 | This article may be in need of reorganization to comply with Wikipedia's layout guidelines .(June 2024) |
Dorcus hopei is a beetle in the family Lucanidae.
| Dorcus hopei | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Lucanidae |
| Genus: | Dorcus |
| Species: | D. hopei |
| Binomial name | |
| Dorcus hopei Saunders, 1854 | |
The life history of Dorcus hopei is fairly similar to that of all beetles in the Lucanidae family. D.hopei are often in their larval state for around one to two years. [1] D. hopei eggs are laid in decaying wood logs in forests of China, Korea, and Japan. [2] The larvae feed on the decaying wood by utilizing a species of yeast, Pichia, that breaks down the xylose of the rotting wood. [3] The larval stage is unique for its ability to survive the harsh winters of its native range, capable of surviving in temperatures as low as -15°C for 24 hours. [1] This is due to their unique antifreeze proteins, a protein not found in any of their relative Lucanidae and very few insects in general.
Because of their native range, the D. hopei has developed to overwinter the icy seasons in Japan, Korea, and China. The adults live for around three to five years, often on the grounds of forests. [1] Studies have shown that the males and females often act differently from one another, often as a result of their sexual dimorphism. [4] The males have different mandible sizes, a common trait amongst stag beetles and often use them depending on the size of them, with larger mandibled males using them for control over reproduction territories and food. [4]
D. hopei have become a popular insect in Japan and Korea. They are commonly kept as pets due to their distinct mandibles and their ease of cultivation. This has led to a stag beetle market that is worth up to $283 million dollars in Japan. [5]
In studies conducted for D.hopei reproduction, it was found that the males and females typically mate on oak trees of their forest habitat. [6] The females lay eggs one at a time and lay around 25 per individual. Typically, the eggs are laid on wood substrates, providing a food source for the larva after hatching. The larvae are relatively long living and rely on the wood for resources while they grow. Many stag beetles are unable to digest the rotting wood on their own and need to rely on yeast and/or other microorganisms. Wood is not the most nutritious food source, so many beetles also eat the fungi that grows on the decaying wood. [7] The beetles are able to use digestive enzymes to break down the chitinous cell material of the fungus for nutrients. Some research has been done regarding Lucanidae larval population density with the results showing that they tend to not interact with each other or other species, however, in areas with high population density, cannibalism may occur. [8]
Dorcus hopei, as with many stag beetles, are known for their large, antler like mandibles found in the males of the species. D. hopei display sexual dimorphism with the males having mandibles that contain multiple teeth. Females stag beetles usually only have one set of teeth on their much smaller mandibles. [4] Males often are the larger of the two sexes with some growing to be as large as 76 mm in the wild. [5] The males use their larger sizes to defend their resources and attack other males in order to reproduce.
D.hopei, as with the other Coleopterans, has a highly modified forewing called an elytra. This wing acts as a form of protection for the beetles and is unique to their order. The D. hopei elytra has been used for recent studies as they are large, well-described and easy to cultivate. [9] The elytra of the females are highly punctuated, a feature not present on the males. [6] The wings of the D. hopei works similarly to that of other beetles: the usage of blood pressure to hydraulically unfold the wings. [10]
One of the most unique physiological attributes of this species is the presence of antifreeze proteins. This is a trait that has evolved in order to survive the cold winters in their native range. D. hopei has a protein found only in this species of beetle, however, it is very similar to some other insect antifreeze proteins. There are immense similarities in the structure of this protein along with that of T. molitor, an insect of different evolutionary path. [1] This has stumped researchers, leaving them unsure how this complex protein developed to be so similar to that of another distinct species.
Evolutionarily, Dorcus hopei are closely related to other stag beetles and share many of the distinct traits. One key unifying trait among stag beetles is the presence of hemocytes in their immune system. They have four unique types that have multiple uses including immune response, wound healing, and waste removal. [11] A unique factor among stag beetles is that their hemocytes all look relatively similar and are very close to those in their family Lucanidae.
Along with other beetles, stag beetles have a highly beneficial novel trait: the elytra. This has evolved from independently of other insects as a form of protection and appears to have specific gene sequences common in all Coleopterans. [9] These previously undescribed sets of genes show the evolution of the elytra in beetles.
The species has recently been determined to contain two subspecies: Dorcus hopei hopei and Dorcus hopei binodulosus. Initially believed to be separate species, it was determined that Dorcus hopei binodulosus, found more commonly on the Korean peninsula, shared the same signature genital morphology, and was deemed a subspecies.
The development of the antifreeze protein is a key evolutionary development not found in any other Lucanidae stag beetles, making D. hopei unique in its family, and unique in the insect world. This trait is very similar to that found in insects of an entirely different order. [9]
Dorcus hopei is a member of the superphylum Ecdysozoa. This means that it develops radially and is considered a protostome. [12] The larvae of the D. hopei remain in their larval state for around one or two years before pupating, meaning that they are indirect developers and undergo a metamorphosis.
Beetles are insects that form the order Coleoptera, in the superorder Holometabola. Their front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases, elytra, distinguishing them from most other insects. The Coleoptera, with about 400,000 described species, is the largest of all orders, constituting almost 40% of described insects and 25% of all known animal species; new species are discovered frequently, with estimates suggesting that there are between 0.9 and 2.1 million total species. Found in almost every habitat except the sea and the polar regions, they interact with their ecosystems in several ways: beetles often feed on plants and fungi, break down animal and plant debris, and eat other invertebrates. Some species are serious agricultural pests, such as the Colorado potato beetle, while others such as Coccinellidae eat aphids, scale insects, thrips, and other plant-sucking insects that damage crops. Some others also have unusual characteristics, such as fireflies, which use a light-emitting organ for mating and communication purposes.
Stag beetles are a family of about 1,200 species of beetles in the family Lucanidae, currently classified in four subfamilies. Some species grow to over 12 centimetres, but most to about 5 cm (2 in).
The Hercules beetle is a species of rhinoceros beetle native to the rainforests of southern Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Lesser Antilles. It is the longest extant species of beetle in the world, and is also one of the largest flying insects in the world.
Japanese rhinoceros beetle also known as the Japanese rhino beetle or the Japanese horned beetle, is a species of rhinoceros beetle. They are commonly found in continental Asia in countries such as China, the Korean peninsula, Japan, and Taiwan. In these areas, this species of beetle is often found in broad-leaved forests with tropical or sub-tropical climates. This beetle is well known for the prominent cephalic horn found on males. Male Japanese rhinoceros beetles will use this horn to fight other males for territory and access to female mating partners. Upon contact, males will attempt to flip each other onto their backs or off of their feeding tree. In response to selective pressures, smaller male A. dichotoma have adapted a "sneak-like behavior". These smaller beetles will attempt to avoid physical confrontation with larger males and try to mate with females.
Prosopocoilus giraffa, the giraffe stag beetle, is the world's largest stag beetle and is a member of the family Lucanidae within the order Coleoptera. They have very long, toothed and notched mandibles that protrude about half the size of their body. They tend to be aggressive and are fierce and powerful. Males fight each other using these strong and enlarged jaws to lift and throw rivals to win a mate. They can grow up to 119 millimetres in length. Several distinctive populations (subspecies) are found in moist forested region areas of Asia, ranging from India to Indonesia. Prosopocoilus giraffa keisukei can measure up to 12 centimeters. Prosopocoilus giraffa daisukei have the brightest elytra of all subspecies and Prosopocoilus giraffa giraffa is the smallest subspecies.
Lucanus cervus, known as the European stag beetle, or the greater stag beetle, is one of the best-known species of stag beetle in Western Europe, and is the eponymous example of the genus. L. cervus is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List.
Serrognathus titanus is a species of beetle in the family Lucanidae. It was described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1835. Huang and Chen (2013) separated Serognathus from the genus Dorcus by representing morphological characters and DNA analysis.
Odontolabis cuvera, the golden stag beetle, is a beetle of the family Lucanidae, stag beetles.
Cyclommatus is a genus of the family Lucanidae, also known as the stag beetle. The majority of the species from the genus Cyclommatus are located in Southeast Asia, though some species are found in China and Taiwan as well. The genus Cyclommatus also consists of three subgenera: Cyclommatus, Cyclommatinus and Cyclommatellus. Each subgenera contains 80, 24 and 3 species respectively. In total, the genus Cyclommatus consists of a total of 134 species, though more are still being discovered to this day.
Paralissotes reticulatus, also called the New Zealand reticulate stag beetle, is a native species of stag beetle from New Zealand. Although they do have wings they are flightless.
Dorcus parallelus, more commonly known as the antelope stag beetle, is a species from the Lucanidae family. Extensive research has not been done on this species. D. parallelus has been seen to be endemic to North America. Features of this species include its impressive size and distinctive antler-like mandibles useful during mating. These beetles are often compared to Dorcus parallelipipedus, the sister species mainly concentrated in Europe.
Geodorcus helmsi, known as New Zealand giant stag beetle or Helms's stag beetle, is a large, slow-moving, flightless stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Dorcus rectus, the little stag beetle, is a species of beetles in the family Lucanidae. It can be found in China(Liaoning), Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Russia. These beetles have a distinctive red shell that separates them from Dorcus curvidens. Males of this species have been observed to have mandible trimorphism, a characteristic that has only been described in two species of Lucanidae—with the other one being Odontolabis cuvera—"and a small number of other invertebrates" as of 2017. The mandibles are used by males as weapons.
Geodorcus capito is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It is endemic to the Chatham Islands in New Zealand.
Geodorcus alsobius, or Moehau stag beetle, is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It is found only on Mt Moehau, the highest mountain in the Moehau Range on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand.
Geodorcus sororum is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It was discovered in 1973 by Mr. A. Wright on an expedition to Middle Sister Island/Te Awanui, one of The Sisters Islands/Rangitatahi which are part of the Chatham Islands in New Zealand. This holotype specimen is held in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. It was first described by Beverley Holloway in 2007. The name sororum is translated from Latin to mean "belonging to the sisters".
Lucanus datunensis is a species of stag beetle endemic to Tatun Mountain of Taiwan's Yangmingshan.It is first discovered in 1984. It is the smallest stag beetle in Taiwan and is an endangered species threatened by recent human activity.
Aegus chelifer, is a species of stag beetle found in Indo-Malaya regional countries.
Figulus is a genus of beetle in the family Lucanidae. They have a paleotropical distribution, including occurrences in Australia.
Gnatocerus cornutus, or the broadhorned flour beetle, is a common species of beetle in the Tenebrionidae family. It is distributed worldwide and is commonly found in warm, tropical regions, preferring grains, yeasts, and flours as its main diet. The total development time is about 47 days. G. cornutus is predominately found in mills as a storage pest and has a wide distribution.
 | This stag beetle article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |