Atheta (Microdota) pseudosubtilis Klimaszewski & Langor

Klimaszewski, Jan, Webster, Reginald P., Sikes, Derek, Bourdon, Caroline & Labrecque, Myriam, 2015, A review of Canadian and Alaskan species of the genera Clusiota Casey and AthetaThomson, subgenusMicrodota Mulsant & Rey (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae), ZooKeys 524, pp. 103-136 : 109-110

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Staphylinidae

Atheta (Microdota) pseudosubtilis Klimaszewski & Langor Figs 9-16

Atheta (Microdota) pseudosubtilis (For diagnosis, see Klimaszewski et al. 2011)

Distribution.

Recorded from NF and LB, NB ( Klimaszewski et al. 2011, Webster et al. 2012).

Comments.

The taxonomic position of Atheta pseudosubtilis is somewhat unclear. The shape of the spermatheca is very similar to those of Atheta subtilis and Clusiota antennalis . Externally it is similar to Clusiota antennalis but does not have a swollen basal antennal article. The median lobe of the aedeagus has internal sac structures very similar to those of Atheta subtilis . Externally, Atheta pseudosubtilis is readily distinguished from Atheta subtilis by the much shorter elytra (Figs 1, 9). DNA studies of all these species would be very useful in revealing their true relationships.