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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Ecology And Systematics Of Coleoptera In Woody Debris Of Eastern North American Forests, Michael Leslie Ferro
Ecology And Systematics Of Coleoptera In Woody Debris Of Eastern North American Forests, Michael Leslie Ferro
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Dead wood is a largely unexplored reservoir of taxonomic diversity and its ecology is poorly known despite its use as fuel and its roles in the carbon cycle and healthy ecosystems. During this research 15 new species of dead wood associated rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) in the genus Sonoma Casey were discovered and described. Sonoma tolulae (LeConte) was redescribed. Taxonomic issues obfuscated the identity of another dead wood associate, Thoracophorus costalis (Erichson) (Staphylinidae: Osoriinae). Examination of holotypes resulted in the discovery of two nomenclatural synonyms: T. longicollis Motschulsky, and T. fletcheri Wendeler. An inexpensive emergence chamber used to collect insects …
Phylogenetic Revision Of The Genus Mesynodites Reichardt (Coleptera: Histeridae: Hetaeriinae), Alexey K. Tishechkin
Phylogenetic Revision Of The Genus Mesynodites Reichardt (Coleptera: Histeridae: Hetaeriinae), Alexey K. Tishechkin
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Mesynodites is the largest genus within the exclusively inquilinous (social insect-associated) histerid beetle subfamily Hetaeriinae (Insecta: Coleoptera: Histeridae). The 44 described species are systematically revised, and new taxa are described based on newly discovered species and the results of a cladistic analysis. The work was based on available type specimens representing 42 species and approximately 2500 specimens of non-type material. Phylogenetic hypotheses were based on maximum parsimony analysis of 150 morphological characters derived from a selection of Mesynodites species and representatives of related genera. This analysis confirmed that, in its current concept, Mesynodites is not a monophyletic taxon. Species included …
Revision Of Pocadius Erichson (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), Andrew R. Cline
Revision Of Pocadius Erichson (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), Andrew R. Cline
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
A revision of Pocadius Erichson (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) was completed. A total of 46 species were (re)described, including 25 new species, a key to species constructed, and phylogenetic analysis performed. Taxonomic changes, including nomenclatural emendations, reinstatement of species, and description of new taxa, within this dissertation do not constitute formal changes as defined by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Illustrations of the genitalia, key characters, and dorsal habitus of species are provided. The phylogeny demonstrates a monophyletic Pocadius. The phylogeny suggests a Palearctic origin of the genus with subsequent speciation into the Old World tropics and New World. Host specialization …