Navigation Links
Little did we know about beetle diversity: Astonishing 138 new species in a single genus
Date:2/20/2013

The tropics are home to an extraordinary diversity of insect species. How great is it, exactly? We do not know, but today, researchers at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History published a study on tropical beetles that can help us progress towards an answer to this question. The paper was published in the open access, peer-reviewed journal Zookeys.

Entomologists Michael Caterino and Alexey Tishechkin have named 138 new species within the genus Operclipygus (the name refers to their clamshell-like rear end), thereby increasing the size of the genus over six times. The work is based on a study of over 4000 specimens amassed from natural history museums all over the World, as well as specimens from fieldwork collected throughout Central and South America by the authors.

The lead co-author of the paper, Dr. Caterino, comments of on the significance of such biodiversity: 'We all know that forests in the tropics are disappearing. But we only have the faintest idea of how much biodiversity is disappearing with them. Studies like this are critical to seeing where the greatest diversity is, and finding out the best ways to protect it',

These beetles all belong to a family known as histerids, or 'clown beetles'. All of the newly described species are similar in appearance to a poppy seed small, round and black. Because of their extreme abundance, however, they have an ecological importance disproportionate to their size. As voracious predators of other insects' larvae, these beetles help controlling pestiferous flies. As in some cases their menu includes fly larvae found in decomposing bodies, some researchers have been promoting their use in forensic investigations.

Since the days of Darwin, Wallace, and Bates, entomo
'/>"/>

Contact: Michael S. Caterino
mcaterino@sbnature2.org
Pensoft Publishers
Source:Eurekalert  

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. NTU researchers study little mighty creature for scientific breakthrough
2. Chemical fingerprinting tracks the travels of little brown bats
3. Variations of a single gene can lead to too much or too little growth, study shows
4. Physicians belief about obesity causes impacts advice and care
5. Nothing fishy about swimming with same-sized mates
6. New Geology study raises questions about long-held theories of human evolution
7. Misconceptions about a popular pet treat
8. Questions about biosafety? Ask a biosafety expert
9. Chemistry resolves toxic concerns about carbon nanotubes
10. News for conservationists: Scientists challenge ideas about natural habitats and species diversity
11. New data challenge old views about evolution of early life
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Little did we know about beetle diversity: Astonishing 138 new species in a single genus
(Date:5/24/2013)... leading water scientists from around the world today issued ... short span of one or two generations, the majority ... living under the handicap of severe pressure on fresh ... is no substitute. This handicap will be self-inflicted and ... pointed to chronic underlying problems led by mismanagement and ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... most popular fruit, can be made both better-tasting and ... , "Working with GM tomatoes that are different ... specific compound, allows us to pinpoint exactly how to ... the John Innes Centre. , The research could also ... shelf life characteristics because even higher levels of the ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... than 13,000 ships per year, carrying more than 284 million ... roughly $1.8 billion dollars in toll fees for the Panama ... 55 million gallons of water are used from Gatun Lake, ... million people living in the isthmus. , However, the ... 20 percent of the ships at sea, has demanded change. ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):A majority on Earth face severe self-inflicted water woes within 2 generations: Scientists 2A majority on Earth face severe self-inflicted water woes within 2 generations: Scientists 3A majority on Earth face severe self-inflicted water woes within 2 generations: Scientists 4The world's favorite fruit only better-tasting and longer-lasting 2Reforestation study shows trade-offs between water, carbon and timber 2Reforestation study shows trade-offs between water, carbon and timber 3
... are biologically more susceptible to drug addiction than others, but ... the August 15, 2007 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, ... that may help answer this question. They ... a particular receptor in the brain that is more responsive ...
... have reported new insight into the pathology underlying ... adults that is caused by alterations in the ... X tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) overwhelmingly affects males, usually ... decline. In contrast, fragile X syndrome manifests itself ...
... is associated with the development of vascular (blood vessel) ... It has been thought that females may be more ... vascular changes are observed in females long before any ... Georgetown University researchers has determined that the vascular activities ...
Cached Biology News:Nicotinic receptors may be important targets for treatment of multiple addictions 2Deep into the machinery of adult fragile X 2Deep into the machinery of adult fragile X 3Gender, coupled with diabetes, affects vascular disease development 2
(Date:5/23/2013)... , May 24, 2013 Die ... – Bei der englischen Version ... , 91 % der Teilnehmer einer groß angelegten Asthmaumfrage ... % laut GINA [*] -Definition [1] als kontrolliert ... mit Asthma generell einer von vier Denkweisen zugeordnet werden ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... , May 23, 2013  BioScrip, Inc. (NASDAQ: ... present at the Jefferies 2013 Global Healthcare Conference to ... New York. Richard Smith ... Hai Tran , Chief Financial Officer, will present ... Daylight Time.   About BioScrip BioScrip, ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... 23, 2013 Patheon Inc ., ... to the global pharmaceutical industry, will host a complimentary ... to Testing” on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 11 ... are required to comply with regulations for cleaning validation. ... limited scientific underpinning and little evaluation of risk. ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... CA (PRWEB) May 23, 2013 The ... encourage all types of inventions. They focus on learning ... noticing this community gravitate toward bringing their ideas to ... DIY Biology Movement, works on making projects using biology. ... DNA of plants to make them glow with bioluminescence ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Neue Forschungsergebnisse zeigen Verbindung zwischen suboptimaler Asthmaversorgung und Patienteneinstellungen in Europa auf 2Neue Forschungsergebnisse zeigen Verbindung zwischen suboptimaler Asthmaversorgung und Patienteneinstellungen in Europa auf 3Neue Forschungsergebnisse zeigen Verbindung zwischen suboptimaler Asthmaversorgung und Patienteneinstellungen in Europa auf 4Neue Forschungsergebnisse zeigen Verbindung zwischen suboptimaler Asthmaversorgung und Patienteneinstellungen in Europa auf 5Neue Forschungsergebnisse zeigen Verbindung zwischen suboptimaler Asthmaversorgung und Patienteneinstellungen in Europa auf 6Neue Forschungsergebnisse zeigen Verbindung zwischen suboptimaler Asthmaversorgung und Patienteneinstellungen in Europa auf 7Patheon to Present on “Cleaning Validation: Science, Risk and Novel Approaches to Testing” 2Glowing Plant Releases Maker Kit, Enabling Anyone to Make a Glowing Plant at Home 2
... Idaho, Jan. 8 RxElite, Inc. (OTC,Bulletin Board: ... prescription drug products, announced today that as permitted ... all named,selling stockholders to cease using the company,s ... January 3, 2008 prospectus until,further advised. This release ...
... 8 Primera Biosystems,Inc., an emerging molecular diagnostics ... announced today that it has closed on $21,million ... joined by Interwest,Partners. Existing investors Malaysian Technology Development ... Invus Group also,participated in the round., "Primera ...
... ST. LOUIS, Jan. 8 Substantial progress and,momentum behind ... poised to deliver several new blockbuster products to farmers,by ... will come,as part of a series of presentations on ... "It,s rewarding to see such innovation in the pipeline ...
Cached Biology Technology:/CORRECTION//- RxElite Temporarily Suspends Sales Under Its Registration Statement 2Primera Biosystems Raises $21 Million in Series B Private Round 2Primera Biosystems Raises $21 Million in Series B Private Round 3Monsanto's R&D Pipeline Set to Deliver Valuable Products to Farmers Well Into Next Decade 2Monsanto's R&D Pipeline Set to Deliver Valuable Products to Farmers Well Into Next Decade 3
Kit for testing the ability of a compound to simulate lipolysis in cultured human adipocytes. Kit contains controls, buffers and reagents for detecting glycerol and non-esterified free fatty acids. A...
... for 10 chips provides the chips and ... the Experion automated electrophoresis system. This kit ... 520 microliters Pro260 gel, 45 microliters Pro260 ... 400 microliters Pro260 sample buffer, and 3 ...
Caliper offers a wide array of standard LabChip products designed to be used in combination with our AMS 90 and LabChip 3000 microfluidic platforms....
... and reliable automation for today's drug ... laboratories. Staccato Mini-Workstations offer the minimal ... liquid handling and material management tasks. ... Caliper's time proven CLARA™ assay development ...
Biology Products: