Descriptions ofSoroniacomplex (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Nitidulinae) larvae of New Zealand with comments on life history and taxonomy

Abstract

We provide the first descriptions of larvae of the nitidulid beetles Soronia oculata Reitter and Hisparonia hystrix (Sharp), compare them with similar larvae of other nitidulids, and comment on the utility of larval data in phylogenetic studies. Soronia oculata larvae are quite similar to many other larvae within the Soronia genus complex, but those of H. hystrix are distinctly different, namely by having an unfringed, spinose mandibular prostheca, striations of mola obscured by blunt teeth, and malar setae that are course and restricted to the distal half. This supports the recent transfer of the species to a monotypic genus. Larvae of S. oculata inhabit fermenting sap flows on woody plants and those of H. hystrix are found on sooty moulds. Both species are endemic to New Zealand, where they are widespread. A single unconfirmed record of H. hystrix from Fiji might represent an introduction. A species list of New Zealand nitidulid taxa is appended.

Concerted Versus Independent Evolution and the Search for Multiple Refugia: Comparative Phylogeography of Four Forest Beetles

“…For the arboreal H. hystrix , all geographic state transitions—well‐supported or not—occurred <0.5 Ma, and contemporaneous dispersal routes were shared with B. scutellaris (Kaikoura–Canterbury, Nelson–Buller–Haast) and E. lawsoni (Kaikoura–Canterbury). It is difficult to interpret these results in light of the proposed refugia, as failure of the ENM for H. hystrix indicates a niche determined by other factors than the tested climatic variables, such as the distribution of the sooty mould ecosystem, which is in turn driven by the distribution of another insect (Carlton and Leschen 2007). However, phylogenetic results were not qualitatively consistent with refugia hypothesized for the other species, and the only well‐supported geographic state transition shared by all three log‐dwellers—Haast–Southland—was not detected for H. hystrix , suggesting an independent evolutionary trajectory (third scenario).…”

“…& Forst. ; Myrtaceae) trees fed upon by honeydew‐secreting scale insects (Carlton and Leschen 2007), and is present in scrub, forest margin, and tall forest. A. labralis is absent from the North Island (Seago 2009), but B. scutellaris , E. lawsoni (the only flightless species included), and H. hystrix are widely distributed throughout New Zealand, although B. scutellaris is absent from the Westland Nothofagus gap, an area of the South Island's west coast across which the distribution of Nothofagus is disjunct (Leathwick 1998; Leschen et al 2008).…”

Determining the origin and age of the Westland beech (Nothofagus) gap, New Zealand, using fungus beetle genetics

“…Brachynopus scutellaris and Hisparonia hystrix were chosen as model species because they are very widely distributed in New Zealand, occurring on New Zealand's main islands (Löbl & Leschen 2003a; Carlton & Leschen 2007). Both are members of endemic New Zealand genera.…”

Revision of Epuraea of New Zealand (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

“…The association of E. glabrata with beech trees, though, is not consistent, because specimens have been collected in areas where Nothofagus presently does not exist, like parts of Westland and Stewart Island, though sooty molds are widespread and occur on other tree hosts, like tea tree (genus Leptospermum). Many associates of sooty molds tend to be rather common, like Hisparonia hystrix (Sharp, 1876) (CARLTON & LESCHEN 2007), and the single collection made from ants does not affi rm inquilinism, a rare behavior in New Zealand beetles (NOMURA & LESCHEN 2015). Additional collecting observations and gut content analyses are needed to clarify the exact habitat association, diet, and biology of E. glabrata.…”