Cepehennium celsifrons Hopp & Caterino, 2009

Hopp, Katie & Caterino, Michael, 2009, Seven new species of Cephennium Müller & Kunze (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae, Cephenniini) from California with a key to native North American species, ZooKeys 24 (24), pp. 31-54 : 38-41

Cepehennium celsifrons Hopp & Caterino , sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:FB4E5DDF-D621-4B8E-A233-E2956D8C66EB

Figs 1B, 2B, 3B, 4A-B, 5B, 6

Type Material. Holotype. Male. “CALIF: Calaveras Co.; 3.0 mi NW West Point [̴ 38.4160°N, 120.5515°W]; 2250 ft., v.20.1976; berl.; litter, mixed hdwd.- Pinus -; Libocedrus – Abies; for.; A. Newton, M. Thayer ”/ “ Cephennium sp. ♀; A. Newton det. 1978” ( FMNH).

Paratypes (8): 1 specimen with same data as holotype ( SBMN [gold coated for SEM]) ; “CALIF: Calaveras; Co., 3mi NW West ; Point 2250’; v.20.1976”/ “ A. Newton; M. Thayer; collectors”/ “ A. Newton; M. Th ayer; collectors” (1 MCZC) ; “CAL.: Calaveras Co.; 3 mi NE Glencoe 2000’; VI.25.1975 berl. litter,; oak – conifer forest away; from stream; A. Newton ”/ “ Cephennium ; A. Newton det. 1975” (2 FMNH, females) ; “3 miW Michigan Bar; Amador Co., Cal. ; III-3-1971 ”/ “ex Berlese-; oak duff”/ “Fred G.; Andrews; collector” (1 FMNH, male [disarticulated]) ; “CALIF: Amador Co.; Pine Grove ; IV-15-1972; Fred G Andrews”/ “Berlesed; Oak; Litter” (1 CSCA) ; “CALIF: Amador Co.; 1 mi. W Pine Grove ; II-14-1971; R. F. Wilkey; Ex. Rotten wood” (1 CSCA) ; “ Pine Grove; Amador Co., Cal. ; IV.15.1972”/ “Berlesed; from; Oak duff” (1 CSCA [disarticulated]) .

Etymology. This species name is derived from the latin celsus (elevated or lofty) in combination with frons, in reference to the unique, prominent sexual dimorphism exhibited by the male.

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from all California congeners by the character combination of the presence of two ommatidia on each side of the head ( Fig. 4A ), the mesosternal process truncate at the apex ( Fig. 2B ), and the frons of the male with a median longitudinal ridge ( Fig. 4B ). Th e male frons structure is unique to this species. Cephennium celsifrons and C. mariposae are otherwise very similar but can be distinguished by the number of ommatidia present (2 vs. 4, respectively, Figs. 4A, C ). Cephennium aridum has a single ommatidium on each side of the head ( Fig. 4D ), and no other species exhibit any traces of eyes.

Description. Male. Length: 0.817 –0.893 mm; pronotal width: 0.323 –0.380 mm; elytral width: 0.380 –0.418 mm. Body broad, ovate, slightly convex, rufo-testaceous to amber yellow, evenly densely pubescent, pubescence golden, slender, long, moderately decumbent (Fig. 1B). Head small, deflexed, sparsely pubescent, not narrowing anteriorly from antennal insertions; frons pinched medially forming a medial ridge ( Fig. 4B ); two ommatidia present on each side of the head ( Fig. 4A ). Antenna setose, antennomere I and II longer than broad, antennomeres III-VI quadrate and smaller than antennomeres II and VII, antennomere VIII smaller than antennomeres VII and IX, antennomeres IX-XI gradually clavate forming loose club. Pronotum densely pubescent, broadest between middle and anterior third, disc very convex medially and weakly flattened near each posterior angle; anterior margin not visible from above; anterior and posterior margin lacking marginal bead; marginal bead complete laterally, gradually widening towards base; lateral edge broadly rounded to posterior third, then evenly curved to base (Fig. 1B). Hypomeron smooth, sparsely setose towards upper quarter and along outside (lateral) edge, hypomeral bead anterolaterad procoxae sinuate. Prosternum without nodules anterolaterad procoxal cavities ( Fig. 2B ). Elytra impunctate, pubescent as pronotum, covering all abdominal segments, weakly truncate at apex; elytral suture flat; elytral striae absent; basomedial fovea present on each elytron, fovea small, with dense inwardly directed setae (Figs. 1B, 3B). Humeral angles of elytron raised, dorsally flattened (plateau-like), laterally rounded; weakly curved posterad around anterolateral angle ( Fig. 3B ). Scutellum roundly triangular, without setae ( Fig 3B ). Mesosternal keel setose with indentation around each seta; smooth in the posterior quarter portion, apex straight ( Fig. 2B ). Metathoracic wings vestigial. Femora strongly clavate in distal half, tibiae expanded and becoming more densely setose towards distal half. Six visible abdominal sternites (fusion between ventrites V and VI incomplete). Aedeagus with median lobe rather lightly sclerotized, bulbous and deeply emarginate at base; apex with keel-like median dorsal process and dorsally curved, apically convex digiform process extending over part of apical collar ( Fig. 5B ).

Female. Identical to male except frons flat.

Biology. This species has been collected from berlesed litters of oak, rotten wood, mixed oak/conifer, and mixed hardwood. This species apparently favors moist habitats.

Distribution. This species has been collected in the mid-elevations of the central Sierra Nevada, from localities in Amador and Calaveras Counties (Fig. 6).

Figures

Figure 2. A–H Mesosternal keel SEMs A Cephennium anophthalmicum Brendel B Cephennium celsifrons Hopp & Caterino C Cephennium mariposae Hopp & Caterino D Cephennium grandarboreum Hopp & Caterino E Cephennium canestroi Hopp & Caterino F Cephennium gilberti Hopp & Caterino G Cephennium urbanum Hopp & Caterino H Cephennium aridum Hopp & Caterino.

Figure 3. A–H Base of left elytron A Cephennium anophthalmicum Brendel B Cephennium celsifrons Hopp & Caterino C Cephennium mariposae Hopp & Caterino D Cephennium grandarboreum Hopp & Caterino E Cephennium canestroi Hopp & Caterino F Cephennium gilberti Hopp & Caterino G Cephennium urbanum Hopp & Caterino H Cephennium aridum Hopp & Caterino.

Figure 4. A–D Characters on the head, including number of ommatidia and male frons A–B Cephennium celsifrons Hopp & Caterino C Cephennium mariposae Hopp & Caterino D Cephennium aridum Hopp & Caterino.

Figure 5. A–F Dorsal and lateral view of the aedeagus A Cephennium anophthalmicum Brendel B Cephennium celsifrons Hopp & Caterino C Cephennium grandarboreum Hopp & Caterino D Cephennium canestroi Hopp & Caterino E Cephennium urbanum Hopp & Caterino F Cephennium aridum Hopp & Caterino.