Phausis rhombica Fender, 1962

Hodson, Alicia M. & Branham, Marc A., 2024, Revision and Phylogeny of the Genus Phausis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) with the Description of Three New Species, Zootaxa 5458 (1), pp. 1-52 : 36-39

Phausis rhombica Fender, 1962

( Figs 14 ; 18D ; 22 Bb–Dd; 24J)

Phausis rhombica Fender 1962: 42

Diagnosis. Male. Phausis rhombica can be distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: pronotum widest at base and then begins to taper apically with apical margin of pronotum appearing flat, causing it to look trapezoidal in shape ( Fig. 18D ); antennomere 3 as long as antennomeres 4 and 5 with proceeding antennomeres becoming shorter and narrower towards last antennomere; central pronotal disc surface shiny and impunctate, but becomes finely rugose to punctate towards basal margin ( Fig. 18D ); anterior margin of metathorax and underneath mesocoxae with coarse punctures; median lobe with both dorsal and ventral openings.

Redescription. Male ( Figs. 18D ; 22 Bb–Dd). Length 5.0–7.0 mm. Width 1.5–2.5 mm. Color. Body dark brown to piceous; eyes black to brown; mouthparts (excluding mandibles) brown; mandibles yellow-amber; antennae dark brown; central pronotal disc brown to black; scutellum dark brown to piceous; thorax brunneous; legs brunneous, except for coxae, trochanters, and tarsi are paler than other leg segments; abdomen dark brown to piceous; photic organs not present on the VI to VIII abdominal segments; pubescence brunneous. Anterior vitreous areas (pronotal spots) present on pronotum.

Head large and transverse (frontal view); vertex transversely concave with fine punctures dorsally. Eyes small and separated, not obstructing labium postventrally. Mandibles long (more than apices of mandibles crossing frontally), slender, begins tapering at half of length of mandible; incisor region equal to the total length of mandible; outer margin convex versus straight as in other taxa ( P. marina , P. nigra , P. skelleyi , and P. milleri ); basal angle approximately 90 degrees dorsally. Maxillary palps with three palpomeres, last palpomere securiform. Labial palps reduced, with two palpomeres.

Antennae filiform, long, extending to middle of metathorax ( Fig. 18D ). Scape as long as pedicel. Pedicel approximately 1/3 the length of antennomere 3. Antennomere 3 as long as antennomeres 4 and 5. Antennomeres 6 to 10 becoming shorter and narrower towards last antennomere.Antennomere 11 longer, rounded at apex. Flagellomeres feebly compressed, but not as compressed as in Lucidota or Ellychnia ; when viewed laterally, flagellomeres are wider than in ventral view. Sensorium present on the distal end of antennomere 11, semi-transparent, small, and subulate.

Pronotum transverse, subrhombus ( Fig. 18D ); longitudinal median carina present, extending from base to apex of pronotum; all margins reflexed, very strongly so anteriorly along the sides and frontal margins, becoming confusedly explanate toward the hind angles; basal margin undulate; hind angles denticulate. Central pronotal disc present, transverse; surface shiny and impunctate, becoming finely rugose to punctate towards basal margin.

Anterior vitreous areas (spots) present, large (less than one width of spot between them), shape triangular with rounded edges, impunctate.

Scutellum spatulate; sides broadly sinuate and posterior apex weakly emarginated, appears almost truncate, with longitudinal groove; surface dull and finely punctured ( Fig. 18D ).

Elytra well developed; overall rugose to punctate; densely punctate basally ( Fig. 18D ). Two costae present medially on each elytron; arising from basal fourth of elytra and extending approximately to elytral apices, approximately reaching apical margin. Longitudinal elevated lines present.

Venter. Thorax elongate and rhomboidal. Metathorax anterior margin and underneath mesocoxae with dense punctures; posterior apex notched; medial line present; surface shiny, impunctate. Tergal apicolateral angles strongly lobed. Abdominal segments VI and VII not bearing photic organs. Photic organ absent on abdominal segment VIII. Abdominal segment VII elongate (longer than wide), apical margin emarginated.Abdominal segment VIII elongate, apical margin round.

Male Genitalia. Basal piece (dorsal view; Fig. 22 Bb) wider than long, quadrate, segments divergent (widely separated), and deeply sclerotized (dark brown to brown). Median lobe (dorsal view; Fig. 22 Bb) approximates tips of parameres, overall elongate and rounded (greater than 45 degrees) at apex; parallel to parameres ( Fig. 22 Cc); sensilla absent; dorsal inner-basal margins truncate; dorsal opening present ( Fig. 22 Bb), elliptical; longitudinal dorsal carina absent; lateral line absent (lateral view); ventral opening present ( Fig. 22 Dd), ovate, consisting of the apical fourth of medial lobe. Parameres (dorsal view; Fig. 22 Bb) elongate, slender, sub-parallel; inner lateral margins parallel; outer lateral margins broadly convex; apex roundly acute (lateral view; Fig. 22 Cc); proximal flanges (extensions of parameres that curve or extend outward from inner margin) absent (dorsal view); sensilla absent.

Female. Unknown.

Larva. Unknown.

Eggs. Unknown

Etymology. Unknown.

Specimens Examined. Type Material. Holotype ( Figs. 18 D ; 24J ). CANADA: ALBERTA: “ 12 mi W of BANFF, Alberta, Can. 11. VI.52, C.P.A,” Type No 9803, 1 ♂ ( CAS).

Other material. CANADA: ALBERTA: CALGARY, 16.V.1957, Coll. Carr, J.F. Brimley Collection, 5 ♂ (CNCI); same except 16.III.1957, 2 ♂ (CNCI); same except 16.VI.1950; EDSON, Lot 3, 29.VI.1989, B.F. & J.L. Carr, J. & B. Carr Collection, 1 ♂ (CNCI); BANFF, Banff National Park, Eisenhower Junction, 12.VII.1955, JW.J. Brown, 4700 feet, 1 ♂ (CNCI); same except 13.VI.1928, Coll. Owen Bryant, 1 ♂ (UASM #73401, UASM); MER. Lot 1, Tp. 24 Rge.8, W. 5, 23.VI.1973, Coll. B. & J. Carr, J. & B. Carr Collection, 1 ♂ (CNCI); EDMONTON, 27.VI.1928, F.S. Carr Collection, Det. J.D. Hummel, 2 ♂ (UASM #73403, 73404, UASM); same except 30.VI.1947, Coll. E.H. Strickland, Det. J.D. Hummel, 1 ♂ (UASM #73406, UASM); same except VII.1923, Coll. E.H. Strickland, Teste EHS Phausis riversi , 1 ♂ [has been determined by J.D. Hummel as Phausis rhombica ] (UASM #73872, UASM); same except 27.VI.1917, Coll. F.S. Carr, Phausis riversi Lec. , 1 ♂ [has been determined by J.D. Hummel as Phausis rhombica ] 1 ♂ (UASM # 73872, UASM); GULL LAKE, 28.VI.1929, Coll. E.H. Strickland, 1 ♂ (UASM #73871, UASM); LETHBRIDGE 30.VI.1941, Coll. O.S. Hillerud, 1 ♂ (UASM #73407, UASM); WATERTON, 10.VII.1930, Coll. F.S. Carr, 1 ♂ (UASM # 73405, UASM). BRITISH COLUMBIA: CRESTON, 16.VI.1950, evening flight, Coll. G. Stace-Smith, G. Stace-Smith Collection, 1 ♂ (UBCZ); same except 19.VI.1951, 1 ♂ (UBCZ); same except 3.VII.1950, 1 ♂ (UBCZ); same except 7.VI.1945, 1 ♂ (UBCZ); COPPER MOUNTAIN, 8.VI.1930, Coll. G. Stace-Smith, G. Stace-Smith Collection, 1 ♂ (UBCZ); same except 18.VI.1930; MERRITT, Midday Valley, 5.VI.1926, Coll. Wm. Mathers, R. Hopping Collection, Kenneth M. Fender Collection 1988 and 1992, Gifts to the California Academy of Sciences, 1 ♂; OLIVER, 7 mi N of Oliver, 25.V.1958, Coll. H. & A. Howden, Det. Cicero, 1 ♂ (CNCI); same except V.20.1958; REVELSTOKE, 2.VII.1973, H.J. Teskey; SANCA, 14.VII.1933, roadside evening, Coll. G. Stace-Smith, 1 ♂ (UBCZ); same except 6.VII.1933, 1900 ft., 1 ♂ (UBCZ); same except 28.VI.1933, 1 ♂ (UBCZ); same except 29.VI.1933, 2 ♂ (UBCZ); same except 21.VI.1933, 1 ♂ (UBCZ); same except 20.VI.1933, 1 ♂ (UBCZ); same except 17.VI.1932; WYNNDEL, 1.VII.1950, flying, Coll. G. Stace-Smith, G. Stace-Smith Collection, 1 ♂ (UBCZ). USA: MONTANA: JUDITH BASIN Co., Little Belt Mtns., 5 mi S Deadhorse Ck., 6600 ft. F.I.T (flight intercept trap), 27.V to 01.VII.1988, Coll. C.E. Seibert, Det. A.S. Ramsdale, 1 ♂ (MTEC); BROADWATER Co., Limestone Hills area, Biodiversity study, Site 4, 46°17.’03’ N, 111°37.04’ W, Lindgren funnel, 11.VI to 12.VII.1996 Coll. M.A. Ivie, L.L. Ivie, and D.L. Gustafson, Det. M.A. Ivie, 4 ♂ (MTEC Barcode No 002615, MTEC); same except pitfall trap, 2 ♂ (MTEC Barcode No 00306, 00336, MTEC); same except flight intercept trap, 1 ♂ (MTEC Barcode No 002483, MTEC); same except pitfall trap, 10.VI to 12.VII.1996, 1 ♂ (MTEC Barcode No 005093, MTEC); FERGUS Co., F.I.T (flight intercept trap), 4200 ft., 30.V to 02.VII.1988, Coll. C.E. Seibert, Det. A.S. Ramsdale, 2 ♂ (MTEC); FLATHEAD Co., Glacier National Park, N. Fork Flathead area, 1988 Red Bench Fire Study, S. Big Prairie, 3560 ft., old growth hard burn, center flight intercept trap, T35N, R21W, Sec 16, 3–10.VII.1990, Coll. M.A. Ivie, Det. R.S. Miller, 1 ♂ (MTEC); same except N. Mud Lake, lodge pole unburned, 3520 ft., T34N, R21W, Sec 1, pitfall trap, 28.V to 14.VI.1991, Coll. M.A. Ivie, 1 ♂ (MTEC); same except center flight intercept trap, 19–16.VI.1991, 1 ♂ (MTEC); same except 100 m SW McDonald Ranger. Station-Sun Rd. Jct., cedar-hemlock forest age 500 yr., center flight intercept trap, 965 m, 2.VII to 2.VII.1991, 1 ♂ (MTEC); same except North intercept trap, 6 ♂ (MTEC); same except N. Big Prairie, old growth light burn, center intercept trap, T35N, R21W, Sec 4, 3640 ft., 16–23.VI.1992, Coll. M.A. Ivie, 1 ♂ (MTEC); same except S. Big Prairie, 3560 ft., 16.28.1992, 1 ♂ (MTEC); same except 15–22.VI.1993, 1 ♂ (MTEC); same except 1522. VI.1994, 2 ♂ (MTEC); same except N. Sullivan Meadow, unburned, T34N R20W Sec 22, 3560 ft., east pitfall trap, 17–24.VI.1993, Coll. M.A. Ivie, 1 ♂ (MTEC); same except McDonald Ck. Drainage, 1.1 km SSW Avalanche Creek bridge, diversity pitfall, pitfall trap 5, cedar-hemlock forest age 500yr., 1050 m, 3.VII.1991, Coll. K.A. Keating, 1 ♂ (MTEC); same except head of McDonald Lake, 100 m SW McDonald Ranger. Station-Sun Rd. Jct. south end of malaise trap, cedar-hemlock forest age 500 yr., 965 m, 2.VII to 2.VIII.1991, Coll. M.A. Ivie, Det. A.S. Ramsdale, 6 ♂ (MTEC); same except McDonald Ck. Drainage, 23.VI to 2.VIII.1992, 1 ♂ (MTEC); same except 21.V to 27.VI.1992, center flight intercept trap, 1 ♂ (MABC); GALLATIN Co., 12 mi Bozeman, 10.VII.1955, Coll. B.C. Froeschner, Det. A.S. Ramsdale, 1 ♂ (MTEC); same except W. side Bridger Mts., N. of Bozeman, 14.VII.1990, M.A. Ivie, Det. A.S. Ramsdale; same except Bridger Mtns. nr. M. Cottonwood Creek, 45°45’53” N, 110°59’18” W, 5600 ft., flight intercept trap, riparian forest, 2530. VI.2002, Coll. A.S. Ramsdale, 4 ♂ (MTEC); same except 30.VI to 5.VII.2002, 1 ♂ (MTEC); same except 1–10.VII.2002, 18 ♂ (MTEC); same except 10–15.VII.2002, 2 ♂ (MTEC); same except Bear Canyon, 3.VII.1960, Coll. R.C. Froeschner, Det. R.S. Miller, 1 ♂ (MTEC); same except Langhor Road, funnel, 45.6179, -111.0188, 23.VI to 16.VII.1994, Coll. D.L. Gustafson, 2 ♂ (MTEC); same except Logan, 20.V.1979, Coll. S. McNeely,, Det. A.S. Ramsdale, 1 ♂ (MTEC); LAKE Co., Swan R. above Swan Lake, 05 July 1991, Coll. D.L. Gustafson, 2 ♂; same except 47°41’40” N, 113°48’21” W, overstory removed, 30.VI.1994, Coll. L. Belden, 3 ♂ (MTEC); LINCOLIN Co., Yaak R. mouth, 4.VII.1991, Coll. D.L. Gustafson, 1 ♂ (MTEC); same except 23 mi SE Libby, Ross Creek Cedars, 9–10.VII.1988, Coll. K. Phillips & M. Ivie, 1 ♂ (MABC); MISSOULA Co., 47°28’36” N, 113°35’54” W, 2nd year growth, 29.VI.1994, Coll. L. Belden, 2 ♂ (MTEC); RAVALLI Co., Skalkaho Creek at Black Bear Camp, 02.VII.1991, Coll. D.L. Gustafson, 1 ♂ (MTEC). WASHINGTON: WHITMAN Co., Pullman, malaise trap, VI.20.1985, Coll. Roger D. Akre, Det. R. Howell, 1 ♂ (WSU). WYOMING: PARK Co., Yellowstone National Park, Lamar Valley, E. side Yellowstone River, NE Bridge nr. Tower Jctn., Site 5, control E, pitfall trap, 44°55’ N, 110°24’ W (49.74.001 N, 5.47.002 E), 6080 ft., ungulate carcass study, 13–20.VII.1993, Coll. D.S. Sikes, Det. D.S. Miller & R.S. Miller, 1 ♂ (MTEC).

Distribution. Known from regions of Alberta and British Columbia ( Canada) and Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming ( United States of America) ( Fig. 14 ).

Phenology. Occurs May to August.

Remarks. None.

Variation. Identified. In some specimens, the apical margin of the pronotum appears more round than flat, giving the overall appearance a broadly elliptical shape rather than a subrhomboidal shape.

Biology. Unknown.

Figures

FIGURE 14. Detail of North American distribution of Phausis rhombica.

FIGURE 18. Dorsal habitus of male Phausis (A–F). (A) Phausis milleri sp. nov.; (B) Phausis nigra; (C) Phausis reticulata; (D) Phausis rhombica; (E) Phausis riversi; (F) Phausis skelleyi.

FIGURE 22. Phausis aedeagi (A–Jj) (from left to right: dorsal, lateral, ventral view). (A–C) Phausis branhami sp. nov.; (D–F) Phausis californica; (G–I) Phausis dorothae; (J–L) Phausis inaccensa; (M–O) Phausis luminosa; (P–R) Phausis marina; (S–U) Phausis milleri sp. nov.; (V–X) Phausis nigra; (Y–Aa) Phausis reticulata; (Bb–Dd) Phausis rhombica; (Ee–Gg) Phausis riversi; (Hh–Jj) Phausis skelleyi.

FIGURE 24. Type labels of Phausis (A–L). (A) Phausis branhami sp. nov.; (B). Phausis californica; (C) Phausis dorothae; (D) Phausis inaccensa; (E) Phausis luminosa; (F) Phausis marina; (G) Phausis milleri sp. nov.; (H) Phausis nigra; (I) Phausis reticulata; (J) Phausis rhombica; (K) Phausis riversi; (L) Phausis skelleyi.