Brachygluta (Nisa) luniger ( LeConte, 1849 )

Chandler, Donald S., Sabella, Giorgio & Bückle, Christoph, 2015, A revision of the Nearctic species of Brachygluta Thomson, 1859 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae), Zootaxa 3928 (1), pp. 1-91 : 13-15

3. Brachygluta (Nisa) luniger ( LeConte, 1849)

( Figs 3 , 35 B)

Bryaxis luniger LeConte, 1849: 87 . Type locality: Cambridge, Massachusetts. Type depository: MCZC, Holotype male: // [pink circle]/ [red label] Type 6136/ B. lunigera [sic] Lec./ Aug.–Dec. MCZ Image Database//. LeConte 1863: 21; 1880: 182 (key). Brendel 1866a: 34.

Bryaxis (Nisa) luniger: Brendel & Wickham 1890: 267 (key), 275 (redescription), plate VIII, fig. 50.

Nisa luniger: Casey 1886: 183 .

Brachygluta luniger: Raffray 1904: 226 ; 1908: 231; 1911: 95. Leng 1920: 130. Bowman 1934: 88 (Group III, key). Downie & Arnett 1996: 581. Poole & Gentili 1996: 380. Chandler 1997: 56. Peck & Thomas 1998: 40. Webster et al. 2012: 44 . Bousquet et al. 2013 (checklist for Canada).

Bryaxis (Nisa) perpunctata Brendel 1890: 267 (key), 275. Type locality: Georgia. Type depository ANSP, Holotype female: // ♀/ Brend/ Horn Coll H9380/ B. perpunctata Brend. / [red label] TYPE #8304 Bryaxis perpunctata B. Carl Farr Moxey 29.VI.1962 //. Moxey 1962: 99. Blatchley 1910: 318. NEW SYNONYMY.

Brachygluta perpunctata: Raffray 1904: 226 ; 1908: 231; 1911: 95. Leng 1920: 130. Bowman 1934: 88 (Group III, key). Moxey 1962: 101. Poole & Gentili 1996: 380. Chandler 1997: 56.

Material examined, 304 specimens. CANADA: New Brunswick: Gloucester Co.: Caraquet, nr. Acadian Historical Village, 47.7873N 66.0797W, VIII-14-2005, R. Webster & G. Pohl, salt marsh, intertidal zone, on patches of bare clay at bases of Spartina patens ( RPWC, 2). Only country on label: “ Canada ”, Kraatz ( MNHN, 4M). USA: Connecticut: Fairfield Co.: Stamford, III, Angell ( MCZC, 3). Delaware: Sussex Co.: Lewes, ca. 400' into saltwater marsh from Canary Creek, III-14-1959, R.E. Hillman ( FMNH, 1). Rehoboth Beach, V-12-1962, W.A. Connell ( UDCC, 1). Vines Creek, Dogsboro, II-1954 ( FMNH, 4); III-11-1954 ( FMNH, 37; FSCA, 1), II-3- 1954 ( MHNG, 1), R.S. Howard. District of Columbia: D.C. ( ANSP, 4; CMNH, 7; MCZC, 12; MCZC, LeConte Collection, 5; SEMC, 2); Brend. ( MCZC, Horn Collection, 4). Washington, VI-20 ( MCZC, LeConte Collection, 1). Wash.(ington), VI-23 ( USNM, 2); VI-20, Hubbard & Schwarz ( USNM, 1). Florida: Duval Co.: Atlantic Beach ( AMNH, 1). Indian River Co.: 1 mi S Vero Beach, X-6-1978, O'Brien & Marshall, UV light in salt marsh ( DSCC, 1). Miami-Dade Co.: Miami, IV-1930 ( CMNH, 4). Palm Beach Co.: Lake Worth ( CMNH, 2). Volusia Co. : Edgewater, II-28-1939, C.A. Frost ( MCZC, 1); II-20-1939, C.A. Frost ( FMNH, 1). Only state on label: “Fla.” ( MCZC, 1); Florida, Brend. ( MCZC, Horn Collection, 1). Georgia: Glynn Co.: Brunswick, VI-5-1952, D.G. Kissinger, to light ( FMNH, 1). St. Simons Island, VII-18-1931, C.A. Frost ( DSCC, 1); VII-21-1931, Quirsfeld ( CNCI, 1); St. Simon Island, IV-22 / V-12-1911, J.C. Bradley ( CUIC, 1). Laurens Co.: Dublin, VI-1960 ( MHNG, 11). Liberty Co.: Fort Stewart, III-28-1944 ( DSCC, 1). McIntosh Co.: Sapelo Island, VI-1963, H. Kale, ex: Spartina ( DSCC, 1). Only state on label: “Ga.” ( ANSP, Holotype B. perpunctata ; CMNH, 2). Maine: York Co.: Old Orchard (Beach), VIII-15-1912 ( MCZC, H.C. Fall Collection, 1). Maryland: Anne Arundel Co.: Skidmore, V- 26-1956, R.S. Howard ( FMNH, 2). Baltimore Co.: Baltimore, Ordnance Depot, VI-3-1973, E.J. Ford, Jr., light trap ( DSCC, 1); Baltimore, VI-17-1975, E.J. Ford, Jr., light trap ( DSCC, 1). Butler, V-23-1982, E.J. Ford, light trap ( EJFC, 1). Hebbville, V-21-1962, E.J. Ford, Jr., light trap ( DSCC, 1). Calvert Co.: Flag Pond, 3 mi S Kenwood Beach, VI-24-1959, P.&P. Spangler, on beach under debris ( LSAM, 2). Kent Co.: Eastern Neck Island, III-27-1956, R.S. Howard ( FMNH, 7). Montgomery Co.: Minnie Island, nr. Cabin John, VI-5-1931, H.S. Barber, at light ( USNM, 1). Plummers Island, VI-23-1906, E.A. Schwarz ( LSAM, 1). St. Mary's Co.: Point Look Out, IV-1986, R. Gordon ( USNM, 2). Somerset Co.: Marion, VII-29-1978 ( DSCC, 1), VI-5-1971 ( DSCC, 1), E.J. Ford, Jr., light trap. Only state on label: “Md.” ( CMNH, 4; MCZC, 3); Brend. ( MCZC, Horn Collection, 1). Massachusetts: Barnstable Co.: West Falmouth ( FMNH, 6). Woods Hole ( FMNH, 1). Bristol Co.: Dighton, X-8-1910, N.S. Easton ( MCZC, 1). Somerset, IV-29-1911, N.S. Easton ( MCZC, 1). Essex Co.: Ipswich, V-22-1926, P.J. Darlington ( MCZC, 1); VII-27-1926 ( CUIC, 2). Middlesex Co.: Cambridge ( MCZC, Holotype B. luniger ). Malden, V-17- 1868, C.P. Whitney ( MCZC, 3); V-17-1868, E.P. Colby, ( MCZC, LeConte Collection, 1). Stoneham, VI-1907, F.A. Sheriff ( MCZC, 2). New Jersey: Atlantic Co.: Atlantic City ( MCZC, 2). Cape May Co.: Anglesea, IV-7, H.W. Wenzel ( MCZC, 1); IV-27 ( USNM, 1); IV-7, meadows ( MCZC, H.C. Fall Collection, 2); IV-15, meadows ( FMNH, 1); IV-17, meadow ( AMNH, 1); IV-27, Wenzel, meadows ( CASC, 2); IV-27, meadows ( FMNH, 2); Anglesea ( FMNH, 7). Five Mile Beach, V-30, ( CMNH, 2). Warren Co.: Delaware Water Gap ( MCZC, 1). New York: Queens Co.: Jamaica, L.(ong) I.(sland), V-30-1905 ( USNM, 1). Rock(away) Beach ( FMNH, 1). Suffolk Co.: Cold Springs Harbor, L.(ong) I.(sland), VII-11-1921, H.M. Parshley ( CASC, 1); VII-15-1919, H.M. Parshley ( CASC, 1). Suffolk Co., VI-17-1960, M.I. Blenderman ( AMNH, 25F, 6M); VI-24-1960 ( AMNH, 4); kept alive, died IX-22- 1962 ( AMNH, 2F); kept alive, died X-21-1960 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died X-10-1962 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died XI-24-1960 ( AMNH, 1M); kept alive, died XI-24-1960 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died VII-1-1961 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died VIII-16-1960 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died XII-10-1961 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died VIII- 6-1960 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died VIII-8-1960 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died VIII-23-1962 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died II-1-1963 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died V-19-1962 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died VI-23-1961 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died VII-26-1960 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died I-15-1961 ( AMNH, 1M); kept alive, died XI-14- 1962 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died XII-1-1960 ( AMNH, 1M); kept alive, died V-3-1961 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died XI-17-1960 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died VIII-26-1960 ( AMNH, 1F); kept alive, died IV-2-1961 ( AMNH, 1M); kept alive, died IV-24-1962 ( AMNH, 1F). Westchester Co.: Katonah ( MCZC, 1). Peekskill, Hubbard & Schwarz ( USNM, 3); V-12 ( FMNH, 1); V-16-1890 ( MCZC, 2); V-12-1899 ( MCZC, 2); V-9-1890 ( MCZC, 2); VI- 1-1891 ( CASC, 1); IV-12-1899 ( DSCC, 1); VI-12-1898 ( CMNH, 1). County unknown: Tecky Kill (spell??), VI, Schumann ( AMNH, 1). Only state on label: “N.Y.” ( FMNH, 3); Brend. ( MCZC, Horn Collection, 1). North Carolina: Mecklenburg Co.: Charlotte, V-17/24 -2005, J.F. Cornell, UV light trap ( LSAM, 1). New Hanover Co.: Marine Research Center, VIII-15-1982, K.R. Ahlstrom, at light trap ( NCSU, 1). Pennsylvania: Only state on label: “Pen.” ( CMNH, 2). South Carolina: Charleston Co.: Charleston, IV-25-1945, R.L. Wenzel, light trap ( FMNH, 1).

Nr. McClellanville, Wedge Plantation, IV-16-1977, E.G. Munroe, at light ( CNCI, 1). Pickens Co.: Calhoun (= Clemson), VIII-1949, W.F. Chamberlain ( TAMU, 1). Only state on label: “S.C.” ( CMNH, 1). Virginia: Alexandria Co. : St. Elmo, I-6 ( USNM, 1). Fairfax Co.: Burke Center, VII-13/18 -1987, R.D. Ward ( CMNH, 1). Falls Church City: Falls Church, V-30 ( MCZC, 1). Hampton City: Fort Monroe, IV-19, Hubbard & Schwarz ( USNM, 10). Norfolk City: Norfolk, IV-28 / V-1-2003, UV light ( EIUC, 1); V-20/26 -2003, C.A. Springer, UV light ( EIUC, 1); Norfolk ( MCZC, H.C. Fall Collection, 2). Spotsylvania Co.: Fredricksburg, V-19-1891 ( USNM, 1); IV-28-1890 ( USNM, 1); VI-3-1891, W.D. Richardson ( USNM, 1).

Description. BODY: Length 2.40–2.80 mm; orange-brown to brown with orange-brown elytra; setae short, curved and suberect on pronotum, decumbent over rest of body. Head: surface smooth, shining, punctures minute. Median vertexal fovea usually lacking, if present usually represented by small patch of white setae in shallow impression, rarely punctiform. Antennae strongly modified in male, form for sexes discussed below. Pronotum: surface smooth, punctures distinct, separated by about one puncture diameter. Median antebasal fovea about twothirds width of lateral antebasal foveae. Elytra: surface microreticulate, granulate, punctures indistinct; discal striae extending to about four-fifths of elytral length. Abdomen: basal striae of tergite 1 lacking or very short, when visible separated by about one-third tergite width, width of setose brush between strial bases about one-fourth tergite width. Surface smooth, punctures distinct.

MALE: Antennomeres III–V slightly longer than wide, VI as wide as long, VII–VIII transverse, VIII with length about one-third width, ventral portion slightly more acutely pointed than dorsal, IX enlarged and broadly cup-shaped, dorsal margin slightly emarginate, X elongate, origin from IX offset ventrally, X widening toward apex and curving dorsally, with thin elongate tubercle arising from basal half of incurved side, XI symmetrical, obconical ( Figs 3 E–G). Protrochanter with small acute spine on ventral margin ( Fig. 3 B); mesotrochanter with blunt ventral spine at base ( Fig. 3 C). Metaventrite with broad impression covering middle, with dense fringe of setae on posterior margin between metacoxae. Metatibiae narrow basally, slightly widening through length to apex, with dense comb of setae on mesal margin in apical fifth where slightly curved medially ( Fig. 3 D). Abdomen with tergites gently convex, unmodified ( Fig. 3 A); ventrites 2–4 flattened at middle, 5 shallowly impressed at middle. Aedeagus 0.44 mm long; with dorsal plate roughly triangular, apex bluntly pointed; parameres short and thick, with three thick setae on outer margin of preapical constriction, preapical hyaline setae transversely oval; internal sac with three large curved spines ( Fig. 3 H).

FEMALE: Antennomeres lacking modifications, III and V clearly longer than wide, IV and VI–VII slightly longer than wide, VIII as long as wide, IX about as long as wide, half again as wide as VIII, X elongate, rectangular. Legs with simple trochanters, ventral margins smoothly curved. Metatibiae similar to those of male. Female metaventrite broadly convex, setae slightly longer between metacoxae than those on lateral portions of the disc. Abdominal ventrites convex.

Collecting data. In salt marshes, in low swampy ground ( Brendel & Wickham 1890); at UV light ( Chandler 1997); on bare clay patches at base of Spartina patens at upper margins of tidal stream ( Webster et al. 2012). LeConte (1849) recorded the type from “pratis salinis” (salt meadows). Few specimens have habitat or collecting data indicated, with about half taken at ultraviolet light and the rest collected in salt meadows/marshes or under debris on beaches. Most specimens were taken from February to early July, with only a few records scattered through the rest of summer and in autumn.

Distribution ( Fig. 35 B). A species of the salt marshes of the Atlantic Coast states and provinces, with records ranging from New Brunswick to Florida.

Comments. LeConte (1849) placed the holotype as a possible female, but his description of the antennae clearly indicates that he had a male before him. Blatchley (1910) recorded this species (as B. perpunctata ) from Illinois, but this was either an error or was based on a mislabeled specimen of B. luniger (also, see the Distribution section for B. cavicornis for an apparently similar situation). The holotype female of B. perpunctata is a member of the cavicornis species-group, and lacks a setose median vertexal fovea and lacks discal carinae on tergite 1. These features place the type as a member of B. luniger , which is the only species of the cavicornis species-group known from Georgia.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Brachygluta luniger (LeConte) (Georgia, Laurens Co.). A: Abdomen, dorsal view. B: Left protrochanter, posterior view. C: Left mesotrochanter, anterior view. D: Left metatibia, anterior view. E: Right antenna. F: Antennomeres 9 – 11 of right antenna, lateral view. G: Antennomeres 9 – 11 of right antenna, median view. H: Aedeagus.

FIGURE 35. Distribution map of Brachygluta cavicornis species-group. A: Brachygluta cavicornis (Brendel). B: Brachygluta luniger (LeConte). C: Brachygluta miccosukee Bückle. (Red dot: material examined, green dot: only state on label).