New data on the distribution and biology of Machlaides tenuicornis Stach,1930 (Microcoryphia: Meinertellidae) in the lberian Peninsula (western Palaearctic)

Abstract

New data on the geographic distribution and biology of Machiloides tenuicornis Stach, 1930 is given. This species is the only representative of the genus in the Palaearctic and occurs in the central part of the Spanish Pyrenees. The study of samples collected has allowed us to study their life cycle and mode of reproduction. The number of males and females in the samples show that 33.3 % are bisexual populations and 66.6 % are only female populations. The study of the length of all individuals of each sample suggests that the specimens hatch at the end of spring or beginning of summer and can live at least two years. Finally, analysis of the geographical distribution of bisexual and female populations suggests a possible ecological pattern of geographical parthenogenesis.

Keywords

• Machiloides tenuicornis
• geographic distribution
• life cycle
• geographic parthenogenesis