Euconnus (Cladoconnus) megalops, 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 (Cladoconnus) megalops sp. nov.

Figs 1 , 2A , 3

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 CUAC000135174" / "Caterino DNA Voucher Extraction MSC6486, Morphosp. BCat.B.316". Paratypes (33, CUAC, FMNH, CNCI, UNHC) - 3 ♀, 6 ♂: same data as type; 1 ♀, 3 ♂: "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"; 3 ♀: "USA: NC: Haywood Co., 35.6722°N, 83.1758°W, Smoky Mts NP, 6155', Big Cataloochee Mt., vii.14.2020, sifted litter, M.Caterino, F.Etzler"; 2 ♀: "USA: NC: Haywood Co., 35.6414°N, 83.1958°W, SmokyMtsNP, Balsam Mt.Tr., 4752', xi.5.2020, M.Caterino & F.Etzler, Sifted litter"; 3 ♀: "USA: NC: Haywood Co., 35.6425°N, 83.2007°W, SmokyMtsNP, Balsam Mt.Tr., 5167', xi.5.2020, M.Caterino & F.Etzler, Sifted litter"; 9 ♀, 3 ♂: "USA: NC: Haywood Co., 35.6453°N, 83.2025°W, SmokyMtsNP, Balsam Mt.Tr., 5086', xi.5.2020, M.Caterino & F.Etzler, Sifted litter".

Other material.

(229 adults, 7 larvae) GA: Rabun Co., Chattahoochee NF, Rabun Cliffs, 4082 ft., 11-May-2021 (7 ♀, 3 ♂) ; Towns Co., Chattahoochee NF, Brasstown Bald, 4495 ft., 17-Nov-2020 (1 ♀, 1 ♂) ; NC: Buncombe Co. Co., Pisgah National Forest , Big Butt Trail, 5190 ft., 19-Mar-2016 (1 ♀, 2 ♂) ; Cherokee Co., Nantahala National Forest , Hickory Branch trail, 4156 ft., 26-Jul-2015 (1 ♀) ; Clay Co., Nantahala National Forest , Riley Knob, 4330 ft., 11-May-2020 (1 ♀) ; Clay Co., Nantahala National Forest , Shooting Creek Bald, 4809 ft., 11-May-2020 (1 ♀) ; Clay Co., Nantahala National Forest , Tusquitee Bald, 4656-5015ft, 1-Sep-2020 (4 ♀, 2 ♂) ; Clay Co., Nantahala National Forest , Chunky Gal Trail, 4014 ft., 1-Sep-2020 (2 ♀, 1 ♂) ; Graham Co., Nantahala National Forest , Teyahalee Bald, 4060-4663ft., 12-Apr-2022 (2 ♀, 3 ♂) ; Graham Co., Nantahala National Forest , Cherohala Skyway - Wright Ck., 4702 ft., 4-May-2020 (2 ♀, 3 ♂) ; Graham Co., Nantahala National Forest , Huckleberry Knob, 5491-5522 ft., 4-May-2020 & 13-Oct-2020 (10 ♀, 5 ♂) ; Graham Co., Nantahala National Forest , jct. Indian & Santeetlah Cks., 2770-2833 ft., 24-Jun-2015 (11 ♀, 10 ♂) ; Graham Co., Nantahala National Forest , Joyce Kilmer Forest, 2696-2942 ft., 20-Jul-2015 (2 ♀, 5 ♂) ; Haywood Co., Blue Ridge Parkway National Park , Mt. Hardy, 6110 ft., 8-Sep-2020 (9 ♀, 6 ♂) ; Haywood Co., Pisgah National Forest , Mountains to Sea Trail, 5540 ft., 8-Sep-2020 (1 ♀) ; Haywood Co., Pisgah National Forest , Black Balsam Knob, 6072 ft., 7-May-2018 (1 ♀) ; Haywood Co., Blue Ridge Parkway National Park , Richland Balsam Mt., 6207 ft., 11-Sep-2019 (1 ♀) ; Haywood Co., Blue Ridge Parkway National Park , Pisgah Mt., 5245 ft., 10-Aug-2021 (1 ♀, 1 ♂) ; Jackson Co., Sumter National Forest , Ellicott Rock Wilderness, Bad Creek trail, 2397 ft., 3-Jun-2015 (1 ♀, 2 ♂) ; Jackson Co., Nantahala National Forest , Whiteside Mt., 4740 ft., 22-Jun-2022 (1 ♀) ; Jackson Co., Cashiers, Hwy 64, 3700 ft., 1-Feb-2020 & 16-Feb-2020 (6 ♀, 2 ♂) ; Jackson Co., Nantahala National Forest , Toxaway Mt., 4770 ft., 5-Aug-2020 (2 ♀, 1 ♂) ; Jackson Co., Blue Ridge Parkway National Park , along Blue Ridge Pkwy, 5572 ft., 11-Sep-2019 (2 ♀) ; Jackson Co., Balsam Mountain Preserve , Doubletop Mountain, 4839 ft., 17-Jun-2015 (3 ♀, 2 ♂) ; Jackson Co., Balsam Mountain Preserve , Sugarloaf Mountain, 4484 ft., 15-Jun-2015 (2 ♀) ; Jackson Co., Balsam Mountain Preserve , Boar ridge, 4040 ft., 16-Jun-2015 (4 ♀, 1 ♂) ; Jackson Co., Balsam Mountain Preserve , Dark ridge, 3290 ft., 20-Jun-2015 (2 ♀, 7 ♂) ; Jackson Co., Blue Ridge Parkway National Park , Waterrock Knob, 6281 ft., 29-May-2018 (1 ♀, 1 ♂) ; Macon Co., E Highlands, Hwy 64, 3880-3990 ft., 1-Mar-2020 (6 ♀, 2 ♂) ; Macon Co., Nantahala National Forest , Jones Gap, 4447 ft., 16-Jul-2015 (1 ♀) ; Macon Co., Nantahala National Forest , Jones Knob, 4237 ft., 28-Jul-2015 (1 ♀) ; Macon Co., nr. Wayah Bald, 5280 ft., 16-Mar-2016 (2 ♀) ; Macon Co., Nantahala National Forest , Copper Ridge Bald, 5144 ft., 9-Jul-2019 (1 ♀, 1 ♂) ; Macon Co., Nantahala National Forest , Cowee Bald, 4839-4942ft., 9-Jul-2019 (5 ♀, 5 ♂) ; Macon Co., Hwy. 64, nr. Dry Falls , 16-May-1986 (1 ♂) ; Madison Co., Pisgah National Forest , Camp Creek Bald, 4741 ft., 1-Mar-2022 (1 ♂) ; McDowell , Pisgah National Forest, Snooks Nose Trail, 2219 ft., 25-Aug-2015 (1 ♀, 2 ♂) ; Polk , Melrose Falls (lower), 1103 ft., 10-Aug-2021 (1 ♀, 3 ♂) ; Polk , Green River Game Lands, Lower Bradley Falls Tr., 1620 ft., 19-Mar-2018 (3 ♀, 1 ♂) ; Polk , Green River Game Lands, Green River Cove Tr., 1070 ft., 18-Mar-2018 (1 ♀) ; Polk, Green River Game Lands, 1740, 18-Mar-2018 Polk , Green River Game Lands, 1740 ft., 18-Mar-2018 (1 ♀, 1 ♂) ; Buncombe Co. Co., Blue Ridge Parkway National Park , Bull Gap, 3100 ft., 1-May-1990 (1 ♂) ; Swain Co., Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Clingmans Dome, 6264-6500 ft., 4-Jun-2018 & 14-Sep-2021 (4 ♂) ; Swain Co., Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Lakeshore Tr., Payne Ck., 1816 ft., 12-Apr-2022 (1 ♀, 2 ♂) ; Transylvania Co., Pisgah National Forest , Hwy 215, 1 mi. S. Blue Ridge Pkwy, 5122 ft., 7-May-2018 (1 ♀) ; Yancey Co., Pisgah National Forest , Woody Ridge Tr., 5086-5301ft., 15-Jun-2020 & 19-Oct-2021 (1 ♀, 2 ♂) ; SC: Greenville Co., Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve, 1090 ft., 8-Apr-2018 (1 ♀) ; Pickens Co., Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve, 1421 ft., 30-Apr-2015 (1 ♂) ; Pickens Co., Sassafras Mountain summit, 3347 ft., 10-Jun-2015 (1 ♂) ; Oconee Co., Sumter National Forest , Ellicott Rock Wilderness, 2113-2679 ft., 3-Jun-2015 & 4-May-2015 (5 ♀, 4 ♂) ; Oconee Co., Sumter National Forest , Riley Moore Falls, 900 ft., 3-Mar-2018 (2 ♀) ; Oconee Co., Coon Branch Nat. Area , 1950 ft., 28-Feb-2016 (3 ♀, 1 ♂) ; TN: Unicoi , Cherokee Co. National Forest, Big Bald, 5346-5430 ft., 5-Aug-2020 & 21-May-2021 (5 ♀) ; Blount Co., Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Whiteoak Sink, 1724 ft., 27-Oct-2021 (1 ♂) ; Sevier Co., Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Alum Cave Bluff Trail , 5196 ft., 25-Jun-2019 (3 ♀, 1 ♂) ; Sevier Co., Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Appalachian Trail nr. Newfound Gap, 5456 ft., 4-Jun-2018 (4 ♀, 1 ♂) ; Sevier Co., Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Off Hwy 441, 4575 ft., 12-Mar-2020 (2 ♀) . LARVAE: NC: Swain Co., Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Clingmans Dome, 14-Sep-2021 ; Haywood Co., Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Big Cataloochee Mt., 5-Nov-2020 ; Haywood Co., Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Balsam Mt. Trail , 5-Nov-2020 ; Jackson Co., Blue Ridge Parkway National Park , Browning Knob, 22-Sep-2020 ; TN: Sevier Co., Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Alum Cave Bluff Tr., 28-Sep-2021 ; GA: Rabun Co., Chattahoochee NF, Rabun Cliffs, 25-Nov-2019 .

Description.

Males winged, females lacking fully developed flight wings; large, elongate, generally dark but elytra reddish at humeri and often along elytral suture (Fig. 1C ), female generally darker (Fig. 1D ); male eyes large, protuberant, with ~ 30 large ommatidia (Fig. 1A, E ); female eyes smaller, flush with side of head, comprising ~ 12 ommatidia (Fig. 1B, F ); scape and pedicel similar in length, ca. as long as width of eye, antennomeres 3-6 uniformly shorter, ca. as long as wide, male antennomere VII weakly asymmetrical, slightly narrowed anterad, male antennomeres VIII-XI enlarged and elongate (longer than wide) but none carinate on anterior edges (Fig. 1E ); female with antennal club tetramerous, antennomeres shorter than width (Fig. 1F ). Frons and vertex with long, erect setae, each ca. as long as scape; vertex narrowed to a broadly rounded point; neck ca. one-half maximum head width; frons shallowly depressed between antennal bases; epistoma deeply depressed below antennae; labrum with anterior margin evenly rounded, with comb of short setae at middle. Pronotum densely setose at sides and anteriorly, more sparsely posterad, ‘bell-shaped’, widest just beyond middle, narrowed anterad and posterad, posterior margin slightly widening; pronotum depressed along posterior margin with very short median longitudinal carina and stronger lateral longitudinal carinae, a distinct fovea on either side between these carinae; a weak sublateral carina merging with lateral one at posterior pronotal corner, a distinct fovea between them (apparently the anterior-most of the two shown for E. (C.) motschulskii in Jałoszyński [2018]), and an additional shallow fovea below, on the side; prosternum rather short in front of procoxae, lacking median carina, with dense fringe of setae along anterior margin; elytron sparsely covered with fine setae, with pair of deep foveae at base, longitudinally weakly depressed behind these; elytral apices rounded; mesoscutellar shield hidden; mesoventrite with strong carina, setose along its crest, separating mesocoxae, extending anterad to separate apices of procoxae, posteriorly merging with metaventrite immediately behind mesocoxae; mesepimera densely setose, produced laterad mesocoxa; metacoxae narrowly separated by metaventral process; abdominal ventrites unmodified; legs generally slender, setose; protibia with only weakly expanded adhesive setae along inner margin of apical third. Aedeagus (Fig. 2A ) with median lobe broadly truncate, parameres thin, rather short, straight, tapered to apex, each with three or four setae extending to or just beyond apex of median lobe; compressor plate asymmetrical, with apex obliquely truncate to weakly lobed off center; endophallus with asymmetrical armature; upper armature comprising two long curved sclerites, one longer, nearly reaching apex of median lobe at rest, abruptly curved near apex with thin inner blade bridging the apex, its inner edge concave, the other upper sclerite curving opposite, thinner, bluntly rounded at apex; lower armature comprising three separate processes: one basal, short, strongly curved, and with a bifid or trifid apex; one longer, medial, broadly hooked; the third lateral and more slender, elongate, apex acute and variously straight or bending mediad.

Distribution.

This species is the most abundant and widespread of the Appalachian Cladoconnus species, occurring from Brasstown Bald in the southwest, northeast to Celo Knob in the Black Mts. It also exhibits the widest elevational range of the species, from ca. 900 ft in upstate South Carolina, all the way to the top of Clingmans Dome at 6500 ft.

Remarks.

This species’ morphology is relatively invariant across its broad range. The upper sclerites of the endophallic armature vary slightly in apical curvature and shape, but without obvious geographic trends. Similarly, none of these variants correspond to a geographically dispersed, divergent genetic subclade within the broader species, a peculiar result that merits further investigation.

This species name refers to the conspicuously enlarged eyes of the males.

Figures

Figure 1. Habitus and character photos of Euconnus megalops A male, lateral view B female, lateral view C male, dorsal view D female, dorsal view (BgBld. B. 349) E SEM of male head, lateral F SEM of female head, lateral.

Figure 2. Aedeagus A Euconnus megalops B Euconnus vexillus C Euconnus cumberlandus D Euconnus vetustus.

Figure 3. Map of collecting records for Euconnus (Cladoconnus) megalops.