Phausis LeConte, 1852

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 : 9-10

Phausis LeConte, 1852

Phausis LeConte 1852 . 5: 337 (

Type species: Lampyris reticulata Say 1825 by monotypy).

Diagnosis. Males. The genus Phausis is characterized by the following morphological characters: a anterior vitreous spots, (except in P. dorothae ; Fig. 17C ) above the eyes on the pronotum ( Figs. 17A–B, D–F ; 18A–F ; 19A ); 11 antennomeres; dull in color (brown); a small glabrous, sub-spherical sensorium (terminal antennal bead) located on the anterior end of the last antennomere ( Fender 1966); photic organs present on VI and VII abdominal segments some species ( Figs. 20A–C ).

Description. Length 2.5 to 8.5 mm. Head. Vertex of head in concave in most species; ocelli absent; mandibles normal; labial palps reduced. Antennae. 11 antennomeres; scape and pedicel shorter than remaining antennomeres; last antennomere with a small glabrous sub-spherical sensorium on the distal end. Pronotum. Males with anterior vitreous areas (spots) on the pronotum (except for Phausis dorothae ). Legs. Tibial spurs absent; tarsi with four segments, fourth segment short and bilobed, tarsal claws simple. Venter. Tergal apical lateral angles strongly lobed; last abdominal tergite apically notched; photic organs present medially on the VI and VII abdominal segments of species with bioluminescent males.

Diagnosis. Females. The only known females for the genus are Phausis reticulata and P. inaccensa . Females are characterized by the following characters: Anterior vitreous areas (pronotal spots) above the eyes absent; paedomorphic, pale, with tergal apical lateral angles translucent; abdomen with 8 visible segments; photic organs present.

Description. Length 5 to 11.5mm. Head. Ocelli absent; eyes compound, black. Antennae. Short, does not reach metathorax; 3 to 5 antennomeres ( P. inaccensa ), 7 antennomeres ( P. reticulata ; Fig. 21E ); last antennomere with a small glabrous sub-spherical sensorium on the distal end. Pronotum. Transverse; anterior vitreous areas (pronotal spots) absent. Venter. Photic organs present. The number and placement of the photic organs of P. reticulata vary between females. Photic organs primarily present along lateral margins of abdominal segments I, VII and VIII, but can sometimes also be observed on other subsequent abdominal segments. Number of photic organs ranges from 3 to 9, and are either symmetrically or asymmetrically placed along each abdominal segment (A. Hodson personal observation; De Cock et al. 2014). Phausis inaccensa females only emit light from 2 photic organs located ventro-laterally on abdominal segment VII ( Faust & Forrest 2017). For both females of both species, the photic organs can only be observed when the female is emitting light.

Distribution. The distribution of Phausis is restricted to the United States (Eastern, Southeastern, Pacific Northwest, and Western) and Canada (Alberta, British Columbia) with the exception of a single specimen of P. riversi from Northern Baja California, Mexico ( Fig. 1 ).

Figures

FIGURE 1. North American Distribution of Phausis north of Mexico (with the exception of Baja California, Mexico).

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 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 19. Phausis christineae sp. nov. Male (A–D). (A) Dorsal habitus of holotype; B–D, aedeagus of holotype (top to bottom: dorsal, lateral, ventral).

FIGURE 20. Ventral view of adult male photic organs (A–C). (A) Phausis christineae sp. nov. (paratype); (B) Phausis luminosa; (C) Phausis reticulata.

FIGURE 21. Phausis reticulata Female (A–F). (A–C) Habitus of female (left to right: dorsal, lateral, ventral); (D) Close up of female mouthparts (ventral view); (E) Dissected female head (dorsal view); (F) Dissected female head (ventral view).