Alaudes singularis Horn, 1870

Aalbu, Rolf L., Caterino, Michael S. & Smith, Aaron D., 2018, Studies in the Cnemeplatiini I: A New Subtribe and Revision of the Genus Alaudes Horn (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Pimeliinae: Cnemeplatiini), with Descriptions of New Species from the Southwestern USA and Mexico, Including Notes on Distribution and Biology, The Coleopterists Bulletin 72 (2), pp. 249-268 : 262-266

Alaudes singularis Horn, 1870

( Figs. 1F , 2A , 9 A-B, 10, 11B)

Alaudes squamosa Blaisdell 1919: 309 . NEW SYNONYMY.

Alaudes testacea Blaisdell 1919: 311 . NEW SYNONYMY.

Alaudes fallax Fall 1928: 148 . NEW SYNONYMY.

Diagnosis. Lateral aspect of pronotum with short, clavate setae. Elytral vestiture always much longer than twice width, clavate to capitate throughout. Male genitalia ( Fig. 2A ) with basal piece and parameres about equal in length; basal piece broader than parameres, slightly bent basally, then recurved. Parameres gradually curved basally.

Material Examined. (349 specimens from 98 localities) – No Data (1) FMNH; ARIZONA: Cochise Co.: Chiricahua Mts., X-6-1962, E. A. Maynard (1) CASC; Dragoon Mts. East Sronghold, V-10-1975, K. Stephan (7) FSCA; W. Sronghold, V- 30-1973, K. Stephan (2) FSCA; S. W. Research Sta. Chiricahua Mts., X-9-1961, E. A. Maynard (1) CASC; Pima Co.: Catalina Mts., 32.45633°N, 110.73994°W, V-19-2011 (1) UAIC; Gen. Hitchcock Campground, VIII-27-1974 (1) CASC; Redington Pass, IV-11-1976, Karl Stephan (11) FSCA; Santa Cruz Co.: Madera Cyn., VI-10-1971, R. Lenzcy (1) USNM. CALIFORNIA: Alameda Co.: (1) CASC; Fresno Co.: 2 mi. N Tollhouse, XI-28- 1977, ex. Ceanothus duff, A. J. Gilbert (1) CDFA; 3.5 mi. NE Auberry, I-2 to XI-28-1981, Antifreeze Pit Trap, near Rhamnus sp. , A. J. Gilbert & N. Smith (1) CDFA; Dalton Creek, 4800’ IV, 14, 1920, H. Dietrich (1) CASC; Inyo Co.: Argus Mts., (1) USNM; 2 mi. N, 2 mi. W Lone Pine, Alabama Hills, 4400’ III-31 to IX-11, 1981, Ethylene Glycol Pitfall Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CASC; 2.5 mi. NNW Big Pine, 3900’ IV-20 to VII-27, 1981, Antifreeze Pit Trap, on sand dune, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; 3 mi. N. Lone Pine, V-8, IX-4, 1980, Antifreeze Pitfall Trap, sand dune, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; 3.5 mi S, 4 mi. W Big Pine, 6300’ IV-25 to VIII-2, 1982, Antifreeze Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; 4 mi. N Lone Pine, II- 23 to VI-1, 1979, Antifreeze Pitfall Trap, sand dune, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; 4 mi. N, 2.5 mi. W Deep Springs College, Gilbert Summit, 6400’ III to IX, 1983, Antifreeze Pitfall Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; same locality except III-28 to X-1, 1982, Ethylene Glycol Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CASC; 6 mi. W Independence, Gray’ s Meadow, 4500’ IV-10-2008, Pit Trap-Rotting chicken, M. Caterino (1) SBMN; Big Pine Creek, 2.5 mi. S, 6 mi. W Big Pine, 37°07.542’N, 118°23.396’W, 7000’ VII-10 to IX- 17, 1998, Ethylene Glycol Pit Trap, R. L. Aalbu (3) RLAC; Inyo Mts., 2 mi. W Cowhorn Valley, 7500’ IV-25 to VII-5, 1983, Ethylene Glycol Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CASC; Inyo Mts., Lead Canyon, 6000’ III-9 to VIII-13, 1981, Ethylene Glycol Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (2) RLAC; Inyo Mts., Whippoorwill Canyon, 6100’ V-5 to VIII-13, 1982, Ethylene Glycol Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; same locality except 6200’ V-25-1983 to VI-11-1984, Antifreeze Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (7) CDFA; Owens Lake Valley, VI-15 to VII-15, 1978, Ethylene Glycol Pit Trap, Atriplex - Franseria association (AF), Andrews, Hardy & Giuliani (1) CDFA; Owens Valley 1.5 mi. N, 3.5 mi. W Swansea, 3600’ XII- 18-1986 to XI-5-1987, Antifreeze Pitfall Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; Owens Valley 5 mi. SE Big Pine, 3900’ II-1983 to II-1984, Antifreeze Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; Owens Valley, Turtle Creek, 4250’ XI-26-1982 to VIII-24-1984, Antifreeze Pitfall Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; Saline Valley, Grapevine Canyon, 5000’ XI-29-1986 to XI-27-1987, Antifreeze Pitfall Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; same locality except V-25 to VIII-15-1981, Ethylene Glycol Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (2) CDFA; same locality except 5700’ VII-7 to XI-26, 1982, Ethylene Glycol Pit Trap, G10, D. Giuliani (2) CDFA; same locality except G11, D. Giuliani (3) CDFA; same locality except 5900’ XI-23-1983 to IV-20-1985, Antifreeze Pitfall Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; Sierra Nevada Range, 2.5 mi. S, 8.5 mi. W Big Pine, 8400’ XI-4- 1983 to IV-13-1984, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; 3 mi. S, 4 mi. W Big Pine, 6300’ IV-16 to X-6, 1985, Antifreeze Pitfall Trap, D. Giuliani (3) CDFA; Horton Creek Rd., 13 mi. WSW Bishop, 8200’ X-6-1986 to VI-20-1987, Antifreeze Pitfall Trap, D. Giuliani (6) CDFA; Sawmill Creek, 5000’ XI-26-1982 to VIII- 24-1984, Antifreeze Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (6) CDFA; White Mts., 5.5 mi. E Big Pine, 6100’ II-27 to VII- 28-1984, Antifreeze Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (3) CDFA; 5.5 mi. E Big Pine, 6100’ VIII-28-1984 to VI-11- 1985, Antifreeze Pitfall Trap, D. Giuliani, 9, CDFA; 6.5 mi. N, 7.5 mi. E Big Pine, 7000’ II-27 to VII-28- 1984, Antifreeze Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (2) CDFA; Kern Co.: Canebreak Creek mgt. area, 35.7281°N, 118.1706°W, IV-2-2009, M. Caterino & K. Hopp (1) SBMN; Los Padres NF, Mt. Pinos, 34.8269°N, 119.0871°W, V-9-2008, M. Caterino & K. Hopp (3) SBMN; San Emigido Cyn., 34.8558°N, 119.1428°W, IV-10-2008, M. Caterino (1) SBMN; Sequoia NF, Black Gulch, 35.5312°N, 118.6635°W, II-27-2004, Quercus / Pinus litter, M. Caterino (3) SBMN; same locality except V-19-2010, M. Caterino (1) SBMN; Breckenridge Mt. Rd., 35.4808°N, 118.5434°W, VII-5-2005, Quercus litter, Caterino & Chatzimanolis (1) SBMN; Lake Co.: UC McLaughlin Reserve, 38.8724°N, 122.4288°W, I-22-2007, Quercus / Neotoma litter, Caterino & Chatzimanolis (2) SBMN; Lassen Co.: Hallelujah Jct., 39.7833°N, 120.0667°W, VI-30-2006, in Pheidole californica nest, P. S. Ward (2) SBMN; Susanville, IV-22-1075, berlesed from pine duff, T. R. Haig (3) CDFA; Los Angeles Co.: Angeles NF, Hideaway Cyn., 34.6993°N, 118.5465°W, VI-23- 2007 to VII-2-2007, cantharidin pitfall, Caterino & Chatzimanolis (4) SBMN; SDEF, Tanbark Flat, 34.2484°N, 117.76375°W, IV-15-2007 to IV-29- 2007, cantharidin pitfall, Caterino & Chatzimanolis (1) SBMN; same locality except IV-15-2007 to IV-29-2007, unbaited pitfall, Caterino & Chatzimanolis (1) SBMN; Frazier Mt., I-13-1960, E. L. Sleeper (2) RLAC; Pasadena, VII-4-1959 (1) CNCI; same locality except I-25-1917, 1, CASC; same data except J. O. Martin (1) CASC; same data except III (1) CASC; San Clemente Island, 0.3 mi. SE Eagle Cyn, 32.86938°N, 118.42518°W, III-27-2011, Ceanothus litter, P. S. Ward (1) SBMN; San Nicolas Island (1) SBMN; Middle Ranch Canyon, 32.8732°N, 118.4907°W, III-30-2010, Heteromeles litter, M. Caterino (1) SBMN; Angeles NF, Hideaway Cyn., 34.6993°N, 118.5465°W, VI-23-2007 to VII-2- 2007, cantharidin pitfall, Caterino & Chatzimanolis (1) SBMN; Madera Co.: Northfork, III, 13, 1920, H. Dietrich (1) CASC; Mariposa Co., 1977, A. J. Gilbert (1) CDFA; 3 mi. N. Nipinnawasse, XI, 15, 1984, Berlese, Arctostaphylos litter, A. J. Gilbert (1) CDFA; Monterey Co.: 1.1 mi. W Bottchers Gap & Palo Colorado Rd., XII-8-1983 to II-23-1984, EGPT, A. J. Gilbert & B. Oliver (1) RLAC; Chualar, 3.5 air mi. S, V-8-1975, berlese ant nest, J. Doyen, 8, CISC; Riverside Co.: 3 mi. E Keen Camp Sta., IV-18-1962, with Formica rufibarbis occidua Whlr., C. MacNeil, D. Rentz & R. Brown cls. (27) CDFA; Cactus trail between Hwy. 74 & Horsethief Creek, Deep Canyon area, V-22-1976, J. Bureat, J. Pinto (1) UCRC; Mt. San Jacinto, IV-20-1958, berlesed from Artemisia, I. M. Newell (2) RLAC; same data except (17) CDFA; San Jacinto Mts., 4 mi. NW Fulmore Lk., VI-26-1980, 4305’, Bill & Emma MacKay (1) CDFA; Temecula, V-1-1967, oak leaves, D. Hagstrum (1) CDFA; same data except (5) ADSC; same data except (9) RLAC; San Benito Co.: 2 mi. S New Idria, II-1983 to II-1984, Antifreeze Pit Trap, A. J. Gilbert & N. Smith (1) CDFA; San Bernardino Co.: E of Wrightwood, VIII- 26-1980, 1, CASC; UC Burns Reserve, Railroad Cyn., 34.1405°N, 116.4541°W, IV-1-2008, sifted grass & flood debris, Caterino & Leschen (1) SBMN; San Diego Co.: 9 mi. S Pine Valley, XII-19-1965, Artemesia tridentata, N. Ueshima & P.Rubzoff (1) ADSC; same data except (2) CASC; same data except (5) RLAC; Cleveland NF, Kitchen Creek Rd., 32°47’17"N, 115°39’00"W, 4300’, V-23-2009, sandy soil, in Formica francoeuri Bolton (det.J. Trager), J. P. Gruber (7) JPGC; San Luis Obispo Co.: Carrizo Plain N.M., 34.0267°N, 119.4855°W, IV-24-2004, M. Caterino (1) SBMN; nr. Lopez Lake, 35.2064°N, 120.4482°W, III-2-2005 to IV-16-2005, unbaited pitfall, M. Caterino (1) SBMN; Santa Barbara Co.: Arroyo Hondo Preserve, 25 mi. W. Santa Barbara, 34.482°N, 120.145°W, IV-16-2003, in nest Formica, M. Caterino (5) SBMN; Figueroa Mts., E. L. Sleeper (3) CDFA; NE Cuyama, IV-28-1975, ex. Pseudotsuga macrocarpa, R. Hobza (1) CDFA; Tulare Co.: 5 mi. SW Badger, I-26-1977, Berlese, deciduous oak litter, A. J. Gilbert (4) RLAC; same data except (19) CDFA; Ventura Co.: Los Padres NF, Jct. Tule & Sespe Cks., 34.5595°N, 119.2667°W, IV-10-2008, M. Caterino (1) SBMN; Ozena Campground, 34.6826°N, 119.3292°W, I-20-2008, Populus litter, M. Caterino (19) SBMN; Yolo Co.: 3 mi. N Runsey, VIII-29-1959, R. O. Schuster (1) CDFA. IDAHO: Jerome Co.: Wilson Lake, XI-3-1976, in Formica nest, A. D. Allen (5) FSCA; same locality except XI-1976, R. Lenzcy (5) USNM; same locality except IX-3-1977, A. D. Allen (4) CASC; same data except (4) CDFA; same locality except IX-3-1977, ex Formica obscuripes Forel, A. D. Allen (1) CASC; same data except (1) CDFA; same data except XI-1976 (1) CISC; same data except (1) TAMU; same data except in Formica nest (1) CISC; Twin Falls Co.: Derkies Lake, Snake River Cyn., VI-9-1976, A. D. Allen (1) FMNH; same data except (1) USNM; same data except with Formica, A. D. Allen (1) FMNH; Shoshone Falls, V-1978, R. Lenzcy (3) USNM. NEVADA: Esmeralda Co.: Goldfield, W. M. Mann colln (1) USNM; same locality except III-19-1905, Nunenmacher (3) FMNH; same locality except VI-22-1905, Nunenmacher (2) FMNH; same locality except III-19-1905, A. squamosa paratype Blais., F. W. Nunenmacher (1) CASC; same locality except III-19-1908, A. squamosa cotype Blais., F. W. Nunenmacher (2) CASC; same data except (1) FSCA; same locality except III-2-1905, A. squamosa paratype Blais., F. W. Nunenmacher (1) CASC; same locality except IV-22-1908, A. squamosa cotype Blais., F. W. Nunenmacher (1) CASC; same locality except X-18-1907, paratype, F. W. Nunenmacher (2) CASC; same locality except X-23-1905, A. squamosa paratype Blais., F. W. Nunenmacher (1) CASC; 1.5 mi. S, 4 mi. W Lida, Lida summit, 7400’, III-28 to X-1-1982, Ethylene Glycol Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CASC; 11 mi. N, 8 mi. W Goldfield dry lake, VIII-1988 to VIII-1989, Antifreeze Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; Goldfield, 1954, A. squamosa topotype Blais. (1) CASC; Lincoln Co.: Northfork, 4800’ III to IX-1986, Antifreeze Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; Nye Co.: Mercury (1) USNM; 5 mi. N, 10 mi. E Currant, 7000’ X-1982 to IX-1983, Antifreeze Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; Grapevine Mts., Phinney Canyon, III-16 to VIII-26- 1983, Antifreeze Pitfall Trap, D. Giuliani (3) CDFA; Rock Valley, V-12-1975, trap 70 (1) RLAC; Toquima Range, Charnock Pass, 6 mi. N, 15 mi. E Carvers, 8300’ IX-1987 to VIII-1988, Antifreeze Pitfall Trap, D. Giuliani (5) CDFA. OREGON: Casey Bequest 1925 (1) USNM; Baker Co.: Huntington, XI-23-1959, Hubbard & Schwartz (2) USNM; Josephine Co.: Rough & Ready St. Pk., 2 mi. N O’ Brien, V-20-1960, moss under shrubs, S. D. Lattin (1) OSUO. UTAH: Kane Co.: Zion Nat. Park, 3 mi. N, 7 mi. E Springdale, III, IX, 1985, Antifreeze Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (1) CDFA; San Juan Co.: 8 mi. E Bluff, 4600’ III, IX, 1984, Antifreeze Pit Trap, D. Giuliani (4) CDFA. MEXICO: BAJA CALIFORNIA: Sierra Juarez, 1 mi. S km 2875, III, 9, 1962, E. L. Sleeper (2) CDFA.

Variation. Variation occurs in body length (squatness), pronotal shape, density and relative size of pronotal and elytral scales, and whether or not there are linear scales behind the scutellum. There is also variation of the elevation of the medial part of elytral trichomes (very limited in Tulare County); the shagginess of pronotal sides; the straightness or cordateness of pronotal sides; sinuation of anterolateral clypeal margin (Inyo County); and density of elytral punctures. In many California populations, the elytral punctures become almost randomly placed. Puncture rows are much better defined in Arizona populations. The variation in this widespread species, as well as variation in preservation of scale-like setae and encrustation, accounts for the synonymies we recognize above. Fall’ s species ( A. fallax ) was found in the same type locality as Horn’ s species (Pasadena). Blaisdell’ s A. squamosa and A. testacea were found in Nevada and the eastern San Francisco Bay area, respectively, and both fall within the range of variation we have seen.

Distribution. Widespread in California, southern Oregon and Idaho, southern and western Nevada, southern Utah, southern Arizona, and southwestern New Mexico.

Collection Data. There are several records from colonies of Formica Linnaeus and one from Pheidole . However, most specimens were berlesed or sifted from Ceanothus duff, oak/pine litter, oak/ woodrat ( Neotoma Say & Ord ) litter, pine duff, Ceanothus litter, manzanita litter, Artemisia L. litter, Pseudotsuga macrocarpa (Vasey) Mayr litter, grass & flood debris, and cottonwood litter. Both baited (cantharidin) and unbaited pitfalls in many habitats from pines to sand dunes. Elevation range 1,000 –2,600 m.

Figures

Fig. 1. Alaudes species. A) A. californicus, head showing eye facet, B) A. coloradoensis, head showing eye facet, C) A. californicus, head, ventral view, D) A. vizcainensis, head, ventral view, E) A. californicus, pronotum, dorsal view, F) A. singularis, pronotum, dorsal view.

Fig. 2. Alaudes species, male genitalia. A) A. singularis, B) A. setigera, C) A. californicus, D) A. mojavensis, E) A. coloradoensis, F) A. moenkopii.

Fig. 9. Alaudes species. A. singularis: A) Dorsal habitus, B) Lateral habitus; A. setigera: C) Dorsal habitus, D) Lateral habitus. A. alternata: E) Dorsal habitus, F) Lateral habitus.