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. 2014 Jun 12:(415):9-22.
doi: 10.3897/zookeys.415.6523. eCollection 2014.

The tenebrionidae of california: a time sensitive snapshot assessment

Rolf L Aalbu  1 , Aaron D Smith  2
Affiliations

The tenebrionidae of california: a time sensitive snapshot assessment

Rolf L Aalbu et al. Zookeys. .

Abstract

DUE TO A DIVERSITY OF HABITATS AND ITS GEOLOGIC HISTORY, THE US STATE OF CALIFORNIA HOSTS A SPECTACULAR ASSEMBLAGE OF DARKLING BEETLE SPECIES (COLEOPTERA: Tenebrionidae). In addition to being part of the California Floristic Province, one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots identified by Conservation International, California also has additional areas which are parts of the Great Basin, Mojave, and Sonoran deserts. California is divided into nine floristic regions. Each region is assessed in terms of faunal composition and endemism. A "snapshot" of our present knowledge of the Tenebrionidae indicates that 447 currently recognized species, representing 108 genera, occur in California of which one hundred and ninety are endemic. California is compared to other nearby regions in diversity and endemism. An analysis of currently valid species vs a more realistic species account based on unpublished records of likely synonyms and known species yet to be described in the scientific literature is presented. The California Floristic Region, rather than other more arid parts of California, has the highest number of total and endemic species. Because of their high diversity and endemism, tenebrionids could potentially provide a valuable tool for monitoring the environment for conservation purposes.

Keywords: Biodiversity; California; Conservation; Floristic Regions; Hotspots; Tenebrionidae.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Checklist of the California Tenebrionidae species with distributions and likelihood for future synonymy. Distribution numbers refer to California regions (Fig. 2) and the following: ME (Mexico) BC (Baja California) NV (Nevada) AZ (Arizona) ID (Idaho) UT (Utah) NM (New Mexico) OR (Oregon) WA (Washington) CA (Canada) U (unknown California distribution) C (refers to cosmopolitan pest), ASIA SA (South America), and OW (Old World).
Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Checklist of the California Tenebrionidae species with distributions and likelihood for future synonymy. Distribution numbers refer to California regions (Fig. 2) and the following: ME (Mexico) BC (Baja California) NV (Nevada) AZ (Arizona) ID (Idaho) UT (Utah) NM (New Mexico) OR (Oregon) WA (Washington) CA (Canada) U (unknown California distribution) C (refers to cosmopolitan pest), ASIA SA (South America), and OW (Old World).
Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Checklist of the California Tenebrionidae species with distributions and likelihood for future synonymy. Distribution numbers refer to California regions (Fig. 2) and the following: ME (Mexico) BC (Baja California) NV (Nevada) AZ (Arizona) ID (Idaho) UT (Utah) NM (New Mexico) OR (Oregon) WA (Washington) CA (Canada) U (unknown California distribution) C (refers to cosmopolitan pest), ASIA SA (South America), and OW (Old World).
Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Checklist of the California Tenebrionidae species with distributions and likelihood for future synonymy. Distribution numbers refer to California regions (Fig. 2) and the following: ME (Mexico) BC (Baja California) NV (Nevada) AZ (Arizona) ID (Idaho) UT (Utah) NM (New Mexico) OR (Oregon) WA (Washington) CA (Canada) U (unknown California distribution) C (refers to cosmopolitan pest), ASIA SA (South America), and OW (Old World).
Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Checklist of the California Tenebrionidae species with distributions and likelihood for future synonymy. Distribution numbers refer to California regions (Fig. 2) and the following: ME (Mexico) BC (Baja California) NV (Nevada) AZ (Arizona) ID (Idaho) UT (Utah) NM (New Mexico) OR (Oregon) WA (Washington) CA (Canada) U (unknown California distribution) C (refers to cosmopolitan pest), ASIA SA (South America), and OW (Old World).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Geographic subdivisions of California from http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cguide.html#Map with Unit Boundaries with regions 1–9 outlined.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Regional Endemic California Tenebrionidae.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Aalbu RL. (2005) The pimeliine tripe Cryptoglossini: classification, biology and inferred phylogeny (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Annales Zoologici 55: 677–756
    1. Aalbu RL, Smith AD, Triplehorn CA. (2012) A Revision of the Eleodes Subgenus Caverneleodes with new species and notes on cave breeding Eleodes (Tenebrionidae: Amphidorini). Annales Zoologici (Warszawa) 62(2): 199–216. doi: - DOI
    1. Aalbu RL, Kanda K, Steiner WE Jr. (2009) Opatroides punctulatus Brullé now esablished in California (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Pan-Pacific Entomol. 85(2): 38–42. doi: - DOI
    1. Aalbu RL, Triplehorn CA, Campbell JM, Brown KW, Somerby R, Thomas DB. (2002) 106. Tenebrionidae In: Volume 2 of Arnett R, et al. The Beetles of the United States. CRC press, New York, 463–509
    1. Brown KW, Doyen JT. (1991) Review of the genus Microschatia (Solier) (Tenebrionidae: Coleoptera). J. New York. Entomol. Soc. 99: 539–582

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