Phausis inaccensa LeConte, 1878

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 : 19-21

Phausis inaccensa LeConte, 1878

( Figs 8 ; 17D ; 22J–L ; 24D )

Phausis inaccensa LeConte 1878: 611

Lamprohiza inaccensa (LeConte) : LeConte 1885: 20

Lamprohiza inaccensa (LeConte) : Blatchley 1910: 823

Diagnosis. Male. Phausis inaccensa can be distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: mandibles short (apices of mandibles not crossing); pronotum broadly transverse and subrhombus, with hind angles finely denticulate ( Fig. 17D ); elytra reticulate to punctate but not as in Phausis reticulata , Phausis luminosa , or Phausis christineae ; elytral humeral angle (shoulder) sinuate ( Fig. 17D ); abdominal segment VII elongate, with apical margin emarginated; basal piece of aedeagus longer than wide, segments contiguous, and unpigmented; parameres with both outer and inner lateral margins convex. Phausis dorothae also has short mandibles, but can be distinguished from P. inaccensa by the absence of anterior vitreous areas (pronotal spots) and the body being dark brown versus yellowish-brown. Phausis inaccensa is most similar to Phausis branhami but can be distinguished by the following characters: anterior vitreous pronotal spots are broadly falcate ( Fig. 17D ) (anterior vitreous areas (pronotal spots) are triangular with rounded edges in Phausis branhami ); the basal piece (dorsal view) ( Fig. 22J ) is quadrate, segments contiguous, and unpigmented (basal piece is c-shaped, segments widely divergent, and moderately sclerotized (light brown) in Phausis branhami ); the ventral opening ( Fig. 22L ) on the median lobe is greater than apical 1/2 of median lobe (ventral opening comprises of apical1/4 of median lobe in Phausis branhami ). This species is similar in coloration to Phausis milleri , but can be distinguished from it by the outer margin of the mandible is convex versus straight as in Phausis milleri .

Redescription. Male ( Figs. 17D ; 22J–L ). Length 5.0– 6.5 mm. Width 1.2–2.5 mm. Color. Body yellowish brown; eyes black; mouthparts yellowish-brown, except tips of mandibles brunneous to ferrous; antennae yellowish brown; central pronotal disc yellowish-brown basally, dark brown apically; thorax overall yellowish-brown; legs yellowish-brown; lateral margins of elytra paler than elytral disc; abdomen brown with lateral margins of abdominal segments VII and VIII flavus; photic organs absent on abdominal segments VI, VII and VIII; pubescence grayish. Anterior vitreous areas (pronotal spots) present.

Head small and transverse (frontal view). Vertex longitudinally concave with fine punctures dorsally. Eyes large and approximate, partially obstructing labium postventrally. Mandibles short (apices of mandibles not crossing frontally), robust, and begins tapering at half length of mandible; incisor region short (less than half 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 less than 90 degrees dorsally. Maxillary palps with four palpomeres, last palpomere securiform; Labial palps reduced, with three palpomeres.

Antennae filiform, long, extending to posterior end of metathorax. Scape 2.0×longer than pedicel. Pedicel approximately 1/3 the length of antennomere 3. Antennomere 3 to 6 subequal in length. Antennomeres 7 to 10 shorter than previous antennomeres. Antennomere 11 longer and ovate 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 broadly transverse especially basally, subrhombus ( Fig. 17D ); median carina present, extending from base to almost the apex of pronotum; anterior margin sometimes feebly emarginated; lateral margins arcuate and diverging; all margins reflexed, sides becoming explanate toward the hind angles; basal margin broadly convex; hind angles finely denticulate. Central pronotal disc present; quadrate; shiny and overall impunctate, with fine sparse punctures basally. Anterior vitreous areas (spots) present, large (less than one width of spot between windows), broadly falcate, appearing almost triangular, impunctate.

Scutellum spatulate, sides curving inward and posterior apex truncate-rounded with longitudinal groove ( Fig. 17D ); surface dull and finely punctured.

Elytra well developed; rugose basally, becoming reticulate medially to apically; humeral angle (shoulder) sinuate ( Fig. 17D ); lateral margins widely explanate, with fine reticulation Elytral costa absent medially on each elytron. Longitudinal elevated lines present and transverse lines present, transverse lines somewhat irregular in the interstitial spaces giving elytra a reticulated appearance.

Venter. Thorax transverse, rhomboidal. Metathorax with posterior apex notched; medial line present; surface shiny, overall impunctate, but sparsely-finely punctate laterally. Tergal apicolateral angles strongly lobed. Photic organs absent on abdominal segments VI, VII and VIII. Abdominal segment VII elongate (longer than wide), apical margin emarginated. Abdominal segment VIII same as abdominal segment VII except apical margin rounded.

Male Genitalia. Basal piece (dorsal view; Fig. 22J ) longer than wide, quadrate, contiguous (segments touching), and unsclerotized (translucent); median lobe (dorsal view) approximates tips of parameres, elongate and rounded (greater than 45 degrees) at apex; parallel to parameres; sensilla absent; dorsal inner-basal margins convex; dorsal opening absent; longitudinal dorsal carina absent; lateral line absent; ventral opening present ( Fig. 22L ), elliptical, comprising of more than apical half of medial lobe. Parameres (dorsal view) elongate, slender, sub-parallel; inner lateral margins convex; outer lateral margins broadly convex; apex roundly acute (lateral view; Fig. 22K ); proximal flanges (extensions of parameres that curve or extend outward from inner margin) absent (dorsal view); sensilla absent.

Female. Length 6.05 mm (average). Apterous and appear physogastric with 8 true abdominal segments. Color. Body pale-cream to yellow, parts transparent; thorax with a dorsal-central, dark irregular shaped spot; eyes black; antennomeres pale-yellow to light brown, with 3 to 5 segments expanding apically.Anterior vitreous areas (pronotal spots) absent.

Head Eyes compound, small and separated, not partially obstructing labium post-ventrally as it is in males. Smaller in diameter than P. reticulata females.

Antennae with 3 to 5 antennomeres instead of 11 as in males; clavate, membranous, with no distinct segmentation, short, does not reach to metathorax.

Pronotum transverse, rhombus; sides less arcuate and less strongly convergent before the rounded anterior margin compared to Lamprohiza splendidula ; all margins reflexed, very strongly so anteriorly, becoming flattened toward the hind angles; basal margin weakly undulate; hind angles rounded; anterior margin emarginated. Central pronotal disc absent. Anterior vitreous areas (spots) absent.

Elytra absent.

Venter. Abdomen with 8 visible true abdominal segments. Tergal apicolateral angles strongly lobed as in males. Abdominal segments VII bearing paired photic organs, consisting of a luminous spot along the lateral margins of each segment ( Faust & Forrest 2017). The two photic organs can only be seen if the female is emitting light.

Larva. 1 st Instar. Measures 1.57 mm long and 0.7 mm wide. Pronotum wider than long (0.61 x 0.35 mm). Color. Initially pale white overall but turns greyish tan with a pale dorsal-central carina after 24 hours; eyes dark; antennae translucent white; legs pale yellow; thorax and abdominal segments pale yellow ventrally. Antennae. Present. Venter. Has 8 true abdominal segments, plus a pygopodia. Tergal apical lateral angles strongly lobed ( Faust & Forrest 2017).

Eggs. Round. 0.5 mm in diameter. Color. Pale yellow. Clutch totals are approximately 20– 32 eggs. Hatch approximately 34 days after oviposition ( Faust & Forrest 2017)

Etymology. Unknown.

Specimens Examined. Type Material. Lectotype (designated here; Figs.17D ; 24D ) USA: MICHIGAN: “MARQUETTE Co., 37, Mich., 28, Type No 2798, MCZC Image Database,” 1 ♂ [originally a syntype from LeConte Collection] ( MCZC)

Other material. USA: OKLAHOMA: LATIMER Co ., IV.1983, Coll. K. Stephan, Det. K. Stephan, 3 ♂ ( FSCA); same except V .1983, 6 ♂ ( FSCA); same except V .1984, 15 males ( FSCA); same except IV.1985, 1 ♂ ( FSCA); same except V .1986, 10 ♂, ( FSCA); same except IV.1986, 9 ♂ ( FSCA); same except IV.1987, 18 ♂ ( FCSA); same except V .1987, 8 ♂ ( FCSA); same except IV.1988, 27 ♂ ( FSCA); same except IV.1989, 18 ♂ ( FSCA); same except V .1989, 2 ♂ ( FSCA); same except 5mi W. Red Oak, 10.IV.85, forest litter, Coll. J. Pakaluk, #262, Det. R . S. Miller, 1 ♂ ( SEMC); same except 5mi W. Red Oak , 7.V .1977 , Coll. K. Stephan, Det. K. Stephan, 1 ♂ (FSCA). PENNSYLVANIA: MONROE Co., Tannersville , 14.VI .1948 , Coll. J.W. Green, J.W. Green Collection, 1 ♂ (AMNH).

Distribution. Widely distributed throughout eastern United States in Indiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, Minnesota, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland (Faust 2017), and Pennsylvania ( Fig. 8 ).

Phenology. Occurs April through May.

Remarks. Originally described as Phausis inaccensa by LeConte in 1878 and 1881 it was placed into the genus Lamprohiza first by LeConte in 1885, then by Blatchley in 1910. Phausis inaccensa differs from Lamprohiza (like many other species in Phausis ) by having longer antennae, the presence of apical sensorium on the last antennomere, and having no tibial spurs. This species has since been returned to Phausis ( Olivier 1907 & 1910, McDermott 1964 & 1966, Fender 1966). This species is not mentioned in Hopping 1937 as cited by Fender in 1966.

A holotype has not been designated for this species. In the original description LeConte recorded and described two males from Marquette, Michigan ( LeConte 1878). One of these specimens has been designated as a syntype in the LeConte Collection at the Museum of Comparative Zoological Collection ( MCZ web 2010). In order to maintain taxonomic stability and clarification of type locality, I here designate the syntype specimen from the Museum of Comparative Zoology Collection with locality label data: “Marquette, 37, Mich.; 28; Phausis inaccensa LeC.; Type No 2798; MCZC Image Database” as the lectotype specimen according to Article 74 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature ( ICZN) .

Variation. None identified.

Biology. Can be found in mixed-forest and dry oak ridgetops, moist vegetation near streams and rivers ( Faust & Forrest 2017; Faust 2017).

Figures

FIGURE 8. Detail of North American distribution of Phausis inaccensa.

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.