Trogossitidae: A review of the beetle family, with a catalogue and keys

Download or read book Trogossitidae: A review of the beetle family, with a catalogue and keys written by Jiri Kolibac and published by PenSoft Publishers LTD. This book was released on 2013-12-31 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This monograph contents a review of the beetle family Trogossitidae (Cleroidea). The worldwide distributed family includes 55 recent and 10 extinct genera with about 600 species that are classified within 3 subfamilies and 12 tribes. In spite of fewer number of species, Trogossitidae is morphologically and ecologically extremely diversified. There are four-eyed predators that fly, run and even jump around swiftly in forest clearings to contrast with slow-moving, fungivorous species that dwell under the bark of old trees. There are also species that squat on flowers to feed on pollen grains as well as minute creatures that have been extracted from forest litter. Brief descriptions of all genera as well as keys to all higher taxa are provided. All known species and subspecies are listed, together with complete taxonomic references back to 1910, the date of issue of their last catalogue. The work includes maps of distribution of all genera, colour photographs of generic representatives, SEM photographs and remarks on a phylogeny of particular taxa.