Morphotypes of xylophilous beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera): dependence of body shape on its size
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33910/2686-9519-2026-18-1-349-364Keywords:
xylophilous, xylophagous, mycetophages, morphology, ecology, ecological nicheAbstract
This study performed a morphometric analysis of 74 specimens of xylophilous beetles (11 families) to identify a possible relationship between body size and its shape as an adaptation to life in the subcortical substrate. Using multivariate analysis (cluster analysis, PCA), three morphotypes were identified: 1) elongated and dorsoventrally flattened forms, 2) elongated-cylindrical forms, and 3) forms close to spherical or oval. It was found that with a decrease in body size, beetles demonstrate a tendency towards a more spherical shape, while large species are prone to flattening. The results show that the spatial geometry of the substrate acts as a filter, with the specific trajectory of morphological adaptation being related to the body size of the beetles. The indices of dorsoventral and sagittal flattening are likely the most significant factors in the process of body shape adaptation to life under tree bark.
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