Under Construction

Tomoderinae

Dmitry Telnov
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Containing group: Anthicidae

Introduction

The Tomoderinae is a typically circumtropical group with only a few representatives occuring in temperate regions. This group is morphologically very distinct due to the presence of often very deep lateral impressions on the pronotum, separating it into anterior and posterior (basal) lobes, and also due to strongly reduced tibial spurs. Seven genera are placed in this subfamily, among them - cosmopolitan Tomoderus and six genera with geographically more restricted distribution. More than 350 recent species and a single fossil record from Baltic amber are known.

Characteristics

Dorsal surface of the body usually only sparsely pubescend and glossy.  

Frontoclypeal suture present or absent; if present then variably developed, if lacking, then replaced by transverse impression. Mandibles bidentate apically. Neck is narrow, usually less than 1/3 of maximum head width.

Right antenna of Macrotomoderus brevitaticornis (Telnov, 2004). © 2007 Dmitry Telnov.

Pronotum with thin anterior rim, strongly to very strongly constricted laterally and separated into two lobes - anterior and posterior (basal). Antebasal sulcus only indicated laterally near hypomeron. Mesosternum small and short.

Elytra flattened (Pseudotomoderus, Rimaderus) to strongly globose (Holcopyge, most of Macrotomoderus). Metacoxae broadly separated by acute to broadly rounded intercoxal projection.

Tibial spurs strongly reduced to apparently absent.

Male genitalia with phallobase only rarely being distinct, mostly fused to tegmen. Lateral margins of tegmen sometimes curved dorsally and encloses penis. Sternite IX simple (asymmetric rim) to Y-shaped.

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Meso- and metathorax of Macrotomoderus microgracilicollis Telnov, 2007. © 2007 Dmitry Telnov.

 

Classification

Note: all taxa below are listed alphabetically.

Biology and Ecology

Most Tomoderinae are typically epigeic organisms, but many of them also inhabit the tree canopy or rotten wood. Many species are good flyers and inhabit large areas, another is completely wingless and restricted to certain patches of rainforest. There are both diurnal and nocturnal species among the Tomoderinae. Representatives of the subfamily are either detritophagous or omnivorous.

Typical habitat of Tomoderus shkarupini on Misool island, E Indonesia. © 2009 .

Telnov (2005) identified the following five ecological groups of the Oriental and Indo-Australian Tomoderinae according to their preferred microhabitats:

References

Telnov D. 2005. Anthicidae (Coleoptera) aus Sulawesi: Ergebnisse des „Project Wallace“ der Royal Entomological Society of London. Teil 1 (Coleoptera: Anthicidae: Tomoderinae). - Mitteilungen des Internationalen Entomologischen Vereins e.V. 30, No. 3/4: 89-132.

Title Illustrations
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Scientific Name Macrotomoderus riga
Location Malaysia: West
Reference Telnov D. 2001. Zur Kenntnis asiatischer Anthicidae (Coleoptera), II. - Entomologische Zeitschrift 111, No. 6: 182-186.
Creator Dmitry Paramonov
Acknowledgements Herewith I thank Dmitry Paramonov, excellent wildlife artist (Riga / Latvia), for this habitus drawing
Specimen Condition Dead Specimen
Identified By D.Telnov
Sex Female
Life Cycle Stage imago
View dorsal
Size 2,95 mm
Collection Naturkundemuseum Erfurt
Type Holotype
Collector S.Kurbatov
Copyright © 2001 Dmitry Telnov
Scientific Name Macrotomoderus palmi
Location Malaysia: West
Reference Telnov D. 2007. Revision der Tomoderinae. Die Macrotomoderus gracilicollis-Artengruppe (Coleoptera: Anthicidae). – Mitteilungen des Internationalen Entomologischen Vereins e.V. 32, No. 1/2: 1-25.
Creator Dmitry Telnov
Specimen Condition Dead Specimen
Identified By Uhmann, 1989
Sex Male
Life Cycle Stage imago
View dorsal
Size 3,97 mm
Collection Zoological Museum, Lund University
Type Holotype
Collector T.Palm
Copyright © 2007 Dmitry Telnov
Scientific Name Macrotomoderus andibani
Location China: Shaanxi / Sichuan
Reference Telnov D. 2007. Zur Kenntnis asiatischer Anthicidae, IV (Insecta: Coleoptera). – Mitteilungen des Internationalen Entomologischen Vereins e.V. 32, No. 3/4: 89-105.
Creator Dmitry Paramonov
Acknowledgements Herewith I thank Dmitry Paramonov, excellent wildlife artist (Riga / Latvia), for this habitus drawing
Specimen Condition Dead Specimen
Identified By D.Telnov
Sex Male
Life Cycle Stage imago
View dorsal
Size 3,21 mm
Collection Naturkundemuseum Erfurt
Type Holotype
Collector D.Wrase
Copyright © 2007 Dmitry Telnov
Scientific Name Elgonidium elongatum
Location Kenya
Reference Telnov D. 2008. Genus Elgonidium Basilewsky, 1954 (Coleoptera: Anthicidae: Tomoderinae) – a Preliminary Review. – Revue Suisse de Zoologie 115, No. 3: 433-445.
Creator Dmitry Telnov
Specimen Condition Dead Specimen
Identified By Bonadona, 1978
Sex Male
Life Cycle Stage imago
Size 2,10 mm
Collection Muséum d’Histoire naturelle, Genéve
Type Paratype
Collector V.Mahnert
Copyright © 2008 Dmitry Telnov
About This Page

Dmitry Telnov
The Entomological Society of Latvia

Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to Dmitry Telnov at

All Rights Reserved.

Citing this page:

Telnov, Dmitry. 2011. Tomoderinae. Version 06 January 2011 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Tomoderinae/145029/2011.01.06 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/

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