Siagoninae
Siagona europaea
The Siagoninae are a subfamily of beetles (Carabidae ). In Europe, four species occur.
- 4.1 Notes and references
- 4.2 Literature
Features
Beetle
The beetles of the genera Enceladus and Luperca have a flat, smooth body, the genus Siagona has very flat, but hairy body. The body is strongly narrowed in all species between pro-and mesothorax. The mandibles are short and hairless. The prothorax is strongly narrowed behind. The elytra are distinctly flattened and have no basal edge. They carry eight longitudinal furrows, which are, however, difficult to recognize in the genus Siagona.
Larvae
The larvae of the family are characterized by a number of Autapomorphieen. The head has a more or less strongly narrowed neck, either there are six simple eyes ( ocelli ) are formed, or are reduced to one or two. In the genus Siagona the maxillary and labial palps are greatly extended, otherwise they are of normal length, its last element is extended, however, and has in the genus Enceladus an extended area with sensory hairs. The lacinia is formed. The legs are slender and bear two claws. The tergite of the ninth abdominal segment has clearly formed, divided in the middle and bears extremely strong extended Urogomphi that are 0.5 to 1.0 times as long as the entire body. These are staffed with several hair types.
Way of life
The species of the genera Siagona and Cymbionotum live on the ground in moist habitats with rotting plant parts. The genus Enceladus lives under bark. Some species also live on mud and in the cracks in the floor of the dried bodies of water. Species of the genus Luperca were found in termite mounds.
Systematics and distribution
The relatively small subfamily is divided into two tribes, with four genera. The Tribe Enceladini is monotypic and includes only the widespread in northern South America genus Enceladus. The Tribe Siagonini comprises three genera. The genus Siagona is widespread in the southern Palearctic region, including the Malay Peninsula and in Africa and includes 80 species. The genus Cymbionotum is widespread in the southern Palearctic region, with the exception of the Malay Peninsula and Africa. The genus is widespread Luperca with two species in Africa and India. The following species occur in Europe:
- Siagona dejeani Rambur, 1837
- Siagona europaea Dejean, 1826
- Siagona jenissonii Dejean, 1826
- Siagona longula empires, 1855