Kaminski Lab: Systematic Entomology
Phylogenetics, Museomics, Tenebrionidae, Blaptinae, Platynotini, Sepidiini
WELCOME to our lab!
We're the Systematic Entomology group of Marcin Kaminski.
We are investigating the evolutionary history of species, genera, and higher-level lineages using genetic and morphological approaches, with a strict focus on darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae). We are specifically interested in investigating phylogenetic relationships among the subfamily Blaptinae, on which we published over 30 scientific publications. In our current NCN-funded project we incorporate the techniques of museomics (TE) and comparative morphology (traditional data, SEM, micro-CT) to illuminate the phylogeny and historical biogeography of the tribe Platynotini.
Collaborations:
We are part of the Zoological Museum of the Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS (Warsaw, Poland). We collaborate with a variety of research groups all around the world (see Publications). However, our strategic collaborator is the Aaron Smith Insect Biodiversity Lab (Purdue University).
Ryan (PhD student) Marcin (PI)
Outreach activities (2021)
NEWS:
WHAT'S GOING ON?
September 23, 2024
Largest teneb in the World !?!
A few days ago I returned from the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin where I spent 5 days studying the types of darkling beetles. In my free time, I have measured the biggest specimens of this family available in the collection. Result? I have found the largest specimen of Tenebrionidae in the World – Stridolamus sulcicollis (Sepidiini) 67 mm long! This little side project contradicts literature claims of tenebrionid specimens reaching 80 mm.
PS. I have already measured specimens in Ditsong, London, and Paris Museums.
Maybe you have seen bigger ones? If so, please let me know!
Cheers, Marcin
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
Stridolamus sulcicollis in Berlin Museum. Most probably the longest darkling beetle ever collected.
September 14, 2024
Outreach activities:
Last weekend I had the pleasure of celebrating the 150 birthday of Witold Eichler – a prominent Polish entomologist. I have been invited by the officials of the Pabianice Museum to give a lecture on the entomological collection gathered by Eichler in southern Africa. After the official meeting, I organized an entomological workshop for the kids. A very productive day! ;)
More info: https://muzeum.pabianice.pl/europejskie-dni-dziedzictwa-w-mmp-3/
Cheers, Marcin
August 23, 2024
Great news:
Congratulations to Ryan for winning this year's Jean Theodore Lacordaire Prize for his paper entitled: Lumen R., Kamiński M.J. 2023. Revision of the darkling beetle genus Eurynotus (Blaptinae: Platynotini) and new records of ovovivipary in Tenebrionidae. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 201: 358–386. https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad146
Cheers, Marcin
June 14, 2024
Book alert:
On Friday, we had the pleasure to promote our newest book at the Żabiński Villa (Warsaw Zoological Garden). This new publication in the field of history of zoology is entitled: "The National Museum of Natural History and the protection of the bison in Poland". The publication is available online (open access) at: https://www.wuw.pl/product-pol-19414-Narodowe-Muzeum-Przyrodnicze-a-ochrona-zubra-w-Polsce-PDF.html
Cheers, Marcin
May 18, 2024
Outreach activities:
This Saturday, at our research station, I hosted the participants of ZooUniwerek. It is an amazing initiative under, which schoolchildren are familiarised with the work of scientists representing different disciplines. During our meeting, we talked about the diversity of insects. First, we were working in the collection, but later we decided to go outside and collect some fascinating hexapods using various methods.
It was a very pleasant day!
Cheers, Marcin
April 29, 2024
New article alert:
Kamiński MJ. 2024. New taxa of Afrotropical Toktokkies (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Molurina) from the Natural History Museum of Basel. Zootaxa, 5446(1): 77–87.
OPEN ACCESS: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5446.1.4
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
Cheers, Marcin
Bouchardium mariae sp. nov.
Abstract (click here):
Investigation of the darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) specimens from the Natural History Museum Basel (Switzerland) resulted in the discovery of two new species of Afrotropical toktokkies (tribe Sepidiini). Both taxa provided novel morphological data which, in the light of previously acquired molecular evidence, challenged the taxonomic coherence of the genus Dichtha. To accommodate this information a new genus Bouchardium gen. nov. is hereby proposed. The three following species were assigned to this new genus: Bouchardium chillygonzalesi sp. nov. (type species), B. cubicum (Guérin-Méneville, 1845) comb. nov. (transferred from Dichtha), B. mariae sp. nov. The placement of Bouchardium within the subtribe Molurina is briefly discussed. Additionally, a new species of the genus Toktokkus (T. zofiae sp. nov.) is described from South Africa.
April 26, 2024
News from the collection (not my collection;)
Today, I visited a small entomological collection in central Poland. One of the drawers had suffered from severe dermestid damage. It amazed me that despite the overall distruction, all the weevils(large and small) seemed to be doing well. With brentids being the most complete specimens ...
#dermestid_damage #natural_history_museums
Cheers, Marcin
April 25, 2024
News from the collection:
I have started digitization efforts in our osteological collection (Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS). The oldest specimens were collected in 1821! More to come! We are working on a cool paper.
#osteology #natural_history_museums #Mammals
Cheers, Marcin
April 24, 2024
More outreach activities:
On Tuesday I visited a primary school in Wola Żelechowska – Szkoła Podstawowa im. gen. Franciszka Kleeberga. On behalf of the Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS, I have presented displays to 60 children. We were talking about snails, butterflies, and natural history collections.
#butterflies #natural_history_museums #snails
Cheers, Marcin
April 20, 2024
Outreach activities:
How To Become a Scientist? On Sunday, I had the opportunity to meet with high school students to discuss their interest in biological sciences. We talked about the philosophy of science, taxonomy, molecular biology, natural history collections, and many more. Thank you for a wonderful time!
Cheers, Marcin
April 17, 2024
New article alert:
Daszkiewicz P, Kamiński MJ, Iwan D. 2024. Steller’s Sea Cow – Benedykt Dybowski’s Little-known Contributions to European Zoological Museography. Quarterly Journal of the History of Science and Technology, 69: 67-76.
OPEN ACCESS: https://doi.org/10.4467/0023589XKHNT.24.002.19534
Cheers, Marcin
Skull of Steller’s Sea Cow
Abstract (click here):
The article presents the contributions of Benedykt Dybowski to the natural history of Steller’s sea cow – a marine mammal species, that had become extinct in the 18th c. Dybowski’s impact is highlighted in his iconic discoveries concerning the biology of this species. Namely, he revealed and described the sexual dimorphism of the Steller’s sea cow and was the first to propose the climatic hypothesis concerning its extinction. Furthermore, Dybowski sent the largest number of skulls and bones representing this species to European museums in the 19th c. Today, these artifacts are deposited in seven museums in five countries (England, Ukraine, Poland, Austria, and Monaco). Unfortunately, specimens sent to Polish scientific institutions were looted or destroyed during both world wars. Sources examined in the present paper picture Dybowski as a prominent zoologist who worked within an international network of other outstanding specialists of that time – especially Władysław Taczanowski of the Warsaw Zoological Cabinet. The documents analyzed here shed new light on the work of naturalists and museum workers, revealing behind-the-scenes complexities of purchasing scarce and valuable zoological specimens.
March 30, 2024
New article alert:
Kamiński, M.J., Rork, Drake M.E., Replogle C.R., Lumen R., Wirth C.C., Kanda K., Smith A.D. 2024. Dissonomini Medvedev, 1968: the eighth tribe of the subfamily Blaptinae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Annales Zoologici, 74(1): 149-156.
OPEN ACCESS: https://doi.org/10.3161/00034541ANZ2024.74.1.009
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
Cheers, Marcin & Ryan
Abstract (click here):
Abstract.- The phylogenetic placement of the tribe Dissonomini Medvedev, 1968 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is investigated using sequences from a historical museum specimen of Dissonomus tibialis Reitter, 1904, along with representative sequences and specimens from the subfamilies Blaptinae (tribes Amphidorini, Blaptini, Dendarini, Opatrini, Pedinini, Platynotini), Tenebrioninae (Bolitophagini, Helopini), Pimeliinae (Adesmini, Sepidiini, Tentyriini, Zophosini), Alleculinae (Alleculini), and Lagriinae (Lagriini). Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses were performed on a multi-loci dataset (548 loci spanning 178,309 amino acids). The resulting trees render Dissonomini as sister to Blaptini within Blaptinae with high support. This phylogenetic relation is further supported by morphological traits (e.g., lack ancorae, tenebrionoid protrochanters). As a result, Dissonomini is placed within Blaptinae.
March 27, 2024
Outreach activities:
My first children's book about natural history museums is avalaible!
It is a detective story for children, which takes place in one of the Polish nature museums. The main characters - Marysia and Zosia - together with their daddy, are solving a mystery of elephant bones found in the center of Warsaw. During the journey they visit fascinating places, such as an osteological collection, a library and a biological laboratory. The people they meet along the way tell them interesting stories about their city.
The aim of the book is to popularize zoological and historical knowledge among young readers.
Cheers, Marcin
March 4, 2024
Outreach activities:
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to meet with students from a local primary school (Szkoła Podstawowa w Lipsku) to talk about the dazzling diversity of butterflies. Thank you for the warm welcome!
Only one day later, I had the pleasure of presenting selected scientific methods to a group of prominent high school students during the workshop organized by the Museum and Institute of Zoology. We have talked about the philosophy of sciences, next-generation sequencing, and many other fascinating things.
Cheers, Marcin
January 25, 2024
Outreach activities:
On Thursday I visited one of the high schools in Pabianice – I Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Jędrzeja Śniadeckiego. On behalf of the Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS, I have presented entomological displays to over 50 children. We were talking about beetles and the history of zoology.
#Benedykt_Dybowski #natural_history_museums #mounting_beetles
Cheers, Marcin
New article alert:
Lumen, R. Kamiński, M.J. 2024. Redefining generic boundaries in subtribe Eurynotina (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): taxonomy of the Schyzoschelus generic group. The European Zoological Journal
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24750263.2023.2300723
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
Cheers, Marcin & Ryan
Abstract (click here):
The genus Heteropsectropus Kaszab, 1941 (Tenebrionidae: Blaptinae: Platynotini) is revised to include the following three species: H. aenescens Kaszab, 1941 (type species); H. difficilis Koch, 1954; H. longantennatus Koch, 1954. Four synonymies are proposed: H. difficilis (= H. amaroides Koch, 1954 syn. nov., = H. natalensis Koch, 1954 syn. nov., = H. transvaalensis Koch, 1954 syn. nov.) and H. longantennatus Koch, 1954 (= H. montisdraconis Koch, 1954 syn. nov.). A new genus, Muelleropsectropus gen. nov., is introduced to accommodate Schyzoschelus malaisei Koch, 1954. Additionally, the following synonomies are introduced within Schyzoschelus Koch, 1954: Schyzoschelus dumosicola (= Schyzoschelus dumosicola var. diversipenis Koch, 1954 syn. nov.) and Schyzoschelus simplicipes (= Schyzoschelus simplicipes willowmorensis Koch, 1954 syn. nov.). Diagnostic features and relations between the genera of the Schyzoschelus generic group are discussed and an identification key to the genera and the species of Heteropsectropus is provided. Ovovivipary is reported for H. difficilis and represents the 15th known case of this mode of reproduction for darkling beetles. The first description of pupal morphology for the subtribe Eurynotina is provided as well as that of the first- and later instar larvae.
Elephant in the room:
Today we (me, Ryan Lumen, Arkadiusz Cegliński, Marcin Raś) have been investigating the mysterious bones found by the construction workers in the Warsaw City Center. The bones were uncovered unexpectedly while doing basic maintenance on the property of the Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS (MIZ PAS ) a few years ago. Up to now, the bones remained unidentified. Today we have assigned them to the genus Loxodonta. As some of the bones were burned it might be possible that they represent the historical elephant specimen that was displayed in the Warsaw Zoological Cabinet in 1869. This initial hypothesis needs to be tested and as such we are going to investigate the available historical documents in the MIZ PAS repository.
Cheers, Marcin
More info (click here):
Exhibition at the Zoological Cabinet (Warsaw University). Drawing by Wojciech Gerson, published in "Tygodnik Illustrowany" in 1869. More info can be found here: https://rcin.org.pl/dlibra/publication/80077/edition/60552
Prof. dr hab. Marcin Jan Kamiński ;)
I have just received the highest scientific title in the Polish academic system - yay!
All of the files, including reviews and the application, can be accessed via:
https://radon.nauka.gov.pl/dane/profil/0c671f0a-bb14-4d18-8010-e9a29fcfb125
Special thanks to all my friends and all of the researchers that I have had the opportunity to work with along the way.
Cheers, Marcin
November 28-29, 2023
Outreach activities:
On Tuesday and Wednesday, at the research station of the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, we hosted a group of children from a Ukrainian orphanage in Ossa. We had an amazing time playing and exploring the collection together! Snails were the best ;)
Cheers, Marcin
October 20, 2023
New article alert:
Lumen R., Kamiński M.J. 2023. Revision of the darkling beetle genus Eurynotus (Blaptinae: Platynotini) and new records of ovovivipary in Tenebrionidae. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society
https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad146
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
Cheers, Marcin & Ryan
Abstract.- The taxonomic concepts and monophyly of the southern African genus Eurynotus and its subgeneric components (Biolus and Neosolenopistoma) are tested using cladistic analyses. Seventy morphological characters were scored and analysed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference for 26 Eurynotina species, including all Eurynotus. Comprehensive revision of Biolus and Eurynotus resulted in Neosolenopistoma becoming a junior synonym of the genus Biolus stat. nov. (elevated to generic rank), restoration of one species (B. asperipennis stat. res.), recognition of seven new combinations, and descriptions of two new species (Biolus brunoi sp. nov. and Eurynotus privisolum sp. nov.). Lectotypes are designated for previously described species from syntype material, and a key to species of Biolus and Eurynotus is provided. Three species were confirmed as ovoviviparous (two Biolus and one Eurynotus) bringing the number of recorded ovoviviparous Tenebrionidae to 14. Shortened ovipositors are discounted as requisite for ovovivipary based on elongate paraprocts in Biolus and Eurynotus. Principal component analyses were used to examine three lineages of ovoviviparous tenebrionids; however, no single set of climatic variables was correlated with ovovivipary. Southern African, Malagasy, and Guadeloupe lineages of ovoviviparous Tenebrionidae probably have additional and/or separate evolutionary origins and selection pressures to consider when examining this reproductive strategy.
October 16, 2023
Between 16 and 20th of October 2023, I visited the entomological collection of the Natural History Museum Basel. The main purpose of this trip was to study the types of various Eurynotina species; however, I have also investigated the extremely diverse holdings of Sepidiini. Special thanks to the Collection Manager and Curators for their help during my stay.
Cheers, Marcin
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
September 30, 2023
New article alerts:
1) Kamiński, M.J., Lumen, R., Smith, A.D., Iwan, D. 2023. Welcome home: phylogenetic placement and taxonomy of an enigmatic subtribe Stenolamina Koch, 1956 (Tenebrionidae: Blaptinae: Opatrini). Annales Zoologici, 73: 513–523. https://doi.org/10.3161/00034541ANZ2023.73.3.013
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
2) Iwan, D., Schawaller, W., Kamiński, M.J. 2023. Taxonomy of the Archaeoglenes biroi species-group (Tenebrionidae: Phrenapatinae: Archaeoglenini) with a description of the new species from the Moluccas. Annales Zoologici, 73: 529–534. https://doi.org/10.3161/00034541ANZ2023.73.3.015
Cheers, Marcin
July 13, 2023
New article alert:
Swichtenberg KL, Kamiński MJ, Gearner OM, Lumen R, Kanda K, Smith AD. 2023. Preliminary phylogenomic analyses reveal multiple reversions to nocturnal behavior and morphology within the primarily diurnal tribe Adesmiini (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Insect Systematics and Diversity, 7(4): 1-9 https://doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixad013
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
Abstract.- The darkling beetle tribe Adesmiini (Tenebrionidae: Pimeliinae) is a prominent part of African and western Palearctic desert faunas, with most species being day-active fast-running detritivores. Taxonomic diversity within the tribe is highest in the southern Afrotropical realm (where all genera are present); only 1 genus, the species-rich Adesmia, occurs north of the Sahara. Despite notable species, such as the fog-basking beetle Onymacris unguicularis (a focal taxon in desert ecological research), Adesmiini has undergone few modern taxonomic or phylogenetic studies. Hence, generic concepts and pronounced diurnal activity, rare in the primarily nocturnal family Tenebrionidae, remain poorly explored. To investigate evolutionary relationships and diurnal origins within the tribe, we generated a genomic dataset of 529 protein-coding genes across 43 species spanning 10 of 11 Adesmiini genera. Our resulting phylogeny for the tribe rejects the monophyly of 5 currently recognized Adesmiini genera (i.e., Adesmia, Metriopus, Onymacris, Physadesmia, and Stenocara). Ancestral state reconstruction of diurnal activity using eye shape as a proxy supports the hypothesis that Adesmiini were primitively diurnal, followed by at least 4 shifts to nocturnal or crepuscular activity.
Cheers, Marcin
May 30, 2023
Outreach activities:
On Tuesday I visited a local preliminary school in Warsaw. On behalf of the Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS, I have presented life displays to over 50 children. We were talking about snails ;)
More info at: https://www.facebook.com/ep.miizpan
Cheers, Marcin
May 20, 2023
Outreach activities:
On Saturday, May 20, at the research station of the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, we hosted the participants of ZooUniwerek. It is an amazing initiative under, which schoolchildren are familiarised with the work of scientists representing different disciplines. During our meeting, we prepared two lectures on mollusks biology: "Evolution of mollusks, a story about how octopuses lost their shells" and "Strategies for obtaining food in mollusks". As part of the practical component, the participants not only got acquainted with the structure of the mouthparts of land snails, which they could examine in detail under a microscope, but they also learned about the organization of fieldwork in the case of malacofauna research.
Cheers, Marcin
January 5, 2023
New article alert:
Lumen, R. Kamiński, M.J. (2023). Taxonomic revision of the genus Phylacastus Fairmaire (Tenebrionidae, Eurynotina): shortfalls of anatomical nomenclature with notes on aedeagal homology. Zookeys, 1138: 1–27 https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1138.95968
Cheers, Marcin
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
Abstract.- The genus Phylacastus Fairmaire (Tenebrionidae, Blaptinae, Platynotini, Eurynotina) is revised. Two new species and one new synonymy are presented along with new diagnoses, descriptions, a distribution map, and key to species. The resulting species of Phylacastus are: P. ancoralium sp. nov., P. crypticoides Koch (= P. pretoriensis Koch syn. nov.), P. makskacymirowi sp. nov., P. rhodesianus Koch, and P. striolatus Fairmaire. Lectotypes are designated for the type species, P. striolatus, to fix the taxonomic status of the species and genus. As a result of examination and subsequent description of P. ancoralium sp. nov., a brief review and treatment of aedeagal morphology is presented. The nomenclature (“clavae” versus “laciniae”) and phylogenetic occurrence of accessory structures of the paramere-median lobe area within Blaptinae Leach and Adelinina LeConte (Diaperinae, Diaperini) are discussed. New descriptive terminology (i.e., ancora [singular] and ancorae [plural]) is proposed for these aedeagal structures in Blaptinae to clarify their function and resolve past ambiguities. The morphology within representatives of Adelina Dejean, Alphitophagus Stephens, Gnatocerus Thunberg, and Sitophagus Mulsant is also briefly contrasted and outlined.
August 2, 2022
New article alert:
Raś M., Kamiński M.J., Iwan D. 2022. Fossoriality in desert-adapted tenebrionid (Coleoptera) larvae. Scientific Reports, 12, 13233, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-17581-6
Cheers, Marcin
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
July 4, 2022
New article alert:
Kamiński M.J., Gearner O.M, Raś M., Hunsinger E.T., Smith A.L., Mas-Peinado P., Girón J.C., Bilska A.G., Strümpher W.P., Wirth C.C., Kanda K., Swichtenberg K., Iwan D., Smith A.D. 2022. Female terminalia morphology and cladistic relations among Tok-Tok beetles (Tenebrionidae: Sepidiini). Cladistics, https://doi.org/10.1111/cla.12510
Cheers, Marcin
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
March 31, 2022
New article alerts:
Kamiński, M.J., Smth, A.D., Bouchard, P., Kanda, K., Johnston, M.A., Mas-Peinado, P., Gunter, N.L. 2022. Preface to the proceedings of the International Tenebrionoidea Virtual Symposium VI. Annales Zoologici, 72: 1–8. https://doi.org/10.3161/00034541ANZ2022.72.1.001
Johnston, M.A., Smith, A.D., Kanda, K., Kamiński, M.J., Naverette, P., Sanchez, L.A., Aalbu, R.L., Miller, K.B., Wheeler, Q.D., Franz, N.M. 2022. Testing the taxonomy of Amphidorini LeConte (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): a molecular phylogeny leveraging museum sequencing. Annales Zoologici, 72: 49–68. https://doi.org/10.3161/00034541ANZ2022.72.1.003
Gearner, O.M., Lumen, R., Kamiński, M.J. 2022. New species of Toktokkus from Mozambique (Tenebrionidae: Sepidiini: Molurina). Annales Zoologici, 72: 123–127. https://doi.org/10.3161/00034541ANZ2022.72.1.010
Novák, V., Bouchard, P., Lumen, R., Kamiński, M.J. 2022. Supplement to the Catalogue of genus-group names in Alleculinae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Annales Zoologici, 72: 135–145. https://doi.org/10.3161/00034541ANZ2022.72.1.012
Cheers, Marcin & Ryan
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
Toktokkus o-serraferrus sp. nov. (top),
Mimocistela zumpti Borchmann (bottom)
PREFACE TO THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL TENEBRIONOIDEA VIRTUAL SYMPOSIUM VI
A special issue of Annales Zoologici was just published.
You can find all manuscripts here:
https://bioone.org/journals/annales-zoologici/issues
Cheers, Marcin
February 12, 2022
kaminskientomo on https://www.flickr.com/
We have uploaded the first batch of photos to our flickr account. On this website we will be presenting pictures of the type specimens of selected species representing darkling beetles. First stop: Gonopus!
Cheers, Marcin
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
February 1, 2022
New article alert:
Kamiński, M.J., Lumen, R., Kanda, K., Smith A.D. 2022. Phylogenetic status of some unique species representing Blapstinina Mulsant & Rey (Tenebrionidae: Blaptinae: Opatrini), and implications for continued study of the subtribe. Zootaxa, 5093 (5): 519–532.
Link to the publication:
https://www.mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5000.5.2/46575
Cheers, Marcin
Abstract.- Blapstinus Dejean, is the most taxonomically challenging genus within Blapstinina Mulsant & Rey (Tenebrionidae: Opatrini). With over 120 species, it is widely distributed throughout the Americas, with representatives reaching Canada on the northern range edge, and Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay in the south. Traditionally, Blapstinus has been distinguished from other blapstinoid beetles via well-developed metathoracic wings and their lack of synapomorphies present in other genera; however, fused and tapering aedeagal parameres were recently introduced as a potential autapomorphy for the genus. This study used molecular data (nuclear ribosomal 28S, cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII), arginine kinase (ArgK), carbomyl-phosphate synthetase domain of rudimentary (CAD), and wingless (wg)) to investigate the phylogenetic placement and taxonomic status of three Blapstinus species with distinct male genitalic morphology, i.e. Blapstinus tibialis Champion (USA), B. grandis Champion (Mexico, Nicaragua), and B. punctulatus Solier (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay). Analyses highlight the phylogenetic informativeness of the aedeagal morphology within the subtribe, and support an urgent need for taxonomic studies of South American taxa. Blapstinus tibialis and B. grandis were recovered as a specific lineage within Blapstinus that can be easily distinguished from remaining congeners by having tridentate parameres. A lectotype for B. grandis is designated to fix the taxonomic status of this species. Blapstinus punctulatus was recovered outside of its current genus which, along with aedeagal morphology, supports a change of status of the species. As a result, the following synonymy and combinations are introduced: Lodinus Mulsant and Rey stat. restit. (=Austrocaribius Marcuzzi syn. nov.), Lodinus araguae (Marcuzzi) comb. et stat. nov., L. punctulatus comb. nov., L. venezuelensis (Marcuzzi) comb. nov. Lectotypes for Lodinus nigroaeneus Mulsant and Rey, L. araguae, and L. punctulatus are designated to fix the taxonomic status of these species.
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
December 22, 2021
New article alert:
Kamiński, M.J., Lumen, R., Müller, R., Kanda, K., Robiche, G., Smith A.D. 2021. Illustrated catalog of the subtribe Helopinina Latreille (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Blaptinae). The Coleopterists Bulletin, 75(3): 537–578. https://doi.org/10.1649/0010-065X-75.3.537
Ivie, M.A., Aalbu, R., Barclay, M.V.L., Johnston, M.A., Kamiński, M.J., Kanda, K., Iwan, D. 2021. Placement of the orphan genus Asiopus Sharp, 1891 (Tenebrionidae: Adelini/Platynotini) and the synonymy of Alaetrinus Iwan, 1995. The Coleopterists Bulletin, 75(3): 594–598. https://doi.org/10.1649/0010-065X-75.3.594
Cheers, Marcin & Ryan
November 30 2021
New article alert:
Kamiński, M. J., Smith, A. D., Kanda, K., Iwan, D., & Kergoat, G. J. (2021). Old origin for an European-African amphitropical disjunction pattern: New insights from a case study on wingless darkling beetles. Journal of Biogeography, 00, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.14288
Link to the publication:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jbi.14288
Cheers, Marcin
Abstract.- The origin of the amphitropic Mediterranean Basin and southern African disjunction (European–African amphitropical disjunction; EAAD) pattern is generally attributed to recent dispersal events. However, our knowledge is limited because the origin of the EAAD pattern has been almost exclusively studied in plants. Here, we investigate the origin of this wide-ranging disjunction pattern in a group of wingless insects, consisting of two major clades, both of which have EAAD distributions.
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
October 8 2021
New article alert:
Kamiński, M. J., Bouchard, P., Leo, P., Iwan, D., 2021. On the type species of the genus Dendarus Dejean, 1821 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Zootaxa, 5048, 575–580.
Link to the publication:
https://www.mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5048.4.6
Cheers, Marcin
Abstract.- Based on type specimen investigation, the status of Helops tristis Rossi, 1790 as the type species of the genus Dendarus Dejean, 1821 is confirmed. Lectotypes are designated for Helops tristis and Pandarus coarcticollis Mulsant, 1854 – both are classified in Dendarus. Pandarus libanicus Desbrochers des Loges, 1881 is recognised as a junior synonym of Dendarus calcaratus Baudi di Selve, 1881. Both taxa share the same locus typicus (Mount Lebanon in Lebanon) and are morphologically distinct from the Italian Dendarus lugens (Mulsant & Rey, 1854). Finally, D. lugens is considered as a synonym of D. (Dendarus) coarcticollis.
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
July 7 2021
New article alert:
Iwan, D., Daszkiewicz, P., Kamiński, M. J. 2021. Rediscovery of the type specimens of Strix aluco volhyniae Dunajewski, 1948. Annales Zoologici, 71: 399–404.
Link to the publication:
https://doi.org/10.3161/00034541ANZ2021.71.2.011
Cheers, Marcin
Abstract.- This paper reports the rediscovery of the type specimens (holotype and paratype) of Strix aluco volhyniae Dunajewski, 1948, a junior synonym of Strix aluco aluco Linnaeus, 1758. Previously thought to have been destroyed during the Second World War, the types were found in the collection of the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Additionally, this paper provides support for the availability of the name Strix aluco volhyniae, which was initially proposed as a new race.
June 19 2021
New article alert:
Smith A.D., Kamiński M.J., Kanda K., Sweet, A.D., Betancourt J.L., Holmgren C.A., Hempel E., Alberti F., Hofreiter, M. 2021. Recovery and analysis of ancient beetle DNA from subfossil packrat middens using high-throughput sequencing. Scientific Reports
Link to the publication:
www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-91896-8
Cheers, Marcin
Abstract.- The study of ancient DNA is revolutionizing our understanding of paleo-ecology and the evolutionary history of species. Insects are essential components in many ecosystems and constitute the most diverse group of animals. Yet they are largely neglected in ancient DNA studies. We report the results of the first targeted investigation of insect ancient DNA to positively identify subfossil insects to species, which includes the recovery of endogenous content from samples as old as ~34,355 ybp. Potential inhibitors currently limiting widespread research on insect ancient DNA are discussed, including the lack of closely related genomic reference sequences (decreased mapping efficiency) and the need for more extensive collaborations with insect taxonomists. The advantages of insect-based studies are also highlighted, especially in the context of understanding past climate change. In this regard, insect remains from ancient packrat middens are a rich and largely uninvestigated resource for exploring paleo-ecology and species dynamics over time.
Research funded by the OPUS 19 Project (number 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) from the National Science Centre, Poland.
PhD Student position at MIZ PAN available starting October 2021
Funding source: National Science Center grant OPUS-19 nr UMO-2020/37/B/NZ8/02496 "High-throughput DNA sequencing on historical collections of beetles: phylogenetic studies among Platynotini (Tenebrionidae)"
Key words: systematics, phylogeny, morphology, beetles, NGS
Principal Investigator: dr hab. Marcin Jan Kamiński, Ph.D.
Location: Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Warsaw, Poland)
Scholarship (gross salary): 5,000 PLN per month until 2025-01-25 (NCN scholarship); ca. 3,600 PLN per month 2025-01-25-2025-09-30 (standard PhD scholarship)
Application deadline: May 4, 2021
More info: http://kaminskientomo.org/blog-news/phd
March 19 2021
New article alert:
Gearner, O.M, Kamiński M.J., Kanda K., Swichtenberg K., Smith A.D. 2021. Discovery of New Genera Challenges the Subtribal Classification of Tok-Tok Beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Sepidiini). Insect Systematics and Diversity, 5(2): 4; 1–10
Link to the publication:
https://doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixab006
Cheers, Marcin
Abstract.- Sepidiini is a speciose tribe of desert-inhabiting darkling beetles, which contains a number of poorly defined taxonomic groups and is in need of revision at all taxonomic levels. In this study, two previously unrecognized lineages were discovered, based on morphological traits, among the extremely speciose genera Psammodes Kirby, 1819 (164 species and subspecies) and Ocnodes Fåhraeus, 1870 (144 species and subspecies), namely the Psammodes spinosus species-group and Ocnodes humeralis speciesgroup. In order to test their phylogenetic placement, a phylogeny of the tribe was reconstructed based on analyses of DNA sequences from six nonoverlapping genetic loci (CAD, wg, COI JP, COI BC, COII, and 28S) using Bayesian and maximum likelihood inference methods. The aforementioned, morphologically defined, species-groups were recovered as distinct and well-supported lineages within Molurina + Phanerotomeina and are interpreted as independent genera, respectively, Tibiocnodes Gearner & Kamiński gen. nov. and Tuberocnodes Gearner & Kamiński gen. nov. A new species, Tuberocnodes synhimboides Gearner & Kamiński sp. nov., is also described. Furthermore, as the recovered phylogenetic placement of Tibiocnodes and Tuberocnodes undermines the monophyly of Molurina and Phanerotomeina, an analysis of the available diagnostic characters for those subtribes is also performed. As a consequence, Phanerotomeina is considered as a synonym of the newly redefined Molurina sens. nov. Finally, spectrograms of vibrations produced by substrate tapping of two Molurina species, Toktokkus vialis (Burchell, 1822) and T. synhimboides, are presented.
February 4 2021
International Tenebrionoidea Virtual Symposium VI
Hi everybody, I would like to share some exciting news!
The next International Tenebrionoidea Symposium will take place in May, 2021. This will be a virtual meeting allowing all of us to join and share our research/passion for Tenebrionoidea. This announcement is directed to anybody who is interested. It would be awesome to see your presentation/poster during the meeting; however if you just want to join and observe you are most welcome.
More info, including brief descriptions of the previous meeting, can be found under this link: http://www.tenebrionoidea.org/
Cheers, Marcin
January 16 2021
New article alert:
Ocnodes kruegeri (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), a new species from Namaqualand, southern Africa, with nomenclatural notes on Sepidiini. Annals of the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History 9: 1–5.
Link to the publication:
https://journals.co.za/content/journal/nfi_ditsong
Cheers, Marcin
Abstract.- A new species of the genus Ocnodes is described (O. kruegeri spec. nov.) from Namaqualand, southern Africa. Moreover, an update of the recently published catalogue (Kamiski et al., 2019a) of the tribe Sepidiini is provided. This includes discovery of two nomenclatural duplications and inclusion of nine previously omitted species. The following new combinations are proposed (both species transferred from Psammodes): Ocnodes badeni (Haag-Rutenberg, 1871) and Ocnodes damarinus (Péringuey, 1904). Trachynotus kruegeri nom. nov. is introduced for Trachynotus vicinus Péringuey, 1886 to avoid homonymy with Trachynotus vicinus (Haag-Rutenberg, 1871).
December 30 2020
New article alert:
On the taxonomic placement of Penichrus Champion, 1885 and a synopsis of North American Opatrini (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Blaptinae)
Link to the publication:
https://doi.org/10.3161/00034541ANZ2020.70.4.017
Thank you Andrew for inviting me to join you on this one!
Cheers, Marcin
Abstract.- The taxonomic position of Penichrus blapstinoides Champion, 1885 (type species of Penichrus Champion, 1885) within Tenebrionidae is discussed based on the analysis of both type material and comprehensive internal and external morphology. The species was formerly classified within Opatrini (subfamily Blaptinae); however, this hypothesis is hereby rejected as this species does not share any of the diagnostic characteristics proposed for that tribe. A detailed analysis of other phylogenetically crucial features (including male and female terminalia, defensive glands, antennae, and abdominal ventrites) places Penichrus within Tenebrioninae. However, a more detailed assignment is not currently possible given the present circumscriptions of tenebrionine tribes. The genus is hereby placed as incertae sedis within Tenebrioninae. A morphological analysis and discussion of current tribal concepts is presented which exposes the weakness of the currently accepted classification system, and highlights a need for extensive comparative morphological studies within Tenebrioninae. A lectotype for Penichrus blapstinoides is designated. Distolinus impressicollis Fairmaire, 1892 is reinstated as a junior synonym of Penichrus blapstinoides. A revised checklist and key to the genera of Opatrini known from mainland North America are provided.
New presentation on darkling beetles:
"Unraveling the diversity of HELOPININA Latreille (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): an illustrated catalogue of the subtribe and initial taxonomic revision" by MJ Kaminski and R. Lumen.
The Coleopterists Society, 2020 Virtual Annual General Meeting
Enjoy!
Cheers, Marcin
National Science Center, Poland – OPUS 19 (2020/37/B/NZ8/02496):
I have received funding for a phylogenetic project concerning darkling beetles!
High-throughput DNA sequencing on historical collections of beetles: phylogenetic studies among Platynotini (Tenebrionidae)
In summer 2021, I'll be recruiting a PhD student to work on a subproject entitled:
PHYLOGENY AND TAXONOMIC REVISION OF SUBTRIBE EURYNOTINA
More info coming soon!
Cheers, Marcin
Platynotini: Anomalipus
New book alert:
I have co-authored one chapter on darkling beetles:
Iwan, D., Löbl, I., Bouchard P., Bousquet, Y., Kamiński, M., Merkl O, Ando, K., Schawaller, W. 2020. Family TENEBRIONIDAE Latreille, 1802 in Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera Volume 5, Tenebrionoidea Revised and Updated Second Edition by Iwan, D., Löbl., I. Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands, 969pp; ISBN: 978-90-04-43498-1
Link to the publication:
https://brill.com/view/title/59110
Cheers, Marcin
New article alert:
Reevaluation of Blapimorpha and Opatrinae: addressing a major phylogeny-classification gap in darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Blaptinae)
Link to the publication:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/syen.12453
Many thanks to the co-authors for a fruitful cooperation!
Cheers, Marcin
Abstract. The taxonomic concepts of Blapimorpha and Opatrinae (informal and traditional, morphology-based groupings among darkling beetles) are tested using molecular phylogenetics and a reassessment of larval and adult morphology to address a major phylogeny-classification gap in Tenebrionidae. Instead of a holistic approach (family-level phylogeny), this study uses a bottom-up strategy (tribal grouping) in order to define larger, monophyletic lineages within Tenebrioninae. Sampling included representatives of 27 tenebrionid tribes: Alleculini, Amarygmini, Amphidorini, Blaptini, Bolitophagini, Branchini, Cerenopini, Coniontini, Caenocrypticini, Dendarini, Eulabini, Helopini, Lagriini, Melanimini, Opatrini, Pedinini, Phaleriini, Physogasterini, Platynotini, Platyscelidini, Praociini, Scaurini, Scotobiini, Tenebrionini, Trachyscelini, Triboliini, and Ulomini. Molecular analyses were based on DNA sequence data from four non-overlapping gene regions: carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase domain of rudimentary (CAD) (723bp), wingless (wg) (438bp), and nuclear ribosomal 28S (1,101bp) and mitochondrial ribosomal 12S (363bp). Additionally, fifteen larval and imaginal characters were scored and subjected to an ancestral state reconstruction analysis. Results revealed that Amphidorini, Blaptini, Dendarini, Pedinini, Platynotini, Platyscelidini, and Opatrini form a clade which can be defined by the following morphological features: adults – antennae lacking compound/stellate sensoria; procoxal cavities externally and internally closed, intersternal membrane of abdominal ventrites 3–5 visible; paired abdominal defensive glands present, elongate, not annulated; larvae – prolegs enlarged (adapted for digging); ninth tergite lacking urogomphi. To accommodate this monophyletic grouping (281 genera and ~4,000 species), the subfamily Blaptinae sens. nov. is resurrected. Prior to these results, all of the tribes within Blaptinae were classified within the polyphyletic subfamily Tenebrioninae. The non-monophyletic nature of this subfamily has already been postulated by previous authors, yet no taxonomic decisions were made to fix its status. The reinstatement of Blaptinae, which groups ~50% of the former Tenebrioninae, helps to clarify phylogenetic relations among the whole family and is the first step towards a complete higher-level revision of Tenebrionidae. The Central Asian tribe Dissonomini (two genera, ~30 species) was not included in Blaptinae due to a lack of representatives in the performed phylogenetic analyses; however, based on morphological features, the tribe is listed as a potential addition to the subfamily.
Female terminalia project
I have prepared some tutorials on different dissecting techniques. Enjoy!
New article alert:
First insights into the phylogeny of tok-tokkie beetles (Tenebrionidae: Molurina, Phanerotomeina) and examination of the status of the Psammodes vialis species-group
Link to the publication:
https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa052
Many thanks to the co-authors for a fruitful cooperation!
Cheers, Marcin
Ross Taylor Bell and Joyce Rockenbach Bell Research Grant
We have received funding for our Helopinina catalogue.
https://www.coleopsoc.org/ross-taylor-bell-and-joyce-rockenbach-bell-research-grant-awarded/
Thank you!
New presentation on darkling beetles:
"Polish comes from the cities; wisdom from the desert: a tale of darkling beetles"
Department of Entomology, 2020 Seminar Series
West Lafayette, IN, USA
Cheers, Marcin
New articles alert:
1. Revision of the genus Ulus Horn, 1870
Link to the publication: https://doi.org/10.3161/00034541ANZ2019.69.4.014
2. Taxonomic revision of the genus Machleida Fåhraeus, 1870
Link to the publication: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.898.46465
This paper received some attention from Polish Press Agency:
Cheers, Marcin
"Labels aren’t just travel brochures but essays of the life histories of collectors"
Talk by me and Dariusz Iwan
@Entomological Collections Network Annual Meeting
St. Louis, MO, USA
16-17 November 2019
New article alert:
My 1st publication with PURDUE affiliation ;)
Link to the publication:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/syen.12398
Many thanks to the co-authors for a fruitful cooperation!
Cheers, Marcin
Transfer to Purdue University ;)
Thank you NAU for a wonderful experience.
New article alert:
My 40th publication, and the first book ;)
Link to the publication: https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/34241/
Many thanks to the co-authors for a fruitful cooperation!
Cheers, Marcin
New article alert:
Immature stages of beetles representing the ‘Opatrinoid’ clade (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): an overview of current knowledge of the larval morphology and some resulting taxonomic notes on Blapstinina – was just published in Zoomorphology (https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs00435-019-00443-7.pdf )
Cheers, Marcin
PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIFTH TENEBRIONOIDEA SYMPOSIUM
Special issue of Annales Zoologici was just published.
You can find all manuscripts here:
https://bioone.org/journals/annales-zoologici/issues
Thank you Luboš for organising this Symposium!
Cheers, Marcin
Sprawa wniosku o nadanie dr Marcinowi Kamińskiemu stopnia doktora habilitowanego nauk biologicznych w dyscyplinie biologia.
Wynik:
dr hab. Marcin Jan Kamiński ;)
Pliki do pobrania:
“SPECIES FILE GROUP SMALL GRANTS FOR BEETLE NOMENCLATURE”
https://tinyurl.com/yclmednzWe have received funding for our Sepidiini catalogue.
Thank you!
Marcin
New article alert:
The taxonomic identity of some enigmatic darkling beetle genera: Archinamaqua Schawaller, 2012 and Menederopsis Koch, 1954 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Namaqualand, South Africa – was just published in Zootaxa (https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4543.2.8)
Cheers, Marcin
Together with Mary we have added a few Sepidiini photos to the gallery. Majority of them illustrates type specimens loaned from the California Academy of Sciences and Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS. The catalogue of Sepidiini is nearly finished. We have over 1,000 valid species and 55 genera listed at this moment.
Cheers, Marcin & Mary
The site has launched!
The main purpose of this place is to popularise the knowledge on selected groups of darkling beetles.
Cheers, Marcin
