Forum Entomologi Italiani

Species very probably extinct in the wild, associated with burrows of the ground squirrel Spermophilus citellus macedonicus (also probably extinct in the wild - see e.g.: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/20472/0). It is known only from West Macedonia (Kozani env.) where was collected by three entomologists in 90's of the 20th century (so far, only the paratype series is known).

Length of body: 10 mm.

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Daniel

Ἦν τὸ φῶς τὸ ἀληθινόν, ὃ φωτίζει πάντα ἄνθρωπον, ἐρχόμενον εἰς τὸν κόσμον. (ΚΑΤΑ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΝ, 1,9)

I have a specimen collected last year near Kozani, but not had yet the time to take a look on that to see what it is.

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Cosmin-Ovidiu Manci
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cosmln's place - my blog
just insects
Dragonflies of Romania

It's unbelievable, Cosmin! How did you captured it? According to Kryštufek, both Greek subspecies of Spermophilus citellus (macedonicus and graolojenici) have been lost (http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/20472/0). Post some photo please.

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Daniel

Ἦν τὸ φῶς τὸ ἀληθινόν, ὃ φωτίζει πάντα ἄνθρωπον, ἐρχόμενον εἰς τὸν κόσμον. (ΚΑΤΑ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΝ, 1,9)

Only now found myself with the specimen in hand ... done few photos in hurry as I don't have time for this now (sorry for quality).
Collected in 20.april.2014 under a piece of dog (or other canid) shit... at cca 11 km from Kozani.



Aspeto anche Stefano di vedere questo.

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Cosmin-Ovidiu Manci
**********************
cosmln's place - my blog
just insects
Dragonflies of Romania

No Spalax or related on there? O. kindermanni is associated with Nanospalax leucodon too. Maybe with other rodents and we don't even know.

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Ciao
Adrian

Per quanto riesco a vedere dalle foto, anche secondo me si tratta di Onthophagus (Palaeonthophagus) rodentium Pittino, 2004. E' risaputo che in mancanza di tane e di escrementi di roditori, gli Onthophagus foleofili possono ricorrere a quelli degli onnivori, come il cane.
Bel colpo, Cosmin. E speriamo che in qualche maniera la popolazione di O. rodentium sia riuscita a sopravvivere a Kozani e dintorni.