Canthon (Boreocanthon) praticola LeConte

Fig. 34–35

Diagnosis. Dorsum black, lacking any hint of blue highlights. Small, length 5–8 mm. Clypeus strongly quadridentate. Upper surfaces densely granulate on finely shagreened background; no visible puncturing. Pygidial surface evenly curved, apex not distinctly more convex than basal area. A formal discussion of this species appears in Halffter (1958).

Big Bend collection sites (altitudinal range: 1200–1630 m).

Jeff Davis Co.: [1] 16 km S Fort Davis (along TX 17), 30°27′48″N 103°58′59″W, 1600 m (Aug); [2] ~ 16 km NE Valentine, Muerto Springs Ranch (Muerto Springs), 30°40′50″N 104°20′22″W, 1555 m (Jul) ; [3] ~ 16 km NE Valentine, Muerto Springs Ranch (Muerto Springs, near headquarters), 30°40′28″N 104°24′07″W, 1475 m (Jul) .

Presidio Co.: [1] 37 km SSW Marfa (along FM 2810, Petan Ranch – Cherry Hills sector), 30°07′35″N 104°19′24″W, 1630 m (Jun) ; [2] 20–26 km SSE Marfa (along FM 169), 1355–1415 m (Jun) ; [3] 8 km8km 8 km W La Viuda Peak, 29°42′30″N 103°54′30″, 1200 m (Sep); [4] ~ 16 km W Valentine (Miller Ranch, near headquarters), 30°33°30″N 104°38′44″W, 1350 m (Jul–Aug) ; [5] ~ 6.5 km W Marfa (Hip-O Ranch), 30°21′54″N 104°07′12″W, 1530 m (Aug–Sep) .

Collection method(s). a) baited pitfall trap (human feces); b) direct capture (cow dung).

Surface activity. Diurnal.

Habitat. Grasslands.

Comments. Canthon praticola is a wide-ranging species in more open habitats of the northern Chihuahuan Desert, including southwestern Arizona, through the Great Plains into southern Canada. Bill Warner (pers. comm.) reports that this species will utilize prairie dog ( Cynomys) dung encountered at the burrow entrance.