Euconnus cataloochee, Caterino, 2022

Caterino, Michael S., 2022, First report of the Euconnus Thomson subgenus Cladoconnus Reitter in the New World, represented by thirteen new Appalachian species (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae), ZooKeys 1137, pp. 133-175 : 133

Euconnus cataloochee sp. nov.

Figs 10C , 11

Type material.

Holotype ♂, deposited in FMNH: "USA: NC: Haywood Co., 35.6721°N, 83.1760°W, Smoky Mts NP, 6150', Big Cataloochee Mt., xi.5.2020, sifted litter, M.Caterino & F.Etzler" / "[QR code] CLEMSON-ENT CUAC000135173" / "Caterino DNA Voucher Extraction MSC6485 Morphosp. BCat.B.315". Paratypes (32 - CUAC, FMNH, CNCI, UNHC): 7 ♀, 7 ♂: same data as type; 5 ♀, 5 ♂: "USA: NC: Haywood Co., 35.6453°N, 83.2025°W, SmokyMtsNP, Balsam Mt.Tr., 5086', xi.5.2020, M.Caterino & F.Etzler, Sifted litter"; 1 ♀, 1 ♂: USA: NC: Haywood Co., 35.6686°N, 83.1749°W, Smoky Mts NP, 5725', Big Cataloochee Mt., vii.14.2020, sifted litter, M.Caterino, F.Etzler"; 1 ♂: "USA: NC: Haywood Co., 35.6724°N, 83.1761°W, Smoky Mts NP, 6130', Big Cataloochee Mt., vii.14.2020, sifted litter, M.Caterino, F.Etzler"; 3 ♀, 2 ♂: "USA: NC: Haywood Co., 35.6675°N, 83.1805°W, Smoky Mts NP, 5586', MtSterlingTr@Lost BottomCk, vii.14.2020 M.Caterino& F.Etzler, sifted litter".

Diagnostic description.

This species exhibits no obvious external differences from the preceding species and can only be distinguished by male genitalic characters. Antennomere VIII of male slightly more strongly produced at inner basal corner, slightly oblique to antennal axis; aedeagus (Fig. 10C ) with median lobe slightly narrowed, pinched near apex, bluntly rounded; parameres curving slightly inward at tips, each with three apical setae; compressor plate weakly asymmetrical and narrowly rounded; endophallus with two asymmetrical primary sclerites, one long, sinuate, apically bifid, with lateral hook curving beneath a median apically directed spear; lower endophallic sclerite originating nearer base, broad at base, subdivided into two widely spaced apical hooks, curving the same direction as inner hook of upper sclerite.

Distribution.

This is a very restricted species, only known from a couple localities on or very near Big Cataloochee Mountain in the Smokies, and is only known above 5100 ft.

Remarks.

The bifid apex of the upper endophallic sclerite is similar to that of E. cultellus , but the subapical (lower) tip is more strongly developed, almost appearing as a separate sclerite. The two well-developed hooks on a shorter overall lower endophallic sclerite distinguish it from E. falcatus . Sequence differences from the latter are minimal to non-existent, suggesting either very recent ancestry or introgression, as they do seem to be sympatric in the central Great Smoky Mountains, the only locality known for E. cataloochee .

This species is named for its type locality, Big Cataloochee Mt., as it is known from only a small area near its summit. The name apparently comes from a Cherokee word referring to the prominent wooded ridges in this region of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Figures

Figure 10. Aedeagus. A Euconnus falcatus B compressor plate and upper endophallic armature of Euconnus falcatus (Plott Balsams variant) C Euconnus cataloochee D Euconnus kilmeri.

Figure 11. Map of collecting records for Euconnus (Cladoconnus) falcatus complex. E. (C.) falcatus (circles), E. (C.) cataloochee (stars), E. (C.) tusquitee (triangules), E. (C.) draco (hexagons), E. (C.) kilmeri (plus sign), and E. (C.) attritus (x).