Aspasiola Chaudoir 1877

Erwin, Terry L., 2004, The beetle family Carabidae of Costa Rica: The genera of the Cryptobatida group of subtribe Agrina, tribe Lebiini, with new species and notes on their way of life (Insecta: Coleoptera), Zootaxa 662, pp. 1-54 : 8

Aspasiola Chaudoir 1877

Aspasiola Chaudoir 1877:209 . Type species: Aspasiola rutilans Chaudoir 1877:209 , here designated. This is the first species mentioned by Chaudoir of his included three species. Type area: México.

Diagnosis. (cf. Figs. 1 , 3, 5, 7, 9, 11). Colorful. Antennomere 4 glabrous except for apical ring setae. Pronotum without subangulate margin at level of anterior setigerous pore, side margin minimally explanate. Elytron at basal third depressed; interneurs as shallowly impressed rows of punctulae; disc without trace of tubercles, without well defined callus at apical third. Male endophallus with flagellum; flagellum apex not barbed.

Geographic distribution. This genus is widespread in the Neotropical Region from México south to Brazil, Bolivia, and east to French Guiana.

Notes. The known altitudinal range of these species is between sea level and 1150 meters above sea level. This genus is presently known in the literature from four species and is being revised by Erwin & Ball. There are 25 species represented in our study material from across the range mentioned above, most of which are new species to science. It is highly probable that adults of the species in this genus are associated with fungi growing on rotten tree trunks or branches in the canopy where they are likely predators on small fungivores (cf. Erwin & Erwin, 1976).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Aspasiola bonita Erwin n. sp., FIGURE 3. Aspasiola ignea Bates, male, male, dorsal aspect, specimen # ADP 006041. dorsal aspect, specimen # ADP 006026.