Experimental tests of habitat preferences in the Comal Springs dryopid beetle, <i>Stygoparnus comalensis</i>.

ABSTRACT: The Comal Springs dryopid beetle, Stygoparnus comalensis Barr and Spangler (Coleoptera: Dryopidae), is a federally endangered species endemic to three spring systems in central Texas, United States. Improving our understanding of the biology of this species is necessary for making progress towards the goals of its protection: establishing a monitoring program and maintaining captive reproducing populations. A series of experiments were conducted in captivity to empirically examine habitat preferences of S. comalensis while using a similar co-occurring species, Stenelmis sexlineata Sanderson, for comparison. Stygoparnus comalensis had a strong affinity for wood over leaves and rocks and had fuller guts when offered wild-conditioned wood compared with capti

SUBMITTER: Pintar MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12716134 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature