<i>Pycnomerus italicus</i> (Coleoptera: Zopheridae), an Endemic Endangered Species: A New Report on Its Presence in Southern Italy

<i>Pycnomerus italicus</i> (Ganglbauer, 1899) (Coleoptera: Zopheridae), a saproxylic beetle endemic to Italy, is listed as “endangered” in the Red List of Italian Saproxylic Beetles. In 2021, during an entomological survey, 49 adults of this species were found in the Riserva Naturale Bio...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Marco Pezzi, Francesco Carlomagno, Federica Mendicino, Domenico Bonelli, Rocco Pelle, Marilena Leis, Milvia Chicca, Teresa Bonacci
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-11-01
Series:Forests
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/13/11/1838
Description
Summary:<i>Pycnomerus italicus</i> (Ganglbauer, 1899) (Coleoptera: Zopheridae), a saproxylic beetle endemic to Italy, is listed as “endangered” in the Red List of Italian Saproxylic Beetles. In 2021, during an entomological survey, 49 adults of this species were found in the Riserva Naturale Biogenetica Marchesale, Calabria, Southern Italy. The species was found in medium and high-quality habitats where a large number of fallen trunks of <i>Abies alba</i> Mill. 1759 (Pinales: Pinaceae) were present. On the same decaying trunks where <i>P. italicus</i> was found, larvae and/or adults of other three species of saproxylic beetles were detected. Although most aspects of the biology and ecology of <i>P. italicus</i> are still unknown, the presence of this endemic species in the Riserva Naturale Biogenetica Marchesale is interesting because this reserve and other humid forest environments in Southern Italy could be relevant refuges not only for this species but also for other endangered saproxylic beetles. These areas should be protected with appropriate forest-management techniques.
ISSN:1999-4907