Morphological variability, bionomics and trophic associations of the rare Cypriot endemic Odocnemis intrusicollis (Seidlitz, 1895) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract

A single species of the genus Odocnemis Allard, 1876 occurs in Cyprus and it is considered endemic to the island: O. intrusicollis (Seidlitz, 1895). The species was known only by the original description of one female (holotype) from the type locality “Cyprus”. We found two populations of this darkling beetle across the Troodos mountain range, at higher and lower altitudes. The two populations differ in the structures of the prothorax and have slightly different male genitalia. Additionally, the two populations are isolated geographically, have different trophic associations and inhabit different types of forest. These differences may suggest early stages of differentiation into separate taxa. Odocnemis intrusicollis can be included in the separate intrusicollis species-group, similar to some groups from south Anatolia.

Keywords

• tenebrionid beetles
• helopini
• lichen-feeding beetles
• cyprus