Notes on the discolouration in the high-mountain Carabus auronitens escheri PALLIARDI, 1825

Wien

2008

9 Abb., 10 Lit. Ang.

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681

200151181

The dull and coloured forms of Carabus auronitens Fabricius, 1792 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the Carpathians (known as subspecies C. auronitens escheri Palliardi, 1825) are investigated. The two colour forms are sympatric but paratopic where they both occur. The dull form "opacus" lives under stones near melting snow patches in rocky, treeless habitats; the coloured form lives in wooded habitats. The phenomenon of discolouration is discussed. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that the "opacus" cuticle lacks structures responsible for colour generation. This can be linked to a more efficient thermal regulation in a habitat that is too extreme for the bright metallic form.