Information: Meloe baudueri, described by Grenier in 1863.
This species is listed in some catalogs as M. murinus, but that is incorrect. Baudi di Selve distinguishes these very closely related species quite precisely from one another. The sculpture of the elytra is different from that of murinus; in murinus, the elytra are coarsely, wave-like wrinkled, and between the wrinkles, pit-like formations are visible. In contrast, in baudueri, these are finely, leather-like wrinkled. The antennae are also much more slender; segments 4 to 10 are almost three times as long as they are thick. The body hair is even; the neck shield is not as broad, and the overall form is more slender.
A Western Mediterranean element, known from very few locations in the Maghreb and southern Iberian Peninsula. Its citation for Sardinia is therefore highly doubtful, although—as in the case of other xerothermophilous animals with a similar distribution, it is possible that relict populations may also exist in southern Sardinia.
Notes: This is a species that is uncommon throughout its range, so the lack of records could be due to a lack of research. However, it is more likely that it is a case of misidentification and that the species should be excluded from the list of Sardinian fauna.
Body length: 15 - 18 mm
Peak activity: November - January, March
Remarks: Meloe baudueri inhabits warm, dry Mediterranean environments, typically favoring xerothermic conditions. Confirmed specimens have been collected from endorheic lagoons with clay soils, surrounded by eucalyptus plantations and pine forests, indicating a tolerance for both semi-natural and human-modified habitats. The species likely prefers open, sunny areas with sparse vegetation, consistent with the ecological preferences of other xerophilous members of the Meloe genus. Its presence in such habitats suggests a specialized adaptation to arid, lowland ecosystems typical of the western Mediterranean region.
Species long confused with Meloe (E.) nanus Lucas, 1846 and with Meloe (E.) murinus Brandt & Erichson, 1832.
Distribution: Algeria, France Italy (Sardinia??), Morocco, Portugal, Spain
Zoogeographic region: Palearctic
A western Mediterranean species (fig), certainly widespread in southwestern France and northern Spain. The records by Gridelli (1930) for Spain (Uclés) and other ones related to Spain, Portugal, and France are plausible, although some may actually refer to M. nanus. The records from Morocco and Algeria are doubtful, likely referring to M. nanus; those from Sicily and Sardinia are certainly erroneous and actually refer to M. murinus (Abeille, 1880), which indicate a species present throughout the Mediterranean.
Taxonomic classification:
Material examined (& observation):
Spain 
Andalusia
Murcia Province
Murcia env.
(GPS) 
Altitude 0 m a.s.l. |
Our observation period: December 
Sampling Methods: in grassy vegetation 
Spain
