Phausis californica Fender, 1966

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 : 13-15

Phausis californica Fender, 1966

( Figs 5 ; 17B ; 22D–F ; 24B )

Phausis californica Fender 1966: 89

Diagnosis. Male. Phausis californica differs from its congeners by the following characters: long, simple, plumose setae covering base of mandibles; pronotum entirely flavus ( Fig. 17B ); basal piece of aedeagus is entire, reniform in shape; parameres with proximal flanges (extensions of parameres that curve or extend outward from inner margin) present, linear, extending apically to proximal base of parameres ( Fig. 22D ). This species looks similar to Phausis riversi except for the following characters: Phausis californica has shorter antennae than P. riversi by extending to the anterior end of the metathorax versus extending to the middle of metathorax; pronotum entirely flavus without a medial dark brown spot on central pronotal disc; elytral costae absent; aedeagus with basal piece entire, reniform, and moderately sclerotized (light brown); median lobe lanceolate, with apex rounded (45 degrees); median lobe inner basal margin cordate; dorsal opening absent, ventral opening present only.

Redescription. Male ( Figs. 17B ; 22D–F ). Length 4.5–6.0 mm. Width 2.5–3.0 mm. Color. Body dark brown to piceous; eyes black; mouthparts flavus to brunneous; antennae brunneous, with scape and pedicel paler; pronotum entirely flavus; scutellum, thorax, and legs brunneous, however forelegs are paler than the mid and hind legs; elytra brunneous to piceous, with lateral margins paler than elytral disc; prothorax flavus; photic organs absent on abdominal segments VI, VII and VIII; lateral margins of abdominal segments VII and VIII flavus; pubescence cupreous, fine, and sparse. Anterior vitreous areas (spots) present on pronotum.

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

Antennae filiform ( Fig.17B ),long, extending to anterior end of metathorax.Scape as long as pedicel.Antennomere 3 1.5× the length of pedicel. Antennomere 3 as long as to slightly longer than antennomeres 4 to 10. Antennomeres 4 to 10 approximately same size and length. Antennomere 11 short and truncated 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 subquadrate ( Fig. 17B ), semicircular; median carina present, extending from base to apex of pronotum, more elevated medially; all margins strongly reflexed, becoming explanate toward the hind angles; basal margin undulate; hind angles dentate. Central pronotal disc present; convex; surface shiny and coarsely sparsely punctured. Anterior vitreous areas (spots) present; small (more than one width of spot between them); subfalcate; finely sparsely punctate throughout.

Scutellum spatulate, sides curving inward and posterior apex truncately rounded without longitudinal groove ( Fig. 17B ); surface shiny and coarse-finely punctate.

Elytra well developed; slender; confusedly punctate basally to finely rugose apically, with both large and small punctation in the middle ( Fig. 17B ). Elytral costae absent medially on each elytron. Longitudinal elevated and transverse lines feebly present, transverse lines somewhat irregular in the interstitial spaces, but not reticulated as in P. reticulata , P. luminosa , and P. christineae .

Venter. Thorax transverse, rhomboidal. Metathorax with posterior apex notched; medial line present; surface shiny and impunctate. Tergal apicolateral angles strongly lobed. Abdominal segments VI and VII not bearing photic organs; with fine transverse rugae. Photic organ absent on abdominal segment VIII. Abdominal segment VII quadrate (as long as wide), apical margin emarginated. Abdominal segment VIII same as abdominal segment VII, except apical margin pointed.

Male Genitalia. Basal piece (dorsal view; Fig. 22D ) wider than long, reniform, segment entire (segments fused into a single structure), and moderately sclerotized (light brown). Median lobe (dorsal view) exceeds tips of parameres, lanceolate and rounded (greater than 45 degrees) at apex; parallel to parameres ( Fig. 22E ); sensilla absent; dorsal inner-basal margins cordate; dorsal opening absent; longitudinal dorsal carina present; lateral line absent (lateral view); ventral opening present, comprising of the apical fourth of medial lobe ( Fig. 22F ), curvate. Parameres (dorsal view; Fig. 22D ) short and robust; margins sub-parallel; inner lateral margins parallel; outer lateral margins broadly convex; apex rounded (lateral view; Fig. 22E ); proximal flanges (extensions of parameres that curve or extend outward from inner margin) present, linear, extends from apical half to proximal apical margin of paramere (dorsal view). Sensilla present, sparse along proximal apical margins (dorsal view). Number of sensilla varies from 1 to 3, if absent then pores can be detected from which the sensilla originated.

Female. Unknown.

Larva. Unknown.

Eggs. Unknown.

Etymology. Named after the state of California.

Specimens Examined. Type Material. Holotype ( Figs. 17B ; 24B ). USA: CALIFORNIA: “ LAKE Co. Cal., Van Dyke Collection, Type No 16800”, 1 ♂ ( CAS). Paratype. CALIFORNIA: “TUOLUMNE Co., Cal., Coll. E.C. Van Dyke, Van Dyke Collection,” 1 ♂ ( CAS) .

Other material. USA: CALIFORNIA: CALAVERAS Co., Calaveras Big Trees St. Park , 38°15’ N, 120°15’ W, 4658 feet, malaise trap in meadow, 8–15.VIII.2005, Coll. A.R. Cline & S.D. Gaimari, Det.A.M. Hodson, 1 ♂ ( CSCA); same except malaise trap on hillside, 4 ♂ ( CSCA); same except malaise trap near Beaver Creek , 9 males ( CSCA); same except 38°14.9’ N, 120°15.45’ W, 4600 feet, malaise in sequoia forest, 7 ♂ ( CSCA); same except 38°15.4’ N, 120°15.29’ W, 4658 feet, FIT/ malaise trap, Coll. A. R. Cline, Det. A.M. Hodson, 3 ♂ ( CSCA); DEL NORTE Co., Mill Creek Campground, Del Norte Redwoods , 24.VI.1978, Coll. A.J. & M.E. Gibbert, 1 ♂ (CSCA); EL DORADO Co., 1 mi E. of Pacific House , 20.V.1992, sieving flume, Coll. William D. Shepard, 1 ♂ (CAS); same except 5 mi W. Phillips , 1.VII.1961, Coll. H. & A. Howden, Det. J. Cicero 1985, 1 ♂, (CAS); same except China Flat C.G. 2 mi S. Kyburz , 4300 ft., 21/ 25.VI.1979, Coll. W & A.R. Hardy, Det. Unknown, 1 ♂, ( CSCA); TULARE Co., Mt. Silliman , 900010000 ft., 17.VII.1981, Coll. D. Giuliani, Det. Unknown, 1 ♂ (CSCA); same except Sequoia National Forest, Freeman Creek Grove, 36.146°N, 118.493°W, 23.VI.2003, Coll. M. Caterino, Det. A.M. Hodson 2011, 1 ♂, (CA Beetle Project CBP0012598, SBMNH); same except Upper Freeman Creek Grove , 36.146°N, 118.493°W,beaten from Ceanothus , 23.VI.2003, Coll. M. Caterino, Det.A.M. Hodson 2011, 1 ♂, (CA Beetle Project CBP0012972, SBMNH).

Distribution. Known only to occur within the state of California, United States of America ( Fig. 5 ).

Phenology. Occurs in May to middle of July.

Remarks. Some characters described above are not congruent with Fender’s description of the species ( Fender 1966). The characters we found are as follows: pronotum is semicircular rather than subelliptical and 1/5 longer than wide, anterior vitreous areas (spots) are subfalcate rather than falcate in shape, and pronotal carina extends entire length of pronotum rather than from basal fourth to apical sixth.

Variation. Identified. Coloration of mouthparts varies from flavus to brunneous depending on specimen examined. One specimen examined did not have pronotal anterior vitreous areas (spots), but had other diagnostics characters of P. californica , including characteristics of the aedeagi. Specimen label data: CALIFORNIA: DEL NORTE Co., Mill Creek Campground, Del Norte Redwoods, 24. VI .1978, Coll. A.J. & M.E. Gibbert, 1 ♂ ( CSCA); EL DORADO Co., 1 mi E. of Pacific House , 20. V .1992, sieving flume, Coll. William D. Shepard, 1 ♂ ( CAS) .

Biology. Unknown.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Detail of North American distribution of Phausis californica.

FIGURE 17. Dorsal habitus of male Phausis (A–F). (A) Phausis branhami sp. nov.; (B). Phausis californica; (C) Phausis dorothae; (D) Phausis inaccensa; (E) Phausis luminosa; (F) Phausis marina.

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.