Tarphius floresensis
{{Short description|Species of beetle}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = tarphius floresensis.jpg
| image_caption = Tarphius floresensis
| status = CR
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Tarphius
| species = floresensis
| authority = Borges & Serrano 2017
}}
Tarphius floresensis{{NCBI taxid| 1929767 | Tarphius floresensis | accessdate = 13 September 2021}}{{GBIF |id=9420543 |taxon=Tarphius floresensis |accessdate=13 September 2021}} is a beetle species in the family Zopheridae endemic to Flores Island (Azores).{{Cite journal|last=Borges, P. A., Amorim, I. R., Terzopoulou, S., Rigal, F., Emerson, B. C., & Serrano, A. R.|date=2017|title=Cryptic diversity in the Azorean beetle genus Tarphius Erichson, 1845 (Coleoptera: Zopheridae): An integrative taxonomic approach with description of four new species|journal=Zootaxa|volume=4236|issue=3 |pages=401–449|doi=10.11646/zootaxa.4236.3.1 |pmid=28264311 }} It is commonly named as an iron-clad beetle in English or Escaravelho-cascudo-da-mata in Portuguese. The genus Tarphius is evolutionarily old species to Azores.{{Cite journal|last=Amorim, I. R., Emerson, B. C., Borges, P. A., & Wayne, R. K. (2012). Phylogeography and molecular phylogeny of Macaronesian island Tarphius (Coleoptera: Zopheridae): why are there so few species in the Azores?. Journal of Biogeography, 39(9), 1583-1595.|date=2012|title=Phylogeography and molecular phylogeny of Macaronesian island Tarphius (Coleoptera: Zopheridae): why are there so few species in the Azores?|journal=Journal of Biogeography|volume=39|issue=9|pages=1583–1595|doi=10.1111/j.1365-2699.2012.02721.x|bibcode=2012JBiog..39.1583A |hdl=10400.3/1665|s2cid=9433967|hdl-access=free}}
Description and ecology
The medium size of the beetle is less than half centimeters.{{Cite web|title=Target Species|url=https://www.lifebeetlesazores.com/en/target-species/|access-date=2021-08-30|website=Life Beetles Azores|language=en-US}} It has small seta
The beetle does not fly.
The species occurs in the altitude of 300-1000 m and can be found in wet places, as slopes near rivers. The species occurs mainly in soil, but can also be found under the bark of old trees.{{Cite web|last=Escaravelho-cascudo-da-mata (Portuguese)|first=Ironclad Beetle (English) /|title=Ironclad Beetle (English) / Escaravelho-cascudo-da-mata (Portuguese)|url=http://www.maiisg.com/|access-date=2021-08-30|website=MAIIS GROUP|language=en}} Interestingly, it has been found under both, endemic and exotic trees. The beetle is present in some larger and well-preserved patches of native forests of the island. Tarphius is a Fungivorous beetle and is active at night.
Distribution
Tarphius floresensis is endemic to Flores Island (Azores), Portugal. It has been found in Natural Forest Reserve of Morro Alto and Pico da Sé and Natural Forest Reserve of Caldeiras Funda and Rasa.
Conservation status
Tarphius floresensis is considered as critically endangered species according to IUCN Red List. It is mostly threatened by habitat loss due to non-native invasive species and the change of land use. The most problematic invasive species reducing the habitats is Hedychium gardnerianum, which is introduced to the island as a decorative plant.
On the scope of a LIFE Programme (Life Beetles), awareness is being raisen among locals about the beetle and the following conservation actions are carried out:
- Control invasive flora species such as ginger lily (Hedychium gardnerianum), sweet pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum) and earleaf nightshade (Solanum mauritianum) along the riverbed;
- Apply Nature-based solutions (NBS) to control erosion, prevent natural hazards and create favorable habitat for the project target species.
- Restoring strategical habitat areas through the removal of Invasive species and by planting native species;
- Promote the habitat connectivity of the species.