Hemicrepidius brooksi Etzler, 2020

Etzler, Frank E., 2020, A Revision of the Genus Hemicrepidius Germar, 1839 (Coleoptera: Elateridae) of the New World, with Comments on Global Classification, The Coleopterists Bulletin (mo 18) 74, pp. 1-126 : 30-32

Hemicrepidius brooksi Etzler , new species

zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:8AE09735-D23D-43B3-96E3-E03984D7C738 ( Figs. 12a–e , 14a )

Hemicrepidius sp. A : Brooks 1960: 32. Hemicrepidius sp. A nr. carbonatus: Seibert 1993 .

Diagnosis. Hemicrepidius brooksi can be distinguished from all other species of Hemicrepidius by the sinuate posterior margin of the hypomeron, nearly straight prosternal process, a mesoventral cavity with edges slightly raised ventrally in a near 90-degree angle and visible anteriad mesocoxae in lateral view, punctures on the pronotal disc never separated by less than 0.5× diameter of a puncture, and aedeagus with parameres subparallel on basal half and gradually narrowing towards base of sharply acute (<45°) pre-apical expansions, with apex of paramere acute.

This species is most similar to H. carbonatus and H. soccifer . From H. carbonatus , it can be distinguished by the generally smaller size, the pronotal punctures on the disc never separated by less than 0.5× diameter of a puncture, the ventrally raised edges of the mesoventral cavity so they are visible anteriad of the mesocoxae in lateral view, and the aedeagal parameres with the point of apical expansion narrower. From H. soccifer , it can be separated by metacoxae that have the ventral plate having an approximately 120-degree angle at midpoint before becoming very narrow laterally, and by the narrower apical point on the apical expansion of the aedeagal paramere. Molecular data also serve to separate H. brooksi from H. soccifer ( Figs. 1–3 ).

Description. Length 10.5–15.0 mm, width 2.0–4.0 mm; color dark brown to black, elytra not contrasting; pronotum, legs, antennae and edges of abdominal ventrites often slightly paler; integument shining. Setae moderately long, suberect, brownblack to black. Head: Punctures subumbilicate, nearly contiguous, often with impunctate areas over antennal insertions; frons weakly concave anteromedially in dorsal view, some with slight triangular impression medially in dorsal view; frontal carina broadly rounded when viewed from the front, complete; frontoclypeal region absent medially, at most weakly projecting in lateral view; eyes moderate, ocular index 70–80 (n = 4); antenna serrate, antennomere 2 spherical, about as long as wide, antennomere 3 subtriangular, 2× length of 2, setae intermediate between 2 and 4, but more similar to 2, antennomere 3 subequal in length to 4, basal antennomeres wider than apical antennomeres, from 1.5× longer than wide to about 3× longer than wide, antennomeres 4–11 with subtle medial line bearing less setae than edges, antennomere 11 with tip constricted, sometimes as a pseudosegment, antenna just reaching pronotal posterior edge to extending past it by 2 antennomeres. Prothorax: Pronotum 1.1–1.2× wider than long, widest at hind angles or just anterior of midlength; sides weakly arcuate, gradually narrowing anteriorly, in some slightly deplanate laterally; hind angles slightly divergent, dorsal carina present, directed anteromedially; punctures on disc small to moderate, smaller than punctures on head, subumbilicate when viewed at 40×, separated by one diameter of puncture on disc to nearly touching in males, punctures closer and larger laterally, nearly contiguous and clearly subumbilicate; posterior edge with sublateral notches. Hypomeron with subumbilicate punctures, smaller than lateral pronotal punctures, nearly contiguous anteriorly and becoming less dense posteriorly, small semicircular impunctate area often present on posterior onesixth; posterior edge sinuate with hind angle visible in ventral view ( Fig. 12c ). Prosternum with punctation smaller than that of hypomeron, simple, punctures nearly touching laterally, much less dense medially, separated by over two puncture diameters; anterior lobe straight to very slightly deflexed, broadly rounded, not covering to partially covering ventral mouthparts; prosternal process slightly curved dorsad between procoxae, sometimes impunctate between procoxae, thickened, extending straight past procoxae in lateral view. Pterothorax: Mesoventral cavity with lateral edges slightly raised ventrally in 90-degree angle, visible anteriad of mesocoxae in lateral view; posterior edge of cavity truncate. Metaventrite with punctures simple, smaller than punctures on hypomeron, dense laterally, nearly touching, less dense medially, separated by one to two puncture diameters. Scutellar shield elongate, about twice as long as wide, narrowly rounded posteriorly, sides sinuate, dorsal surface flat to weakly convex, anterior margin nearly straight, setae radiating from midline, similar in size and color to setae on pronotum and elytra. Elytral striae weakly impressed basally; interstriae flat to slightly convex, punctures small, scattered, giving wrinkled appearance; basal carina simple. Legs with lobe on tarsomere 3 largest, wider than tarsomere, lobe on tarsomere 2 second largest, narrow, lobe on tarsomere 1 small, lobe of tarsomere 4 smallest, both lobes on 1 and 4 narrow, visible in lateral view. Abdominal ventrites: Punctures simple, smaller than punctures on metaventrite, moderately dense, separated by one puncture diameter, less dense medially; fifth ventrite broadly rounded; side of each ventrite with microserrations. Male genitalia ( Figs. 12d, e ): Parameres subparallel laterally on basal half, weakly sinuate laterally and gradually narrowing basal to pre-apical expansion, pre-apical expansion coming to narrow, acute point (<45°); apex of paramere narrowly rounded and membranous, dense setose patch ventrally near preapical expansion, with about 6 apical dorsal setae. Median lobe narrow, constricted on apical half, basal struts curved latero-basally. Basal piece with membranous area broadly rounded medially in ventral view.

Etymology. The specific name is in honor of the late Arthur Robinson Brooks of Saskatchewan for his early recognition that this species was undescribed.

Distribution. Specimens have been examined from the following states and provinces: CANADA: AB; UNITED STATES: CO, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY ( Fig. 14a ).

Notes. This species has been previously confused with H. carbonatus . The diagnosis above and the key to species should enable this species to be correctly identified. One specimen from Utah (MTEC023702) is quite distinct from the other specimens included in the trees ( Figs. 1–3 ), but is represented by only a single sequence, the CO1 barcode region, which is 97% identical to the Montana specimens. However, no other characters exist to accurately separate this specimen from all the others, so it is included here under the heading “other specimens examined.” The discovery of additional specimens from populations between Montana and Utah may lessen this apparent gap. Hemicrepidius brooksi is sometimes easy to confuse with darker forms of H. soccifer , but these two species are readily separated by DNA data ( Figs. 1–3 ).

Larvae have been associated with H. brooksi ( Etzler et al. 2014, as Hemicrepidius sp. nr. carbonatus ), but they remain undescribed.

Holotype. UNITED STATES: Montana: Glacier Co., N. Cutbank, Eney Farms Rd, 48.8799°N, 112.3000°W, 16-Jul-28-Aug-2015, Hart, Etzler, Vane Trap, ETOH; male, from MTEC on permanent loan to CASC; DNA data under barcode MTEC023711, Fig. 12a .

Paratypes (91). NORTH AMERICA: Calvary [sic?], 95-215/ 29 (1, BMNH) ; CANADA: Alberta: Calgary , H. G. W., VII-1910 / G. Bryant coll. 1919-147 (1, BMNH) ; Caldary , VII-6-1921, O. Bryant (1, CASC) ; Cardston , 9 July 1991, H. W. Ziolkowski (1, CESC) ; St. Mary River , 6-7-[19]23, R. D. Bird (1, MCZC, MCZ-ENT00641966 ) ; CFB Shuffield, Casa Berardi Sect., short grass prairie, G. E. Ball, A. T. Finnamore / 50°23’N 110°35’W, Sentry Shack Tr. , 94-04 night, June 28, 1994 (2, ERFC) ; as previous except: evening-daylight, 94-06, 29-vi-1994 (1, ERFC) ; Writing-On-Stone Prov. Pk. , sedge south, 28-vi-5-vii-1990, D. B. McCorquodale (1, ERFC) ; Writing-On-Stone Prov. Park , 18-25-vii-1990, Creek Shrub South, D. McCorquodale (1, ERFC) . UNITED STATES: Colorado: [no data] (1, MCZC, MCZ- ENT00641982) ; [Chaffee Co.], Salida / July / A. Fenyes collection (1, CASC) ; [County?], Chimney Gulch / Liebeck collection (1, MCZC, MCZ- ENT00642002) ; La Plata Co., Vicinity of Durango, 55-7000ft, July- 23-Aug-1885 / F. C. Bowditch coll. (1, MCZC, MCZ-ENT00641983 ) ; [County?]; Mt. Lookout , 7000ft / Golden, VII-10- [19]11, C. A. Frost (1, MCZC, MCZ- ENT00641975) ; Pitkin Co., 4mi SW Aspen , VIII- 6-1964 / J. S. Buckett collector (1, CASC) ; [Routt Co.], Steamboat Springs , VI-1943, VII-15-[19]45, O. Bryant (2, CASC) . Idaho: [Bear Lake Co.], Paris / C. Lynn Hayward collector (1, BYUC) ; [Cassia Co.], Oakley , June-1928 / D. Elden Beck collector (1, CASC) ; Latah Co., Moscow , Aug-5- 1953, W. F. Barr collector/ at light (1, FSCA) ; [Twin Falls Co.], Twin Falls , July-30-1927, V. E. Romney col (1, MTEC) . Montana: Beaverhead Co., 7-11- 1928 / E26-416 (1, MTEC) ; Dillon, 7-13-[19]36/ William L. Jellison (1, MTEC) ; Broadwater Co., Canyon Ferry Wildlife Mngt. Area , N of Townsend / 22-June-1988, C. E. Seibert (1, MTEC) ; [Flathead Co.?], East Flathead , July-25-1902 / elev 5700 (1, MTEC) ; Gallatin Co., 6-24-1951, 7-23-1951, Student Collector (2, MTEC) ; Bridger Range , 5mi NE Bozeman, 30-June-1988, M. M. Hooten (1, MTEC) ; Bridger Canyon, Stone Creek , 18-VI- 1988, T. K. Philips (1, MTEC [ Figs. 12d, e ]) ; Bridger Cr , 4800’, 3-Jul-1987, D. L. Gustafson, col (1, MTEC) ; Gallatin Val. , July-9-1903 (1, MTEC) ; Bozeman , June-16-1909 (1, MTEC) ; Boze [man], Aug-1-[19]46, Underdahl (1, MTEC) ; Bozeman , 7- 6-1946, Howard collector (1, MTEC) ; 4.8 mi W of Bozeman , VI-26-1986, R. S. Lang colr (1, MTEC) ; Greycliff Fish. Acc. , Madison R., 11 July 1991, P. M. Denke Collector (1, CESC) ; 3mi NE Three Forks, Madison R. overflow pitfall, elev. 4050ft, 22 Jun to 20 Jul 1988 / C. E. Seibert Colr. (1, CESC) ; Talc Rd. E Three Forks , pitfall, elev. 4050ft, 22-Jun- 20-Jul-1988, C. E. Seibert Colr (1, MTEC) ; 5 mi S Three Forks , DCP site, pitfall, 15-29 July 1997, C. E. Seibert Colr (1, CESC) ; Fort Ellis Research Farm , 45.6674°N, 110.9779°W, May-Aug- 2011, 4905ft, P. S. Gill, WW canister trap (1, MTEC; DNA— MTEC008111 ) ; Hill Co., Beaver Creek, 6300ft, S. J. Hunter , August-1913 (2, SEMC) ; 1 mi E Big Sandy , 20-July-1996, M. A. Ivie and R. L. Hurley, on roadside milkweed (1, MTEC) ; Madison Co., 2.5km ENE Norris, Red Bluff , pitfall, 22 Jul-5 Aug 1997, C. E. Seibert colr (2, CESC) ; Hidden Lake Bench , 7400’ 22-July-1989, D. L. Gustafson col (1, MTEC) ; Hidden Lake Bench , 7400’, pitfall trap, 12-Aug-1-Sep-1990, R. T. Ryti colr (1, MTEC) ; ponds near Hidden Lake , 26-July-1991, D. L. Gustafson col. (1, MTEC) ; Trudau Warm Sp. , 09-July-1993, D. L. Gustafson col (1, MTEC) ; Madison Co [Sweetgrass county?], Madison R., Greycliff , 25 vii 1989, H. W. Ziolkowski Colr. (1, CESC) ; Park Co., Carters Bridge , S of Livingston, Yellowstone R/ 9-VII-1988, H. W. Ziolkowski (1, MTEC) ; Toole Co., 5 mi S Shelby, Marias R., L. funnel, 3060ft, 18-Jun-21-Jul-1988, C. E. Seibert Colr (1, MTEC) ; Wheatland Co., Two Dot, Musselshell R., pitfall, elev. 4600ft, 28-Jun-24-Jul-1988, C. E. Seibert colr (1, MTEC [ Fig. 12b ]). Oregon: [Baker Co.], Farewell Bend, Snake R., VI-18-[19] 41 (1, OSAC0000551187 ) ; [Umatilla Co.], Freewater , 4mi N Milton, VII-11-1963, coll. J. A. Osanger (2, MTEC) . Utah: [Sanpete Co.], Milburn, 7-1920/ Vasco M. Tanner collector (1, CASC) ; [Tooele Co.], Stockton, VII-8-[19]13, Tom Spalding (1, CASC) . Washington: [Columbia Co.], Dayton , 7-2-1933, L. T. Turner col (1, WSUC) ; Yakima Co., Parker, BL Trap, 1977, J. F. Howell coll. (1, WSUC) ; [Walla Walla Co.], College Place, VI-20-[19]44, VI-29-[19]44, VI-4-[19]46, VII-1- [19]46, VII-8-[19]46, G. H. Nelson (5, FSCA) ; Walla Walla , 6-10-[19]40 (7, OSAC0000551179 – OSAC0000551184 , OSAC0000551186 ) ; Walla Walla , 6-4-1926, 8-25-1926, M. W. Stone (2, CASC) ; Walla Walla, 4-27-[19]31, 6-8-[19]31, 6- 21-[19]31,7-3-[19]31, 7-9-[19]31, 7-23-[19]31, D. H. Brannon (2, CASC; 6, WSUC) ; Walla Walla , July-8-1938, July-30-1938, H. P. Lanchester (4, WSUC) . Wyoming: Carbon Co., Vic Battle Creek Cpgd, 7400-8000’, Med Sow NF, leg: C.D. F. 25- VII-[19]78 (1, FSCA) ; [Lincoln Co.], Kemmerer, VII-20-[19]54, G. T. Knowlton (1, SEMC) ; [Sweetwater Co.], Green River City , 6-7,000ft, July-20-27-1877 / F. C. Bowditch coll. (1, MCZC, MCZ-ENT00641976 ) ; Teton Co., Grand Teton Nat’ l Park , ½ mi ESE Jackson Lk. Jct. , 43.8613°N, 110.5604°W, 06-Aug-1999, K. A. Keating (4, MTEC; DNA—MTEC023713 [ Fig. 12c ]) ; Grand Teton Nat’ l Park, Snake R. floodplain E. of the Potholes , 2104m, 43.7754°N, 110.5972°W, 07- Aug-1999, K. A. Keating (1, MTEC) ; Yellowstone, VII-[19]35, J. H. Blum (1, CASC) . No locality: (5, INHS830317 – INHS830320 , INHS830322 ) .

Other Specimens Examined (27). UNITED STATES: California: Inyo Co., Death Valley Nat’ l Monument , Telescope Peak , 10000’ altitude/ 6-VII- 1970, collector Derham Giuliani (1, CASC) . Colorado: [Delta Co.], Paonia , 7-2-1931 / C. M. Drage collector (1, CASC) ; [Larimer Co.], Ft. Collins, 9- 27/ K. L. Maehler collection (1, CASC) ; [Teller Co.?], Fossil, 7-23-[19]11 (1, OSAC0000836964 ) . Idaho: [Canyon Co.], Parma , 7-18-1928, alt 2224ft / Paul Rice (1, BMNH) ; Parma , 6-12-1936, alt 2224ft / V. E. Nygren (1, BMNH) . Montana: Gallatin Co., M Picnic Area (near Bozeman ), 30-VI- 1988, S. M. Clark (1, BYUC) . Oregon: [County?] Hood Riv. , July-8-1927 / E. C. Van Dyke collector (1, CASC) ; [Gilliam Co.], Mayville , June-21-1938, M. H. Hatch (1, OSAC0000551362 ) ; Harney Co., Burns , 3-Aug-1998, Leg. D. Delaney and A. Sohns (1, OSAC0000541457 ) ; Union Co., La grande, ENV [?], Jul-3-1969 / M. W. Hastriter (1, BYUC) . Utah: Garfield Co., Boulder Creek, Boulder , near Hwy 12, 37°54’30”N, 111°25’20”W, 2-July-2001, D. J. Cavan, K. F. Kuehnl #112, blacklight (1, BYUC; DNA— MTEC023702 ) ; [Tooele Co.], Stockton , VII-24-[190]6, VII-21-[19]13, Tom Spalding (1, CASC; 1, MCZC, MCZ-ENT00641987 ) ; Uintah Co. 15 mi N Tridell , 23-July-1970, J. L. Perry (1, BYUC) ; [Utah Co.], Provo , VII-11-[19]12, Tom Spalding (1, CASC) . Washington: Walla Walla Co., 1939, Glen Oxford [?] (1, WSUC) ; Walla Walla , VI-3-[19]36/ G. E. Bohart collector (1, CASC) ; Walla Walla , July-8-1938, H. P. Lanchester (7, WSUC) ; Walla Walla , 6-10-[19]40 (1, OSAC0000551185 ) . Yakima Co., Parker , BL Trap, 1977, J. F. Howell Coll (1, WSUC) .

Figures

Fig. 12. Hemicrepidius brooksi, new species. Dorsal habitus: a) Male, b) Female. c) Pronotum, lateral view. Male genitalia: d) Dorsal view, e) Ventral view. Scale bars: 5 mm (a, b), 1 mm (c–e).

Fig. 14. Distribution maps of examined Hemicrepidius specimens (blue/gray dots). a) H. brooksi, new species, b) H. californicus.

Figs. 1–2. 1) Bayesian tree of CO1 and 28S; values shown are posterior probabilities; Elaterinae clade not to scale, shortened to fit in figure; scale bar represents 4% genetic variance. 2) Maximum likelihood tree of CO1 and 28S; values shown are ultra-fast bootstrap; Melanotus clade not to scale, shortened to fit in figure; scale bar represents 5% genetic variance. Both figures: Branches with support values below 80 were collapsed. Red clade represents Hemicrepidius species. Blue arrows indicate Central American species removed from Hemicrepidius and placed into Athous.

Fig. 3. Maximum likelihood tree of CO1 barcode region. Values shown are ultra-fast bootstrap values. Branches with values below 80% are collapsed. Only selected basal branches and Hemicrepidius values are given. Blue clades represent Athous species. Green clades represent species in the Limonius group of genera (Etzler 2019). Purple clades represent genera in Dendrometrini (Cate 2007). Red clade represents Hemicrepidius species. Black clades are remaining groups. Blue arrows indicate Central American species removed from Hemicrepidius and placed into Athous. Scale bar represents 7% genetic variance. Taxa and groups given in Tables 1 and 2.