Declinia

Introduction

Decliniidae is a small family comprising only one genus and two species distributed in the Far East of Russia and in Japan. Both species were described in mid 1990-ies. The larva is still unknown. The only biological data are those associated with collecting circumstances. Most specimens of Declinia relicta were collected in flight intercept traps in humid forests (Lawrence et al. 1995). Declinia versicolor was collected on the leaves of dwarf bamboo with Cyphon sannoides Yoshitomi (Scirtidae) at an altitude of ca. 1500 m (Satoi & Sato 1996). Declinia relicta is probably pollinophagous (Lawrence et al. 1995).

Characteristics

Body length 3.5-5.5 mm. Body convex, dorsum subglabrous, dark brown to almost black. Elytra with distinct rows of punctures; prosternum well developed; antennae short, with 5-segmented club.

Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships

References

Lawrence J. F. 2005. Decliniidae Nikitsky et al., 1994. in Handbook of Zoology, Vol. IV Arthropoda: Insecta. Part 38. Coleoptera, Vol. 1: Morphology and Systematics (Archostemata, Adephaga, Myxophaga, Polyphaga (partim)). Walter De Gruyter, Berlin, New York: 431-433.

Lawrence, J. F., N. B. Nikitsky and A. G. Kirejtshuk 1995. Phylogenetic position of Decliniidae (Coleoptera: Scirtoidea) and comments on the classification of Elateriformia (sensu lato). Pages 375–410 in Biology, Phylogeny, and Classification of Coleoptera: Papers Celebrating the 80th Birthday of Roy A. Crowson. J. Pakaluk and S. A. Slipinski eds. Muzeum i Instytut Zoologii Polska Akademia Nauk, Warsaw.

Nikitsky, N. B., J. F. Lawrence, A. G. Kirejtshuk and W. G. Gratshev 1994. A new beetle family, Decliniidae fam. n., from the Russian Far East and its taxonomic relationships (Coleoptera Polyphaga). Russian Entomological Journal 2(5–6): 3–10.

Sakai, M. and M. Satô 1996. The coleopteran family Decliniidae (Elateriformia, Scirtoidea) new to Japan, with description of its second representative. Elytra, Tokyo 24: 103–111.

Information on the Internet

• Elateriformia (Coleoptera): Decliniidae. J. F. Lawrence, A. M. Hastings, M. J. Dallwitz, T. A. Paine and E. J. Zurcher. Delta-intkey.com
• Atlas of beetles of Russia: Declinia relicta.