Spondylidinae
Encyclopedia
Spondylidinae are a small subfamily of Cerambycidae including slightly over 100 species, primarily in the coniferous forests of the Boreal
hemisphere. A few species occur in coniferous forests in tropical and subtropical areas (Mexico
, Cuba
), while very few genera (e.g., Zamium) are present in Austral
Africa
and Madagascar
(e.g., Masatopus).
aspect, generally with a more or less flattened, dark body, oblique head and scarcely elongated antennae
. Their sexual dimorphism
is scarcely evident, that i,s males and females are scarcely distinguishable. Unlike Cerambycinae
, their stridulitrum is divided.
are completely different from those of Cerambycinae
and similar to those of Lepturinae
in several respects, being characterised by a rounded head and large labrum. They also typically possess two closely spaced small spines on the last abdominal
segment.
. Only the genus Tetropium, characterised by finely faceted eyes, has diurnal activity. The adults live on the host plants, taking refuge under barks
or trunks
during inactive periods.
e of most of species attack conifers.
, Chriocephalus (now Arhopalus
) and Tetropium in Spondyliens, on the basis of the larval morphology. Nevertheless, this classification was rejected by contemporaneous authors since Spondylis was believed to be related to Prioninae
and Parandra. At that time most spondylidine genera were placed within the subfamily Aseminae. A later study of the wing
morphology confirmed Xambeu's grouping, but by the end of the 20th Century (and in some contemporaneous faunas) Spondylidini were treated as a separate subfamily. Only after 1987, after further studies on the larval morphology, was it recognized that spondylidines and asemines were indeed part of the same group, rather than separate lineages. Spondylidini - whose larvae are indistinguishable from that of all other traditional Aseminae - appear to be simply highly derived Asemini, with adult morphology convergent with lucaniform Prioninae and the Vesperidae of the Amazonian genus Migdolus.
.
Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
hemisphere. A few species occur in coniferous forests in tropical and subtropical areas (Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
), while very few genera (e.g., Zamium) are present in Austral
Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"...
Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
(e.g., Masatopus).
Adult
Spondylidinae are insects characterised by cerambycineCerambycinae
Cerambycinae is a subfamily of the longhorn beetle family . The subfamily includes over 750 genera, rivaled in diversity within the family only by the subfamily...
aspect, generally with a more or less flattened, dark body, oblique head and scarcely elongated antennae
Antenna (biology)
Antennae in biology have historically been paired appendages used for sensing in arthropods. More recently, the term has also been applied to cilium structures present in most cell types of eukaryotes....
. Their sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:...
is scarcely evident, that i,s males and females are scarcely distinguishable. Unlike Cerambycinae
Cerambycinae
Cerambycinae is a subfamily of the longhorn beetle family . The subfamily includes over 750 genera, rivaled in diversity within the family only by the subfamily...
, their stridulitrum is divided.
Larva
The larvaeLarva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
are completely different from those of Cerambycinae
Cerambycinae
Cerambycinae is a subfamily of the longhorn beetle family . The subfamily includes over 750 genera, rivaled in diversity within the family only by the subfamily...
and similar to those of Lepturinae
Lepturinae
Lepturinae is a subfamily of the longhorn beetle family , containing some 100 genera worldwide, and most diverse in the Northern Hemisphere. Until recently the subfamily Necydalinae was included within the lepturines, but this has been recently recognized as a separate subfamily...
in several respects, being characterised by a rounded head and large labrum. They also typically possess two closely spaced small spines on the last abdominal
Abdomen
In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
segment.
Adult
Spondylidinae are nearly all nocturnal or crepuscularCrepuscular
Crepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight, that is during dawn and dusk. The word is derived from the Latin word crepusculum, meaning "twilight." Crepuscular is, thus, in contrast with diurnal and nocturnal behavior. Crepuscular animals may also be active on a bright...
. Only the genus Tetropium, characterised by finely faceted eyes, has diurnal activity. The adults live on the host plants, taking refuge under barks
Bark
Bark is the outermost layers of stems and roots of woody plants. Plants with bark include trees, woody vines and shrubs. Bark refers to all the tissues outside of the vascular cambium and is a nontechnical term. It overlays the wood and consists of the inner bark and the outer bark. The inner...
or trunks
Trunk (botany)
In botany, trunk refers to the main wooden axis of a tree that supports the branches and is supported by and directly attached to the roots. The trunk is covered by the bark, which is an important diagnostic feature in tree identification, and which often differs markedly from the bottom of the...
during inactive periods.
Larva
Except for some Saphanini (Saphanus, Drymochares) and Anisarthrini, the larvaLarva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
e of most of species attack conifers.
History
Spondylidinae have a complicated systematic history, and details of the relationships are still uncertain. In 1897 Xambeu united the genera Spondylis, AsemumAsemum
Asemum is a genus of longhorn beetles in the family Cerambycidae, described by Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz in 1830.-Species:* Asemum australe LeConte, 1850* Asemum caseyi Linsley, 1957* Asemum glabrellum Bates, 1892...
, Chriocephalus (now Arhopalus
Arhopalus
Arhopalus is a genus of longhorn beetle.- External links :* in Fauna Europaea...
) and Tetropium in Spondyliens, on the basis of the larval morphology. Nevertheless, this classification was rejected by contemporaneous authors since Spondylis was believed to be related to Prioninae
Prioninae
Prioninae are a subfamily of Cerambycidae . They are typically large and usually brown or black. The males of a few genera sport large mandibles that are used in fights with other males, similar to stag beetles. These beetles are commonly nocturnal and are attracted to light...
and Parandra. At that time most spondylidine genera were placed within the subfamily Aseminae. A later study of the wing
Wing
A wing is an appendage with a surface that produces lift for flight or propulsion through the atmosphere, or through another gaseous or liquid fluid...
morphology confirmed Xambeu's grouping, but by the end of the 20th Century (and in some contemporaneous faunas) Spondylidini were treated as a separate subfamily. Only after 1987, after further studies on the larval morphology, was it recognized that spondylidines and asemines were indeed part of the same group, rather than separate lineages. Spondylidini - whose larvae are indistinguishable from that of all other traditional Aseminae - appear to be simply highly derived Asemini, with adult morphology convergent with lucaniform Prioninae and the Vesperidae of the Amazonian genus Migdolus.
Current systematics
Spondylidinae (this name has priority over Aseminae) includes five tribesTribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
.
- Anisarthrini Mamaev & Danilevsky, 1973
- Asemini Thomson, 1860
- Atimiini LeConte, 1873
- Saphanini GistelJohannes von Nepomuk Franz Xaver GistelJohannes von Nepomuk Franz Xaver Gistel Johannes von Nepomuk Franz Xaver Gistel Johannes von Nepomuk Franz Xaver Gistel (1809 - 1873 (or 1874) was a German naturalist.He was the author of works on entomology such as Die jetzt lebenden Entomologen, Kerffreunde und kerfsammler Europa’s und der...
, 1856 - Spondylidini Audinet-Serville, 1832
External links
- Check-list of World-wide Spondylidinae
- Gallery of World-wide Spondylidinae
- http://plant.cdfa.ca.gov/byciddb/bycidview.asp?sf=AseminaeGallery of AmericanAmericasThe Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
] Spondylidinae - http://www2.gol.com/users/nanacorp/ZUKAN/zukan3kurokamiaka.htm Gallery of JapaneseJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
Spondylidinae]