Phausis luminosa Fender, 1966

Hodson, Alicia M. & Branham, Marc A., 2024, Revision and Phylogeny of the Genus Phausis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) with the Description of Three New Species, Zootaxa 5458 (1), pp. 1-52 : 22-24

Phausis luminosa Fender, 1966

( Figs 9 ; 17E ; 20B ; 22M–O ; 23A ; 24E )

Phausis luminosa Fender 1966:88

Diagnosis. Male. Differs from congeners by the following characters: pronotum with basal margin straight ( Fig. 17E ), not undulating as in other Phausis ; elytra strongly reticulate, more than Phausis reticulata ; photic organs present on abdominal segments VI and VII, approximately reaching the lateral margins of each segment ( Fig. 20B ); photic organs smaller than the photic organs of P. reticulata (extends to lateral margins of each segment), but larger than Phausis christineae (does not reach lateral margins and is greatly restricted medially on each segment); abdominal segment VII elongate and awl-shaped ( Fig. 20B ); median lobe of aedeagus with a dense patch of sensilla located comprising of the apical fourth of the median lobe ( Figs. 22O ; 23A ); parameres sinuate with proximal flanges, extending medially towards proximal base of parameres. Where flanges are extensions of parameres that curve or extend outward from inner margin ( Fig. 22M ).

Redescription. Male ( Figs. 17E ; 20B ; 22M–O ; 23A ). Length 5.0–6.0 mm. Width 1.2–1.8 mm. Color. Body yellow-brown to brunneous; eyes black; mouthparts (excluding mandibles) testaceous; mandibles mostly testaceous, except the apices which are ferrugineus; antennae yellow-brown to brown; central pronotal disc brunneous to flavus; scutellum testaceous; thorax overall testaceous to brunneous; legs brunneous with femora paler in some specimens; lateral margins of elytra paler than elytral disc in some specimens; abdomen brunneous with abdominal segments VI,VII and VIII sometimes paler along lateral margins; photic organs on the VI and VII abdominal segments yellow, sometimes with white margins, and elevated; pubescence brunneous to aureus. Anterior vitreous areas (pronotal spots) present.

Head large and transverse (frontal view); vertex longitudinally concave with fine punctures dorsally. Eyes large and approximate, partially obstructing labium postventrally. Mandibles very long (mandibles almost entirely crossing frontally), falcate, tapering abruptly, beginning to taper at base; incisor region slender, equal to the total length of mandible; outer margin convex versus straight as in other taxa ( P. marina , P. nigra , P. skelleyi , and P. milleri ); basal angle less than 90 degrees dorsally. Maxillary palps with four palpomeres, last palpomere securiform; Labial palps reduced, with two palpomeres.

Antennae filiform, long, extending to middle to posterior end of metathorax ( Fig. 17E ). Scape 2.0× longer than pedicel. Pedicel approximately 1/2 the length of antennomere 3. Antennomere 3 ~ 0.75× longer than antennomeres 4 to 11. Antennomeres 4 to 11 approximately same size and length.Antennomere 11 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 subulate.

Pronotum subquadrate (almost as wide as long), semicircular ( Fig. 17E ); median carina present, extending from base to 1/4 of apex; all margins shallowly reflexed; sides more reflexed than apical and basal margin; basal margin straight; hind angles round. Central pronotal disc present; subquadrate with lateral margins curving inward; shiny and finely punctured. Anterior vitreous areas (spots) present, large (less than one width of spot between them); subreniform; punctate throughout.

Scutellum spatulate, lateral margins weakly sinuate, appearing almost parallel and posterior apex round with longitudinal groove ( Fig. 17E ); surface shiny and finely punctate.

Elytra well developed; strongly reticulate throughout ( Fig. 17E ). Single costa present medially on each elytron; arising from basal half of elytra and extending approximately to elytral apices. Longitudinal elevated lines present and transverse lines present, transverse lines somewhat irregular in the interstitial spaces giving elytra a reticulated appearance.

Venter. Thorax elongate, trapezoidal. Metathorax without posterior apex notched; medial line present; surface shiny and finely sparsely punctate. Tergal apicolateral angles strongly lobed. Abdominal segments VI and VII bearing photic organs, forming a central stripe approximating the lateral margins of segment, smooth, sometimes slightly elevated. Photic organ absent on abdominal segment VIII. Abdominal segment VII elongate (longer than wide), apical margin awl-shaped. Abdominal segment VIII elongate, apical margin round.

Male Genitalia. Basal piece (dorsal view; Fig. 22M ) as wide as long, quadrate, segments approximate (almost touching), and moderately sclerotized (light brown to yellow). Median lobe (dorsal view; Fig. 22M ) does not exceed tips of parameres, overall elongate and acutely rounded (less than 45 degrees) at apex; parallel to parameres ( Fig. 22N ); sensilla present, comprising of the apical fourth of the median lobe; sensilla dense or patch-like, short, and robust ( Figs. 22O ; 23A ); dorsal inner-basal margins cordate; dorsal opening absent; longitudinal dorsal carina absent; lateral line absent; ventral opening present, curvate, consisting of the apical fourth of medial lobe. Parameres (dorsal view; Fig. 22M ) elongate, sinuate with expanded lateral margins; inner lateral margins convex; outer lateral margins sigmoidal; apex acuminate (lateral view; Fig. 22N ); dorsal proximal flanges (extensions of parameres that curve or extend outward from inner margin) present, sigmoidal, and extending medially towards proximal base of parameres ( Fig. 22M ). Sensilla absent.

Female. Unknown.

Larva. Unknown.

Eggs. Unknown.

Etymology. Unknown.

Specimens Examined. Type Material. Holotype ( Figs. 17E ; 24E ). USA: “ OKLAHOMA Co., Oklahoma, Pres by Chapman Grant Collector, HOLOTYPE Phausis luminosa Fender , Type No 16801” 1 ♂ ( CAS). Paratype. “LAWRENCE Co. Ark. VI.1923, Kenneth M. Fender Collection 1988 and 1992, Gifts to the California Academy of Sciences , PARATYPE Phausis luminosa Fender ” 1 ♂, [Coll. B.C. Marshall ( Fender 1966)] ( CAS) .

Other material. USA: INDIANA: CRAWFORD Co., Grantsburg , 15.VI .1967 , Coll. Dianne Eckert, Det. A.M. Hodson, 1 ♂ (FSCA) [original determination Phausis splendidula, Det. C. White ] OKLAHOMA: LATIMER Co. , VI .1983, Coll. K. Stephan, Det. J.E. Lloyd, 1 ♂ ( FSCA); same except IV.1988, Coll. K. Stephan, Det. K. Stephan, 3 ♂ ( FSCA); same except V .1988, 2 ♂ ( FSCA); same except V .1989, 9 ♂ ( FSCA); CLEVELAND Co., Norman , 5–6.V .1976 , light traps, Coll. William D. Shepard, Det. A.M. Hodson, 1 ♂ (ESSIG); same except 10.V .1976 , light traps, Coll. William D. Shepard, Det. A.M. Hodson, 2 ♂ (ESSIG); same except 15–16.V .1976 , light traps, Coll. William D. Shepard, Det. A.M. Hodson, 1 ♂ (ESSIG); same except, 22–23.V .1977 , light traps, Coll. William D. Shepard, Det. A.M. Hodson, 1 ♂ (ESSIG). NORTH CAROLINA: WILKES Co., Jeffress Peak, Blue Ridge Peak , 3500 feet, intercept trap , 1.VI. –17.VIII .1981 , Coll. S. Peck, Det. A.M. Hodson, 5 ♂ (CNCI);

Distribution. Known to occur in restricted areas of Arkansas, Indiana; North Carolina; and Oklahoma, United States of America ( Fig. 9 ).

Phenology. Occurs from May to August.

Remarks. None.

Variation. None identified.

Biology. Unknown.

Figures

FIGURE 9. Detail of North American distribution of Phausis luminosa.

FIGURE 17. Dorsal habitus of male Phausis (A–F). (A) Phausis branhami sp. nov.; (B). Phausis californica; (C) Phausis dorothae; (D) Phausis inaccensa; (E) Phausis luminosa; (F) Phausis marina.

FIGURE 20. Ventral view of adult male photic organs (A–C). (A) Phausis christineae sp. nov. (paratype); (B) Phausis luminosa; (C) Phausis reticulata.

FIGURE 22. Phausis aedeagi (A–Jj) (from left to right: dorsal, lateral, ventral view). (A–C) Phausis branhami sp. nov.; (D–F) Phausis californica; (G–I) Phausis dorothae; (J–L) Phausis inaccensa; (M–O) Phausis luminosa; (P–R) Phausis marina; (S–U) Phausis milleri sp. nov.; (V–X) Phausis nigra; (Y–Aa) Phausis reticulata; (Bb–Dd) Phausis rhombica; (Ee–Gg) Phausis riversi; (Hh–Jj) Phausis skelleyi.

FIGURE 23. Sensilla of Phausis aedeagi (A–D). (A) Phausis luminosa (medial lobe, ventral view); (B) Phausis dorothae (paramere, dorsal view); (C) Phausis riversi (paramere, dorsal view); (D) Phausis marina (paramere, lateral view). Not pictured is Phausis californica which also has sensilla on the apical tip of the parameres (holotype, dorsal view).

FIGURE 24. Type labels of Phausis (A–L). (A) Phausis branhami sp. nov.; (B). Phausis californica; (C) Phausis dorothae; (D) Phausis inaccensa; (E) Phausis luminosa; (F) Phausis marina; (G) Phausis milleri sp. nov.; (H) Phausis nigra; (I) Phausis reticulata; (J) Phausis rhombica; (K) Phausis riversi; (L) Phausis skelleyi.