Lathrobium (Lathrobium) lividum Haberski & Caterino, 2024

Haberski, Adam & Caterino, Michael S., 2024, A review of Nearctic Lathrobium (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae), with revision and descriptions of new flightless species from the mountains of the southeastern U. S., ZooKeys 1198, pp. 193-277 : 193

Lathrobium (Lathrobium) lividum Haberski & Caterino sp. nov.

Type material.

Holotype ♂ (FMNH): "USA: NC: Yancey Co., 35.7643°N, 82.2629°W, Mt. Mitchell SP, Mt. Mitchell, 6556', ix.07.2021, M. Caterino & E. Recuero, sifted litter." / "Caterino DNA voucher, Ext. MSC-7880, Morphosp. MM.B.318" / "CLEMSON ENT [QR CODE] CUAC000135757". Paratypes (40): 5 (CUAC): same locality as type, 35.7643°N, 82.2633°W, X.06.2020 (CUAC000169022, CUAC000169023, CUAC000177098, CUAC000177099, CUAC000177100); 9 (CUAC): same locality as type, 35.7643°N, 82.2633°W, 6589ft, ix.07.2021 (CUAC000169022, CUAC000169023, CUAC000177169, CUAC000177170, CUAC000177171, CUAC000177172, CUAC000177173, CUAC000177174, CUAC000177175); 1 (CUAC): same locality as type, 35.7644°N, 82.2641°W, V.15.2018 (CUAC00079253); 5 (MCZ): "Black Mts. N. C., Mt. Mitchell 5000-6711 ft, IX.05.1930, Darlington."; 2 (CUAC): "USA: NC: Yancey Co., 35.7798°N, 82.2599°W, Mount Mitchell State Park, Big Tom, 6586', v.15.2018, M. Caterino, sifted litter." (CUAC000048570); 10 (CUAC) same locality, 35.7795°N, 82.2596°W, 6554', ix.07.2021, M. Caterino (CUAC000157555, CUAC000157567, CUAC000157568, CUAC000172501, CUAC000172505, CUAC000172506, CUAC000172509, CUAC000172511, CUAC000172513, CUAC000172514); 2 (CUAC) "USA: NC: Yancey Co., 35.8525°N, 82.2468°W, Pisgah National Forest, Celo Knob, 6284', vi.15.2020, M. Caterino, sifted litter" (CUAC000004036, CUAC000169024); 4: "USA: NC: Yancey Co., 35.8524°N, 82.2485°W, Pisgah National Forest, Celo Knob, 6300', x.19.2021, M. Caterino, E. Recuero & A. Haberski, sifted litter" (CUAC000177101, CUAC000177102, CUAC000177103, CUAC000177104); 4: "USA: NC: Yancey Co., 35.8527°N, 82.2487°W, Pisgah National Forest, Celo Knob, 6294', x.19.2021, M. Caterino, E. Recuero & A. Haberski, sifted litter" (CUAC000177105, CUAC000177106, CUAC000177107, CUAC000177108); 3: "USA: NC: Yancey Co., 35.8522°N, 82.2485°W, Pisgah National Forest, Celo Knob, 6300', vi.15.2020, M. Caterino & F. Etzler, sifted litter" (CUAC000177145, CUAC000177146, CUAC000177147); 2: "USA: NC: Yancey Co., 35.8523°N, 82.2486°W, Pisgah National Forest, Celo Knob, 6300', vi.15.2020, M. Caterino & F. Etzler, sifted litter" (CUAC000177148, CUAC000177149); 2 (CUAC) "USA: NC: Yancey Co., 35.8525°N, 82.2468°W, Pisgah National Forest, Celo Knob, 6284', vi.15.2020, M. Caterino, sifted litter" (CUAC000004036, CUAC000169024); 2 (CUAC) "USA: NC: Yancey Co., 35.7782°N, 82.2610°W, Mount Mitchell State Park, Mt. Craig, 6550' v.15.2018, M. Caterino, sifted litter" (CUAC000003088, CUAC000169028).

Other material.

North Carolina: Buncombe Co.: Base of Mt. Mitchell, 5413', Blue Ridge Parkway, A. Smetana, 03 Jun 1986 (5, CNC); Yancey Co.: Mt. Mitchell, 6561-6679', Mount Mitchell State Park, A. Smetana, 04 Jun 1986 (6, CNC); Buncombe Co.: Craggy Dome, 5696-5845' 13 Sep 2022 (4, CUAC).

Diagnosis.

This species can be distinguished from the closely related L. islae only by its genitalia. The spines of the internal sac of their aedeagi differ conspicuously (Fig. 8D, E vs Fig. 7E, F ), but differences in female genitalia are more subtle. The gonocoxites of L. islae are narrowed at the base, but not in L. lividum . No intermediate forms are known.

Description.

External morphology is identical to that of L. islae . It differs only in genitalia.

♂: Aedeagus (Fig. 8D, E ) with ventral process longer, nearly reaching the end of the median lobe; dorsal plate small and blade-like; the internal sac with a single large, curved spine that projects above the median lobe.

♀: Gonocoxite width subequal from base to apex (Fig. 8A ).

Etymology.

The specific name is Latin, meaning bruised, in reference to its dark coloration.

Distribution and ecology.

Lathrobium lividum might have the smallest range of any Nearctic Lathrobium . It is endemic to spruce-fir forests above 1500 m elevation in the Black Mountains and Craggy Mountains of North Carolina (Fig. 43 ). Collected Jul-Sep.

Figures

Figure 7. Lathrobium islae A habitus B female terminalia C female sternite VIII D male sternite VIII E aedeagus in ventral view F aedeagus in lateral view. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Figure 8. Lathrobium lividum A female terminalia B female sternite VIII C male sternite VIII D aedeagus in ventral view E aedeagus in lateral view. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Figure 43. Distribution of Lathrobium islae (circle), L. lividum (star).