The published works are derived from the Zoological catalogue of Australia database. Taxa in the Australian fauna are divided among volumes to form sets of about 1800-2000 species available names, such that each volume comprises the whole or part of one or more major groups.
The published works are derived from the Zoological catalogue of Australia database. Taxa in the Australian fauna are divided among volumes to form sets of about 1800-2000 species available names, such that each volume comprises the whole or part of one or more major groups.
In this beautifully illustrated volume on Australian tenebrionid beetles, higher-level groups are reviewed, keys provided to enable identification to genus and subgenus level, and notes are provided on relationships, distribution and biology. A catalogue of all Australian taxa down to subspecies level is presented, including synonymy relevant to the Australian fauna, type localities, and location of types. Eight subfamilies, 43 tribes, 216 valid genera and subgenera. 1595 valid species are listed. The senior author, Dr Eric Matthews, in retirement an Honorary Fellow at the South Australian Museum, is well known among entomologists and ecologists for his studies on beetles, particularly tenebrionids, and his very useful set of keys to beetle groups of South Australia. Dr Patrice Bouchard, research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, in Ottawa, studied the evolution and relationships of Australian rainforest Tenebrionidae during his Ph.D. He is also interested in the nomenclature and biogeography of darkling beetles. Together, Matthews and Bouchard bring us a thorough summary of knowledge of Australian Tenebrionidae.
In Volume I, the primitive weevil families Anthribidae, Belidae, Nemonychidae, Caridae, Rhynchitidae and Attelabidae are treated. One hundred and two genera and 400 species are catalogued. The species are illustrated by about 1035 individual drawings and black and white photographs, in addition to 650 colour photographs relating to primitive weevil families in Volumes V and VI. Volume I includes a chapter on Nemonychidae by G Kuschel and also an important Postscript detailing some crucial taxonomic changes in several weevil subfamilies that are only dealt with in detail in the later volumes.