2"W, 4-I-2013: 1 ex.; Monchique, 439 m, 37°21'40.3"N, 08°32'23.6"W, 4-I-2013: 8 exx.; San Marcos da Serra [São Marcos da Serra]: 2 exx.; San Marcos da Serra [São Marcos da Serra], V-1909 (exp. del Museo): 23 exx.; São Marcos da Serra, 140 m, 37°21'02.5"N, 08°22'48.4"W, 3-I-2013: 24 exx.; Sierra de Monchique, V-1909 (exp. del Museo): 1 ex.; Portalegre: Santo Antonio de Alcorrego, 150 m, 38°58'59.5"N, 7°56'54.1"W, 18-IV-2013: 6 exx. Spain – Andalucía: Córdoba: Córdoba (Col. del Sr. Pérez Arcas): 2 exx.; Córdoba: 2 exx.; Córdoba, IV-1901 (Escalera leg.): 4 exx.; Córdoba, VI-1909 (Exp. del Museo): 3 exx.; Manueles, 30SUH82, 7-V-1982 (M.A. Alonso Z. leg.): 1 ex.; Huelva: Barranco Riofrío [La Nava], 28-XII-1985: 1 ex.; Cala (C. Bolívar leg.): 15 exx.; Cortegana, Puerto del Corzo (hacia Gil Márquez), 664 m, 37°52'56.1"N, 06°50'42.3"W, 3-I-2013: 7 exx.; Patrás, 397 m, 37°48'04.4"N, 6°43'30.8"W, 1-V-2004: 3 exx.; Jaén: [3 km al SO de] Aldeaquemada, 25-IV-1992: 3 exx.; Lugar Nuevo, 24-X-1991: 2 exx.; Santa Elena, carretera hacia La Aliseda, 795 m, 38°20'53.1"N, 03°33'20.6"W, 28-XII-2010: 14 exx.; Santa Elena, 12-III-1901: 2 exx.; Santa Elena: 2 exx.; Sierra Morena: 1 ex.; Sevilla: Constantina: 1 ex.; – Castilla –La Mancha: Ciudad Real: Almadén (Belbeze leg.): 1 ex.; Navas de Estena: 1 ex.; Pueblo Nuevo del Bullaque, 7-XII-1992: 2 exx.; Puerto Madrona, 20-XI-1992: 8 exx.; Saceruela (Paz leg.): 1 ex.; Solana del Pino: Puerto Madrona, 38°25'07.3"N, 4°03'33.1"W, 06-III-2012: 1 ex.; Toledo: Santa Cruz del R. [Retamar] (Paz leg.) (Col. del Sr. Pérez Arcas): 1 ex.; – Castilla y León: Ávila: Candeleda, XI-1933: 1 ex.; 8 km NE Hoyo de Pinares, 40°31'40.6"N, 4°20'04.5"W, 1-IV-2013: 2 exx.; Mombeltrán – Navalperal [de Pinares]: 1 ex.; Extremadura: Badajoz: Aljucén (Pacheco leg.): 2 exx.; Cáceres: Alcuéscar: I-1894: 3 exx.; Belvís de Monroy, 373 m, 39°48'04.8"N, 5°37'01.1"W, 24-XII-2011: 6 exx.; Castillo de Trevejo, 714 m, 40°10'20.9"N, 6°46'48.9"W, 17-IV-2011: 1 ex.; Valdemorales, 420 m, 39°12'08.1"N, 06°03'57.8"W, 2-I-2012: 2 exx. Madrid: Brunete (Bolívar leg.): 2 exx.; Cadalso [de los Vidrios] (J. Ardois leg.): 120 exx.; Cadalso de los Vidrios, hacia Almorox, 12-IV-1992: 1 ex.; Cerro de San Pedro, 29-X-2004: 4 exx.; Collado Mediano (C. Bolívar leg.): 1 ex.; Collado Mediano: 13 exx.; Collado Mediano (G. Schramm leg.): 4 exx.; Collado Mediano (Moróder leg.): 5 exx.; Fresnedillas de la Oliva, 941 m, 40°29'38.57"N, 4°10'12.90"W, 14-III-2001: 14 exx.; Galapagar (Col. del Sr. Pérez Arcas) (Misolampus gibbulus Hbst.): 1 ex.; Manzanares [El Real], 30-III-1928: 1 ex.; Moralzarzal: Cerro del Telégrafo, 23-IV-2017: 1 ex.; Navas del Rey, 2-XII-1990: 2 exx.; Pelayos de la Presa, 799 m, 40°20'19.40"N, 4°21'34.84"W, 3-III-2001: 1 ex.; [3 km al S de] Quijorna, 5-II-1992: 1 ex.; Robledo de Chavela: 7 exx.; Santa María de la Alameda (estación), 1-IV-1991: 10 exx.; Sierra de Guadarrama (J. Lauffer leg.): 1 ex.; Torrelodones, 7-XI-1992: 4 exx.; Valdemaqueda, 40°30'30.0"N, 4°17'00.1"W, 1-IV-2013: 2 exx.; Valdemorillo, 12-IV-1992: 7 exx.; Villa del Prado (J. Ardois leg.): 105 exx.; Villa del Prado: 4 exx.; Villa del Prado, Encinar del Alberche, 742 m, 40°17'29.7"N, 04°21'11.9"W, 4-I-2009: 5 exx.; Villalba: 1 ex.
Total length 6.6–12 mm (
Live specimens and habitat of Misolampus gibbulus A–D live adult specimens of Misolampus gibbulus from Portugal (A Foia; B Monchique; D São Martinho das Amoreiras) and Spain (C Santa Helena, Jaén); specimens A, B, and D represent the diversity of sculptural patterns in elytra and pronotum within the Faro population, see the contrast with typical specimen C; E, F typical habitats of M. gibbulus in Spain (E native Quercus ilex and Pinus plantations at Robledo del Mazo, Toledo F Q. ilex open forest with Cytisus and Retama at Puerto de Santa Cruz, Cáceres). Photographs by MGP.
Endemic to Spain and Portugal (
A Geographic distribution of Misolampus gibbulus. Map of the Iberian Peninsula depicting the geographic distribution range of the Iberian endemic Misolampus gibbulus (orange area). Purple dots correspond to the species’ records, including both recent and old, as well as previously published data B potential geographic distribution of Misolampus gibbulus: Red indicates areas of high suitability, and blue, areas of low suitability. Species distribution model was generated using MaxEnt v 3.4.1 (
Our new records considerably expand the known distribution of M. gibbulus. In addition to previously published data, we add new records for the district of Évora and Portalegre in Portugal, and from the provinces of Ávila, Badajoz, and Toledo in Spain; together with numerous localities for some provinces represented by a few records, such as Cáceres, Ciudad Real, and Madrid. With the addition of these records, the distribution of M. gibbulus seems to be more or less continuous along the southern slopes of the Sistema Central: from Cáceres and Ávila to Madrid, along both slopes of Montes de Toledo and Sierra Morena, and in a more or less extended area in southern Portugal, from Évora to Serra de Monchique in the Algarve region. The Guadalquivir river basin seems to conform the southeastern distribution limit for the species (Fig.
Misolampus gibbulus is a low altitude species, ranging from 4 to 1278 m a.s.l., although 81% of the populations recorded are located below 800 m of altitude. Geological substrates are very diverse across its distribution area, but mostly siliceous, including sandstones, gneisses, granites, and schists, which generate acid soils (see
Misolampus gibbulus is commonly found under bark or within decomposing dead logs and stumps of pines (mainly of Pinus pinea L. and Pinus sylvestris L.), including reforested areas (especially Pinus pinaster Aiton), where they appear to be particularly common. It is also found in dead or old trunks of perennial or deciduous oaks (Quercus ilex L., Quercus suber L., Quercus pyrenaica Willd. and Quercus faginea Lam.), under the dry layers that cover roots and thick stems of Cistus ladanifer L. and Cistus laurifolius L., and at the base of brooms, mainly Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link and Retama sphaerocarpa (L.) Boiss. Occasionally found under loose bark or at the base, among decaying wood of standing Eucalyptus trees, and also in rotten Eucalyptus stumps (
Misolampus gibbulus has been found in microsympatry with M. scabricollis along western Sierra Morena (Huelva), northern Extremadura (Cáceres), Montes de Toledo (Toledo) (Fig.
Misolampus goudotii
Guérin-Méneville, 1834: 28. Terra typica: “trouvée à Tanger... ...à trois lieues de Tanger, sur les bords d’une rivière, dans le tronc d’un olivier.” Vauloger de Beaupré (
Misolampus goudotii
Erichson in Wagner, 1841: 184 (non
Misolampus erichsoni Vauloger de Beaupré, 1900: 674 syn. nov. Terra typica: “Algérie: O., Oran...; Daya...; Tlemcen...; Mascara..., Ammi Moussa; A.: Blidah...; La Chiffa...; Margueritte...; forêt de Boghar...; mont Ouarsenis...; forêts de la Grande-Kabylie...”.
Misolampus peyerimhoffi Antoine, 1926: 257 syn. nov. Terra typica: “Grand Atlas, région du Glaoui: plateau des Aït Rba...”.
Algeria: “Argelia” (Dufour leg.): 1 ex. Morocco – Marrakech-Tensift-Al Hauz: Toufliht, 1483 m, 31°28'34.6"N, 7°26'06.5"W, 11-III-2013: 4 exx. – Meknès – Tafilalet: Ain Leuh, 17-V-1925: 1 ex.; Azrou, 1900 m (Alluaud 79) (Misolampus goudoti var. laevior Alluaud): 1 ex.; Azrou, 19-V-1925: 1 ex.; Dj. [Yebel] Hebri, 20-V-1925: 1 ex.; Timadit [Timahdite], 21-V-1923: 1 ex. – Tanger – Tétouan: Rif: Beni Siyyel: Bab Ruadi: VI-1932 (C. Bolívar leg.): 6 exx.; Tanger, 1897: 3 exx.; Tanger (M. Escalera leg.) (small square-label pinned): 36 exx., plus 3 exx. only square-labelled; 2 km al O de Bab Berret, 1318 m, 35°00'02.57"N, 4°55'31.91"W, 12-VI-2011: 3 exx.; Crtra. Zinat-Mulay Abdeselam, P-4702, Beni Aros, Yebala, 513 m, 35°22'04"N, 5°32'17"W, 29-IV-2016: 5 exx.; Yebel Bou-Hachem, Beni Aros, Yebala, 1160 m, 35°15'31"N, 5°30'49"W, 12-V-2012: 6 exx.; Crtra. Mulay Abdeselam-Al Hamra, P-4704, Beni Aros, 985 m, 35°15'50"N, 5°25'36"W, 28-XI-2019: 2 exx.; Larache: Yebala: Beni Arós: Yebel Bou-Hachem, 35°15'31"N, 5°30'49"W, 9-VI-2012: 2 exx.; Pinsapar del Talassemtane, 1900 m, 35°08'36.7"N, 5°08'13.0"W, 11-VI-2011: 2 exx.; Bab Taza: Talassemtane, 1401 m, 35°06'10.9"N, 5°08'21.3"W, 27-VII-2013: 1 ex.; Bab Taza: Talassemtane: Plaza de España, 1667 m, 35°09'03.7"N, 5°08'28.6"W, 27-VII-2013: 1 ex.; Casa Forestal, Yebel Lekraa, P.N. Talasemtane, Chefchaouen, 35°07'56"N, 5°08'11"W, 1695 m, 7-VI-2008: 3 exx.; Yebel Talassemtane-vertiente sur, P.N. Talasemtane, Chefchaouen, 35°07'53"N, 5°08'01"W, 1650 m, 11-IV-2011: 4 exx.; P.N. Yebel Tazaot, Pinsapar, P.N. Talasemtane, Chefchaouen, 35°15'N, 5°07'W, 1670 m, 7-V-2011: 2 exx.; Pista hacia Casa Forestal, Yebel Lekraa, P.N. Talasemtane, Chefchaouen, 35°07'45"N, 5°08'09"W, 1700 m, 28-VII-2011: 1 ex.; E. de Yebel Talaousisse, P.N. Talasemtane, Chefchaouen, 35°07'33"N, 5°04'03"W, 1350 m, 1-XII-2018: 2 exx.; Pista hacia Haout Taznout, P.N. Talasemtane, Chefchaouen, 35°08'20"N, 5°07'24"W, 1712 m, 27-IV-2019: 2 exx.; Yebel Tizirhen, Bab Berred, Rif Central, 1585 m, 35°00'54"N, 4°54'57"W, 27-IV-2017: 3 exx.; Yebel Tizirhen, Bab Berred, Rif Central, 1570 m, 35°00'47"N, 4°54'03"W, 28-IV-2018: 1 ex.; Pista de Bab El Kar, Montañas de Fifi, Rif, 1512 m, 34°59'13"N, 5°11'20"W, 2-VI-2019: 2 exx. – Taza – Al Hoceima – Taounate: Iguermalen [Targuist]: Beni Mesdui, VI-1932 (M. Escalera leg.): 6 exx.; Rif: Beni Seddat: Imosiner: VI-1930 (exp. C. Bolívar leg.): 3 exx.; Rif: Beni Seddat: Tizi Taka, VI-1932 (C. Bolívar leg.): 4 exx.; Rif: Beni Seddat: Tizi Taka, VI-1932 (Exp. C. Bolívar leg.): 1 ex.; Rif: Iguermalen (Targuist), VI-1930 (exp. C. Bolívar leg.): 4 exx.; Rif: Ketama, Bab Chiquer, VI-1932 (C. Bolívar leg.): 8 exx.; Rif: Ketama, Bab Chiquer, VI-1932 (M. Escalera leg.): 2 exx.; Rif: Ketama: Tainza, VI-1930 (exp. C. Bolívar leg): 3 exx.; Rif: Ketama: Tidiguin [Tidghine], VI-1930 (exp. C. Bolívar leg.): 1 ex.; Rif: Ketama: Zoco Telata, VI-1932 (M. Escalera leg.): 7 exx.; Lurdeka [?]: 1 ex.; Yebel Tidighin, Azila, Rif central, 1705 m, 34°51'14"N, 4°32'19"W, 29-XI-2019: 1 ex; Carretera P-5420, P.N. Tazzeka, Medio Atlas nororiental, 1000 m, 34°03'N, 4°15'W, 25-XI-2004 (F.J. Martínez leg.): 2 exx. – Souss-Massa-Drâa: Yebel Tual, 28-VII-1934: 1 ex.; Ifni: Yebel Tamarrut [25 km SE Ifni], I-1935 (F. Escalera leg.): 1 ex.; Sidi Ifni: Akarkor, Jbel Toual, 627 m, 29°13'48.9"N, 10°00'44.1"W, 21-I-2020: 4 exx. Spain – Islas Baleares: Mallorca (Mas de Xaxars leg.) (Misolampus erichsoni): 2 exx.; Escorca, 26-III-1985, 1 ex.; Escorca, Coll de Femenia, 545 m, 39°51'33.68"N, 2°54'19.27"W, 25-III-2012: 10 exx.; Menorca (Cardona leg.): 2 exx. plus 6 exx. without data; 2 exx.; Menorca: 2 exx.; Algaiarens, 14 m, 40°02'28.3"N, 03°55'28.4"W, 27-IV-2006: 2 exx.
With a total length from 10 to 14 mm, this is the largest species of the genus (
Live specimens and habitat of Misolampus goudotii A–C Live adult specimens of Misolampus goudotii from the Balearic Islands (A Cap Formentor, Mallorca) and Morocco (B Toufliht, High Atlas C Akarkor, Sidi Ifni); the specimens selected represent the diversity of sculptural patterns in elytra and pronotum reported for the species D–F A summary of the impressive habitat diversity used by M. goudotii from the Balearic Islands (D Quercus ilex forest at Creu de Menut, Mallorca), to southwestern Morocco (E deep valleys in the Toubkal National Park, High Atlas F Argania spinosa open forests at Jbel Toual in Sidi Ifni). Photographs by MGP and NRR.
Distributed throughout Morocco, northern Algeria and the Balearic Islands in Spain (
A Geographic distribution of Misolampus goudotii. Map for the distribution range of Misolampus goudotii (pale blue spot). Blue dots correspond to the species records, including both recent and old, as well as previously published data. The population from Ifni remains isolated from the main distribution range, by a distance of ca. 250 km B potential geographic distribution of Misolampus goudotii: Red indicates high suitable areas, and blue, areas of low suitability. Species distribution model was generated using MaxEnt v 3.4.1 (
The studied materials include recent and old records of populations from the Balearic Islands (Mallorca and Menorca) and from the Moroccan regions of Meknès-Tafilalet, Souss-Massa-Drâa, Tanger-Tétouan, and Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate. Recent data are available from all four regions, with a large number of localities from the Rif, and less numerous in the Middle and High Atlas. Among these records, we emphasise the re-discovery of the population from the province of Sidi Ifni, in January-2020, 85 years after its original finding, by F. Martínez de la Escalera in 1934 and 1935 (
Misolampus goudotii is widely distributed over northwestern Africa, though restricted to mountain ranges and adjacent areas: Rif, Middle Atlas, western High Atlas, Beni Snassen mountains, southwestern foothills of the Anti-Atlas (Morocco) and Tellian Atlas (Algerie) (Fig.
In the Moroccan Rif, M. goudotii is often encountered under bark, inside fallen logs or stumps, and at the base of dead old oaks (perennial: Q. ilex, Q. suber; deciduous: Q. canariensis, Q. faginea and Q. pyrenaica), arbutus trees (Arbutus unedo L.), wild olive trees (O. europaea var. sylvestris), pines (P. nigra, P. pinaster, P. halepensis), firs (Abies maroccana), and cedars (Cedrus atlantica), as already reported partially by Vauloger de Beaupré (
Adult specimens are often found in aggregations. We found aggregations of approximately 15 specimens close together in a single large rotting pine log in Mallorca. We also found aggregations of M. goudotii together with Helops insignis maroccanus (Fairmaire, 1873) (Tenebrionidae, Helopinae) under bark of dead trees of Q. suber, A. maroccana and C. atlantica in the Rif Mountains.
Adults are present all year round, but they are more commonly seen in winter and spring in middle and low elevations (
Misolampus lusitanicus Brême, 1842: 82. Terra typica: “Portugal”.
Portugal – Porto: Fervença – Eido, 585 m, 41°14'28.98"N, 7°57'00.34"W, 24-IV-2012: 23 exx. Spain – Castilla y León: León: Lago de la Baña, 1418 m, 42°15'23.2"N, 6°44'58.6"W, 22-VIII-2016: 1 ex. – Galicia: Ourense: Fumaces, 804 m, 41°56'50.2"N, 7°21'05.7"W, 20-XI-2012: 3 exx.; Sierra de Oneija [Queixa] (A. Kricheldorff leg.): 1 ex.
Total length 7.5–8.0 mm, one of the smaller species within the genus (
. Live specimens and habitat of Misolampus lusitanicus A–D live specimens of Misolampus lusitanicus from Spain (A, B Fumaces, Ourense C Laguna de La Baña, León) and Portugal (D Fervença-Eido, Porto) E, F two examples of typical habitat of M. lusitanicus from E Sierra de Queixa (Ourense) and F Mountains of Sanabria (Zamora). Photographs by MGP.
Endemism of northern Portugal and northwestern Spain (
A Geographic distribution of Misolampus lusitanicus. Map depicting the distribution range of the Iberian endemic Misolampus lusitanicus (red spot). Purple dots correspond to the species records, including both recent and old, as well as previously published data B potential geographic distribution of Misolampus lusitanicus: Red indicates areas of high suitability, and blue, areas of low suitability. Species distribution model was generated using MaxEnt v 3.4.1 (
The material we studied includes recent representation from the provinces of León and Ourense in Spain, and from the Porto district in Portugal. To date, the species is only known from ten localities (Fig.
Misolampus lusitanicus is a medium altitude species (altitudinal range 572–1680 m a.s.l.; 59% of records above 1000 m), typical of mountainous reliefs of northwestern Iberian Peninsula (Macizo Galaico-Leonés mountain range: Serra San Mamede-Queixa, Serra do Eixe, Serra do Gêres, Serra Segundeira y do Porto, Serra dos Ancares, Serras Occidentais and Montes de León). Geological substrates in its geographic range are mainly granite, gneiss and, to a lesser extent, quartzite, which form acid soils (
Adults are usually found at the base of trees, under bark, under stones or in leaf litter of forests (
Misolampus ramburii
Brême, 1842: 82. Terra typica: “De l’Espagne meridionale”. Some authors wrote the species name with a single final -i (
Spain – Andalucía: Almería: Fondón: 2 exx.; Sierra Bacares: 1900 (Escalera leg.): 3 exx.; Sierra Alhamilla, Almería, 1240 m, 36°59'25"N, 02°20'13"W, 30-XII-2003 (P. Barranco leg.): 1 ex.; Sierra de Gádor, 892 m, 36°55'32.18"N, 2°35'57.07"W, 27-III-2012: 3 exx.; Granada: Jayena, 30-VII-1920: 4 exx.; Puerto de la Mora, 1294 m, 37°15'19.71"N, 3°29'01.80"W, 26-III-2012: 2 exx.; Pista La Alcaicería-El Robledal (encinar), Sierra Tejeda, 1020 m, 36°57'07"N, 4°00'56"W, 5-I-2005: 1 ex.; Málaga: Málaga (Aragoncillo leg.) (Col. del Sr. Pérez Arcas): 1 exx.; Arroyo Güi, Torrox, 155 m, 36°46'36"N, 3°59'29"W, 23-XII-2000: 4 exx.; Lagos, Velez-Málaga, 102 m, 36°45'00"N, 4°00'28"W, 15-IV-2006: 2 exx.; Área El Pinarillo, Nerja, Sierra de Almijara, 485 m, 36°47'53"N, 3°50'55"W, 3-I-2003: 6 exx.; Área El Pinarillo, Nerja, Sierra de Almijara, 471 m, 36°47'52"N, 3°50'58"W, 4-I-2012: 3 exx.; Cerro El Cañuelo, Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo, Nerja, 130 m, 36°44'57"N, 3°47'12"W, 29-XII-2007: 1 ex.; Carril Cuevas de Nerja-El Pinarillo, Sierra de Almijara, 340 m, 36°46'58"N, 3°50'24"W, 30-III-2018: 2 exx.; Alrededores Cuevas de Nerja, Maro, Nerja, 171 m, 36°45'46"N, 3°50'43"W, 2-XI-2018: 1 ex. – Murcia: Sierra Espuña: VIII-1943 (G. Menor leg.): 1 exx.
Total length 9–11 mm (
Live specimens and habitat of Misolampus ramburii A, B adult Misolampus ramburii from Spain (A Sierra de Gádor, Almería B Sierra de Huétor, Granada); the specimens selected represent the diversity of sculptural patterns in elytra and pronotum, smoother in western populations, without elytral striae (B), marked in eastern areas (A) C, D two examples of typical habitat of M. ramburii from C coastal ravines with scattered Pinus halepensis (Maro, Málaga) and D slope of Sierra Nevada with open forests of Q. ilex and almond trees (Almería). Photographs by MGP.
Endemism of southeastern Spain and Mallorca in the Balearic Islands (Fig.
A Geographic distribution of Misolampus ramburii. Map of the Iberian Peninsula depicting the geographic distribution of Misolampus ramburii (purple spot), an endemic species to Spain. Blue dots correspond to the species records, including both recent and old, as well as previously published data B potential geographic distribution of Misolampus ramburii: Red indicates areas of high suitability, and blue, areas of low suitability. Species distribution model was generated using MaxEnt v 3.4.1 (
Materials studied by us include specimens from all previously reported areas except Mallorca (not searched for). Records are recent for all localities except for those from the Murcia region (Sierra Espuña). The potential distribution map (Fig.
Misolampus ramburii is a low-medium mountain species, even sub-coastal, with an altitudinal range between 14 and 1673 m a.s.l. (60% of records below 1000 m of altitude); in Mallorca it is also found at low altitude, 14–398 m a.s.l. Lithological substrates of its area of occupancy are very diverse, due to the high geostructural complexity of the Betic Mountain ranges, but are mainly dolomites, limestones, slates, phyllites, mycaschists, and, very locally, plutonic rocks (
Commonly found under bark or inside dead logs and stumps of pines (P. halepensis, P. pinaster and P. nigra), and oaks (Q. ilex), or under stones in forests and shrub-lands. Occasionally found under the lose bark of standing live isolated Eucalyptus trees. In the island of Mallorca, it has been found in oak forests (Q. ilex), under bark or under stones and leaf litter (
Misolampus scabricollis
Graells, 1849: 621. Terra typica: “Guadarrama”.
Portugal – Guarda: 2 km al O de Vale de Estrela, 977 m, 40°29'35.7"N, 7°19'12.1"W, 18-IV-2011: 1 ex.; [6 km al SO de] Guarda, 11-X-1992: 7 exx.; S. de Estrella [Serra da Estrela] (Sanz leg.): 1 ex. – Portalegre: Monte Palheiros, 632 m, 39°20'03.91"N, 7°25'38.63"W, 10-III-2012: 12 exx.; Ribeira de Nisa, [4 km al NE de Nisa], 23-X-1990: 1 ex. Spain – Andalucía: Huelva: Andalucía: Huelva: Cortegana, 706 m, 37°53'55.6"N, 06°50'16.3"W, 3-I-2013: 2 exx.; Cortegana: Puerto del Corzo (hacia Gil Márquez), 664 m, 37°52'56.1"N, 06°50'42.3"W, 3-I-2013: 9 exx. – Castilla – La Mancha: Ciudad Real: Fuencaliente (Sierra Morena) (J. Cabré leg.): 1 ex.; Navas de Estena: 2 exx.; Puebla de Don Rodrigo: El Vivero, 39°02'29.2"N, 4°33'40.9"W, 5-III-2012: 1 ex.; Saceruela: 1 ex., plus 1 without label; Guadalajara: 3 km al O de La Mierla, 1023 m, 40°56'27.6"N, 3°16'13.4"W, 26-X-2013: 12 exx.; Alpedrete de la Sierra, hacia el Atazar, 17-IV-1992: 3 exx.; Retiendas: Embalse del Vado, 931 m, 41°00'09.8"N, 3°17'41.6"W, 26-X-2013: 2 exx.; Umbralejo, 1256 m, 41°07'33.2"N, 3°10'39.4"W, 26-X-2013: 18 exx.; Toledo: Belvís de la Jara (N502 km 153), 584 m, 39°43'59.3"N, 4°58'14.6"W, 1-XI-2008: 1 ex.; Las Honfrías, Robledo del Mazo, 39°35'48"N, 04°53'15"W, 9-II-2011: 1 ex.; Navamorcuende: Sierra de San Vicente: El Piélago, 1154 m, 40°08'34.4"N, 4°44'09.2"W, 27-XII-2011: 3 exx.; Sierra de San Vicente: El Piélago, 1224 m, 40°08'03.91"N, 4°43'48.79"W, 13-V-2012: 1 ex. – Castilla y León: Ávila: Chamartín de la Sierra: Castro de la Mesa de Miranda, 40°43'24.7"N, 4°56'57.6"W, 10-II-2013: 1 ex.; [Navarredonda de] Gredos: 1 ex.; [Navarredonda de] Gredos (J. Ardois leg.): 10 exx.; Arenas [de San Pedro] (J. Ardois leg.): 1 ex.; Ávila (197) (Pérez leg.): 1 ex.; Casillas, 1158 m, 40°19'25.6"N, 4°35'14.0"W, 16-XI-2012: 1 ex.; Casillas: 4 exx.; Las Navas [del Marqués]: [Sierra de] Guadarrama (G. Schramm leg.): 75 exx.; 5 km S Navas del Marqués, 40°33'24.4"N, 4°19'32.5"W, 1-IV-2013: 1 ex.; Mombeltrán – Navalperal: 2 exx.; Navalperal [de Tormes], VII-1904 (Escalera leg.): 1 ex.; Navamorcuende (Ardois leg.): 1 ex.; Navas del Marqués: Carretera de Valdemaqueda, 1021 m, 0°32'14.3"N, 4°20'26.5"W, 20-III-2010: 1 ex.; Peguerinos: Valle de Enmedio, 1-VII-1992: 2 exx.; Puerto de Casillas, 1590 m, 40°20'37.1"N, 4°35'06.7"W, 15-V-2011: 1 ex.; Sierra de Gredos: 2 exx.; Valle de Iruelas, 10-V-1919 (J. Abajo leg.): 8 exx.; Valle de Iruelas, V-1920: 7 exx.; Villarejo [del Valle]): 1 ex. plus 1 without label; Burgos: Quemada, 848 m, 41°43'20.4"N, 3°33'00.3"W, 9-V-2013: 4 exx.; Salamanca: 1 km al N del Puerto de Perales, 884 m, 40°15'18.3"N, 6°41'22.2"W, 16-IV-2011: 2 exx.; Navasfrías, 959 m, 40°17'03.1"N, 6°49'49.1"W, 23-XII-2011: 9 exx.; Peña de Francia: 1 ex.; Puerto de Perales, 917 m, 40°14'46.2"N, 6°41'20.5"W, 22-XII-2011: 3 exx.; Serradilla del Llano, 13-X-1992: 2 exx.; Segovia: Balsaín (C. Bolívar leg.): 1 ex.; Balsaín (J. Abajo leg.): 1 ex.; Balsaín (J. Ardois leg.): 15 exx.; Collado Ventoso, 1964 m, 40°47'13.2"N, 4°02'32.8"W, 11-VIII-2013: 3 exx.; El Espinar: 1 exx.; Puerto de Los Cotos – Dos Hermanas, 40°49'27.1"N, 3°57'51.4"W, 19-XI-2012: 1 ex.; Puerto de Los Cotos – Dos Hermanas, 1900 m, 2-IX-1991: 2 exx.; Puerto de Navacerrada, 40°47'11"N, 4°01'05"W, 13-V-2012: 1 ex.; Puerto de Navacerrada, 40°47'17.83"N, 4°00'36.27"W, 30-V-2012: 1 ex.; Zamora: Santa Ana, 872 m, 41°42'17.66"N, 6°24'22.65"W, 25-IV-2012: 11 exx. – Extremadura: Cáceres: Alcuéscar, I-1894: 2 exx.; Carretera Villamiel – San Martín de Trevejo, 868 m, 40°11'43.8"N, 6°47'30.3"W, 23-XII-2011: 6 exx.; Casares de Las Hurdes: Puerto de Robledo, 1074 m, 40°27'07.06"N, 6°17'48.82"W, 17-IV-2012: 4 exx.; Hurdes: 1 exx.; Madrigal [de la Vera]: 1 exx.; Madrigal [de la Vera] (J. Ardois leg.): 21 exx.; Pico Villuercas, 1394 m, 39°28'19.72"N, 5°23'54.70"W, 12-V-2012: 7 exx. – Madrid: Dehesa de Braojos, 1400 m, 41°03'27.4"N, 3°38'51.1"W, 12-X-2013: 1 ex.; Cadalso [de los Vidrios] (J. Ardois leg.): 3 exx.; Cercedilla, 1460 m, VII-1945 (L. Esteban leg.): 1 ex.; Cercedilla, 1500 m, VIII-1935 (J. Hernández leg.): 4 exx.; Cercedilla, [Sierra de] Guadarrama (G. Schramm leg.): 11 exx.; Cercedilla, [Sierra de] Guadarrama (E. Zarco leg.): 2 exx.; Cercedilla (Lauffer leg.): 1 exx.; Cercedilla (Moróder leg.): 10 exx.; Cercedilla (Exp. del Museo): 20 exx.; Cercedilla (C. Bolívar leg.): 23 exx.; Cercedilla, 25-VII-1926: 1 ex.; Cercedilla (J. Ardois): 5 exx.; Cercedilla (Museo): 5 exx.; Cercedilla: 6 exx.; Cercedilla: El Ventorrillo, 1480 m: VIII-1960 (J. Abajo leg.): 2 exx.; Cercedilla: El Ventorrillo, 1478 m, 40°45'17.3"N, 4°01'21.6"W, 11-VI-2013: 11 exx.; Cercedilla: Estación Alpina, 1460 m (J. Abajo leg.): 1 ex.; Cercedilla: Estación Alpina, 1500 m: 2 exx.; Cercedilla: Estación Alpina, XII-1941 (E. Zarco leg.): 1 ex.; El Escorial (J. Dusmet leg.): 1 ex.; El Escorial (Misolampus scabricollis Graells): 1 ex. plus 1 without label; El Escorial, 10-V-1926: 3 exx.; El Escorial, 10-VI-1927: 2 exx.; El Escorial, 20-V-1925: 2 exx.; El Escorial, 22-V-1953 (W. Steiner leg.) (T-29) (Misolampus scabricollis Graells, F. Español det.): 4 exx.; El Escorial (C. Bolívar leg.): 4 exx.; El Escorial: 4 exx.; El Escorial (Lauffer leg.): 5 exx.; El Escorial: Cuelgamuros, 1337 m, 40°38'53.8"N, 4°09'19.8"W, 10-VI-2013: 9 exx.; El Escorial: Puerto [de Malagón]: 1 ex.; El Paular (Exp. del Museo): 11 exx.; Garganta de Los Montes, 1346 m, 40°54'46.9"N, 3°40'05.5"W, 26-V-2013: 2 exx.; Lozoyuela, 1288 m, 40°55'31.4"N, 3°39'44.9"W, 26-V-2013: 5 exx.; Manzanares [El Real], 30-III-1928: 1 exx.; Manzanares El Real, 1156 m, 40°45'28.1"N, 3°54'56.0"W, 28-II-2012: 3 exx.; Pelayos de la Presa, 799 m, 40°20'19.40"N, 4°21'34.84"W, 3-III-2001: 1 ex.; Puerto de Cotos, 12-VIII-1925: 1 ex.; Puerto de La Hiruela, 1354 m, 41°03'42.5"N, 3°28'36.8"W, 6-IV-2011: 1 ex.; Puerto de La Puebla, 1633 m, 41°02'27.7"N, 3°28'48.9"W, 27-IV-2011: 3 exx.; Puerto de Navacerrada, 18-VIII-1923): 1 ex.; Puerto de Navacerrada (E. Zarco leg.): 2 exx.; San Lorenzo del Escorial, 40°35'58"N, 4°09'42"W, 14-III-2015 (A. Sánchez Vialas): 2 exx.; Santa María de la Alameda (estación), 1-IV-1991: 1 ex.; Santa María de la Alameda, 1437 m, 40°36'11.11"N, 4°15'18.93"W, 30-V-2012: 1 ex.; Sierra de Guadarrama (Lauffer leg.): 2 exx.; Tablada, 12-V-1957 (J. Álvarez leg.): 1 ex.; Valdemanco, 1090 m, 40°51'10.5"N, 3°38'48.5"W, 8-V-2013: 1 ex.
Total length 11–13 mm (
Live specimens and habitat of Misolampus scabricollis A, B live adult specimens of Misolampus scabricollis from Spain (A Sierra de Guadalupe, Cáceres B Las Honfrías, Montes de Toledo) C–F typical habitats of M. scabricollis (C granitic outcrops with Cytisus, Juniperus communis, and Quercus ilex along the Sistema Central Mountain Chain, Avila D densely reforested area with Pinus sylvestris at Santa Ana, Zamora) E Pinus sylvestris forests at the southern slopes of Pico del Lobo, Guadalajara F dense forests of Quercus pyrenaica at Montes de Toledo). Photographs by MGP.
Endemism of Portugal and Spain (
A Geographic distribution of Misolampus scabricollis. Distribution range of the Iberian endemic Misolampus scabricollis (dark blue spot). Blue dots correspond to the species records, including both recent and old, as well as previously published data. The populations from Huelva (southwestern Spain) remain isolated, since no intermediate populations are known in a distance of at least 150 km, however intervening habitat seems favourable in many areas B potential geographic distribution of Misolampus scabricollis: Red indicates areas of high suitability, and blue, areas of low suitability. Species distribution model was generated using MaxEnt v 3.4.1 (
All previously existing records except those of Huelva and Ourense, correspond to data published more than 70 years ago. The material studied or collected by us, includes records from all provinces of Spain previously reported in the literature, except from Ourense, with the addition of new records from Castelo Branco and Portalegre in Portugal, and from the provinces of Burgos, Ciudad Real, Guadalajara, Salamanca, Toledo, and Zamora in Spain. All these new records correspond to recent observations, together with old ones for Ciudad Real and Salamanca. The potential distribution map for this species (Fig.
Misolampus scabricollis is a medium-low mountain species, with an elevation range of 224 to 1964 m a.s.l. (78% of the records are above 800 m, 56 % above 1000 m of altitude). Lithological materials of its area of occupancy are siliceous and very diverse, mainly granites, schists, gneisses, quartzites, and plutonic rocks (
According to our observations, M. scabricollis is usually found inside dead and decaying tree trunks, or under bark, usually in standing or lying pine logs, oaks, and chestnut trees. These observations are coincident with the few disperse available data on the habitat of this species (
This species is usually found forming small groups of 2–21 specimens in a single log.
Misolampus scabricollis has been found in microsympatry with M. gibbulus along western Sierra Morena (Huelva), northern Extremadura (Cáceres), Montes de Toledo (Toledo) and southern slopes of the Sistema Central (Madrid, Ávila, Toledo) (Fig.
Misolampus subglaber Rosenhauer, 1856: 204. Terra typica: “in der Sierra de Ronda”.
Spain – Andalucía: Córdoba: Córdoba: 1 ex.; Granada: Güejar Sierra: 1 ex.; La Sagra (Escalera 1900): 4 exx.; Puebla de Don Fadrique (Escalera 1900): 5 exx.; Puebla de Don Fadrique: Nablanca, 1517 m, 38°00'23.6"N, 2°28'28.2"W, 10-IV-2011: 2 exx.; Valdeiglesias, 975 m, 36°56'49.3"N, 4°04'29.6"W, 24-X-2019: 3 exx.; Jaén: 3 km SO Aldeaquemada, 38°23'53.7"N, 3°24'00.5"W, 7-III-2012: 5 exx.; [3 km al SO de] Aldeaquemada, 26-IV-1992: 2 exx.; Cazorla: 7 exx.; Vadillo de Castril, Sierra de Cazorla, 995 m, 37°55'14"N, 2°55'50"W, 8-V-2008 (D. Ruiz leg.): 1 ex.; Santa Elena, carretera hacia La Aliseda, 768 m, 38°20'18.0"N, 3°32'56.8"W, 11-IV-2011: 3 exx.; Santa Elena, carretera hacia La Aliseda, 795 m, 38°20'53.1"N, 03°33'20.6"W, 28-XII-2010: 1 ex.; Santiago de la Espada (J. Martínez): 1 ex.; Segura [de la Sierra]: 1 ex.; Sierra Morena (Laguna leg.): 1 ex.; Málaga: 3 km al E de Jubrique, 786 m, 36°33'37.5"N, 5°10'40.9"W, 14-IV-2013: 6 exx.; Nerja: 1 ex.; El Colmenar, Gaucín, P.N. Los Alcornocales, 255 m, 36°32'29"N, 5°23'22"W, 17-II-2018 (S. Yubero leg.): 3 exx.; Carril Llanada de Sedella-Bco. de Valdeinfierno, Sierras de Tejeda y Almijara, 1495 m, 36°53'15"N, 3°56'40"W, 4-I-2017: 2 exx. – Castilla – La Mancha: Albacete: Agramón: 2 exx., plus 1 without label; Alcaraz: 3 exx.; Calar del Mundo, V-1904 (G. Schramm leg.): 1 ex.; Cañadillas, 15-VI-1938: 1 ex.; Cañadillas, 16-VI-1938: 1 ex.; Cañadillas, 17-VII-1938: 1 ex.; Los Collados, 20-II-1938: 1 ex.; Molinicos: 1 ex., plus 4 exx. without labels; Riópar, 25-VII-1926: 1 ex.; San Juan de Alcaraz [Fábricas de Riópar] (Paz leg.): 1 ex.; Ciudad Real: Solana del Pino: Puerto Madrona, 38°25'07.3"N, 4°03'33.1"W, 06-III-2012: 3 exx.; Cuenca: Puerto de Cabrejas, 1167 m, 40°04'17.9"N, 2°18'39.5"W, 10-XI-2012: 1 ex. – Murcia: Jumilla: 3 exx.
Total length 10–12 mm (
Live specimens and habitat of Misolampus subglaber A, B live specimens of Misolampus subglaber from Spain (A Valdeiglesias, Sierra Tejeda, Granada B Miranda del Rey, Sierra Morena, Jaén) C, D general habitat occupied by M. subglaber (C limestone outcrops with Pinus nigra along the Sierra de Alcaraz, Albacete D Quercus suber forests at Cortes de la Frontera, Sierra de Grazalema, Málaga). Photographs by MGP.
Endemism of southeastern Spain (
A Geographic distribution of Misolampus subglaber. Distribution range of Misolampus subglaber (green spot). Blue dots correspond to the species records, including both recent and old, as well as previously published data. Cuenca population is isolated from all other known populations by a distance of 150 km. The old bibliographic record from Cartagena (province of Murcia, south western Spain) requires confirmation B potential geographic distribution of Misolampus subglaber: Red indicates high suitable areas, and blue, areas of low suitability. Species distribution model was generated using MaxEnt v 3.4.1 (
The material studied or collected by us includes specimens from all provinces reported in the literature, except from Valencia. In addition, we studied material from the provinces of Córdoba, Ciudad Real and Cuenca; specimens of Ciudad Real and Cuenca are represented by recent collections (2012). According to these data, M. subglaber is located in the Betic Mountain range (Sierras del Campo de Gibraltar, Serranía de Ronda, Sierra Nevada, Sierras de Tejeda and Almijara, Sierra de Cazorla, Sierra de Alcaraz, Sierra de Cartagena), eastern and central Sierra Morena mountain range, and two apparently isolated populations in the Southern Iberian mountain range (Serranía de Cuenca and Sierra de Malacara, separated between them by ca. 150 km). There is a gap of records in the arid regions of the southeastern end of Spain, throughout the provinces of Almería and southern Murcia, including the eastern half of Sierra Nevada and Sierra de Filabres. The record from Cartagena, Murcia (
Misolampus subglaber behaves as a low-medium altitude montane element, distributed within an altitudinal range of 56 to 1662 m a.s.l. (with 61% of its records above 800 m). Geological substrates along its distribution area are diverse, both acid and basic, including mainly sandstones, limestones, dolomites, slates, gneisses, schists and mycaschists (
Adult specimens of M. subglaber have been found at the base and under mosses of old oak trunks and inside hollow branches on the ground (Q. suber, Q. pyrenaica, Q. canariensis, Q. faginea) (Fig.
The general distribution area occupied by M. subglaber (Fig.
1 | Elytra with series of deep to shallow punctures forming strongly to almost erased, excavated striae; additional series of punctures often present on the elytral intervals (Fig. |
2 |
– | Elytra without any trace of longitudinal series of punctures forming striae (Fig. |
3 |
2 | Anterior angles of pronotum slightly prominent (Figs |
M. ramburii |
– | Anterior angles of pronotum markedly prominent (Figs |
M. gibbulus |
3 | Anterior angles of pronotum rounded, forming an open angle (Figs |
M. goudotii |
– | Anterior angles of pronotum forming a widely acute to right angle (Figs |
4 |
4 | Pronotum sculpture formed by deep large confluent punctures (Fig. |
M. scabricollis |
– | Pronotum sculpture formed by deep to shallow, dense or sparse, never confluent, well-defined punctures which cover all the pronotal surface, including the lateral sides, which can present somewhat more confused punctation, but not forming rugose areas (Fig. |
5 |
5 | Elytra covered by dense punctures somewhat confused or partially erased at the disc. Pronotum sculpture formed by deep, dense, well-defined punctation. Antennae relatively short, not reaching the base of pronotum (Fig. |
M. lusitanicus |
– | Elytra covered with very fine, shallow and sparse punctation that gave a silky shine to the elytral surface (Fig. |
M. subglaber |
North African Misolampus were described originally as three independent entities: M. goudotii from Tanger in northwestern Morocco (
Characters initially used for separation of the North African taxa were: pronotal punctation, shape of the anterior margin of the pronotum, shape and sculpture of the propleurae, and width of the second interstria on the elytra (
Morphological similarity between specimens located in geographically isolated areas, separated by hundreds of kilometres, reflects that the morphological diversity documented across populations, lies within the phenotypic variability of a single evolutionary entity, rather than being a consequence of ancient isolation processes (
There has been some confusion in the identification of specimens of Misolampus from southern Portugal (Serra de Monchique). Specimens from that region often present not strongly marked elytral striae, and relatively smooth thoracic impressions (Fig.
A similar situation occurs within M. ramburii. Specimens from populations of Granada (Sierras de Contraviesa and Huétor) have smoother pronotal sculpture, and less marked, almost absent elytral striae (Fig.
These evident patterns of morphological differentiation within M. ramburii, M. gibbulus, and M. goudotii may reflect a relatively recent history of isolation across populations, probably consequence of the existence of multiple isolated Pleistocene refugia (
Species of Misolampus have often been considered to present allopatric or, at most, parapatric distributions (
Our data show some level of sympatry among several species pairs (i.e., M. gibbulus – M. scabricollis, M. ramburii – M. subglaber), even with cases of microsympatric distribution. These levels of sympatry among ecologically similar, phylogenetically closely related taxa are not common because of demographic processes such as competitive exclusion (
Map of the potential geographic distribution of the Iberian species of Misolampus, with the areas of high suitability (suitability > 0.7) depicted for all the species combined: M. gibbulus (orange), M. lusitanicus (red), M. ramburii (purple), M. scabricollis (dark blue), M. subglaber (green). Dark grey areas correspond to interspecific contact areas. The areas of low suitability for the occurrence of Iberian species of Misolampus are represented in pale grey.
Additionally, our results indicate the presence of the genus in geographical areas where it had never been recorded. The absence of Misolampus from most part of the Sistema Ibérico mountain chain is particularly striking, considering the huge extension of favourable forest habitats. The recent finding of M. subglaber in the province of Cuenca, as well as the published record from the province of Valencia (Ibañez Orrico 2002), suggests that further populations could be discovered with more intensive sampling, at least in the southern parts of the Sistema Ibérico. Similarly, our records of M. scabricollis from the provinces of Burgos and Guadalajara are relatively close to the Sistema Ibérico mountains, where the species could be present, but still undetected. Similar cases of long undetected presence of arthropod species in the Sistema Ibérico have been recently published (
Lateral view of specimens of Misolampus A Misolampus ramburii from Málaga B Misolampus gibbulus from Santa Elena (Jaén) (MNCN_Ent 270070) C Misolampus subglaber from Cazorla (Jaén) (MNCN_Ent 270037) D Misolampus goudotii from Menorca Island (MNCN_Ent 270032). Note the marked differences in sculpture of elytra among all four species.
Field data collection, although essential, has the disadvantage of being limited across space, time and taxa, which can constitute a constraint for biodiversity monitoring and conservation (
The way scientific collections were gathered and the form in which they have been preserved, offer a vast array of possibilities for past-present comparisons in this era of biodiversity loss (
Lateral view of the head and prothorax of specimens of Misolampus A Misolampus scabricollis from Puerto de Navacerrada (Madrid) (MNCN_Ent 270049) B Misolampus subglaber from Cazorla (Jaén) (MNCN_Ent 270209) C Misolampus ramburii from Málaga (MNCN_Ent 270037) D Misolampus gibbulus from Santa Elena (Jaén) (MNCN_Ent 270070) E Misolampus goudotii from Menorca Island (MNCN_Ent 270032) F Misolampus goudotii from Iguermalen, Beni Mesdui (Rif Mountains, Morocco) (MNCN_Ent 270188). Note the marked differences in sculpture and anterior angles of pronotum among all five species represented. Photographs E, F represent some of the geographic variability observed within M. goudotii.
The saproxylic nature of Misolampus calls into question their conservation status, since saproxylic beetles have been identified as a highly threatened animal assemblage due to habitat loss derived from logging and the decline of veteran trees throughout the landscape (
However, our comparison of historical data with recent records to assess the current population trends of the species of Misolampus, reveals that their distribution ranges show no reduction in the last century, since these species currently persist in most areas of historical occurrence. This fact, combined with the addition of new recent records for some of the species, enables us to state that, from a general perspective, the species of Misolampus are not in decline, but rather seem to exhibit an adequate conservation status. This status could be further guaranteed, because the distribution range of all species of Misolampus include numerous protected areas (National and Natural Parks, Natura 2000 protected areas; see https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/biodiversidad/servicios/banco-datos-naturaleza/informacion-disponible/ENP.aspx), which could ensure to some extent the long-term persistence of these saproxylic beetles, if combined with the implementation of adequate agroforestry practices, consistent with the general strategies of saproxylic arthropods conservation from the Mediterranean forests ecosystems (
Considering the habitat specificity of Misolampus, disjunct distribution records such as Ifni for M. goudotii (Fig.
We thank Nohemí Percino, Íñigo Martínez-Solano, Gonzalo García, David Buckley, Paula C. Rodríguez Flores, Susette Castañeda, Neus Marí Giner, Miguel Angel Alonso Zarazaga, Pilar Pavón, Carlos Pedraza, and Rodolfo Pérez Rodríguez for field assistance and companionship during field trips. Additional specimens were provided by Alberto Sánchez Vialas, Saúl Yubero, Pablo Barranco, Daniel Ruiz, and Francisco Javier Martínez. We also thank Mercedes París, curator of the