Rove Beetle Evolution: New Species Found in Australia Mimics Termites To Trick Latter Into Feeding Them

Beetles continue to evolve. A new species found in Australia reportedly uses a new mimicry strategy to have free food from termites.

New Species of Beetles Discovered in Australia

In the animal kingdom, rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) are already well-known for being masters of disguise. For instance, certain beetles have evolved to resemble army ants, enabling them to march alongside the ants and feast on their eggs and larvae.

The newly discovered species of beetle named Austrospirachtha carrijoi imitates termites by extending its abdomen, a process known as physogastry. Three pairs of pseudo appendages that imitate antennae and legs are included in the replica, which is so accurate that it even mirrors the various body segments of termites.

The new rove beetle species was discovered in the soil of Australia's Northern Territory. This body portion has evolved into a remarkably accurate termite copy, complete with a head that sits on top of the remainder of the beetle's body. The genuine, much tiny head of the beetle protrudes beneath its termite disguise.

The termite "puppet" could aid the beetle in avoiding detection since, while being blind, termites can feel one another. To strengthen the impression that it is a termite, the beetle may also take special chemicals from the termites called cuticular hydrocarbons or make identical substances.

Due to the A. carrijoi's small mouth parts, the scientists hypothesize that it begs for food from its hosts rather than consuming eggs or larvae. Through a process known as trophallaxis, worker termites feed digested food to other castes. The benefits of this adaptation to the beetle are clear. Once inside the nest, it may unwind and enjoy free termite room service for the rest of its life.

ALSO READ: Leafy Sea Dragons: How the Majestic Marine Species Thrive Under South Australia's Underwater Biodiversity

Beetles Evolve Mimicry

One study claims that members of one beetle family have evolved to resemble army ants at least a dozen times over many millions of years, adding to the notion that evolution is more predictable than previously believed.

To enter ant colonies and consume the ants' young, certain species of rove beetle resemble the look, smell, and behavior of specific army ant species. The DNA of 58 rove beetle species, including 37 that pass for different army ant species, was sequenced by Munetoshi Maruyama at the Kyushu University Museum in Fukuoka, Japan, and Joseph Parker at Columbia University in New York.

In their analysis of this information and previously released beetle sequence data, the researchers discovered that army-ant mimicry had independently developed 12 and 15 times in rove beetles, all descended from a single ancestor who lived more than 100 million years ago.

One study found that throughout many millions of years, members of one beetle family have evolved to impersonate army ants at least a dozen different times, adding to the evidence that evolution is more predictable than previously thought. The lengthy period over which the various beetle species evolved these similar traits calls into question the idea that evolution depends heavily on chance events.