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. 2025 Dec 22:13:e174504.
doi: 10.3897/BDJ.13.e174504. eCollection 2025.

Diversity and distribution of blister beetles (Coleoptera, Meloidae) from north-western Saudi Arabia: new observations and first description of a male Mylabris desertica Bologna, 2007

Vidak Lakušić  1   2   3 , Ladislav Černý  4 , David Kopr  5 , Martina Panisi  2   3 , Yuri Simone  6 , Marko Stanisavljević  1 , László Patkó  7 , Ayman Abdulkarem  7 , Benjamin P Y-H Lee  7 , Magdy El-Bana  8   9 , Ahmed Al-Ansari  8   10 , Omar Al-Attas  8 , José Carlos Brito  3   2   11
Affiliations

Diversity and distribution of blister beetles (Coleoptera, Meloidae) from north-western Saudi Arabia: new observations and first description of a male Mylabris desertica Bologna, 2007

Vidak Lakušić et al. Biodivers Data J. .

Abstract

Background: This study presents the first faunistic records of blister beetles (Coleoptera, Meloidae) from north-western Saudi Arabia, specifically Hejaz mountains and north Tihama, expanding the known distribution range of the species within the country. Field surveys were conducted between 2022 and 2024, aiming to cover different seasons. These observations contribute to the knowledge of the diversity of meloid fauna of the country and underscoring the importance of continued faunistic exploration in north-western Saudi Arabia, a region that remains relatively under-surveyed in terms of meloid diversity.

New information: Three species (Hycleus borchmannianus, Hycleus trizonatus, Mylabris filicornis) and one genus (Sitaris) are recorded for the first time in Saudi Arabia. Besides that, this work also provides the first description of the male morphology and genitalia of Mylabris desertica Bologna, 2007.

Keywords: Arabian Peninsula; Middle East; arid environment; desert fauna; new records.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Localities of records of Meloidae (n = 75) in the study area and location of the study area in the north-western Saudi Arabia (small inset).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Mylabris desertica (VLA_4104): A habitus; B mesosternal sclerite; C aedeagus. Bar size a = 5 mm, b = 1 mm. Photo credits Ladislav Černý.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Hycleus borhcmanianus (VLA_1627). Bar size = 5 mm. Photo credits Nikola Vesović.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Elytral pattern of Hycleus scabratus (VLA_1548), bar size = 5 mm. Photo credits Nikola Vesović.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Hycleus trizonatus (MPA_0902). Bar size = 5 mm. Photo credits Nikola Vesović.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Habitus of Hycleus sp.: A) VLA_3424, B) VLA_3466, C) VLA_3057. Bar size = 5 mm. Photocredits Nikola Vesović.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Mylabris filicornis (VLA_1622). Bar size = 5 mm. Photo credits Nikola Vesović.
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
Eurymeloe saharensis (VLA_0890). Photo credits Nikola Vesović.
Figure 9.
Figure 9.
Sitaris sp. (VLA_3047). Bar size 5 mm. Photo credis Nikola Vesović.
Figure 10.
Figure 10.
Studied habitats. A, B sites of M. desertica in Jabal Ral and Triple Bay Mountains, respectively; C site of H. borchmannianus and M. filicornis in Khaybar White Volcano Geopark; D site of H. trizonatus in Gharameel.
Figure 11.
Figure 11.
Number of species recorded across conservation areas.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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