Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 98. (Budapest 2006)

Makranczy, Gy.: Systematics and phylogenetic relationships of the genera in the Carpelimus group (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae)

Oxytelinae were also discovered to be specialized to endogeous or rather semiendogeous (i.e. depth-living) habitats (LÖBL & RYCHLÍK 1994, SAWADA 1971, PACE 1993, GUSAROV & MAKRANCZY 2004). The so far known species belong to Carpelimus and Thinobius, but it is possible that such specialization exists in other lineages as well. Most species are good fliers, therefore they are captured frequently in flight intercept traps (FIT's) or light traps (UV, blacklight). The numbers of individuals collected by these methods (mostly Carpelimus, but also Thinodromus, Anotylus, Bledius, Deleaster and occasionally other genera) can be high, so they are prominent in pest monitoring trap samples. Although there is very little convincing evidence about their feeding habits, the most widely accepted hypothesis is that they eat particles of decaying plant material and algae. There is one report of an oxyteline feeding on living vascular plant tissue (CHITTENDEN 1915). There are a few reports of possible carnivorous habits, for example HERMAN (1970) mentioned Deleaster trimaculatus having been "observed eating the soft parts of freshly killed insects." There have been abundant suggestions that Bledius eat other insects, but investigation of the gut content of larvae revealed only algae, diatoms and abundant sand (PAULIAN 1941, reporting this for larval Bledius spectabilis). Importance in ecosystems Although oxytelines in terms of number of described species represent less than 5% of the family Staphylinidae, some species are so abundant that the sheer number makes them an important factor in biological systems. In periaquatic situations and decaying plant matters (especially dung), the Oxytelinae makes up for approximately 50% of the individuals of Staphylinidae. Species of Anotylus swarming near swampy areas at dusk can be a nuisance to people (especially bikers). It must also be noted that certain oxyteline genera (e.g. Thinobius), once abundant, occur exclusively on lower parts of rivers still with lots of sand and gravel deposits, and this is the kind of habitat that is most endangered worldwide, because of buildings, construction and water reservoirs, all destroying the conditions that are necessary for these tiny beetles (MAKRANCZY 2004). Some of the higher parts of the water systems are protected in mountain ranges, but once the rivers reach the plains, they are no longer clean and do not have the bends where they deposit debris of various sizes (ranging from fine sand to coarse gravel).