Kumar, Santosh ， Waseem, Muhammad ， Sultana, Riffat ， Arshad, Romana
2026-04-06 JOURNAL OF BASIC AND APPLIED ZOOLOGY 2026 87(卷), 1(期), (null页)
Background Darkling beetles are ecologically important in arid zones, but the Cholistan Desert fauna is poorly documented. This study provides the first integrative taxonomic account of two species, Pirmelia barmerensis and Blaps nathani, confirming their presence in Pakistan and establishing a molecular baseline.
Results Examination of 297 collected specimens confirmed both species as new records for Pakistan. Detailed morphological redescriptions and morphometric data matched specimens from the Indian Thar Desert. We also provide the first molecular characterization for both species using the COl gene. Phylogenetic analyses revealed Pimelia barmerensis as a distinct lineage within its complex and placed Blaps nathani within the kollari/nitens species group.
Conclusions The results validate the species identities and provide a vital molecular baseline, underscoring the power of integrative taxonomy for biodiversity discovery in underexplored arid ecosystems. This work is a foundation for future biogeographical and conservation studies in the region.