New distributional data and ecological insights on the microhisterid Bacanius (Bacanius) consobrinus (Aubé 1850), with notes on rarity and detectability (Coleoptera: Histeridae)

A combined review of published and unpublished data significantly updates the distribution, ecology, and detectability of Bacanius (Bacanius) consobrinus (Aubé 1850), a saproxylic microhisterid of Turano-European distribution. The species is newly recorded from Iran, Turkey, Cyprus, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, with several additional localities documented for the Caucasus, the Balkans, Italy (including the first record for Puglia), and France. Available evidence shows that the species inhabits saproxylic microhabitats exclusively associated with broadleaf trees, in environments ranging from sea level up to ca 1000 m a.s.l., and often moderately disturbed or urbanised, challenging its proposed value as an indicator of well-preserved forest ecosystems. Targeted sampling (deep sifting; cavity-facing window traps) revealed high local abundances otherwise missed by non-targeted methods, indicating that the species’ perceived rarity is mainly due to low detectability. The expanded Italian dataset contradicts the assumptions underlying its former “Critically Endangered” assessment in the national Red List of saproxylic beetles, and strongly supports a re-evaluation of its conservation status.

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