Hydroscapha Amargosa Hot Springs Population

Maier, Crystal A., Ivie, Michael A., Johnson, James B. & Maddison, David R., 2010, A New Northern-Most Record for the Family Hydroscaphidae (Coleoptera: Myxophaga), with Description of a New Nearctic Species, The Coleopterists Bulletin 64 (4), pp. 289-302 : 300

Hydroscapha Amargosa Hot Springs Population

Material examined. N E VA D A: N y e C o.; Amargosa Hot Springs; 6 mi. N. Beatty; 16 APR 1966; G. L. Peters (1 JBJC) (2 WFBM) .

We suspect that Hydroscapha from Amargosa Hot Springs in Nye Co., Nevada may be yet another hot springs endemic species. However, with only three specimens from this spring, we cannot make any conclusions about their specific identity. These specimens appear to be superficially different from H. natans – the body form of Hydroscapha from Amargosa Hot Springs is more fusiform than that of any other and they are testaceous in color ( Fig. 19D ). This latter characteristic could be the result of a small sample of individuals, all of which might be teneral. We have seen teneral specimens of this color in Arizona populations, but they are uncommon. Beetles in this population possess fullydeveloped wings, which may facilitate interbreeding with other populations and may not isolate them enough for speciation to occur.

Figures

Fig. 19. Diversity in Hydroscapha populations in the United States: A) H. natans, Arizona, Santa Cruz Co., B) H. natans, California, Arroyo Mocho, C) H. natans, California, Alameda Co., D) Hydroscapha sp., Nevada, Amargosa Hot Springs, E) Hydroscapha sp., Idaho, Hot Creek Falls, F) Hydroscapha sp., Idaho, Sunbeam Hot Springs, G) H. redfordi, Idaho, Jerry Johnson Hot Springs, H) H. redfordi, Idaho, Weir Hot Springs.