Corresponding author: Jan Klimaszewski (
Academic editor: A. Brunke
One hundred twenty species of aleocharine beetles (
Klimaszewski J, Larson DJ, Labrecque M, Bourdon C (2016) Twelve new species and fifty-three new provincial distribution records of Aleocharinae rove beetles of Saskatchewan, Canada (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae). ZooKeys 610: 45–112. doi:
Saskatchewan
Almost all specimens in this study were dissected to examine the genital structures. Extracted genital structures were dehydrated in absolute alcohol, mounted in Canada balsam on celluloid micro-slides, and 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 Digital Camera DXM 1200F, and Adobe Photoshop software).
Morphological terminology mainly follows that used by
Tribes, genera and species within genera are arranged alphabetically in the text and in the Table
Species of
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Almost all collections reported here were made in southwestern Saskatchewan and adjacent Alberta. This area is in the Mixed Grassland and Cypress Upland Ecoregions of the Prairies Ecozone (
Other habitats within the area from which aleocharines have been collected include sand hills and saline ponds of closed drainage basins, both of which occur mainly to the north of the Cypress Hills, stream margins, and springs and fens that are common in the Cypress Hills. Considerable collecting has been done around large reservoirs. Accumulated plant material along the reservoir water lines (wrack) is often rich in beetles but windward shores (the lee shore of mariners) are often rich collecting sites as flying insects that fall into water are blown onto these shores and can sometimes be found in large numbers pulling themselves up onto the beach. Such insects are referred to as occurring in drift. Species found in wrack may in fact be in their normal habitat, but those recorded from drift are probably vagrants, but they do indicate presence and time of year of dispersal.
The low annual precipitation in the region means that a state of drought or near drought occurs frequently. Aleocharines occur mainly in moist environments, thus the majority of Mixed Grassland collections are from sites with moisture such as margins of water bodies or from moist habitats such as carrion and manure (which is very abundant due to the high populations of cattle). Carrion and manure are rich staphylinid habitat but they promote the widespread synanthropic species and a few of our new records come from these habitats. Mushrooms and other fungi, especially as they age and decay, are rich habitats but again irregularity in precipitation means that occurrence and duration of such habitats is very unpredictable over the season and from year to year. Higher levels of precipitation and lower evapotranspiration in the Cypress Uplands produce a wider and more consistent array of moist habitats and this is where we found the richest aleocharine fauna.
Benoit Godin collection, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada
Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Laurentian Forestry Centre, R. Martineau Insectarium, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
David Larson collection, Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, Canada
United State National Museum, Washington, D.C., USA
– Alberta
– British Columbia
– Labrador
– Manitoba
– New Brunswick
– Newfoundland
– Nova Scotia
– Northwest
– Ontario
– Prince Edward Island
– Quebec
– Saskatchewan
Territories – Yukon Territory – Nunavut
USA state abbreviations follow those of the US Postal Service.
Our knowledge of the diversity and distribution of
In Canada, the Maritime provinces (
However, the large majority of central, western and northern Canada remains poorly studied. Large numbers of aleocharines (and other staphylinids) have been collected over the last 25 years as a result of numerous trapping studies in forests, native grasslands, agricultural lands, and wetlands, especially in Alberta (
(female). Canada, Saskatchewan, Bowie Ranch, 20 km NW Piapot, sand dunes, 29-V-2008, D. Larson (
This species is named for Dr. Élisabeth Gauthier, research director at
Body compact, narrowly oval (Fig.
This species is readily distingushed from remaining Nearctic species of subgenus
This species is known from the type localities in
The female holotype was captured on a dead ground squirrel in sand dunes. The male was collected in August from unspecified habitat. Species of subgenus
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In Saskatchewan, one female was captured in dry polypore fungus in October, and this constitutes the westernmost distribution record for this species. In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In Saskatchewan, specimens were collected from March through June, several adults were captured from carrion trap. Elsewhere, one specimen was taken from a mouse nest and other specimens were collected from February to October (
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In Saskatchewan, one female was captured in June from unspecified habitat.
We tentatively associate the
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In Saskatchewan, one female was captured in a carrion trap and one from wind-drift. Elsewhere, specimens were found under rocks in a high altitude meadow and some from
The
Origin | Palaearctic, adventive in Canada |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Canada, Saskatchewan, Larson Ranch, Hwy 21, 16 km S Maple Creek, 24-VII-2010, sifted from old mouldy alfalfa hay, D. Larson (
The name of this species derives from the Latin participle
Body narrowly elongate, moderately convex, uniformly dark brown to almost black except for paler legs (Fig.
Distinguished from all other
This species is known only from the type locality in
The type specimens were sifted from old mouldy alfalfa hay.
This species is similar to Palaearctic
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Palaearctic, adventive in Canada |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Canada, Saskatchewan, Royal Edward Road, 25 km NW Maple Creek, 5-VI-2011, D. Larson (
The name of this species is dedicated to R.I. Larson. Ruby I. Larson was a geneticist at the Agriculture Canada Research Station, Lethbridge, who worked on wheat genetics. She was very active in promoting science and from 1958 to 1973 ran a Science Club for Junior High and High School age children. Members of this club went on to a variety of professional careers, including three (DJL included) who became professional entomologists. Her love of learning and science was infectious and her support and encouragement were major factors in our career choices. She taught us the joy and personal rewards of following one’s curiosity.
Body narrowly elongate, slightly flattened (particularly on elytra), uniformly dark brown, almost black except for paler, light brown sutural section of elytra and legs (Fig.
Distinguished from all other
This species is known only from the type locality in
The holotype was captured in June from unspecified habitat.
This species is superficially similar to Nearctic
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References | Casey 2010, |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
This species is frequently associated with forest mushrooms. In
Canada, Saskatchewan, Larson Ranch, Hwy 21, 16 km S Maple Creek, 7-IX-2010, ex
The species name
Body narrowly subparallel (Fig.
This species is very similar to European
Adults are known only from
Most adults of this species were collected from Shaggy parasol mushrooms,
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
One
(female). Canada, Saskatchewan, Larson Ranch, Hwy 21, 16 km S Maple Creek, 8-VI-2014, D. Larson (
The species name
Body narrowly subparallel (Fig.
It is distinguished from all other Nearctic species of
Adults are known from
Females were captured in March (Alberta), May and July (Saskatchewan): one was found in a decaying polypore mushroom and one was found in lake drift in May.
Origin | Palaearctic, adventive in Canada |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
Like many introduced species,
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
The
The following species have uncertain subgeneric affiliation in the large and diverse genus
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
|
The
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Canada, Saskatchewan, Hwy 21, 20 km N Maple Creek, 25-VI-2010, Gramma-stipa pasture, Richardson ground squirrel burrow, D. Larson (
This species name is derived from the surname of Sir John Richardson, the surgeon-naturalist who participated in 19th century British naval expeditions to the arctic coast of “British North America”, now Canada. In 1820 he discovered a new species of ground squirrel along the Saskatchewan River, which was later named after him as
Body narrowly subparallel (Fig.
Distinguished from all other species of Nearctic
Adults are known from
The single male from
This species in body size and general appearance is similar to species of the subgenus
Origin | Palaearctic, adventive in Canada |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
The
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
The
Untill now, only one native species,
1 | Head about as broad as pronotum (Fig. |
|
– | Head distinctly narrower than pronotum (Figs |
2 |
2 | Elytra at suture longer than pronotum (Fig. |
|
– | Elytra at suture about as long as pronotum (Figs |
3 |
3. | Elytral posterior corners with strong lateral emarginations (Fig. |
|
– | Elytral posterior corners with slight emarginations laterally (Fig. |
|
Canada, Saskatchewan, Cypress Lake, E dam, 9-V-2012, wind-drift, D. Larson (
The species is named for our friend and professional colleague Dr. David W. Langor, Canadian Forest Service, collaborator and supporter of many joint entomological projects. He contributed to the discovery and descriptions of many new species of aleocharine beetles in Canada, particularly in Newfoundland and Alberta.
Body narrowly subparallel (Fig.
This species is known only from
Adults of this species were collected by sifting wrack on lakeshore beach, and were found in wind-drift on a lake.
Canada, Saskatchewan, Royal Edward Rd., 25 km NW Maple Creek, 5-VI-2011, D. Larson (
The species name is derived from Latin adjective
Body narrowly subparallel (Fig.
Adults are known only from
The male of this species was captured in June in unspecified habitat, and one female was taken from saline slough, also in June.
Canada, Saskatchewan, Bigstick Lake, 16 km E Golden Prairie, 1-IX-2011, D. Larson (
The species is named for Dr. Reginald R. Webster, close friend of JK, and extraordinary entomologist who “understands aleocharine beetles” and who changed the beetle map of New Brunswick by endless discovery of new species. In memory of our “grappa discussions” and fruitful collaboration.
Body moderately narrow, subparallel (Fig.
Adults are known only from
Most adults of this species were collected from shorelines of eutrophic lakes in June, August and September, and one male was captured in organic mud/sedges, and rushes near water.
A male from Bigstick Lake had slightly distorted median lobe of aedeagus and was excluded from the type series.
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
The
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
The
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
|
In
Males of this species can be mixed up with those of
Origin | Palaearctic, adventive in Canada |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
The
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
The
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
Reference |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
Reference |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Palaearctic, adventive in Canada |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
The
Origin | Palaearctic, adventive in Canada |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
The
This species is well established in northeastern and western North America (
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
The
Canada, Saskatchewan, Larson Ranch, Hwy 21, 16 km S Maple Creek, 12-IX-2013, mouldy aspen log, D. Larson (
A Latin feminine adjective
Body minute, narrowly oval, moderately convex, length 1.4-1.6 mm (Fig.
Known only from
Adults were collected from mouldy aspen logs in September and by sifting aspen litter in July.
as a subgenus of
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
The
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
Two
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
The
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
The
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Body length 1.4–1.5 mm, compact, subparallel, piceous to nearly black, with legs/tarsi, three basal antennal articles, maxillary palps, posterior edge of elytra, and tip of abdomen yellowish brown (Fig.
Origin | Palaearctic, adventive in Canada |
Distribution | Canada: |
New North American, Canadian and provincial records | CANADA: |
References |
The
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
The
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Canada, Saskatchewan, Larson Ranch, Hwy 21, 16 km S Maple Creek, 22-IV-2012, D. Larson (
The name of this species is derived from Latin feminine adjective
Body length 3.4-3.6 mm, narrowly subparallel, broadest at posterior elytra, abdomen subparallel (Fig.
The two males were captured in April in an unspecified habitat near a farmstead.
This species is very similar externaly to
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References | As |
In
Origin | Palaearctic, adventive in North America; possibly introduced separately in eastern Canada and western WA |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Palaearctic, adventive in North America |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
1 | Median lobe of aedeagus with narrowly triangular apical part forming dorsally distinct angular projection in apical half of tubus in lateral view (see Fig. 5N, in |
|
– | Median lobe of aedeagus with narrowly triangular apical part without angular dorsal projection in apical half of tubus in lateral view (Figs |
|
2 | Body broad (Fig. |
|
– | Body moderately narrow (Fig. |
|
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
The two
Canada, Saskatchewan, Bear Creek at Crane Lake, near Piapot, 18-VIII-2011, D. Larson (
The name of this species,
Body narrowly oval, length 2.3-2.5 mm, slightly flattened; uniformly black with light brown tarsi (Fig.
Known only from
All
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
Origin | Nearctic |
Distribution | Canada: |
New provincial records | CANADA, |
References |
In
We thank Pamela Cheers, English Editor (