Tiny forest beetles are not rare
November 2012. Seven beetle
species new to science have been discovered by a young University of Alberta
researcher just starting out in her career. Charlene Wood, who had only just
finished her master's degree in the Department of Renewable Resources, noted
the tinier-than-usual species while studying beetles in decaying aspen trees in
northwestern Alberta.
Now Wood, in collaboration
with fellow scientists, is preparing to describe the beetles for science.
Having studied them over the past four years, Wood is becoming recognized for
her knowledge of this group, known by only a few other experts across the
globe.
Deadwood
Her study of deadwood-a largely overlooked part of the North American boreal forest-is one of the few studies in Canada focused on the rich diversity of beetles that dwell in decaying wood. Wood's work revealed different beetles in each stage of the decay sequence in aspen wood. Along with recording seven new species in this habitat, Wood found an additional 47 beetle species not previously known to occur in Alberta-a significant addition to the list of provincial species.
Her study of deadwood-a largely overlooked part of the North American boreal forest-is one of the few studies in Canada focused on the rich diversity of beetles that dwell in decaying wood. Wood's work revealed different beetles in each stage of the decay sequence in aspen wood. Along with recording seven new species in this habitat, Wood found an additional 47 beetle species not previously known to occur in Alberta-a significant addition to the list of provincial species.
Wood said "It's a dream,
as a biologist. I certainly didn't think I would discover new species when I
began my project. It's an eye-opener. There are several species right under our
noses that we didn't know even existed."
Less than 3 millimetres long
All seven species she found are less than three millimetres long; most beetles studied are larger and more conspicuous, Wood said. Six of the species feed on fungus and are members of the group known as minute brown scavenger beetles. The seventh species is a monotomid beetle, which is thought live in the tunnels created by bark beetles in newly dead trees and feed on fungus and larvae of other beetles.
All seven species she found are less than three millimetres long; most beetles studied are larger and more conspicuous, Wood said. Six of the species feed on fungus and are members of the group known as minute brown scavenger beetles. The seventh species is a monotomid beetle, which is thought live in the tunnels created by bark beetles in newly dead trees and feed on fungus and larvae of other beetles.
"Deadwood offers a whole
variety of distinct habitats, and those habitats are home to hundreds of beetle
species, some of which haven't been scientifically reported yet," added
Wood, who has successfully defended her thesis and admits to being excited
about finding the beetles.
Continued: http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/forest-beetles.html
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