title: Molecular and microscopic analysis of the gut contents of abundant rove beetle species (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in the boreal balsam fir forest of Quebec, Canada.
abstract: Experimental research on beetle responses to removal of logging residues following clearcut harvesting in the boreal balsam fir forest of Quebec revealed several abundant rove beetle (Staphylinidae) species potentially important for long-term monitoring. To understand the trophic affiliations of these species in forest ecosystems, it was necessary to analyze their gut contents. We used microscopic and molecular (DNA) methods to identify the gut contents of the following rove beetles: Atheta capsularis Klimaszewski, Atheta klagesi Bernhauer, Oxypoda grandipennis (Casey), Bryophacis smetanai Campbell, Ischnosoma longicorne (Mäklin), Mycetoporus montanus Luze, Tachinus frigidus Erichson, Tachinus fumipennis (Say), Tachinus quebecensis Robert, and Pseudopsis subulata Herman. We found no apparent arthropod fragments within the guts; however, a number of fungi were identified by DNA sequences, including filamentous fungi and budding yeasts [Ascomycota: Candida derodonti Suh & Blackwell (accession number FJ623605), Candida mesenterica (Geiger) Diddens & Lodder (accession number FM178362), Candida railenensis Ramirez and Gonzáles (accession number JX455763), Candida sophie-reginae Ramirez & González (accession number HQ652073), Candida sp. (accession number AY498864), Pichia delftensis Beech (accession number AY923246), Pichia membranifaciens Hansen (accession number JQ26345), Pichia misumaiensis Y. Sasaki and Tak. Yoshida ex Kurtzman 2000 (accession number U73581), Pichia sp. (accession number AM261630), Cladosporium sp. (accession number KF367501), Acremoniumpsammosporum W. Gams (accession number GU566287), Alternaria sp. (accession number GU584946), Aspergillus versicolor Bubak (accession number AJ937750), and Aspergillusamstelodami (L. Mangin) Thom and Church (accession number HQ728257)]. In addition, two species of bacteria [Bradyrhizobium japonicum (Kirchner) Jordan (accession number BA000040) and Serratia marcescens Bizio accession number CP003942] were found in the guts. These results not only provide evidence of the consumer-resource relations of these beetles but also clarify the relationship between rove beetles, woody debris and fungi. Predominance of yeast-feeding by abundant rove beetles suggests that it may play an important role in their dietary requirements.
authors.affiliation: Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Laurentian Forestry Centre, 1055 du P.E.P.S., P.O. Box 10380, Stn. Sainte-Foy, Québec, Québec, G1V 4C7, Canada.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klimaszewski
authors.forename: Marie-Josee
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Morency
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Labrie
authors.forename: Armand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Séguin
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Langor
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Work
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bourdon
authors.forename: Evelyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thiffault
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paré
authors.forename: Alfred F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.forename: Margaret K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Thayer
keywords: Ascomycota; Basidiomycota; Canada; Coleoptera; Rove beetles; Staphylinidae; bacteria; boreal forest; diet; fungivory; gut analysis; mycophagy; saproxylic; trophic relationship