Nebria gyllenhali
(Schönherr, 1806)
Species Guides
2Nebria gyllenhali is a ground beetle in the Carabidae found in Iceland and the Faroe Islands. The exhibits leg-colour dimorphism, with containing both red-legged and black-legged individuals. In Iceland, the frequency of red-legged individuals correlates strongly with geographic and climatic variables, being lowest in the south and highest in the north and west. On the Faroes, the pattern is less distinct but shows highest frequencies in the south. The genetic basis of this dimorphism remains to be confirmed experimentally.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Nebria gyllenhali: //ˈne.bri.a ˌɡʏl.lɛnˈha.li//
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Identification
Distinguished from other Nebria by leg-colour dimorphism: individuals occur with either red or black legs. The proportion of red-legged individuals varies geographically, which may aid in identifying origin within Iceland or the Faroe Islands.
Images
Distribution
Iceland and the Faroe Islands. In Iceland, documented from 18 sites spanning north, south, and west regions. On the Faroes, recorded from 50 sites with southern showing higher frequencies of red-legged individuals.
More Details
Leg-colour dimorphism
contain both red-legged and black-legged individuals in varying proportions. In Iceland, frequency of red-legged individuals ranges from 1% to 100% across sites and shows strong negative correlation with temperature and precipitation variables (R² = 0.994). On the Faroes, frequencies range from 20% to 100% with a weaker geographic pattern.
Taxonomic note
Catalogue of Life lists this name as a synonym of Nebria (Boreonebria) rufescens rufescens (Ström, 1768), while GBIF and NCBI treat it as an accepted . The authorship also differs between sources: Schönherr, 1806 versus Strøm/Ström, 1768.