Tenomerga

Neboiss, 1984

Species Guides

1

Tenomerga is a of reticulated beetles in the Cupedidae, comprising approximately 14–17 extant . Species are distributed across the eastern Palearctic, Nearctic, and Oriental regions. The genus has been subject to recent phylogenetic revision, with evidence suggesting T. leucophaea may warrant transfer to the genus Cupes, rendering Tenomerga polyphyletic as currently circumscribed.

Tenomerga cinerea by (c) Thomas Koffel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thomas Koffel. Used under a CC-BY license.Tenomerga cinerea by (c) Mark Richman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mark Richman. Used under a CC-BY license.Tenomerga cinerea by (c) ncb1221, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by ncb1221. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tenomerga: /tɛˈnɔmɛrɡə/

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Identification

Tenomerga can be distinguished from other Cupedidae by larval characters shared with Rhipsideigma, including a transverse and laterally rounded , absence of stemmata, shortened , sternal asperities, eversible lobes on abdominal segment IX, and a caudal process on IX. are reticulated beetles with the characteristic net-like elytral typical of the .

Images

Habitat

Wood; larvae are wood-borers with musculature adapted for this habit.

Distribution

Eastern Palearctic, Nearctic, and Oriental regions. Specific records include Taiwan, Fujian, Hong Kong (China), and Vermont (USA).

Life Cycle

First instar larvae possess posterodorsal and posteroventral cephalic emarginations, endocarina, reduced epicranial , lateral cardinal , sclerotized prominent ligula, reduced , tergal and sternal ampullae, and a strongly muscularized loop of the hind gut. Glands in the and have been reported in first instars. The cephalic is shifted to the prothorax due to small size, with three thoracic and eight abdominal ganglia in the postcephalic .

Behavior

Wood-boring habits in larvae.

Similar Taxa

  • CupesT. leucophaea has been found to form a with Cupes capitatus, suggesting potential taxonomic overlap or need for reclassification.
  • RhipsideigmaForms a well-supported cupedid subgroup with Tenomerga based on shared larval synapomorphies including shape, structure, and abdominal segment IX features.

More Details

Phylogenetic uncertainty

The monophyly of Archostemata is strongly supported, but interrelationships of remain largely unresolved. Reconstruction of and character evolution is impeded by scarcity of data on internal features and larval characters.

Mitochondrial genome

The complete mitochondrial of T. trabecula is 16,741 with 37 genes in ancestral arrangement and 76.8% A+T content; this was the first mitogenome reported for Cupedidae.

Sources and further reading