Custotychus minor (LeConte, 1849)

Chandler, Donald S. & Geromini, Sarah D., 1962, A Revision of the Eastern Nearctic GenusCustotychusPark and Wagner, 1962 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 1962 (2), pp. 217-242 : 217-242

12. Custotychus minor (LeConte, 1849) ( Figs. 13 , 26a–b , 35 )

Tychus minor LeConte 1849: 82 . Type locality: Nakutshi [Nacoochee] Valley, Georgia. Holotype male: // [orange circle]/ [red label] Type 6132/ T. Minor Lec./ [red label] HOLOTYPE Tychus minor LeConte / Aug.-Dec. 2004 MCZ Image Database/ MCZ-ENT 00006132// (MCZC). LeConte 1863: 21; Schaufuss 1888: 94; Raffray 1904: 295, 1908: 293, 1911: 131; Leng 1920: 131. Not: Brendel 1866: 33, 1895: 184; Brendel and Wickham 1890: 245, 247; Casey 1894: 491 (key); Bowman 1934: 118; Brimley 1938: 149; Park 1956: 95 (key to species) (= Lucifotychus testaceus (Casey)) ; Downie and Arnett 1996: 589.

Cylindrarctus minor : (not LeConte, 1849): Jeannel 1956: 129, 130 (fig. 131, = Lucifotychus testaceus (Casey)) .

Custotychus minor: Poole and Gentili 1996: 383 ; Chandler 1997: 58; Kurbatov and Sabella 2008: 46 (genitalia).

Specimens Examined. n = 295. Alabama: Bibb Co.: Talladega NF, SE of Centerville, XI-5-1996, R. Turnbow. Blount Co.: Highland Lake, IX-21- 2009, X-30-2009, T. King, berlese, berlese pine stump. Nr. Highland Lake, 285m, VI-19-2010, T. King, berlese. Dale Co.: Ft. Rucker Mil[itary Res[ervation], IV-19-1991, R. Turnbow, berlese leaf litter. Franklin Co.: Phil Campbell, Dismals Gardens, IX-4-1961, W. Suter and J. Wagner, leaf mold berlese. The Dismals, VI-17-1961, VII-19- 1959, H.R. Steeves Jr., woody debris, leaf mold. Jackson Co.: Horseshoe Cave Sink, IV-29-1961, H.R. Steeves Jr., damp moss. Woodville, VII-12- 1965, S. Peck, berlese leaf litter. Jefferson Co.: Birmingham, Edward’ s Lake, XI-22-1969, T. King, forest floor debris. Vestavia, VIII-15-1975, T. King, at light. Vestavia, Rocky Ridge, V-20-1980, T. King, at light. Lee Co.: Auburn, IX-6-1977, E.J. Kiteley. Opelika, III-20-1974, E.J. Kiteley. Macon Co.: 1.5 mi. E Co. Rd. 13 at Calebee Creek, VI-8-1985, R.D. Cave. Madison Co.: nr. Aladdin Cave, V-11- 1963, H.R. Steeves Jr., rotten stump debris. Marion Co.: Hackleburg, Devil’ s Mill, V-25-1963, H.R. Steeves Jr. & J.W. King, sawmill debris. Monroe Co.: Holly Mill Creek, V-27-1995, C.E. Carlton, upland deciduous berlese. Shelby Co.: 10 mi. W Montevallo, III-24-1979, T. King, Ebisener swamp floor. 10 mi. W Montevallo, VI-27-1983, T. King, Ebisener swamp floor. Chelsea, 1 mi. N Fred’ s Place, VII-3-1981, T. King, at light. Montevallo, VI-10-1975, T. King, at light. Nr. Westover, The Penitentiary, VIII-28-1966, H.R. Steeves Jr., debris at fallen tree. St. Clair Co.: Moody, VIII-6-1977, at light. Walker Co.: 4 mi. SE Jasper, Devil’ s Ladder, V-27-1978, VI-18-1978, VII-3-1977, VII-4-1976, T. King, at light. Devils Ladder, 1 mi. NE Jasper, VI-14-1969, H.R. Steeves Jr., forest floor debris. Jasper, Devil’ s Ladder, V-14-1967, H.R. Steeves Jr., stream drift; III-28-1976, IX-4- 1975, T. King, forest floor debris; VI-20-1973, T. King, at light. Winston Co.: Nr. Natural Bridge Cave, V-14-1967, H.R. Steeves Jr., hemlock forest floor debris. Arkansas: Franklin Co.: Shores Lake at bridge crossing, IX-22-2014, L.E. Watrous, leaf litter. Garland Co.: F[orest] S[ervice] Camp Clearfork, VI-12-2005, VI-16-2014, VI-17-2008, VI-16-2009, B. Baldwin, UV light trap. Jessieville, I-25-2015, I-31-2014, IV-13-2014, B. Baldwin, berlese leaf litter; VI-1-2001, VI-2-2011, VI-1- 2011, VI-2-2011, B. Baldwin, UV light trap. Hempstead Co.: S of Spring Hill on Hwy. 355, IV-14-1977, R.T. Allen, berleseate pine-hardwood, Lot #77-54. [no locality], VII-18-1961, sweetgum stump. Johnson Co. : 10 mi. N Clarksville, IV-16- 1994, C.E. Carlton, Sphagnum mat berlese. Little River Co.: 3.5 mi. N Tourist Info. Center on Hwy. 71, IV-13-1977, R.T. Allen, berleseate pinehardwood, Lot #77-147. Logan Co.: Magazine Mountain, Bear Hollow, V-18-1989, P. Kovarik. Magazine Mountain, Signal Hill, IX-20-1986, S. Tedder, berlesate. Mt. Magazine, Signal Hill Trail, VI-26-1993, E.G. Riley. Lonoke Co.: Carlisle, II. [no locality], VII-28-1976, R. Chenowith, blacklight. Newton Co.: Lost Valley St[ate] P[ark], X-23/24-1974, A. Newton, berleseate mixed hdwd. litter. Pike Co.: Crater of Diamonds State Park, VIII-13-1988, R. Anderson, hardwood berlese. Polk Co.: Caney Crk. Wild[life] Ar[ea], 3.5 mi. N Bard Springs, VII-6-1991, Carlton & Robison, maple, beech berleseate. Caney Crk. Wild[life] Area, III-24-1992, Carlton & Robison. Mena, XI-20- 2010, IV-29-2010, X-31-2010, B. Baldwin, berlese funnel leaf litter. Pulaski Co.: Little Rock, many records from IV, V, VI ranging from 1997–2003, B. Baldwin, blacklight trap; VI-6-1998, V-26- 2001, B. Baldwin, flight Intercept trap. Georgia: Clarke Co.: 3 mi. N Athens, VI-24/26-1976, VII-6/10-1976, I-12-1975, V-21-1975, VI-11/ 17-1977, VI-24/26- 1976, VI-25 / VII-1-1977, XII-6-1978, R. Turnbow, bl trap. Dade Co.: Cloudland Canyon State Park, VII-7-1962, H.R. Steeves Jr., forest floor debris. White Co. : Nakutshi [Nacoochee] [Holotype locality]. Illinois: Pope Co.: Golconda, VI- 27-1965, S. Peck, berlese of Taxodium log mold. Kentucky: Christian Co.: 5 mi. W Hopkinsville, IX- 22-1967, J.M. Campbell, berlese sample of deciduous duff. Menifee Co.: Daniel Boone N[ational] F[orest], 2 mi. from Clear Ck. Rec[reation] Area on road 918, XII-5-1998, R.M. Reeves, sift hardwood leaf litter by stream. Louisiana: Bienville Par.: Bienville W[ildlife] M[anagement] A[rea], N of Mt. Olive nr. Dugdemona River, V-28-2004, S.T. Dash, bottomland hdwd, berlese. Bossier Par.: Bodcau W[ildlife] M[anagement] A[rea], V-22-1996, C. Carlton & V. Moseley, UV LT; same locality, V-20-1996, T.L. Schiefer, mercury vapor, blacklight trap and sunlamp in calcareous prairie; same locality, V-22- 1996, T.L. Schiefer, blacklight trap; same locality, V-20-1996, E.G. Riley, UV light. E. Feliciana Par.: Idlewild Exp[eriment] Sta[tion], IV-28-1984, E.G. Riley. Natchitoches Par.: Kisat[chie] Nat[ional] For[est], Red Dirt W[ildlife] M[anagement] A[rea], IV-29/30-1985, IV-27-1985, E.G. Riley; same locality, I-25-2001, C.E. Carlton, berlese riparian beech forest. Kisatchie National Forest, end Forest Service [Rd.] 365, III-30-2013, C. Carlton & V. Bayless, UV lt. Vowell’ s Mill. W. Feliciana Par.: Feliciana Preserve, III-17/ V-1-2002, A. Cline & A. Tishechkin, F.I.T. Feliciana Preserve, III-7/23- 2004, A.K. Tishechkin, flight intercept. Feliciana Preserve, 6 mi. ESE St. Francisville, XII-30-1995, C.E. Carlton, berlese litter from ravine. Feliciana Preserve, S. Gill’ s site #1, I-9/27- 2005, III-30-IV- 9 -2005, A.K. Tishechkin, F.I.T. Magnolia Glen, TNC property near Tunica W[ildlife] M[anagement] A[rea], XI-16-1996, C.E. Carlton, berlese mixed mesophytic. Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area 1, VII-15-1995, D. Pashley. Tunica W[ildlife] M[anagement] A[rea], Magnolia Glen, TNC Proverty, 10 mi. NW St. Francisville, V-25-1998, C.E. Carlton & J. Johnson , mesophytic forest & berlese. Tunica Wildlife Management Area, III-31- 1999, J. Johnson . Webster Par.: Lake Bistineau St[ate] P[ar]k, V-21-1996, E.G. Riley, UV light. Mississippi: Leake Co.: 2 mi. SW Renfroe, III-27- 2006, J.A. MacGown & J.G. Hill, berlese litter base of Pinus taeda . Montgomery Co.: 2 m N Cedar Hill, IX-24-2002, J.A. MacGown & T. Schiefer, berlese soil at base of Juniperus virginiana . Pike Co.: Percy Quin S[tate] P[ark], VII-21-2011, J.A. MacGown, berlese litter base of Pinus species. Pontotoc Co.: Trace State Park, V-18-2006, J.A. MacGown & J.G. Hill, soil and litter at base of Quercus falcata in mixed forest. Tishomingo Co.: Natchez Trace, mile 294.3, VI-23- 2003, J.A. MacGown, under mat of moss on large rocks; same data except, III-24/30-2003, J.A. MacGown & T. Schiefer. Warren Co.: Vicksburg, Waterway Exp[eriment] Sta[tion], V-25-1996, P. Kovarik & C. O’ Brien, beech-magnolia forest leaf litter extraction. Wilkinson Co.: Clark Creek Nature Area, XII-4-2005, A.K. Tishechkin, forest litter. Winston Co.: Legion State Park by campground, VI-9-2010, J.A. MacGown & J.G. Hill, litter mixed pine and hardwood forest. Tishomingo National Forest, IV-19/26-1999, V-10/17-1999, J.A. MacGown & T. Schiefer, pitfall traps in deciduous forest. Missouri: Cedar Co.: 4.5 mi. S Stockton, X-26/ 27-2012, L.E. Watrous, leaf litter. Taney Co.: 1.4 mi. NE Protem, XI-10-2005, L.E. Watrous, leaf litter. North Carolina: Macon Co.: 4 mi. N Franklin, III-21-1976, L.E. Watrous, berlese hardwood duff. Ohio: Ross Co.: Scioto Trail State Forest, IV-3-1999, K.D. Karns, under rocks along trail, with ants. Oklahoma: Latimer Co.: III-1991, K. Stephan. Pennsylvania: Allegheny Co.: All’ y Co. Tennessee: Davidson Co.: Nashville, VI-19-1892. Fentress Co.: Jamestown, Jordan Motel, VI-16-1962, H.R. Steeves Jr., forest floor debris. Roane Co.: Pine Sta[tion], I-11-1960, J. Olsen, beech litter. Texas: Angelina Co. : 2 mi. N Rockland, Angelina Nat [ional] For[est], Upland Island Wild[life] Area, XII-10-1994, D.S. Chandler, sift willow and water oak leaf litter, sift rotten oak log. Polk Co.: Big Thicket Nat[ional] Pres[erve], Woodlands Tr[ail], V-12-1988, R. Anderson, pine hardwood berlese. Sabine Co.: 9 mi. E Hemphill, IV-10/16-1989, R. Anderson & E. Morris, beech bottom, flight intercept trap. Tyler Co.: 2.5 mi. W, 1.5 mi. N Spurger, Big Thicket Nat[ional] Pres[erve], V-12-1988, R. Anderson, beech magnolia berlese. Big Thicket National Preserve, II-21-2004, C.W. O’ Brien & R. Turnbow, beechwood trail, sifted beech litter. Virginia: Lee Co.: Straight Cr[eek], Hubbard & Schwarz. West Virginia: Braxton Co.: Gassaway, lumber yard, VI-23-1992, F. Hutchinson, Lindgren funnel.

Description. Body: Brown; 1.54–1.60 mm long. Male: Eyes with about 40–45 facets. Metasternal tubercle ( Fig. 26a, b ) position somewhat variable, most with tubercle at about 2/3 point of metasternal length, in some specimens closer to middle of disc; in lateral view, angled slightly posteriorly, apex narrowly subtruncate, apex highest anteriorly, posterior face concave; in posterior view, apex shortly T-shaped; tubercle height 0.041 mm, maximum width at apex 0.030 mm, minimum stem width 0.018 mm [tubercle measurements taken from specimen from Little Rock, AR; UNHC]. Mesotibiae with apical spur shortly bifurcate, with aciculate preapical spur on mesal margin. Ventrite 2 evenly convex at middle; ventrite 6 with small, indistinct, circular, impression at middle. Aedeagus ( Fig. 13 ) 0.30 mm long; in dorsal view, with median lobe elongate, sides slightly expanded at point of apical third, narrowing slightly to truncate apex; in lateral view, with dorsal margin smoothly expanded to middle and then narrowed basally, apex bluntly rounded; lateral arms of dorsal plate with large ventrobasal and apical recurved spurs, small dorsoapical spine angled slightly medially; parameres in dorsal view with margins roughly same width to narrowly rounded apices, in lateral view gently narrowed in basal half, gently broadened in apical half and then narrowing to acute apices. Female: Eyes widely varying from 8–30 facets, females taken from leaf litter often have smaller eyes; those taken at lights have large eyes; mesotibiae lacking spurs.

Collection Data Synopsis. Specimens were collected in all months of the year. This species is commonly taken at blacklight traps and has been frequently taken from hardwood and pine leaf litter, as well as riparian leaf litter. Specimens are present in the following collections: BBC, CMNH, CNCI, DSCC, FMNH, INHS, KDKC, LSAM, MCZC, MEMC, RHTC, TAMU, UMIC, UNHC, USNM, and WVDA.

Distribution. Custotychus minor is most common through the Southeast from North Carolina to Missouri and Texas, but isolated records are from Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania ( Fig. 35 ). This species has the broadest documented range for a member of this genus. Material was examined from the following states: AL, AR, GA, IL, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, VA, and WV.

Comments. This species is the most variable in position of the metasternal tubercle. Most specimens have the tubercle at about the two-thirds point of the metasternal length, while occasional populations have the tubercle nearly at the metasternal apex (e.g., The Dismals in Alabama), and others have the tubercle just posterior to the middle (some specimens from Little Rock, Arkansas). In all cases, the form of the tubercle is similar, as is the form of the male genitalia. This species is unique in the biforked ventral margin of the lateral lobes of the dorsal plate and the long, evenly tapered median lobe.

Figures

Figs. 8–15. Custotychus species, dorsal and left lateral view of aedeagus. 8) C. cavei; 9) C. verticalis; 10) C. watrousi;

Figs. 16–27. Custotychus species, scanning electron micrographs right lateral (a) and posterior (b) views of metasternal tubercle. 16) C. chickasaw; 17) C. daggyi; 18) C. lobatus; 19) C. turnbowi; 20) C. rothorum; 21) C. spinosus; 22) C. verticalis; 23) C. watrousi; 24) C. carloritaorum; 25) C. leei; 26) C. minor; 27) C. natchez. Grid for measurements of 20 or 50m at bottom of micrographs.

Figs. 34–36. Distribution of Custotychus species. 34) Distribution of species in the spinosus and verticalis species-groups: C. rothorum and C. spinosus, and C. cavei, C. verticalis, and C. watrousi; 35) Distribution of C. minor; 36) Distribution of other species in the minor species-group: C. carloritaorum, C. leei, C. natchez, and C. pocahontas.