Pseudomorphinae
| Pseudomorphinae | ||||||||||||
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Sphallomorpha ruficollis |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Pseudomorphinae | ||||||||||||
| Newman , 1842 | ||||||||||||
The Pseudomorphinae are a subfamily of the ground beetles (Carabidae). Compared to the other subfamilies, it is an unusual group whose taxonomic classification has not yet been fully clarified. They are therefore placed with the ground beetles as incertae sedis .
features
Beetle
The body of the genus Pseudomorpha is slightly convex, elongated and with more or less parallel side edges. In the genus Adelotopus , the species have a partially cylindrical, very elongated body, which looks similar to bark beetles (Scolytidae). The genus Sphallomorpha has broad oval, flattened bodies. In some species of this genus, the body is shiny black or almost black in color, otherwise the beetles of the subfamily are patterned with spots and ribbons or have pale margins. The head is horizontal, in the genus Cryptocephalomorpha it is strongly angled downwards. In the genera Adelotopus and Cainogenion , the compound eyes are on the top of the head, in the other genera they are on the sides. The genus Cryptocephalomorpha has only very small mandibles . The legs are short but have strongly developed thighs ( femora ). Six sternites of the abdomen are visible.
Larvae
Viewed from the side, the larvae have a curved abdomen. In the genus Sphallomorpha there are rows with spines on the tergites of the fifth to seventh abdominal segment . The larvae of the other genera have a swollen ( physogastric ) abdomen that is only slightly sclerotized . The elongated or almost square head has no point eyes ( ocelli ). The pronotum is sclerotized. The larvae are covered with several types of hairs or bristles and have large club-shaped, flattened or split bristles on their heads.
Way of life
The adults are mainly found under the bark. The previously known larvae, with the exception of the genus Sphallomorpha , are myrmekophil . The previously known larvae of Sphallomorpha dig holes in the ground near ant nests and hunt for ants hidden in them, similar to the hunting behavior of the larvae of the tiger beetle (Cicindelinae). The subfamily includes the only ground beetles that reproduce ovoviviparously .
Systematics and distribution
Five genera are known from the Oriental and Australia: Adelotopus , Cryptocephalomorpha , Cainogenion , Paussotropus and Sphallomorpha . Another genus, Pseudomorpha, is known from the New World.
supporting documents
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e Rolf G. Beutel, Richard AB Leschen: Handbuch der Zoologie - Coleoptera, Beetles, Volume 1: Morphology and Systematics (Archostemata, Adephaga, Myxophaga, Polyphaga partim) . 1st edition. de Gruyter , 2005, ISBN 3-11-017130-9 , p. 136 f . (English).
literature
- Rolf G. Beutel, Richard AB Leschen: Handbuch der Zoologie - Coleoptera, Beetles, Volume 1: Morphology and Systematics (Archostemata, Adephaga, Myxophaga, Polyphaga partim) . 1st edition. de Gruyter , 2005, ISBN 3-11-017130-9 (English).