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Abstract
The Erotylidae family remains poorly documented in North Africa, with very limited published data available on its distribution and ecological preferences. This study provides the first confirmed record of Triplax melanocephala (Latreille, 1804) within Algerian cork oak (Quercus suber) forests, significantly expanding the known range of this species in the region. A total of 71 specimens were documented, collected primarily through soil-surface interception traps deployed across multiple sites. Among these, 25 individuals were captured between 2015 and 2016 in different sections of the surveyed oak groves. Field observations revealed that T. melanocephala exhibits a strong association with decaying cork oak wood, particularly in trees heavily colonized by mature tinder fungi (Fomes spp.). Further investigation through careful dissection of these fungal growths uncovered an additional 30 specimens, reinforcing the species' reliance on this microhabitat. The beetles were most frequently found in moist, shaded areas of decomposing wood, suggesting that microclimatic conditions may play a key role in their distribution. The study sites included Oued Agouf, where 2 specimens were collected in 2015 and 4 in 2016; Ain Fegoum, with 6 specimens in 2015 and 8 in 2016; and El Maktoua, where 4 specimens were recorded in 2015 and 6 in 2016. These findings indicate a consistent presence of T. melanocephala across multiple locations, though population densities varied between sites. This discovery not only fills a gap in the understanding of Erotylidae in North Africa but also highlights the ecological importance of old-growth cork oak forests and their associated fungal communities in supporting specialized beetle fauna.
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How to Cite
Laouira, S., Chakali, G., & Marniche, F. (2025). First record of Triplax melanocephala (Latreille, 1804) (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) in the cork oak at Collo forest (Algeria) . Journal of Agriculture and Applied Biology, 6(2), 241-250. https://doi.org/10.11594/jaab.06.02.08
References
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Bahillo, P.P., Colón, L.J.I., & Román, I.A. (2011). Presencia de Triplax lepida (Faldermann, 1837) (Coleoptera, Erotylidae) en la Reserva de la Biosfera de Urdaibai (Vizcaya, Norte de Espa-ña). [Presence of Triplax lepida (Faldermann, 1837) (Coleoptera, Erotylidae) in the Urdai-bai Biosphere Reserve (Biscay, Northern Spain)]. Arquivos Entomolóxicos, 5, 31-32. Direct Link.
Bekchiev, R., Smets, K., & Crevecoeur, L. (2012). Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Triplax Herbst. 1793 (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) in Bulgaria. ZooNotes, 30,1-6. CrossRef
Bertoia, A., Murray, T., Robertson, B.C. & Monks, J.M. (2023). Pitfall trapping outperforms other methods for surveying ground-dwelling large-bodied alpine invertebrates. Journal of In-sect Conservation, 27, 679–692. CrossRef
Calmont, B. (2011). Etude des Coléoptères saproxyliques bioindicateurs de qualité des forêts fran-çaises dans les châtaigneraies ardéchoises. [Study of saproxylic beetles as bioindicators of the quality of French forests in Ardèche chestnut groves]. Rapport final novembre 2011. Société d’Histoire naturelle Alcide-D’orbigny. Direct Link.
Chavanon, G. (2018). Catalogue des coléoptères de la région orientale du Maroc (Province de Guercif exceptée). [Catalogue of Coleoptera from the eastern region of Morocco (excluding the Province of Guercif)]. Université Mohammed Iiers. Faculté des Sciences. [Mohammed Iiers University. Faculty of Science]. Département de Biologie. Oujda (Maroc). Travaux de l’Institut Scientifique. [Biology Department. Oujda (Morocco). Work of the Scientific Insti-tute]. Série Zoologie N°57, 129. Direct Link.
Chûjô, M. (1990). A Catalogue of the Erotylidae (Coleoptera) from the Old World (excl. the Ethoipian Region) III. Esakia, 29, 1- 67. CrossRef
Dajoz, R. (1985). Répartition géographique et abondance des espèces du genre Triplax Herbst (Coléoptères. Erotylidae). [Geographical distribution and abundance of species of the ge-nus Triplax Herbst (Coleoptera. Erotylidae)]. L’Entomologiste, 41, 241-250. Direct Link.
Delkeskamp, K. (1981). Erotylidae von Afrika und Madagascar. In: Wilcox, J. A. (ed.). Coleoptero-rum Catalogus Supplementa. Pars 34. Dr W. Junk bv Puplishers. The Hague, 65 pp. Cross-Ref
Diéguez Fernández, J.M. (2013). Registros interesantes de coleópteros para España (Insec-ta:Coleoptera). 2ª nota. [Interesting coleopteran records for Spain (Insecta:Coleoptera). 2nd note]. Arquivos Entomolóxicos, 8, 277-286. CrossRef
Dodelin, B. (2014). Inventaire des coléoptères saproxyliques et des bois morts à Millery (69). Bilan des inventaires des coléoptères réalisés depuis 2009. [Inventory of saproxylic beetles and dead wood in Millery (69). Summary of beetle surveys carried out since 2009]. Syndicat Mixte du Rhône des Îles et des Lônes. 27 p. Direct Link.
Dodelin, B., & Saurat, R. (2014). Nouvelles données pour Triplax collaris (Schaller) et T. aenea (Schaller) en Rhône-Alpes (Coleoptera, Erotylidae). [New data for Triplax collaris (Schal-ler) and T. aenea (Schaller) in Rhône-Alpes (Coleoptera, Erotylidae)]. Bull. mens. Soc. linn. Lyon, 83 (1-2), 2 - 4. Direct Link.
Franc, V. (2001). Beetles of the family Erotylidae (Coleoptera) in the Slovakian fauna. Acta Zoo-logica Universitatis Comenianae, 44, 63-69. Direct Link.
Faurie, C., Ferra, C., & Medori, P. (2011). Ecologie approche scientifique et pratique [Ecology: scientific and practical approach]. Ed. Lavoisier. Direct Link.
Goodrich, M.A., & Skelley, P.E. (1997). New synonymy in the genus Triplax (Coleoptera: Erotyli-dae), with notes on the biology of Triplax californica. Annales zoologici, 47 (1-2), 55-58. Direct Link.
Hackston, M. (2009). Family Erotylidae: Key to British genera and species. Direct Link.
Hammer, Q., Harper, D.A.T., & Ryan, P. (2001). PAST: Paleontological Statistics Software Pack-age for Education and Data Analysis. Palaeontologia Electronica. Edit. Coquina Press. North Carolina, 4 (1), 1-9. Direct Link.
Houl, X.L., Huang, S.H., Hong B., Yang, M.F., & Luol, Ch.Q. (2024). Functional morphology of an-tennae and sensilla of the fungivore beetle, Triplax ainonia Lewis (Coleoptera: Erotylidae). PLOS ONE, 1-18. CrossRef
Merkl, O. (2004). Cryptophilinae and Xenoscelinae of Hungary. with a check-list of Hungarian Erotylidae (Coleoptera). Folia Historico Naturalia Musei Matraensis,28,123-134. Direct Link.
Molina, M., D., (2021). Primeros registros de Leucohimatium arundinaceum (Forskal, 1775) y Triplax melanocephala (Latreille, 1804) para la provincia de Alicante, España (Coleoptera: Erotylidae). [First records of Leucohimatium arundinaceum (Forskal, 1775) and Triplax melanocephala (Latreille, 1804) for the province of Alicante, Spain (Coleoptera: Erotyli-dae)]. Revista gaditana de Entomología, volumen XII: 207-211. Direct Link.
Nageleisen, L.M., & Bouget, C. (2009). L’étude des insectes en forêt: méthodes et techniques, élé-ments essentiels pour une standardisation. Synthèse des réflexions menées par le groupe de travail « Inventaires Entomologiques en Forêt » Les Dossiers Forestiers n°19, Office National des Forêts. [The study of insects in forests: methods and techniques, essential elements for standardisation. Summary of the work carried out by the ‘Entomological Inventories in Forests’ working group Les Dossiers Forestiers n°19, Office National des Forêts]. Ed. Off. Nati. des forêts, Paris, 146pp. Direct Link.
Nieto, A., & Alexander, K.N.A. (2010). European Red List of Saproxylic Beetles. Luxembourg: Pub-lications Office of the European Union. Direct Link.
Pérez-Moreno, I. & Moreno-Grijalba, F., (2009). Los coleópteros saproxílicos del Parque Natural-Sierra de Cebollera (La Rioja). [The saproxylic beetles of the Sierra de Cebollera Natural Park (La Rioja)]. Instituto de Estudios Riojanos. [Logroño. Institute of Riojan Studies. Lo-groño]. Direct Link.
Phillipp, H. (1965). Coléoptères Erotylidae. XIX. Faune de Madagascar. [Erotylidae beetles. XIX. Fauna of Madagascar]. ORSTOM, Paris, 101pp. Direct Link.
Ramade, F. (2020). Ecologie fondamentale. Sciences Sup. [Fundamental ecology]. Edition Dunod. Paris, 712p. Direct Link.
Ruta, R., Jałoszyński, P., Sienkiewicz, P., & Konwerski, S. (2011). Erotylidae (Insecta. Coleoptera) of Poland – problematic taxa. updated keys and new records. ZooKeys 134,1-13. CrossRef
Skelley, P.E. (2020). Nomenclatural notes for the Erotylinae (Coleoptera: Erotylidae). Insecta mundi, vol. (767), 1-35. Direct Link.
Troukens, W., (2022). Triplax-soorten (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) in België, Phegea 50(3) 01.ix.2022, 92. CrossRef
Villemant, C., & Fraval, A. (2002). Les insectes ennemis du liège. [Insect enemies of cork]. In-sectes 25 (125), 1-6. Direct Link. Direct Link.
Viñolas, A., Muñoz-Batet, J. & Soler, J., (2014). Es confirma la presència de Synchita undata Guérin-éneville, 1844 (Zopheridae) a la península Ibèrica i es donen noves o interessants citacions de coleòpters per a Catalunya (Coleoptera). [It confirms the presence of Synchita undata Guérin-Méneville, 1844 (Zopheridae) in the Ib erian Peninsula and provides new or interesting citations of beetles for Catalonia (Coleoptera)]. Orsis, 28, 105-120. Direct Link.
Viñolas, A., Piera, E. & Muñoz-Batet, J., (2019). Nuevas citas de coleópteros para Aragón,Península Ibérica (Coleoptera). [New records of beetles for Aragón, Iberian Penin-sula (Coleoptera)]. Butlletí de la Institució Catalana d’Història Natural, 83, 215-217. Direct Link.
Wegrzynowicz, P. (2007). Family Erotylidae Latreille, 1802. In: Löbl, I., Smetana, A. (eds.). Cata-logue of Palaearctic Coleoptera, vol. 4. Apollo Books, Stenstrup, 935 pp. Direct Link.
Alvarenga, M. (1994). Catálogo dos Erotylidae (Coleoptera) Neotropicais. [Catalogue of the Neo-tropical Erotylidae (Coleoptera)]. Revista brasileira de Zoologia, 11 (1), 1-175. CrossRef
Bahillo, P.P., Colón, L.J.I., & Román, I.A. (2011). Presencia de Triplax lepida (Faldermann, 1837) (Coleoptera, Erotylidae) en la Reserva de la Biosfera de Urdaibai (Vizcaya, Norte de Espa-ña). [Presence of Triplax lepida (Faldermann, 1837) (Coleoptera, Erotylidae) in the Urdai-bai Biosphere Reserve (Biscay, Northern Spain)]. Arquivos Entomolóxicos, 5, 31-32. Direct Link.
Bekchiev, R., Smets, K., & Crevecoeur, L. (2012). Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Triplax Herbst. 1793 (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) in Bulgaria. ZooNotes, 30,1-6. CrossRef
Bertoia, A., Murray, T., Robertson, B.C. & Monks, J.M. (2023). Pitfall trapping outperforms other methods for surveying ground-dwelling large-bodied alpine invertebrates. Journal of In-sect Conservation, 27, 679–692. CrossRef
Calmont, B. (2011). Etude des Coléoptères saproxyliques bioindicateurs de qualité des forêts fran-çaises dans les châtaigneraies ardéchoises. [Study of saproxylic beetles as bioindicators of the quality of French forests in Ardèche chestnut groves]. Rapport final novembre 2011. Société d’Histoire naturelle Alcide-D’orbigny. Direct Link.
Chavanon, G. (2018). Catalogue des coléoptères de la région orientale du Maroc (Province de Guercif exceptée). [Catalogue of Coleoptera from the eastern region of Morocco (excluding the Province of Guercif)]. Université Mohammed Iiers. Faculté des Sciences. [Mohammed Iiers University. Faculty of Science]. Département de Biologie. Oujda (Maroc). Travaux de l’Institut Scientifique. [Biology Department. Oujda (Morocco). Work of the Scientific Insti-tute]. Série Zoologie N°57, 129. Direct Link.
Chûjô, M. (1990). A Catalogue of the Erotylidae (Coleoptera) from the Old World (excl. the Ethoipian Region) III. Esakia, 29, 1- 67. CrossRef
Dajoz, R. (1985). Répartition géographique et abondance des espèces du genre Triplax Herbst (Coléoptères. Erotylidae). [Geographical distribution and abundance of species of the ge-nus Triplax Herbst (Coleoptera. Erotylidae)]. L’Entomologiste, 41, 241-250. Direct Link.
Delkeskamp, K. (1981). Erotylidae von Afrika und Madagascar. In: Wilcox, J. A. (ed.). Coleoptero-rum Catalogus Supplementa. Pars 34. Dr W. Junk bv Puplishers. The Hague, 65 pp. Cross-Ref
Diéguez Fernández, J.M. (2013). Registros interesantes de coleópteros para España (Insec-ta:Coleoptera). 2ª nota. [Interesting coleopteran records for Spain (Insecta:Coleoptera). 2nd note]. Arquivos Entomolóxicos, 8, 277-286. CrossRef
Dodelin, B. (2014). Inventaire des coléoptères saproxyliques et des bois morts à Millery (69). Bilan des inventaires des coléoptères réalisés depuis 2009. [Inventory of saproxylic beetles and dead wood in Millery (69). Summary of beetle surveys carried out since 2009]. Syndicat Mixte du Rhône des Îles et des Lônes. 27 p. Direct Link.
Dodelin, B., & Saurat, R. (2014). Nouvelles données pour Triplax collaris (Schaller) et T. aenea (Schaller) en Rhône-Alpes (Coleoptera, Erotylidae). [New data for Triplax collaris (Schal-ler) and T. aenea (Schaller) in Rhône-Alpes (Coleoptera, Erotylidae)]. Bull. mens. Soc. linn. Lyon, 83 (1-2), 2 - 4. Direct Link.
Franc, V. (2001). Beetles of the family Erotylidae (Coleoptera) in the Slovakian fauna. Acta Zoo-logica Universitatis Comenianae, 44, 63-69. Direct Link.
Faurie, C., Ferra, C., & Medori, P. (2011). Ecologie approche scientifique et pratique [Ecology: scientific and practical approach]. Ed. Lavoisier. Direct Link.
Goodrich, M.A., & Skelley, P.E. (1997). New synonymy in the genus Triplax (Coleoptera: Erotyli-dae), with notes on the biology of Triplax californica. Annales zoologici, 47 (1-2), 55-58. Direct Link.
Hackston, M. (2009). Family Erotylidae: Key to British genera and species. Direct Link.
Hammer, Q., Harper, D.A.T., & Ryan, P. (2001). PAST: Paleontological Statistics Software Pack-age for Education and Data Analysis. Palaeontologia Electronica. Edit. Coquina Press. North Carolina, 4 (1), 1-9. Direct Link.
Houl, X.L., Huang, S.H., Hong B., Yang, M.F., & Luol, Ch.Q. (2024). Functional morphology of an-tennae and sensilla of the fungivore beetle, Triplax ainonia Lewis (Coleoptera: Erotylidae). PLOS ONE, 1-18. CrossRef
Merkl, O. (2004). Cryptophilinae and Xenoscelinae of Hungary. with a check-list of Hungarian Erotylidae (Coleoptera). Folia Historico Naturalia Musei Matraensis,28,123-134. Direct Link.
Molina, M., D., (2021). Primeros registros de Leucohimatium arundinaceum (Forskal, 1775) y Triplax melanocephala (Latreille, 1804) para la provincia de Alicante, España (Coleoptera: Erotylidae). [First records of Leucohimatium arundinaceum (Forskal, 1775) and Triplax melanocephala (Latreille, 1804) for the province of Alicante, Spain (Coleoptera: Erotyli-dae)]. Revista gaditana de Entomología, volumen XII: 207-211. Direct Link.
Nageleisen, L.M., & Bouget, C. (2009). L’étude des insectes en forêt: méthodes et techniques, élé-ments essentiels pour une standardisation. Synthèse des réflexions menées par le groupe de travail « Inventaires Entomologiques en Forêt » Les Dossiers Forestiers n°19, Office National des Forêts. [The study of insects in forests: methods and techniques, essential elements for standardisation. Summary of the work carried out by the ‘Entomological Inventories in Forests’ working group Les Dossiers Forestiers n°19, Office National des Forêts]. Ed. Off. Nati. des forêts, Paris, 146pp. Direct Link.
Nieto, A., & Alexander, K.N.A. (2010). European Red List of Saproxylic Beetles. Luxembourg: Pub-lications Office of the European Union. Direct Link.
Pérez-Moreno, I. & Moreno-Grijalba, F., (2009). Los coleópteros saproxílicos del Parque Natural-Sierra de Cebollera (La Rioja). [The saproxylic beetles of the Sierra de Cebollera Natural Park (La Rioja)]. Instituto de Estudios Riojanos. [Logroño. Institute of Riojan Studies. Lo-groño]. Direct Link.
Phillipp, H. (1965). Coléoptères Erotylidae. XIX. Faune de Madagascar. [Erotylidae beetles. XIX. Fauna of Madagascar]. ORSTOM, Paris, 101pp. Direct Link.
Ramade, F. (2020). Ecologie fondamentale. Sciences Sup. [Fundamental ecology]. Edition Dunod. Paris, 712p. Direct Link.
Ruta, R., Jałoszyński, P., Sienkiewicz, P., & Konwerski, S. (2011). Erotylidae (Insecta. Coleoptera) of Poland – problematic taxa. updated keys and new records. ZooKeys 134,1-13. CrossRef
Skelley, P.E. (2020). Nomenclatural notes for the Erotylinae (Coleoptera: Erotylidae). Insecta mundi, vol. (767), 1-35. Direct Link.
Troukens, W., (2022). Triplax-soorten (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) in België, Phegea 50(3) 01.ix.2022, 92. CrossRef
Villemant, C., & Fraval, A. (2002). Les insectes ennemis du liège. [Insect enemies of cork]. In-sectes 25 (125), 1-6. Direct Link. Direct Link.
Viñolas, A., Muñoz-Batet, J. & Soler, J., (2014). Es confirma la presència de Synchita undata Guérin-éneville, 1844 (Zopheridae) a la península Ibèrica i es donen noves o interessants citacions de coleòpters per a Catalunya (Coleoptera). [It confirms the presence of Synchita undata Guérin-Méneville, 1844 (Zopheridae) in the Ib erian Peninsula and provides new or interesting citations of beetles for Catalonia (Coleoptera)]. Orsis, 28, 105-120. Direct Link.
Viñolas, A., Piera, E. & Muñoz-Batet, J., (2019). Nuevas citas de coleópteros para Aragón,Península Ibérica (Coleoptera). [New records of beetles for Aragón, Iberian Penin-sula (Coleoptera)]. Butlletí de la Institució Catalana d’Història Natural, 83, 215-217. Direct Link.
Wegrzynowicz, P. (2007). Family Erotylidae Latreille, 1802. In: Löbl, I., Smetana, A. (eds.). Cata-logue of Palaearctic Coleoptera, vol. 4. Apollo Books, Stenstrup, 935 pp. Direct Link.