Hemicrepidius californicus Becker, 1979

Etzler, Frank E., 2020, A Revision of the Genus Hemicrepidius Germar, 1839 (Coleoptera: Elateridae) of the New World, with Comments on Global Classification, The Coleopterists Bulletin (mo 18) 74, pp. 1-126 : 33-34

Hemicrepidius californicus Becker, 1979

( Figs. 5e, g , 13a–e , 14b )

Asaphes hirtus Candèze 1865: 54 ; Horn 1880: 70; Candèze 1891: 181.

Hemicrepidius hirtus (Candèze) : Junior secondary homonym of Hemicrepidius hirtus (Herbst, 1784) ; Leng 1920: 170; Schenkling 1927: 415.

Hemicrepidius californicus Becker 1979a: 410 (replacement name for Asaphes hirtus Candèze ).

Diagnosis. Hemicrepidius californicus can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of features: Long, erect brown-black setae giving a fuzzy appearance; the long, narrow pronotal hind angle when viewed ventrally (over 2× longer than wide) ( Fig. 13c ; see Fig. 9b for how to measure); the short, straight, thickened prosternal process; edges of mesoventral cavity raised ventrally so they are visible anteriad of mesocoxae in lateral view ( Fig. 5g ); and aedeagus subparallel on basal two-thirds and sinuate basally to pre-apical expansion, apex acute ( Figs. 13d, e ).

Hemicrepidius californicus is most similar to H. tumescens , and has been historically confused with H. obscurus . Hemicrepidius californicus and H. tumescens have similar body shapes, antennae, and posterior edges of the hypomeron. However, H. californicus can be distinguished from H. tumescens by its darker coloration, its long, erect piceous setae, larger pronotal punctation similar in size to punctures on the head, and the narrow, acute apical expansion of the aedeagal paramere. From H. obscurus , H. californicus can be distinguished by these features: Generally smaller size; longer and more erect setae; shorter and more densely punctate antennomeres; posterior edge of the hypomeron with the pronotal hind angle narrower ventrally, over 2× longer than wide; and overall narrower aspects of the aedeagus.

Redescription. Length 10.0–16.0 mm, width 3.0–4.0 mm; color dark brown to black, unicolorous; integument shining. Body shallowly convex. Setae long and erect, brown-black. Head: Punctures subumbilicate, nearly contiguous; frons weakly to strongly concave anteromedially when viewed dorsally; frontal carina indistinct medially, broadly curved when viewed from the front, frontoclypeal region absent medially; eyes small and weakly bulging, ocular index 70–78 (n = 2); antenna serrate, antennomere 2 globular, antennomere 3 with apical end weakly expanded, almost subcylindrical, 2× longer than antennomere 2 and with setation closer to antennomere 2, antennomeres 4–11 almost uniformly densely setose, medial line not present, antennomeres 4–10 gradually increasing in length, so antennomere 4 slightly longer than wide and antennomere 10 about 1.5× longer than wide, antennomere 11 with tip slightly constricted, antenna extending beyond pronotal posterior edge by 1–2 antennomeres in males, and just reaching posterior edge in females. Prothorax: Pronotum as wide as long or just slightly wider than long, widest at hind angles or just anterior of midlength, sides broadly arcuate, more so in females; hind angles slightly divergent, dorsal carina present, thin, directed antero-medially and often interrupted by punctures; punctures subumbilicate and nearly contiguous throughout, separated at most by <0.5× puncture diameter; posterior edge with sublateral notches present. Hypomeron with subumbilicate punctures nearly contiguous anteriorly and becoming less dense posteriorly; posterior margin broadly rounded to hind angle, which is strongly projecting posteriorly and truncate apically ( Fig. 13c ). Prosternum with punctation subumbilicate when viewed at 40× magnification, punctures smaller than those on hypomeron, less dense medially; anterior lobe straight, short, not covering ventral mouthparts; prosternal process straight, impunctate between procoxae, thick dorsoventrally, about as deep (dorso-ventral axis) as length past procoxae in lateral view. Pterothorax: Mesoventral cavity with lateral edges expanded ventrally in near 90-degree angle, visible anteriad mesocoxae; posterior edge of cavity truncate. Metaventrite with punctures smaller than punctures on hypomeron, simple, dense, nearly touching laterally, separated by <0.5× puncture diameter, and becoming less dense medially. Scutellar shield elongate, twice as long as wide, sides sinuate, dorsal surface flat, setae radiating from middle, long, anterior margin straight to slightly concave. Elytral striae moderately impressed basally; interstriae slightly convex, noticeably punctured; basal carina weakly crenulate (intermediate between Figs. 6b and 6d ). Legs with membranous tarsal lobes narrow, not visible dorsally, lobe on tarsomere 3 largest, lobe on tarsomere 2 second largest, lobe on tarsomeres 1 and 4 minute, lobe on tarsomere 1 slightly larger than lobe on tarsomere 4. Abdominal ventrites: Punctures simple, similar in size to punctures on metaventrite, dense, almost touching, separated by <0.5× puncture diameter, less dense medially; fifth ventrite narrowly rounded in females and broadly rounded in males; sides of each ventrite with microserrations. Male genitalia ( Figs. 13d, e ): Parameres subparallel on basal two-thirds, weakly sinuate basal to pre-apical expansion, pre-apical expansion acutely pointed laterally; apex of paramere broadly pointed, membranous, setose patch ventrally near pre-apical expansion, bearing 5–8 apical dorsal setae. Median lobe narrow, weakly constricted apically, basal struts angled laterobasally at near 90-degree angle. Basal piece with membranous area broadly rounded medially in ventral view.

Distribution. UNITED STATES: CA ( Fig. 14b ).

Notes. This is likely a marine shore species based on the collecting localities of specimens examined. It may occur in ocean beach dunes. Larvae have not been associated with this species.

Types Examined. Of Asaphes hirtus : Holotype: Coll. Janson, Ex Candèze/ Asaphes hirtus Cdz, Calif ; male; type locality California, without further notes; in BMNH.

LeConte Collection (3, MCZC). [gold disc]/ hirtus #1; [No label]/ hirtus #2; Cala./ hirtus #3.

Horn Collection (5, MCZC). Cal./ with ID label; Cal.; California; California / carbonatus #4; Cal./ carbonatus #5.

Other Specimens Examined (72). UNITED STATES: California: [no data]/ Coll. Janson (2, BMNH) ; Sharp collection/ 228/ ID label (1, BMNH) ; [no data]/ Sharp Coll. (2, BMNH) ; [no data]/ ex Mus Murray (1, BMNH) ; [no data]/ ex Saunders., Coll. Janson (1, BMNH) ; [no data]/ 4501/ Bolter Coll., No. E79538 (1, INHS830196 ) ; [no data]/ Bolter Coll., No. E79539 (1, INHS830195 ) ; [no data] (1, MCZC); [no data] (1, SEMC); Alameda Co., Niles , V-10-[19]14/ F. E. Blaisdell Collector (1, CASC) ; [Humboldt Co.], Samoa Beach , 6-24-[19]56, P. S. B[artholomew] (4, CASC) ; Marin Co., McClure’ s Beach , IV-20-[19] 62/ J. K. Drew Collr. (1, CASC) ; Pt. Reyes, V-3-[19] 36/ Van Dyke Collection (2, CASC [ Fig. 13a ]), IV- 7-[19]38 (1, CASC) ; Point Reyes, National Seashore North Beach , VI-12-1974 / M. S. Wasbauer, Fred G. Andrews, Collectors (1, CASC) ; Pt. Reyes Penin., Ten Mile Beach , 6-22-[19]57/ D. Giuliani Collector (1, CASC [ Fig. 13b ]), RCA Sand Dunes / D. Giuliani Collector (1, CASC) ; Monterey Co. / June 21- [18]98/ male/ A. Fenyes Collection (1, CASC) ; Ulke / x42/ ex. Coll. Carl Fuchs via E. R. Leach Coll. (1, CASC) ; VI-2-[19]39, E. R. Leach (1, CASC) ; Pac. Grove, V. 2.1918/ 3 und. Lupines on dunes/ L. S. Slavin Collection (1, CASC) ; Pac. Grove / [19?]04-5 June , [19?]04-6 June / [blue circle]/ A. Fenyes Collection (2, CASC) ; Pac. Grove / [19]04.5 June / Fall Collection (1, MCZC) ; San Francisco Co., [no date] (1, MCZC) , June / Fall Collection (1, MCZC) ; Pt. Lobos , 5-[19]65/ D. Giuliani Collector (2, CASC) ; San Francisco , [no date] (4, MCZC) , V-28-[19]08 (1, CASC), V-14- 1911 (2, CASC) , IV-24-1912 (11, CASC [ Figs. 13d, e ]), V-1912 / Van Dyke Collection (7, CASC [ Fig. 13c ]), 11-24-[19]17/ F. E. Blaisdell Collector (1, FMNH) , 16-IV-1946, Derham Giuliani, Cal. Acad. Sci. Coll. (2, CASC) , VI-1-1946 / Pres. By P. Raven (1, CASC) , 5-24-[19]52/ C. E. Kaufeldt (2, CASC) , VI-5-[19]54/ Present by Peter H. Raven Collector (1, CASC) , 5-VI-1967, Hugh B. Leech (1, CASC) ; S. Francisco, Ocean Beach , 6.14.[19]08/ Fall Collection (1, MCZC) ; San Francisco, Presodio , 5-21- [19]58/ D. Giuliani Collector (1, CASC) ; S. F. Bay Area / D. Giuliani Collector (1, CASC) ; [San Luis Obispo Co.], Morro Bay / May 1-5, 1944, Eugene Ray / under beach drift (1, FMNH) ; Oso Flaco Lake , ex: sand dunes, IV-12-1972 / E. A. Kane Collector / Marshall W. Stone Collection (1, CASC) ; San Mateo Co., Ano Nuevo Pt., 6-[19]65/ Derham Giuliani Collection (1, CASC) .

Figures

Fig. 5. Morphological characters of Hemicrepidius. Tarsi, lateral view: a) H. memnonius, b) H. bilobatus, scale bar between = 1 mm. Antenna types: c) Strongly serrate, with triangular antennomere 3 (H. niger), d) Serrate, with impunctate medial line (ml, arrow) of antennomeres (H. memnonius), e) Serrate, lacking medial line (H. californicus), f) Weakly serrate (H. hemipodus), all to scale, scale bar below d = 1 mm. Mesothorax: g) Lateral edges of mesothorax raised in near 90-degree angle, arrow (H. californicus), stepped line to highlight character, scale bar below body = 1 mm.

Fig. 13. Hemicrepidius californicus. Dorsal habitus: a) Male, b) Female. c) Pronotum, lateral view. Male genitalia: d) Dorsal view, e) Ventral view. Scale bars: 5 mm (a, b), 1 mm (c–e).

Fig. 14. Distribution maps of examined Hemicrepidius specimens (blue/gray dots). a) H. brooksi, new species, b) H. californicus.

Fig. 9. Morphological character measurements. Hemicrepidius bilobatus: a) Measurement of pronotal hind angle in dorsal view. H. tumescens: b) Measurement of pronotal hind angle in ventro-lateral view, d) Measurements of aedeagus. H. memnonius: c) Location of ventral setal patch (vsp) on paramere. L = length, w = width. Not to scale.

Fig. 6. Morphological characters of Hemicrepidius. H. memnonius: a) Mesothorax, ventral view, b) Crenulate basal carina on elytra (arrow), c) Detail of subumbilicate punctures, lateral edge of pronotum, e) Microserrations on sides of abdominal ventrites, arrow. H. hemipodus: d) Simple basal carina on elytra (arrow).