Phelister warneri, Caterino, Michael S. & Tishechkin, Alexey K., 2019

Caterino, Michael S. & Tishechkin, Alexey K., 2019, A revision of the Phelisterhaemorrhous species group (Coleoptera, Histeridae, Exosternini), ZooKeys 854, pp. 41-88 : 59

Phelister warneri sp. nov. Figs 2, 4; Map 2

Type material.

Holotype male: "USA: AZ: Cochise Co., Birch Rd., 4.1 mi. E of Hwy 191, 31°58'43"N, 109°46'4"W; vii.17-29.2011; black cup pitfalls; W.BWarner" / "Caterino/Tishechkin Exosternini Voucher EXO-03588"; deposited in ASUC; Paratypes (11): 4: same data as type; 2: same locality but vii.29-viii.14.2011; 3: same locality but vii.30-ix.5.2012; 1: same locality but vii.14-28.2011; 1: AZ: Cochise Co. Hwy 186 at Blue Sky Rd.; 32°12'52"N, 109°46'54"W, vii.17-29.2011, ex black cup barrier pitfall; W.B. Warner; 1: AZ: Cochise Co., 1.5 mi S. jct. Hwys 191 and 181; 31°51'44"N, 109°41'59"W; vii.14-28.2011; black cup barrier pitfall; W.B. Warner. Deposited in MSCC, AKTC, FMNH, and WBWC. Additional material: TX: Brewster Co., Marathon Iron Mt. Ranch, v.12.1976, R. Gordon, in burrow of Cynomys ludovicianus (USNM).

Diagnostic description

Length: 1.73-2.09 mm (avg. 1.88 mm); width: 1.46-1.69 mm (avg. 1.57 mm). This species is externally very difficult to distinguish from P. brevistriatus , as well as P. sonorae . The following characters should be sufficient to distinguish P. warneri : body distinctly rufescent, with the elytra (except for a linear area right along the suture) vaguely lighter/brighter red than most of the rest of the body, the lateral regions of the pronotum sometimes appearing similarly lighter; frontal stria often interrupted at sides as well as medially, rarely obsolete across the front; frontal disk usually with enlarged median punctures, but not organized into a linear cluster as they are in P. brevistriatus ; ground punctation of pronotum more distinct, grading more gradually into denser lateral pronotal punctures; male protarsal claws ‘normal’, curved, not bent at base (distinct from P. sonorae ); elytral striae shallowly and rather finely impressed, 5th dorsal elytral stria confined to posterior third of elytron, typically fragmented, rarely entirely obsolete; meso- and metatibiae narrower, slightly more elongate, with marginal spines fewer in number and size; 1st abdominal ventrite with little or no vestige of outer lateral stria; aedeagus with short basal piece ca. one-fifth total aedeagus length; tegmen rather narrow, dorsoventrally flattened, with small ventral process, tegmen sides subparallel, undulating, apices slightly convergent but separate, apical emargination broad and deep, ca. one-third tegmen length; median lobe ca. one-third tegmen length, with simple proximal apodemes.

Etymology.

In naming this species for Mr. Bill Warner, we are pleased to recognize his many contributions to our knowledge of histerid biology, taxonomy, and distribution. His efforts led to the discovery of this species, and many others.

Biology.

The type series of this species was collected in the same place, and even in the same black cup pitfall traps, as numerous specimens of P. brevistriatus . Black cup pitfalls evidently often attract mammal nest inquilines (the cup imitates a burrow entrance; WB Warner, pers. comm.), and we suggest that P. warneri is a specialized inquiline. The single specimen from Texas was collected in a burrow of black-tailed prairie dog ( Cynomys ludovicianus ), supporting this assertion. This potential host does extend into southeastern Arizona.

Distribution.

This species is mainly known from a single locality in southeastern Arizona. An additional male (which we have dissected) from Brewster Co., Texas, however, conforms in all respects to the diagnosis above. So, the species must be more widespread.