Advances in Coleopterology

Foreword

Volver
    Beetles are perhaps the most extraordinary of all animals living on the surface of the earth. Extraordinary because of the number of species – half a million according to prudent estimates –, the variety of shape and size – from less than a quarter millimetre to over fifteen centimetres. Above all due to the exceptional width of the range of environment they colonize, the trophic resources they utilize and the behaviour they exhibit.

     All this, and the fact that the majority of species of Coleoptera are represented by abundant populations in every biogeographical region, emphasizes the manifold roles they play, which are of enormous importance in each of the terrestrial ecosystems and many aquatic as well.

     At present it is difficult to speak of a science called Coleopterology. Taxonomy and phylogeny, genetics and cytology, biogeography and ecology, physiology and biochemistry, ethology and evolutive biology, as many other branches of life sciences, find in this insect order valuable material for field and laboratory research. We must realize that the only real cohesive element common to all branches in our science today is the material object which they utilize: beetles.

     Why then ”Advances in Coleopterology”? The aim of this book is to gather a series of recent, stimulating contributions on different fields into one work where beetles – the many-sided ”material” on which the Authors, no matter what the ultimate objective of their research, have worked, represent the connecting element.

     Some of the contributions included herein represent the synthesis of the ”state of art” in the respective fields. Others report more specialized research, although involving larger topics and interests.

     The various contributions have been grouped in the following order:

     This is just one of the possible logical sequences. Obviously, there are other options that could be equally valid or criticizable. The choice of one is, in any case, the sole responsibility of the Editors.

    All of the subjects dealt with in this book where originally presented in preliminary form – along with many others – at the International Congress of Coleopterology held in Barcelona, Spain (September 18-23, 1989), and organized by the European Association of Coleopterology, the Department of Animal Biology of the Barcelona University, and the Department of Animal Biology of the Turin University. However, ”Advances in Coleopterology” does not, even in part, represent the formal Proceedings of that Congress. In fact, the Authors have elaborated the themes in view of the aim of the volume, at the Editors’ request. For this we are grateful, as we are to everyone who, by critically reading the manuscripts submitted, contributed to increasing their value. We are also indebted to Dr. E. Barbero (Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, University of Turin, Italy) for his constant help and assistance during the editing and printing of this book.

        January 1991.

Mario Zunino - Xavier Bellés - Marina Blas
Volver