Pseudomyrmecion ramalium Bedel, 1885

Pseudomyrmecion ramalium Bedel, 1885 View in CoL

Bedel, 1885: CXXXII (description, biology); Pic, 1896: 337 (distribution); Lameere, 1901: 294 (systematics); Bedel, 1901: 358 (mimicry); Pic 1902: 28 (morphology); Aurivillius, 1912: 422 (catalogue); Planet, 1924: 145 (catalogue); Villiers, 1946: 100, fig. 223 (redescription, biology, distribution); Damoiseau & Cools, 1987: 18 (catalogue); Miroshnikov, 2014: 204, 206, 207, figs 22, 34, 41, 51 (morphology); Sama, 2023: 236, figs 450–457, 463 (redescription, biology, distribution, genitalia).

Taxonomical Notes. An important observation concerns a typographical error in the nomenclature of Pseudomyrmecion ramalium reported by Verdugo et al. (2016), where the species is mistakenly referred to as Pseudomyrmecion ramalinum . Such misspellings can lead to confusion in databases and future studies on this rare and endangered species. It is essential to correct this inconsistency to ensure the accuracy and reliability of taxonomic information. We recommend that future works referencing this species address this error to standardize its taxonomy across the scientific community.

Morphological Notes. Hind wings. Already during the original description, Bedel (1885) remarked that this species “seems not use the [hind] wings, though well developed”. No further author deepened this topic.

Actually, the dissection of the collected specimen has revealed that the hind wings ( Fig. 2 View FIGURE 2 ) are incompletely developed: both anal veins do not reach the wing margin; the anal vein A x 2 is even rudimentary; both cubital veins Cu1 and Cu2, the apical cell and the medial vein M1 are vestigial; consequently, the apical part remains folded, and the overall wing surface is insufficient to allow flying.

The shape of the humeri, much narrower in comparison with other Tillomorphini ( Miroshnikov, 2014) suggests that this species has also lost the possibility to open the elytra naturally. Thus, P. ramalium should be defined a brachypterous species.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 2 View FIGURE 2 ). Median lobe (penis) 0.94 mm long, testaceous, slightly curved, parallel-sided, projected at apex, one-third as long as the median struts. Tegmen 0.6 mm long, testaceous; ringed part 3 times as long as root, laterally not geniculated, posteriorly converging; parameres fused together in a rectangular structure, which is dorsally flat, slightly arched, feebly concave at apex and covered with some black setae, increasing of length toward the tip (nomenclature according to Ehara, 1954). This description is consistent with that provided by Sama (2023), except for the shape of the median struts that look unusually convergent backwards is Sama’s drawing, maybe due to an incorrect preparation.

Geographic Notes. Based on Sama & Löbl (2010), Verdugo et al. (2016) and later, Sama (2023), provided numerous remarkable inaccuracies concerning the distributional data of this species, which require correction.

They quoted this species as endemic from “forests of Kabylia”: Edough forest, Yakouren forest, Azazga, “Dorsale de Collo (Djebel Edough)”, Akfadou National Park and Blida env .

First, Djebel Edough is not located in the Kabylia region but in the Numidia region, Annaba province (formerly Bône), on the opposite part of the Algerian coast. Second, the “Dorsale de Collo” can in no way associated with Djebel Edough since Collo is a port town located in Skikda province. Was this specimen collected in Collo but coming from wood collected in Djebel Edough? It is only our hypothesis. However, citing two localities over 100 km apart as only one locality makes this datum unreliable. Fourth, Azazga is not another locality but the district where the Yakouren forest is located. Similarly, the “Akfadou National Park” includes the commune of Yakouren. However, this National Park, designated by decree no. 370 of the Governor General of Algeria on 20 January 1925, can no longer be mentioned as such since it has not been reinstated during the reclassification of parks in Algeria starting 1983. Lastly, Sama (2023) cites without comment the surprising datum of “ Blida env.”, located 150 km west from the westernmost datum of this species. It might be even correct, but lacking precision, collection date and collector, it is not possible to retain it .

In conclusion, Djebel Edough and the Yakouren forest ( Bedel, 1885; Pic, 1896; Villiers, 1946; Damoiseau & Cools, 1987) can be considered as the only sure localities inhabited by P. ramalium .

Ethology and Habitat. Pseudomyrmecion ramalium is a rare and endemic saproxylic beetle species from northern Algeria, primarily found in the Edough and Yakouren forests. This species is strongly connected to Quercus canariensis ( Bedel, 1885; Villiers, 1946; Verdugo et al., 2016), which is currently considered as a senior synonym Q. mirbeckii Dur. In contrast to all previous authors, Sama (2023) consider this cerambycid as “monophagous on Quercus faginea ” Lam. This is certainly erroneous since this tree colonize only the Aïn Témouchent province, in the extreme northwest of the country ( Bouandas et al., 2024), where P. ramalium has never been collected.

The larvae of P. ramalium feed under the bark or in the sapwood of dying or recently cut twigs, completing their life cycle within one year. Pupation occurs in the wood during the spring. Adults emerge from late May to early June and are most commonly observed between May and July ( Villiers, 1946). They can be collected by beating dead branches of their host tree, where the larvae have developed. The beetles appear to favor isolated trees or those on the edges of forests. Active during the day, they move rapidly along tree trunks and branches. They are frequently found alongside ants, particularly those of the genus Crematogaster , and share similar behavioral traits, body structure and coloration, leading to a striking resemblance with these ants ( Bedel, 1885; 1901; Villiers, 1946; Verdugo et al., 2016).