Carpophilus apicalis LeConte

Powell, Gareth S. & Cline, Andrew R., 2017, Type designations and taxonomic remarks for Nearctic sap beetles in the subfamily Carpophilinae Erichson (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), Zootaxa 4268 (2), pp. 293-295 : 294

Carpophilus apicalis LeConte

Carpophilus (Myothorax) pilosellus Motschulsky, 1858 = Carpophilus apicalis LeConte 1859: 6 , revised synonymy The earliest reference listing this synonymy is a catalogue by Henshaw (1885); however, this work likely does not represent the actual proposed taxonomic change. After study of the primary type material, the differences between C. apicalis LeConte and C. discoideus LeConte were determined to be numerous and distinct. This species is clearly not related to C. discoideus nor the subgenus Ecnomorphus Motschulsky in general, to which the latter belongs; rather, it is closely aligned with members of the subgenus Myothorax Murray. The glabrous, depressed body plan found in Ecnomorphus is absent in C. apicalis . After comparison with the primary type material, we find this species is instead synonymous with Carpophilus pilosellus Motschulsky, 1858 , a species that was described one year prior. This status change is an attempt to limit confusion. Although the species name remains in synonymy, this transfer will help solidify subgeneric definitions in the group and avoid potential problems with future phylogenetic work.