Rediscovery of Brassicogethes salvan (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae, Meligethinae) in the southwestern Alps

Abstract

Brassicogethes salvan (Audisio et al. Insect Systematics and Evolution, 34, 121) is certainly among the most important and unexpected recent discoveries in the European beetle fauna. The species was initially described from a couple of unidentified specimens collected in 1912 on the Maritime Alps (NW Italy). Despite a long series of attempts to recollect the species at the type locality (Rovina Lake, Mount Argentera Massif, Cuneo Province, Piedmont, NW Italy) and several neighbouring areas of the SW Alps between 2002 and 2016, no specimens of this species were found. We re‐discovered B. salvan in a small high valley of the Regional Natural Park of the Maritime Alps, a few dozen kilometers from the type locality. The previously unknown larval host‐plant as Descurainia tanacetifolia (L.) Rchb., Brassicaceae was determined. Some unusual life history traits were also observed. In an effort to yield a suitable taxonomic placement for this species, we present a partial preliminary molecular phylogeny for this species and related taxa. A discussion regarding some issues about its actual and potential geographic distribution in southern France and northwestern Italy is also provided. We propose an EN (Endangered) classification for this species following the IUCN criteria, and discuss aspects of its rather problematic conservation biology.

Rosaceae, Brassicaceae and Pollen Beetles: exploring relationships and evolution in an anthophilous beetle lineage (Nitidulidae, Meligethes-complex of genera) using an integrative approach

“…As reported in our Meligethes revision [7], and in more recent papers [8][9][10] Despite the incomplete taxonomic and biogeographic coverage, the present morphological phylogenetic analysis and the thus far available molecular data seem to support at least the following conclusions: 1) Based on molecular evidence, the Meligethes complex of genera univocally represents a monophyletic lineage, including almost certainly three species-rich genera or subgenera (Meligethes s.str., Odonthogethes, and Brassicogethes), which are comparable in the number of inclusive species (32, 31 and 42 species, respectively). Other preliminary molecular data using mitochondrial and nuclear markers (COI, NADH, ITS2, PEPCK) [24,26], suggested that the genus Meligethinus Grouvelle (a small, mostly Oriental and Afrotropical genus including some 20 species associated as larvae with male in orescences of Arecaceae [1,46]) is placed as sister of this clade.…”

“…Meligethes, even as presently bounded [2] (Figs. 1A (a), (b)), is still a rather species-rich genus, consisting of more than 60 species predominantly occurring in the Eastern Palaearctic [7][8][9][10] (Fig. 1B-C; Table 1).…”

“…In the most recent times two Chinese species were added[33][34], before the revision of the whole genus Meligethes[7], as recently delimited[2], where 23 new species (21 from China) have been described. Following this revision[7], a few other new species from China were also added[8][9][10], and other potential new species are under scrutiny based on recently collected Chinese material. The genus, comprising a peculiarly distinct new species still pending formal description, but considered in the present analysis (M. sp.…”

Rosaceae, Brassicaceae and pollen beetles: exploring relationships and evolution in an anthophilous beetle lineage (Nitidulidae, Meligethes-complex of genera) using an integrative approach

“…Within this taxon, the diverse subfamily Meligethinae comprises about 700 pollen-eating species described worldwide [ 1 – 4 ]. Recently, the classification of Meligethinae underwent numerous changes in light of both molecular and morphological evidence, restricting the concept to several genera, particularly in the case of the previously polyphyletic genus Meligethes Stephens, 1830 [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]. Meligethes , even as presently bounded [ 2 ] [Fig.…”

“…The closely related and purported sister genus Brassicogethes Audisio & Cline, 2009 [Fig. 1 a (c), d], comprises instead some forty, mostly Western Palaearctic species, all associated with Brassicaceae [ 2 , 5 , 14 – 23 ], and a few species [e.g. B. aeneus (F.) and B. viridescens (F.)] represent economically important pests, massively attacking blossoms of oilseed rapes, broccoli, cauliflowers, and others.…”