Brachygluta (Brachygluta) abdominalis ( Aubé, 1833 ), Aube, 1833

Chandler, Donald S., Sabella, Giorgio & Bückle, Christoph, 2015, A revision of the Nearctic species of Brachygluta Thomson, 1859 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae), Zootaxa 3928 (1), pp. 1-91 : 19-21

5. Brachygluta (Brachygluta) abdominalis ( Aubé, 1833)

( Figs 6 , 36 A, 44, 45)

Bryaxis abdominalis Aubé, 1833: 27 , pl. 82, fig. 2. Type locality: America septentrionali. Type depository: MNHN, number of specimens unknown, male is figured by Aubé. Dejean 1837: 441; Aubé 1844: 112 (as junior synonym of Bryaxis dentata Say ). LeConte 1849: 86; 1863: 21; 1880: 182. Brendel 1865b: 256 (key); 1866a: 34; 1866b: 191, 194 (female characters). Bryaxis (Bryaxis) abdominalis: Brendel & Wickham 1890: 267 (key), 278 (redescription), plate VIII, fig. 52.

Brachygluta abdominalis: Raffray 1904: 224 ; 1908: 231; 1911: 94. Leng 1920: 130. Bowman 1934: 82 (Group I, key), 83. Downie & Arnett 1996: 580. Poole & Gentili 1996: 380. Chandler 1997: 54. Majka & Ogden 2006: 761. Majka et al. 2011: 82. Bousquet et al. 2013 (checklist for Canada).

Material examined, 501 specimens. CANADA: New Brunswick: Albert Co.: Mary's Pit, IX-8-2002, C. Majka, salt marsh, vegetation, ( NSMNH, 1). Shapoody NWA, Mary's Point Section, 4.45.7321N, 66.6765W, V-17-2004, R.P. Webster, grass litter resting on salt marsh vegetation ( RPWC, 4). USA: Connecticut: Fairfield Co.: Westport, IV-23-1932, IX-25-1931, VII-16-1931, VIII-5-1931, X-1-1932, X-2-1932, L. Lacey ( AMNH, 6, 1 each site). New London Co.: Groton, K.P. Jansson ( MZLU, 4). Delaware: Sussex Co.: Rehoboth, VI-14-1945, Dieke, beach washup ( USNM, 1). County uncertain: Ship John Shoal Light House, Delaware Bay, VIII-23-1936, D. MacCreary ( UDCC, 1). District of Columbia: D.C., 1932 ( AMNH, 1); D.C. ( ANSP, 3; CMNH, 11; FMNH, 6; MCZC, 17; MCZC, LeConte Collection, 6; INHS, 3); Brend. ( MCZC, Horn Collection, 2). Eastern Branch, nr. Bennings, II- 23-1913, W.L. McAtee ( USNM, 1). Wash. (ington), C.V. Riley ( USNM, 1); VI-20, Hubbard & Schwarz ( USNM, 1; LSAM, 1). Only state on label: “ Columbia ” ( MHNG, 1). Georgia: Glynn Co.: St. Simon Island, IV-22 / V-12- 1911, J.C. Bradley ( MCZC, 2). Maine: Hancock Co.: Site 16, Big Moose Island lagoon, SE end, VII-17-2005, D.S. Chandler, sifting-berlesing, salt marsh litter ( ANPC, 1). Tremont, X-5-1937 ( USNM, 7). Knox Co.: Spruce Head, VI-16-1955, R.S. Howard ( FMNH, 26). Sagadahoc Co.: Popham Beach, III-23-1983, R.E. Nelson, edge of salt marsh ( RENC, 1). Maryland: Baltimore Co.: Baltimore, Lanton, VI-6-1973, E.J., Ford, Jr., light trap ( DSCC, 1). Butler, VII-1-1979, E.J. Ford, light-trap ( EJFC, 1). Hawkins, Point, VII-3-1966, E.J. Ford, Jr., light trap ( DSCC, 1). Hebbville, VII-17-1999, E.J. Ford, Jr., light trap ( DSCC, 1). Calvert Co.: Chesapeake Beach, VII-20-1932, F.C. Bishop ( USNM, 1). Scientists Cliff, III-23-1980, J.M. Campbell ( CNCI, 5). Harford Co.: Edgewood, IX-12-1918, H. Dietrich ( CUIC, 1). Kent Co.: Eastern Neck Island, III-27-1956 (879-A), R.S. Howard ( FMNH, 1). Montgomery Co.: Minnie Island, nr Cabin John, VI-5-1931, H.S. Barber ( USNM, 1). Plummers Island, V-24-1908, H.S. Barber ( LSAM, 1); IX-28-1913, W.L. McAtee ( USNM, 1). Takoma Park, VI-24-1951, G.H. Nelson, to light ( DSCC, 1). Prince Georges Co.: Bladensburg, IX-10-1961, E. Van Tassel ( FSCA, 1). Only state on label: “Md.” ( MCZC, H.C. Fall Collection, 3; MCZC, 2). Massachusetts: Bristol Co.: Berkeley, VIII-15-1932, N.S. Eaton, beach litter ( MCZC, 1). Fall River, VII-2-1919, N.S. Eaton ( MCZC, 4). Somerset, VI-26-1910 ( SEMC, 1). Essex Co.: Ipswich, V-22-1926, P.J. Darlington ( MCZC, 1). Nahant, VI-3-1935, P.J. Darlington ( MCZC, 2). Salisbury Beach, III-23- 2009, T. Murray, photo ( DSCC, 1); IV-19-2010, T. Murray, photo ( DSCC, 2); IV-20-2009, T. Murray, photo ( DSCC, 2). Middlesex Co.: Cambridge, IV-14, Hubbard & Schwarz ( USNM, 3). Stoneham, VI-7, F.A. Sheriff ( MCZC, 1). Tyngsboro, IV-13-1901, freshet ( MCZC, 1). Nantucket Co.: Nantucket, V-26-1935, C.R. Crosby ( CUIC, 1). Plymouth Co.: Marion, VIII-20-1904 ( MCZC, 6); VIII-15-1904 ( MCZC, 1). Suffolk Co.: Chelsea, salt marsh ( MCZC, 1). Revere, V-16-1903 ( MCZC, 1). Only state on label: “Mas.” ( CMNH, 1). New Hampshire: Rockingham Co.: Hampton, IV-5-1923, S.A. Shaw ( LSAM, 1); III-11, S.A. Shaw ( MCZC, 1); III-11-1923 ( USNM, 15). Hampton, III-11 ( ANSP, 1). Hampton, III-25-1902 (2), IV-15-1927, IV-5-1902, V-25-1935, IV-28-1929, IV- 27-1930, V-3-1932, III-23-1902, III-22-1903, IV-15-1917, S.A. Shaw (all UNHC). Hampton ( FMNH, 3). Odiorne Point State Park, V-12-1982, sift grass litter in marsh ( DSCC, 2; MHNG, 1; UNHC, 1); V-6-1982, sift leaf litter along marsh edge ( DSCC, 1; UNHC 1); IV-30-1986, sift leaf litter on marsh edge ( DSCC, 4; UNHC, 1); IX-16- 2006, sweeping ( DSCC, 2); IX-24-1986, sift leaf litter on pond margin ( DSCC, 1; MHNG, 1); V-14-1982, under leaf litter around pond ( DSCC, 5; UNHC, 11); VI-15-1982, D.S. Chandler, sift leaf litter around pool edge ( UNHC, 2); VI-3-1986, D.S. Chandler, sift leaf litter on marsh edge ( UNHC, 2). Seabrook, back-dunes, 1 m, VI-1/14 -1989, D.S. Chandler, FITrap ( UNHC, 1); VIII-10-1989, D.S. Chandler, under grass debris ( UNHC, 1). Seabrook foredunes, VI-27-1989, D.S. Chandler ( DSCC, 1); Strafford Co.: Durham, V-13-1900, Weed & Fiske ( INHS, 1). New Jersey: Atlantic Co.: Chelsea, VII-29 ( CMNH, 1). Bergen Co.: Fort Lee District ( MCZC, 5); VI-11-1922 ( USNM, 1). Cape May Co.: Anglesea, IV-15, W.D. Richardson, meadows ( LSAM, 1); IV-15, meadows ( CMNH, 1; FMNH, 1); IV-7, Wenzel ( ANSP, 11); IV-7 ( CMNH, 11); IV-15, ( MCZC, 5); IV-1915 ( AMNH, 2); III-11 ( USNM, 1); IV-15, meadows ( MNHN, 4M and 1 F); no date ( MCZC, 5; FMNH, 5; MNHN, 5). S.M. (Strathmere?) Beach, IV-7, H.W. Wenzel ( FMNH, 8). Cape May ( FMNH, 1). Hudson Co.: Arlington ( MCZC, H.C. Fall Collection, 1). Snake Hill (= Laurel Hill) ( AMNH, 1); II-1891 ( CASC, 3). Middlesex Co.: S.(outh) Amboy, IV-16-1916, F.M. Schott ( FMNH, 1). Monmouth Co.: Spring Lake, VIII-14-1941, A. Nicolay ( USNM, 2). Ocean Co.: 3 mi S Tuckerton, VI-15-1983, D.S. Chandler, sift beach drift ( DSCC, 5). Barnegat Bay, V-25-1924, J.W. Green ( CASC, 1). Manchester, V-1 ( MCZC, 1). Passaic Co.: Greenwood Lake, VI-7-1942, A. Nicolay, sweeping at dusk ( USNM, 1). Only state on label: “N.J.” ( FMNH, 1). New York: Bronx Co.: Kingsbridge, 1923 ( LSAM, 1). Kingsbridge, 1928 ( USNM, 10). Dutchess Co.: Arlington, V-22-1920, under board, salt marsh ( AMNH, 4). Kings Co.: Brooklyn, IV-16-1904 ( USNM, 3); no date ( FMNH, 1); Coney Island ( AMNH, 1). Flatbush, L.(ong) I.(sland), IV-10-19 --- ( USNM, 1). Flatlands, L.(ong) I.(sland), XII-25-1915, F.M. Schott ( UNHC, 3). New Lots, Brooklyn, L.(ong) I.(sland), IV-18-1914 ( USNM, 1). Nassau Co.: Lynbrook, IV-1-1918, C.R. Crosby ( CUIC, 3). Wantagh, L.(ong) I.(sland), V-1-1943, A. Nicolay ( USNM, 5). Queens Co.: [no other data] ( MCZC, 2; AMNH, 5). Aqueduct, L.(ong) I.(sland), V-16-1925, F.R. Mason ( ANSP, 5); V-16-1925, Quirsfeld ( CNCI, 4). Flushing, L.(ong) I.(sland), K.W.Cooper ( USNM, 5). North Beach, L.(ong) I.(sland), II-16-1913 ( AMNH, 2). Rock(away) Beach, L.(ong) I.(sland), VI-11-1922 ( USNM, 4). Rosedale, L.(ong) I.(sland), III-17-1926 ( FMNH, 4). Jamaica, L.(ong) I.(sland) ( AMNH, 5; MCZC, 2), Frost ( INHS, 1). Richmond Co.: S.I. (Staten Island), salt meadow ( MCZC, 10; AMNH, 2); III-17-1921, A. Nicolay ( ANSP, 1); V-24-1939, A. Nicolay ( USNM, 4); C.W. Leng ( FMNH, 3); V-6, salt meadow ( MCZC, 1); V-12, salt meadow ( MCZC, 23); IX-17 ( MCZC, 1); salt meadow ( MCZC, H.C. Fall Collection, 2). Staten Island, C.W.I. ( CUIC, 1). Rockland Co.: Piermont, V-27-1934, Quirsfeld ( CNCI, 1); IV-13-1930, Quirsfeld ( CNCI, 1). Suffolk Co.: VI-17-1960, M.I. Blenderman ( AMNH, 2); VI-24-1960, M.I. Blenderman ( AMNH, 3). Babylon, VI-7-1892 ( AMNH, 1). Calverton, L.(ong) I.(sland), V-14-1933, R. Latham ( CUIC, 1). Orient, IV-4- 1931, C.R. Crosby ( CUIC, 1). Southold, IV-4-1931, C.R. Crosby ( CUIC, 2). Westchester Co.: Peekskill, V-30-1891 ( AMNH, 2; MCZC, 1; CUIC, 1). Peekskill ( MCZC, 1). L.(ong) I.(sland), XII-13-1925, F.M. Schott ( UAIC, 1); IV- 1909 ( LSAM, 1); IV-19-1909 ( USNM, 2; FMNH, 1); VII-3-1910 ( FMNH, 1); IV-2-1910 ( FMNH, 1). No county listed: L(ong) Island ( CMNH, 1). Only state on label: “N.Y.”, 1932 ( AMNH, 2); “N.Y.” ( AMNH, 4; CMNH; 6; FMNH, 11; MCZC, 4); Brend. ( MCZC, Horn Collection, 7); salt meadow ( SEMC, 2). North Carolina: Mecklenburg Co.: Charlotte, III-18-1969, J.F. Cornell, leaves in field near house ( NCSU, 1). Virginia: Fairfax Co.: Falls Church, XII-27 ( MCZC, 1); IX-29-1929, A. Nicolay ( CNCI, 1). Nr. Plummers Island Maryland, IX-10 ( USNM, 1). Only state on label: “Va.”, T. Pergande ( USNM, 1). LITERATURE RECORDS: Nova Scotia: Cumberland Co.: Amherst, VI-24-1994, J. Ogden, at edge of salt marsh. Maine: Penobscot Co.: Howland, V-20- 1978, R. Tracy (both records from Majka & Ogden, 2006).

Description. BODY: Length 2.28–2.72 mm; orange-brown to brown, often with elytra lighter than rest of body; setae on head and pronotum short, curved and suberect, decumbent to nearly appressed over rest of body. Head: surface smooth, shining, punctures minute; setose area of median vertexal fovea about two-thirds width of setose area of lateral foveae. Antennomeres III-VII longer than wide, VII only barely so, VIII–IX transverse, wider than long, VIII about three-fourths width of IX, X as long as wide ( Fig. 6 C). Pronotum: surface smooth, usually shining, faintly microreticulate for some, with distinct, small punctures. Setose area of median antebasal fovea slightly smaller than those of lateral antebasal foveae. Elytra: surface lightly microreticulate, punctures faint to indistinct; discal stria extending to about four-fifths of elytral length. Abdomen: tergite 1 with surface lightly punctate; basal striae very short, indistinct, one-fifth of paratergite length at most, sparsely setose brush between striae in both sexes, striae separated by about half tergite width.

MALE: Antennae and trochanters lacking modifications, simple. Metaventrite with semicircular patch of dense setae extending from bases of metacoxae to middle of metaventrite. Abdomen with tergites 1–3 visible in dorsal view, all strongly modified and clearly visible ( Fig. 6 A), 4 modified but not visible; tergite 1 longest, 2–3 subequal in length, tergites 1–3 medially emarginate, with lateral portions elevated and strongly protruding; tergite 1 deeply emarginate at middle for about one-fourth tergite width, elongate dark median tubercle originating beneath raised margin slightly emarginate at apex, lateral portions of tergite 1 each with rounded tubercle at center; tergite 2 with median emargination more shallowly and broadly emarginate, protruding lateral portions with margins slightly concave, ventral surface concave and densely setose, base of tergite 2 deeply depressed, more deeply depressed ventral to tubercles of tergite 1, apices of protruding portions of tergite 2 densely setose; tergite 3 with lateral thirds strongly protruding, ventral surface concave and densely setose, apex with median emarginate area slightly shallower and broader than for tergite 2, lateral margins of protruding angles shallowly concave but more deeply concave than for tergite 2; tergite 4 with lateral margins protruding, middle almost flat, with indistinct median longitudinal through length; tergite 5 nearly flat, not modified; in lateral view tergites 1–2 with outline roughly continuous, 2 strongly projecting out over base of 3 ( Fig. 6 B). Abdominal ventrites 2–5 broadly convex, 6 with transverse impression at base. Metatibiae narrow basally, slightly widening through length to apex with dense comb of setae on mesal margin in apical sixth where slightly curved medially ( Fig. 6 D). Aedeagus 0.39 mm long, with dorsal plate asymmetrically triangular; parameres with preapical constriction, with three thick setae at angle of constriction at lateral margin, with preapical hyaline setae near mesal margin thickened to middle, aciculate to apex; internal sac with three large subequal spines, one spine strongly curved ( Fig. 6 E).

FEMALE: Metaventrite in apical half somewhat flattened, setae evenly dense over metasternum, not as dense as in male. All tergites evenly convex; ventrites evenly convex; metatibia similar in form to that of male.

Collecting data. A coastal marsh species taken from grass and deciduous leaf litters at margins of salt marshes, and from under beach drift and at UV light in these areas ( Chandler 1997; Majka & Ogden 2006). LeConte (1849) reports this species as being common in "pratis salinis " (salt meadows) in May. Adults have been taken in all months except January, though there are only a few records from autumn and winter in New England.

Distribution ( Fig. 36 A). This is a species characteristic of the Atlantic coastal salt marshes, and is found from Nova Scotia to Georgia.

Comments. Aubé (1833: 27) initially compared his new species with B. haematica Reichenbach of Europe and provided a habitus figure that resembles B. floridana (Brendel) , which is quite different from the interpretation of this species that was established by LeConte (1849). To confuse matters, Aubé (1844) had also placed B. abdominalis as a junior synonym of B. dentata (Say) —a third species with a very different male tergal form. A study of the types is necessary to resolve this problem, especially since the number of specimens was never stated and the type series could perhaps hold two species or more. The collection at Paris has been searched by Giorgio Sabella and Mrs. Azadeh Taghavian for the types of this species, which should be in the Dejean Collection (MNHN) according to Aubé (1833). Dejean (1837) indeed placed this name on the list of species in his collection, but the types could not be found after a very thorough search in Paris, nor are any present in the LeConte Collection (MCZC). Current usage is maintained for this species until the type (s) may be found.

This is the only species with the first three tergites strongly modified and equally visible; these three tergites all strongly laterally lobed ( Fig. 6 A).

Figures

FIGURE 6. Brachygluta abdominalis (Aubé) (New Jersey, Atlantic Co.). A: Abdomen, dorsal view. B: Abdomen, lateral view. C: Right antenna. D: Left metatibia, posterior view. E: Aedeagus.

FIGURE 36. Distribution map of Brachygluta abdominalis species-group. A: Brachygluta abdominalis (Aubé). B: Brachygluta floridana (Brendel). C: Brachygluta intermedia (Brendel). D: Brachygluta ulkei (Brendel). (Red dot: material examined, green dot: only state on label and / or literature records).