Revision and Phylogeny of the Genus Phausis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) with the Description of Three New Species
Author
Hodson, Alicia M.
Integrated Taxonomic Information System, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Author
Branham, Marc A.
Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
text
Zootaxa
2024
2024-05-27
5458
1
1
52
http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5360.3.8
journal article
10.11646/zootaxa.5458.1.1
1175-5326
11348272
7480BACF-7F14-48C2-80CB-AB4C54812D10
Phausis nigra
Hopping, 1937
(
Figs 12
;
18B
;
22V–X
;
24H
)
Phausis nigra
Hopping 1937
: Can. Ent. 69: 89;
Fender 1962: 43
;
Fender 1966: 92
.
Diagnosis.
Male
.
Phausis nigra
can be distinguished by the following characters: Pedicel 3/8 the length of antennomere 3; sensorium truncate in shape; central pronotal disc quadrate with acute basal angles extending to lateral and basal margins of pronotum (
Fig. 18B
); abdominal segment VII apical margin is shallowly concave; median lobe broadly elongate; parameres ovate in shape (
Fig. 22V
).
This species appears similar to but differs from
Phausis skelleyi
by the following characters: pronotum is transverse and subrhombus, having the pronotal angle (a tangent line drawn from lateral margin of pronotum meeting a parallel line drawn from the basal margin of the pronotum) equal to 70 degrees (
Fender 1962
,
1966
); antennomeres 3 to 10 progressively shorter (antennomeres 3 to 10 subequal in length in
P. skelleyi
); sensorium truncate (ovate in
P. skelleyi
); elytral lateral margins greatly expanded, more so proximate to humeral angle than apically; abdominal segment VII elongate versus quadrate; basal piece of aedeagus v-shaped, divergent and moderately pigmented (light brown) (
Fig. 22V
); median lobe approximate to and parallel to parameres (
Fig. 22W
) versus exceeding the parameres and extending forward ventrally; median lobe with ventral opening (
Fig. 22X
), and dorsal opening absent.
This species also appears similar to but differs from
Phausis rhombica
by the following characters: head vertex is longitudinally concave versus transversely concave as in
P. rhombica
; outer margin of mandibles straight versus convex; anterior vitreous areas (pronotal spots) punctate along outer margins versus punctate throughout; basal piece (dorsal view) is v-shaped and divergent versus divergent and quadrate;
Phausis rhombica
has both a dorsal and ventral opening on the median lobe, where
P. nigra
only has a ventral opening.
Redescription.
Male
(
Figs. 18B
;
22V–X
). Length 5.0–7.0 mm. Width
1.7–2.3 mm
.
Color.
Body dark brown to black; eyes black; mouthparts brown, except mandibles paler at apices, flavus; antennae dark brown to piceous; central pronotal disc brownish-black, darker than pronotum; scutellum dark brown; thorax brunneous; legs dark brown to piceous; abdomen dark brown to piceous; photic organs absent on abdominal segments VI, VII and VIII; pubescence cinereous. Anterior vitreous areas (pronotal spots) present.
Head
small and transverse (frontal view); vertex longitudinally concave with fine, dense punctures dorsally. Eyes small and separated, labium not obstructed by eyes. Mandibles length normal (apices crossing), robust basally, begins to taper gradually; incisor region elongate (greater than half of total length of mandible); outer margin straight; basal angle greater than 90 degrees dorsally. Maxillary palps with three palpomeres, last palpomere securiform. Labial palps reduced, with two palpomeres.
Antennae
filiform, long, extending to posterior end of metathorax (
Fig. 18B
). Scape as long as pedicel. Pedicel approximately 3/8 the length of antennomere 3. Antennomere 3 as long as antennomeres 4 to 5, 0.5× longer than antennomeres 6 to 10. Antennomeres 3 to 10 becoming progressively shorter distally. Antennomere 11 longer than previous antennomeres, rounded at apex. Flagellomeres feebly compressed, but not as compressed as in
Lucidota
or
Ellychnia
; when viewed laterally, flagellomeres are wider than in ventral view. Sensorium present on the distal end of antennomere 11, semi-transparent, small, and truncate.
Pronotum
transverse, subrhombus (
Fig. 18B
); longitudinal median carina present, extending from base to apex of pronotum; lateral margins more broadly reflexed than anterior margin; all margins explanate, becoming flattened toward the hind angles; basal margin undulate; hind angles finely denticulate. Central pronotal disc present, quadrate with acute basal angles extending to lateral and basal margins; surface shiny, mostly impunctate, with fine sparse punctures basally.Anterior vitreous areas (spots) present, large (less than one width of spot between them), triangular with rounded edges, and punctate along outer margins.
Scutellum
spatulate; sides weakly sinuate and posterior apex rounded with longitudinal groove; surface dull, sparsely, coarsely punctured (
Fig. 18B
).
Elytra
well developed; densely finely punctate, becoming rugose along lateral margins of elytra (
Fig. 18B
). Lateral margins greatly expanded, more so proximate to humeral angle than apically. Single costa present medially on each elytron; arising from base to the middle of the elytra. Longitudinal elevated lines present.
Venter.
Thorax elongate and rhomboidal. Metathorax with posterior apex notched; medial line present; surface shiny and finely punctate. Tergal apicolateral angles strongly lobed. Abdominal segments VI and VII not bearing photic organs. Photic organ absent on abdominal segment VIII. Abdominal segment VII elongate (longer than wide), apical margin shallowly concave. Abdominal segment VIII elongate, apical margin pointed.
Male Genitalia.
Basal piece (dorsal view;
Fig. 22V
) longer than wide, v-shaped and moderately sclerotized (light brown); distinct segments divergent (widely separated). Median lobe (dorsal view;
Fig. 22V
) approximates tips of parameres, overall broadly elongate and rounded (greater than 45 degrees) at apex; parallel to parameres (
Fig. 22W
); sensilla absent; dorsal inner-basal margins round; dorsal opening absent; longitudinal dorsal carina absent; lateral line absent; ventral opening present (
Fig. 22X
), ovate, consisting of the apical half of medial lobe. Parameres (dorsal view;
Fig. 22V
) elongate, ovate, broader basally then gradually tapering towards apex; inner lateral margins convex; outer lateral margins arcuate; apex roundly acute (lateral view;
Fig. 22W
); proximal flanges (extensions of parameres that curve or extend outward from inner margin) absent (dorsal view). Sensilla absent.
Female.
Unknown.
Larva.
Unknown.
Eggs.
Unknown.
Etymology. Unknown.
Specimens Examined.
Type Material
.
Paratypes
(
Figs. 18B
;
24H
).
CANADA
:
ALBERTA
: “
COCHRANE, Alberta, Can.
VI
.10.52, C.P.A,
Kenneth M. Fender Collection
1988 and 1992, Gifts to the
California Academy of Sciences
,”
1 ♂
(
CAS
); same except “12 M
W of Banff
,
VI
.11.52, C.P.A,
Kenneth M. Fender Collection
1988 and 1992, Gifts to the
California Academy of Sciences
,”
1 ♂
(
CAS
)
.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
:
“Midday Val. MERRITT,
B.C. VI.15.1924, K.F. Auden, R. Hopping Collection, Kenneth M. Fender Collection 1988 and 1992, Gifts to the
California
Academy of Sciences,”
2 ♂
(CAS); same except “
25.VI.1926
, Wm. Mathers, ex.
Pinus ponderosa
, R. Hopping
Collection,”
1 ♂
(CAS); same except “CRESTON, B.C. VI.3.1949, G. Stace-Smith, Fender Collection 1988 and 1992, Gifts to the
California
Academy of Sciences,”
1 ♂
(CAS); “TRINITY VALLEY, B.C. VI.25.1929, J.R. Howell” [folded label “
Phausis nigra
Hopping, Det. Ralph Hopping
”],
2 ♂
(CAS); same except “17219 Lot 42, VII.2.1928, J.R. Howell, ex.
Pinus ponderosa
, R. Hopping
Collection,”
1 ♂
(CAS); same except “17213 Lot 34, VI.23.1927, E.A. Rendell, ex.
Pseudotsuga taxifolia
,
[folded label “
Phausis nigra
Hopping, Det. Ralph Hopping
”],
1 ♂
(CAS); same except VII.5.1927, H. Richmond,
Paratype
No 4176,”
1 ♂
(CNCI); same except “VI.26.1928, H.A. Richmond
Paratype
No 4176,”
1 ♂
(CNCI); “FERNIE, B.C.,
3.VII.1934
, Hugh B. Leech, R. Hopping Collection,”
1 ♂
(CAS).
Other material.
USA
:
IDAHO
:
LATAH Co., Moscow Mt.
30.IV.1941
, Coll. R. Halesey, Det. N. Downie,
1 ♂
(WSUC).
OREGON
:
CLATSOP Co., Cannon Beach,
14.VI.1937
, Coll. E.C. Van Dyke, E.C. Van Dyke Collection,
1 ♂
(CAS); BENTON Co., Marys Peak,
10.VII.1975
, elevation 2200, Coll. K. & W. Fender, Det. K.M. Fender, Kenneth M. Fender Collection 1988 and 1992, Gifts to the California Academy of Sciences,
7 ♂
(CAS); UMATILLA Co., Lehman Springs, Hwy 244, Lot 8,
14.VI.1984
, Coll. B.F. & J.L. Carr, J. & B. Carr Collection,
1 ♂
(CNCI); same except Lot 10,
4 ♂
(CNCI); same except Lot 9,
1 ♂
(CNCI); UNION Co., Whiskey Crk.,
23 mi
SSW of
La Grande
5120 ft.
, malaise trap with CO
2
, Coll. E.J. Davis,
2 ♂
(WSUC); same except L. Lick Creek.,
26 mi.
SE Union, BAKER Co., Cornucopia,
6.VII.1968
, Lot 1, Coll. B.F. & J.L. Carr, J. & B. Carr Collection,
1 ♂
(CNCI).
WASHINGTON
:
ASOTIN Co., Fields’ Spr. SP,
4 mi
S. Anatone,
3500 to 4000 ft.
,
7.VI.1973
, Coll. D. Corredor,
1 ♂
(WSUC); same except Anatone, Lot 3,
12.VI.1984
, Coll. B.F. & J.L. Carr, J. & B. Carr Collection,
1 ♂
(CNCI); KING Co., Fall City, 29.VI.19334, from the O. Bryant Collection,
1 ♂
(CAS); same except Northbend,
10.VII.1920
, Van Dyke Collection,
1 ♂
(CAS); same except Seattle,
21.V.1934
, Coll. M.H. Hatch, Kenneth M. Fender Collection 1988 and 1992, Gifts to the California Academy of Sciences,
1 ♂
(WSUC); SPOKANE Co., Bald Knob Campground, Mt. Spokane SP,
4800–5200 ft.
, malaise trap with dry ice bait, 2122.
VII.1975
, Coll. J. Turner,
1 ♂
(WSUC); LEWIS Co., Rainbow Falls Park, Lot 1,
5.VII.1965
, Coll. B.F. & J.L. Carr, J. & B. Carr Collection,
1 ♂
(CNCI).
CANADA
:
ALBERTA
:
BANFF,
1.VII.1925
, Coll. Owen Bryant, Kenneth M. Fender Collection 1988 and 1992, Gifts to the California Academy of Sciences,
1 ♂
(CAS); CALGARY,
15.VI.1958
, Lot 1, Coll. B.F. & J.L. Carr, J. & B. Carr Collection,
1 ♂
(CNCI); same except
19.VI.1956
,
1 male
(CNCI); same except
4.VII.1953
,
1 ♂
(CNCI); Cochrane,
12.VI.1960
, Lot 1, Coll. B.F. & J.L. Carr, J. & B. Carr Collection,
7 ♂
(CNCI); SUNDRE,
12.VII.1973
, Coll. B.F. & J.L. Carr, J. & B. Carr Collection,
1 ♂
(CNCI); Mer. Tp. 37, Rge. 5, W. 5,
16.VI.1973
, Coll. B.F. & J.L. Carr, J. & B. Carr Collection,
1 ♂
(CNCI).
BRITISH COLUMBIA
:
BRISCO,
19.VI.1932
, Coll. O. Bryant, Kenneth M. Fender Collection 1988 and 1992, Gifts to the California Academy of Sciences,
1 ♂
(CAS); COPPER MOUTAIN,
7.VII.1930
, Coll. G. Stace-Smith, G. Stace-Smith Collection,
1 ♂
(UBCZ); same except
8.VI.1930
,
1 ♂
(UBCZ); CRESTON,
4.VI.1955
?, Coll. G. Stace-Smith, Det. K.M. Fender,
1 ♂
(CNCI); same except
1.VII.1945
, Coll. G. Stace-Smith, J.W. Green Collection,
1 ♂
(CAS); same except
7.VI.1945
,
1 ♂
(CAS); same except
7.VII.1945
,
1 ♂
(CAS); same except
20.VI.1945
,
1 ♂
(CAS); same except
21.VI.1945
,
1 ♂
(CAS); same except
24.VI.1945
, Kenneth M. Fender Collection 1988 and 1992, Gifts to the California Academy of Sciences,
1 ♂
(CAS); same except
2.VI.1958
, not from J.W. Green Collection of K.M. Fender Collection,
1 ♂
(CNCI); DOWNIE CREEK, Lot 1,
24.VI.1962
, Coll. B.F. & J.L. Carr, J. & B. Carr Collection,
1 ♂
(CNCI); FERNIE,
10.VI.1936
, Coll. Hugh Leech, C.A. Frost Collection [folded label “
Phausis nigra
”, perhaps
Phausis rhombica
, but specimen is too damaged],
1 ♂
(MCZC); same except
16.VI.1936
, Coll. Hugh Leech, ex. on
Larix
foliage, not in C.A. Frost collection,
1 ♂
(CNCI); MERRITT, Midday Val., 17131, Lot 172,
27.VI.1926
, Wm. Mathers, R. Hopping Collection, Kenneth M. Fender Collection 1988 and 1992, Gifts to the California Academy of Sciences,
1 ♂
(CAS); QUESNEL,
2.VII.1949
, Coll. G.J. Spencer,
1 ♂
(UBCZ); same except
3.VII.1949
; RADIUM,
6.VI.1953
, Coll. B.F. & J.L. Carr, J. & B. Carr Collection,
1 ♂
(CNCI); ROBSON,
22.VI.1948
, Coll. H.R. Foxlee,
1 ♂
(CNCI); SALMON ARM,
17.VI.1928
, Coll. Hugh B. Leech,
1 ♂
(CNCI); same except
14.V.1934
, Coll. C.G. Smith,
1 ♂
(CNCI); SANCA, Roadside, evening,
1900 ft.
,
14.VI.1933
, Coll. G. Stace-Smith,
1 ♂
(AMNH); same except
15.VI.1933
, G. Stace-Collection,
3 ♂
(UBCZ); same except
16.VI.1933
,
1 ♂
(UBCZ); same except
20.VI.1933
, J.W. Green Collection,
1 ♂
(CAS); same except
26.VI.1933
, Det. K.M. Fender,
1 ♂
(AMNH); same except
27.VI.1933
, J.W. Green Collection,
1 ♂
(CAS); same except
27.VI.1933
, G. Stace-Smith Collection,
3 ♂
(UBCZ); same except
28.VI.1933
,
1 ♂
(UBCZ); same except
29.VI.1933
, Kenneth M. Fender Collection 1988 and 1992, Gifts to the California Academy of Sciences,
1 ♂
(CAS); TRINITY VALLEY,
4.VII.1930
, Coll. J. Howell,
1 ♂
(CAS); SQUILAX, VI.30.1955, Coll. W.J. Brown,
1 ♂
(CNCI); TAFT,
3.VII.1965
, Lot 1, Coll. B.F. & J.L. Carr, J. & B.Carr Collection,
1 ♂
(CNCI).
Distribution. Known to occur in the Pacific Northwest region of the
United States
(
Idaho
,
Oregon
, and
Washington
) and
Canada
(
Alberta
and
British Columbia
) (
Fig. 12
).
Phenology. Occurs late April through July.
Remarks. The
holotype
was unavailable for examination, but has been reported to be in the Canadian National Collection of Insects,
Ontario
,
Canada
(
Hopping 1937
). Therefore, the species redescription was based on
paratypes
and specimens that were similar to previously published descriptions (
Hopping 1937
;
Fender 1962
,
1966
).
Fender contrasts
Phausis nigra
to
Phausis skelleyi
by the pronotal angle (a tangent line drawn from lateral margin of pronotum meeting a parallel line drawn from the basal margin of the pronotum).
Phausis skelleyi
has a 55 degree angle versus a 70 degree angle in
P. nigra
. The current author found this to be true, but it was difficult to measure accurately and hold constant for each specimen examined. Both species overlap in distribution except for
P. skelleyi
is not known to occur in
Canada
, and can be distinguished by the characters stated in the above diagnosis.
Hopping (1937)
states that “
P. nigra
is nearest
P. riversi
LeConte
but differs in the pronotum being wider than long with translucent spots much larger and impunctate, or punctate towards margins, while in
P. riversi
the spots are small, punctate and prothorax (pronotum) is long as wide and much narrower at the base”. Further distinction can be made by the color of the pronotum being flavus with a dark medial spot in
P. riversi
versus brown with a blackish-brown central pronotal disc in
P. nigra
,
and aedeagal morphology.
Variation. None identified.
Biology. Unknown.