Canadian Forest Service Publications

Canada’s adventive rove beetle (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) fauna: a long-term case study on the detection, origin, introduction pathways, and dynamic distribution of non-native beetles. 2017. Klimaszewski, J.; Brunke, A.J. Biology of Rove Beetles – Life History, Evolution, Ecology and Distribution, Springer. pp. 65-79.

Year: 2017

Issued by: Laurentian Forestry Centre

Catalog ID: 38354

Language: English

Availability: Not available through the CFS (click for more information).

Available from the Journal's Web site. †
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-70257-5_5

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Mark record

Abstract

The family Staphylinidae, or rove beetles , consists of more than 62,290 described species worldwide, of which 1682 species have been recently recorded from Canada. One hundred and fifty-three of these species, in 73 genera and 13 subfamilies, are confirmed here as adventive; they constitute about 9% of the Canadian fauna and mostly originate from the western Palaearctic region. The highest number of adventive species is found in the Atlantic Provinces, Quebec, Ontario, and coastal British Columbia, which are areas with a long history of trade with Europe and Asia. Important historical pathways have been organic matter associated with livestock and soil used as dry ballast in ships destined for North America from Europe. Over Canada’s trade history, moss and soil, likely imported with plant stock, have become more important. Unlike other beetles, relatively few staphylinids associated with woody organic matter have become established in North America as adventive. Although it is difficult to reconstruct precise introduction timelines, it is clear that adventive rove beetle species have recently and will continue to become established in North America. The combination of high diversity , inadequate taxonomic knowledge, and incomplete sequence reference libraries poses challenges to the accurate and rapid detection of adventive rove beetles in Canada.

Plain Language Summary

In this chapter, the researchers present a historical account of rove beetles introduced into Canada. They describe their origins, how they were introduced, their distribution and their initial detection. Rove beetles are insects that belong to the order Coleoptera.

Taxonomy is the science of classifying living organisms. Insects are grouped into different orders, which are then subdivided into families, genera, and species. Taxonomy is used in biodiversity studies or assessments of the impacts of human activities on forest ecosystems, among other things.