Abstract
The divergence of ecological traits adapted to different environmental conditions may promote the speciation and coexistence of species. Divergence in the seasonal life cycle is a prominent aspect of temperate insects that can promote niche partitioning even among closely related species. In Carabus, both spring and autumn breeders occur in temperate habitats. Ohomopterus species are spring breeders, and their larvae are specialized predators of earthworms. In this chapter, the characteristic life history pattern and diets for Ohomopterus species are introduced, partly in comparison with the contrasting life history pattern of another group, the subgenus Leptocarabus, which is an autumn breeder and often co-occurs with Ohomopterus. The comparison with Leptocarabus clarifies the characteristics of adaptation to seasonal environments and specific diets in Ohomopterus.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Baba K (1939) Die Forschung von der Untergattung der Carabus, Damaster. (I) Oekologischer Teil, vol 13. Kontyu, Tokyo, pp 43–59
Ikeda H, Tsuchiya Y, Nagata N, Ito MT, Sota T (2012) Altitudinal life-cycle and body-size variation in ground beetles of the genus Carabus (subgenus Ohomopterus) in relation to the temperature conditions and prey earthworms. Pedobiologia (Jena) 55:67–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedobi.2011.10.008
Okuzaki Y (2013) The key to determine the distribution pattern of species in the subgenus Ohomopterus: body size differences prevent reproductive interference. In: Sota T (ed) New aspects of carabidology: from ecology to evolution. Hokuryukan, Tokyo, pp 116–139
Okuzaki Y, Sota T (2017) Factors related to altitudinal body size variation in the earthworm-eating ground beetle Carabus japonicus. Zool Sci 34:229–234. https://doi.org/10.2108/zs160182
Okuzaki Y, Takami Y, Sota T (2010) Resource partitioning or reproductive isolation: The ecological role of body size differences among closely related species in sympatry. J Anim Ecol 79:383–392. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2656.2009.01645.x
Shintani Y, Numata H (2010) Adaptive significance of the recurrent photoperiodic response in a spring-breeding carabid beetle, Carabus yaconinus. Entomol Sci 13:367–374. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-8298.2010.00403.x
Sota T (1984) Long adult life spain and polyphagy of a carabid beetle, Leptocarabus kumagaii in relation to reproduction and survival. Res Popul Ecol (Kyoto) 26:389–400. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02515502
Sota T (1985a) Activity patterns, diets and interspecific interactions of coexisting spring and autumn breeding carabids: Carabus yaconinus and Leptocarabus kumagaii (Coleoptera, Carabidae). Ecol Entomol 10:315–324. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.1985.tb00728.x
Sota T (1985b) Life history patterns of carabid beetles belonging to the subtribe Carabina (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in the Kinki District, western Japan, vol 53. Kontyu, Tokyo, pp 370–378
Sota T (1985c) Limitation of reproduction by feeding condition in a carabid beetle, Carabus yaconinus. Res Popul Ecol (Kyoto) 27:171–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02515489
Sota T (1986a) Effects of temperature and photoperiod on the larval development and gonad maturation of a carabid beetle, Carabus yaconinus (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Appl Entomol Zool 21:617–623. https://doi.org/10.1303/aez.21.89
Sota T (1986b) Life history strategy and population characteristics of two Carabina species, Carabus yaconinus and C. kumagaii. Dissertation. Kyoto University, Kyoto
Sota T (1987a) Effects of temperature and photoperiod on the larval hibernation and adult aestivation of Leptocarabus kumagaii (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Appl Entomol Zool 22:617–623. https://doi.org/10.1303/aez.22.617
Sota T (1987b) Mortality pattern and age structure in two carabid populations with different seasonal life cycles. Res Popul Ecol (Kyoto) 29:237–254. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02538889
Sota T (1994) Variation of carabid life cycles along climatic gradients: an adaptive perspective for life-history evolution under adverse conditions. In: Danks H (ed) Insect life-cycle polymorphism: theory, evolution and ecological consequences for seasonality and diapause control. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 91–112
Sota T (1996) Altitudinal variation in life cycles of carabid beetles: life-cycle strategy and colonization in alpine zones. Arctic Antarct Alp Res 28:441–447
Sota T, Takami Y, Kubota K, Ujiie M, Ishikawa R (2000) Interspecific body size differentiation in species assemblages of the carabid subgenus Ohomopterus in Japan. Popul Ecol 42:279–291
Sturani M (1962) Osservazioni e ricerche biologishce sul genere Carabus Linnaeus (sensu lato). Estratto dalle Mem della Soc Entomol Ital 41:85–202
Tsuchiya Y, Takami Y, Okuzaki Y, Sota T (2012) Genetic differences and phenotypic plasticity in body size between high- and low-altitude populations of the ground beetle Carabus tosanus. J Evol Biol 25:1835–1842. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2012.02568.x
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Sota, T. (2022). Biology of Ohomopterus . In: Evolutionary Biology of Carabus Ground Beetles. Entomology Monographs. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6699-5_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6699-5_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-16-6698-8
Online ISBN: 978-981-16-6699-5
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)