Corresponding author: Reginald P. Webster (
Academic editor: P. Bouchard
This paper treats the discovery of new species and new records of aleocharine beetles for the province of New Brunswick. We report here 27 species new to science, one new North American record, six new Canadian records, and 29 new provincial records. The following are the new species:
Webster RP, Klimaszewski J, Bourdon C, Sweeney JD, Hughes CC, Labrecque M (2016) Further contributions to the Aleocharinae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) fauna of New Brunswick and Canada including descriptions of 27 new species. In: Webster RP, Bouchard P, Klimaszewski J (Eds) The Coleoptera of New Brunswick and Canada: providing baseline biodiversity and natural history data. ZooKeys 573: 85–216. doi:
Various methods were employed to collect the specimens reported in this study. Details are outlined in
Most specimens were dissected to confirm their identity. The genital structures were dehydrated in absolute alcohol and mounted in Canada balsam on celluloid microslides and then pinned with the specimen from which they originated. Images of the entire body and the genital structures were taken using an image processing system (Nikon SMZ 1500 stereoscopic microscope; Nikon Digit-like Camera DXM 1200F, and Adobe Photoshop software).
Morphological terms used in species descrptions mainly follow those used by
Alberta
Alaska
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador*
Nova Scotia
Northwest Territories
Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon Territory
*Newfoundland and Labrador are each treated separately under the current Distribution in Canada and Alaska.
USA state abbreviations follow those of the US Postal Service. Acronyms of collections examined and referred to in this study are as follows:
Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service - Atlantic Forestry Centre, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The Field Museum, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service - Laurentian Forestry Centre, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
Lund University Collection, Lund, Sweden
New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Nova Scotia Provincial Museum, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Reginald Webster Collection, Charters Settlement, New Brunswick, Canada
We report here on 63 species of
Little is known about the biology of
Almost nothing is known about the habitat and biology of this species. In
This species has been found in entrances of fox (
In
This species is named for the short (brachyopterous, alternative spelling of brachypterous) elytra.
Body length 2.8–3.0 mm, very narrow, uniformly dark brown except for paler elytra, apex of abdomen, legs and basal antennal articles (Fig.
Known from
In
This species has genitalic structures similar to those of
Body length 2.3 mm, moderately narrow, uniformly dark brown except for reddish legs and two small yellowish-red areas on each elytron near suture (Fig.
Known only from
This species was found in moist sphagnum in forested black spruce bogs, and in eastern white cedar swamps and forests. One individual was found in moss and litter in a moose (
This species is distinct externally because of its shield-shaped pronotum, which is slightly wider than the elytra, which contributes to a habitus that is somewhat similar to species of
Body length 2.6–2.8 mm, moderately narrow, uniformly dark brown except for paler legs and basal antennal articles (Fig.
Most specimens of
Specimens of this adventive species in
The only known specimen of
A prefix
Body length 3.2–3.6 mm, moderately narrow, elongate; head, pronotum, and abdomen dark brown to nearly black, elytra yellowish brown with triangular apical dark section near suture, legs yellowish brown or reddish brown, and antennae dark brown (Fig.
Known only from
One specimen was found in coyote dung on the margin of a vernal pond in a jack pine forest and another from moss along a small shaded spring-fed brook in a boreal (spruce–fir) forest. Adults were collected during May and June.
The species name
Body length 2.8 mm, subparallel, moderately flattened, dark brown with darker head, pronotum, and central part of abdomen, elytra with darker scutellar region, legs yellowish brown (Fig.
This species is known only from a single male found in the nest contents of a great horned owl (
Known only from
The body shape of this species is somewhat similar to species of
Specimens from
This species is named after Charters Settlement, the locality where the holotype and most of the paratypes were collected.
Body length 3.4–3.5 mm, narrowly elongate, subparallel; head, pronotum, and most of abdomen except for apical part black, elytra, legs, and antennae brown or light brown (Fig.
Known only from
Most adults were collected from a pile of decaying moldy corncobs and cornhusks near a composter adjacent to a mixed forest in a residential area. Two individuals were collected from coyote dung in an old jack pine forest; another from a decaying mushroom. Specimens were collected during April, May, June, August, and September.
This species belongs to the
This species is named after Cranberry Lake P.N.A. (Protected Natural Area) where the type specimen and most paratypes were collected.
Body length 3.2–3.8 mm, moderately narrow, subparallel (Fig.
Known only from
Most adults were captured in Lindgren funnel traps in a red oak forest and a hardwood woodland near a seasonally flooded marsh. Other individuals were collected with a net between 16:30 and 19:00 h in a mixed forest opening. Four individuals were collected from litter from the entrance of a groundhog burrow. It is possible that this species is associated with ground-nesting mammals, but more sampling from this habitat is required. All specimens were captured in May.
This species is externally very similar to
This species is dedicated to Marie-Andrée Giguère, wife of Reginald Webster, who has accompanied and assisted him on many collecting trips over the years and whose support made many of the new discoveries in New Brunswick possible.
Body length 2.7 mm, narrowly elongate; head, pronotum, elytra, and abdomen dark brown, legs and antennae light brown (Fig.
Known from
In
We tentatively affiliated this species with the subgenus
This species is named in honor of Scott Makepeace who collected the contents from barred owl (
Body length 2.7 mm, moderately narrowly elongate; head, pronotum, and most of abdomen except for basal part black, antennae, legs brown, and elytra brown mottled with black (Fig.
Known only from
Four of the adults were collected from the nest contents of barred owls (which nest in tree holes) that consisted of moist smelly organic material with regurgitated pellets, feathers, fur, and small bones. Another specimen was found in a gilled mushroom. It is possible that this species is associated with birds and other species that nest in tree holes. This species was found in old hardwood forests during May and August.
The aedeagus of
Named for Dr. Donald McAlpine, Curator and Head, Zoology Section of the New Brunswick Museum in recognition of his work studying and promoting research on the invertebrate and vertebrate fauna of
Body length 2.9–3.0 mm, broadest at elytra; head, pronotum, and abdomen dark brown to nearly black, elytra yellowish brown mottled with dark brown, legs, bases of antennae, and maxillary palps yellowish brown (Fig.
Known only from
Specimens were collected from rotting gilled mushrooms in a jack pine forest.
This species bears some general resemblance to
Named after the village of Petit Cap where the holotype and paratypes were collected.
Body length 2.7–2.9 mm, [narrow], narrowly elongate, broadest at elytra, dark brown to nearly black, with legs and last article of maxillary palps yellowish brown (Fig.
Known only from
This species is superficially similar externally to species of the genus
The specific name,
Body length 3.4 mm, narrowly elongate, subparallel; head, pronotum, and abdomen dark brown to almost black, elytra yellowish reddish brown with base and scutellar area darker (Fig.
Known only from
The three known individuals of this species were collected from sphagnum in a
This species is very distinct in its genital structures. It is superficially similar to
The specific name,
Body length 2.9 mm, narrowly elongate, subparallel; head, pronotum, and abdomen dark brown, elytra rust brown mottled with black, legs and antennae light brown (Fig.
Known from
Most adults of
The subgeneric position of this species is unsettled. It bears a superficial resemblance to members of the genus
The specific name,
Body length 2.9–3.0 mm, narrowly subparallel; head, posterior part of abdomen, impressions of abdominal tergites, and medioapical parts of antennae dark brown, with remainder of body yellowish (Fig.
Known only from
Specimens were captured in Lindgren funnel traps in an old-growth eastern white cedar forest, a rich Appalachian hardwood forest with some conifers, and from decaying moldy corncobs and cornhusks in a mixed forest. Adults were collected during May and June.
This species is unique in the shape of its genitalic features, and there are no closely related species as far as we know.
USA, Maine, Frost, 1654; 153;
Currently recorded from
The name of this species derives from the species name
Body length 2.6–2.8 mm, narrowly oval; head, pronotum, and posterior part of abdomen dark brown to nearly black, elytra dark brown with two oblique yellowish-brown bands, each ranging from shoulder to lower elytral suture; legs, bases of antennae, maxillary palpi, and often basal part of abdomen yellowish brown (Fig.
This is a sibling species of
Currently known only from
Adults of this species were found in mature mixed forest, old-growth and old white spruce and balsam fir forests, a mature red spruce forest, and in a wet alder swamp. Specimens were collected from coral fungi on a
In the past, the two sibling species were mixed together and identified as
Several females originally thought to possibly be
A female externally very similar to males of
All specimens of
Females of this myrmecophilous species were collected from nests of
Body length 3.2 mm, narrow, subparallel, antennae, head, pronotum, and posterior abdomen dark brown, legs and elytra rust brown, latter mottled with black (Fig.
Known only from
Adults of
Body length 3.4 mm, narrow, subparallel; antennae, head, pronotum, and abdomen dark brown, legs and elytra yellowish brown (Fig.
In
It is unclear if this is an adventive species in North America or a Holarctic one. The habitats that this species was found in are rarely sampled in North America and are not typical for adventive species.
In
Most specimens of
Most adults of
This species is named for our colleague Georges Pelletier (
Body length 3.3–3.5 mm, narrowly oval, uniformly dark piceous with tibiae, tarsi, and base of antennae and mouthparts reddish brown (Fig.
Known only from
Adults of
This species is readily distinguishable from other members of the subgenus by its large (3.3–3.5 mm long) dark piceous body, small head, and distinctively shaped genitalia (Figs
One
The single specimen from
In
Most adults from
Two individuals were collected from under cobblestones along a lakeshore in August, another was captured in a Lindgren trap in the canopy of a trembling aspen in a hardwood forest in June. In Alberta, one female was collected with a window trap and in British Columbia, specimens were found in bison dung (
Most individuals of
Named for Dr. Stephen Clayden, Curator and Head, Botany and Mycology Section of the New Brunswick Museum, whose collaboration in a joint project studying
Body length 2.5–2.7 mm, narrowly subparallel, uniformly dark piceous brown except posterior part of elytra near suture and basal tergal impressions slightly paler, legs, maxillary palpi and bases of antennae light yellowish brown (Fig.
Known only from
This species occurs in very similar habitats to
The first author of the species, Jan Klimaszewski, would like to dedicate this species to his wife, Patricia Corvera Gandullia, for her love of nature and enthusiasm for entomology.
Body length 2.8–3.1 mm, narrowly subparallel, most of antennae, head, and posterior part of abdomen dark piceous brown, pronotum slightly paler, elytra yellowish light brown, legs, maxillary palpi, and bases of antennae yellowish (Fig.
Known only from
This species was found in or near seasonally flooded silver maple forests and marshes, an eastern white cedar swamp, a river margin, and a wetland dominated by leather-leaf,
This species is named for Caroline Bourdon (
Body length 3.8–4.0 mm, narrowly oval, robust, head, pronotum, most of elytra and posterior part of abdomen dark brown, elytra with a yellowish-red area or spot extending obliquely from each shoulder and a narrow one along suture in posterior half, base of abdomen, legs, antennae and maxillary palps yellowish brown (Fig.
This species is externally similar to
Known from
The genus
This species name derives from the Canadian province of New Brunswick where the types were found.
Body length 3.9–4.0 mm, narrowly oval, robust, head, pronotum, most of elytra and posterior part of abdomen brownish black, elytra with a yellowish area or spot extending obliquely from each shoulder and a short, narrow longitudinal spot along suture apically, base of abdomen, legs, two basal antennal articles and maxillary palps yellowish (Fig.
This species is externally similar to
Known only from
The holotype was found in a slightly dried
See the previous species.
This species is named in honor of Vincent Webster who collected a number of specimens of this species and many other species reported in this and other papers.
Body small, compact, and narrowly oval in outline; length 1.7–1.9 mm; body, antennae, and legs uniformly black (Fig.
Known only from
Specimens of
This species may be readily distinguished from
This species is named in honor of Chantelle Alderson who helped collect many species reported in this and other papers.
Body length 1.7 mm, short, robust, oval, head, pronotum, elytra, and abdomen dark brown, elytra with small paler, reddish area on each shoulder and one along suture, appendages yellowish (Fig.
Known only from
Two individuals of
Except for a slight difference in the shape of male tergite VIII, the
Most adults of
All specimens of
Named after polypore mushrooms where the holotype and many of the paratypes were found.
Body length 1.4–1.5 mm, short, compact, broadly oval, piceous brown to black, with legs, antennae, maxillary palps, and tip of abdomen reddish brown (Fig.
This species was found in hardwood forests, a mixed forest, and a mature red spruce and red maple forest. Adults were found in polypore fungi on dead standing American beeches, a large fallen basswood, a
Known only from
We have checked the world literature on the genus and compared all available genital illustrations and found none matching our species, which led to the conclusion that it was undescribed (
Named after the village of Sevogle near where the type and most of the paratypes were collected, in apposition.
Body length 1.4–1.5 mm, short, compact, moderately broadly oval, piceous to nearly black, with legs or only tarsi, antennae, maxillary palps, and tip of abdomen yellowish brown (Fig.
Adults were collected from Lindgren funnel traps in a jack pine forest (most), a red pine forest, and an old-growth white spruce and balsam fir forest. Specimens were captured during May and June.
Known only from
We have checked the world literature on the genus and compared all available genital illustrations and found none matching our species, which led to the conclusion that it was undescribed (
In
Adults were collected with a net in a mixed forest opening during the evening, and sifted from among sticks, debris and clay on a beaver dam. One individual was caught in a Lindgren funnel trap in an old-growth northern hardwood forest. This species was collected during May and June in
The male of this species is unknown.
Specimens of
Body length 3.2–3.4 mm, narrowly oval, dark brown except antennae, tarsi, and posterior part of elytra near suture paler (Fig.
Known only from
All specimens of
This cryptic species may be separated from
The original specimens of
This species is named after Sunpoke Lake where one of the paratypes was collected.
Body length 2.5–2.7 mm, subparallel, dark brown with yellowish-brown legs and antennae (Fig.
Known only from
Adults of
This species is externally similar to
The only specimen of
Most
This species is dedicated to Amélie Gilbert (
Body length 2.2–2.4 mm, narrowly elongate, subparallel, black except tarsi and antennae reddish brown (Fig.
This species is known from
All adults of
This species may be separated from its Nearctic congeners by its body proportions, the uniformly black body color except for the appendages, and by the shape of the median lobe of the aedeagus in lateral view, and the spermatheca. It differs from the other two eastern Canadian species,
We thank Caroline Simpson (