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DESCRIPTION OF FIRST-INSTAR LARVA OF METRIUS CONTRACTUS ESCHSCHOLTZ (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE) WITH REMARKS ABOUT PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS AND RANKING OF THE GENUS METRIUS ESCHSCHOLTZ

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Yves Bousquet
Affiliation:
Biosystematics Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C6

Abstract

The 1st-instar larva of Metrius contractus Eschscholtz is described and illustrated. The larva differs from those of other Carabidae (except some species of ozaenines) by having the epipleurites of the 9th segment and the tergum of the 8th segment transformed into a plate and by having the urogomphi antler-like and located in a vertical plane. These character states support the hypothesis, based on published analysis of the adult structures, that the monogeneric tribe Metriini is closely related to the tribes Ozaenini and Paussini. The ranking of Metrius, Ozaenini, and Paussini is re-evaluated and it is proposed that these three groups be combined in one tribe, the Paussini (sensu novo). The tribe Paussini, thus constituted, is placed with the tribes Brachinini and Crepidogastrini in the subfamily Paussinae. The relationships of the subfamily are unclear, but it probably represents a primitive element of the Carabidae. Based on the available data on bionomics and larval morphology of paussines, it is suggested that larvae of Metrius live in rotten logs and depend for their survival on some kind of animal which they attract through a secretion released at the extremity of the abdomen. The kind of animal and the type of interaction between the animal and the Metrius larvae remain unknown.

Résumé

La larve de premier stade de Metrius contractus Eschscholtz est décrite et illustrée. La larve diffère de celles des autres Carabidae (à l’exception de certaines espèces d’ozaenines) par les caractéristiques suivantes : les épipleurites du 9ième segment et le tergum du 8ième segment sont transformés en une plaque et les urogomphes sont en forme de ramure et situés dans un plan vertical. Ces caractéristiques supportent l’hypothèse, basée sur une analyse de la morphologie des adultes, que la tribu monogénérique Metriini est apparentée aux tribus Ozaenini et Paussini. Le rang taxonomique de Metrius, Ozaenini et Paussini est ré-évalué et il est suggéré que ces trois groupes soient réunis dans une même tribu, celle des Paussini (sensu novo). La tribu Paussini, ainsi constituée, est placée avec les tribus Brachinini et Crepidogastrini dans une sous-famille distincte, les Paussinae. Les relations de cette sous-famille sont inconnues, mais il est probable qu’elle représente un élément primitif des Carabidae. A partir des données biologiques disponibles et de la morphologie larvaire des Paussini, il est suggéré que les larves de Metrius vivent dans les billots en décomposition et qu’elles dépendent pour leur survie d’un animal qu’elles attirent à l’aide d’une sécrétion dégagée à l’extrémité de l’abdomen. Mais le genre d’animal de même que le type d’interaction entre l’animal et les larves de Metrius demeurent inconnus.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1986

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