New Coleoptera records from New Brunswick, Canada: Histeridae

Abstract Eighteen species of Histeridae are newly reported from New Brunswick, Canada. This brings the total number of species known from New Brunswick to 42. Seven of these species, Acritus exguus (Erichson), Euspilotus rossi (Wenzel), Hypocaccus fitchi (Marseul), Dendrophilus kiteleyi Bousquet and Laplante, Platysoma cylindricum (Paykull), Atholus sedecimstriatus (Say), and Margarinotus harrisii (Kirby) are recorded from the Maritime provinces for the first time. Collection and bionomic data are presented for these species.


Introduction
reviewed the Histeridae of Canada. Histeridae live in dung, carcasses, decaying vegetable matter, under bark, and in nests of mammals, birds, and ants (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). Most species are predaceous. Species living in decaying organic matter feed mainly on Diptera larvae, whereas those living under bark feed on eggs, larvae, and pupae of wood-boring beetles, and thus, members of this family are important ecologically (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). However, the biology of most of the Histeridae occurring in North America is still poorly known. Bousquet and Laplante (2006) reported 135 species of Histeridae from Canada and 22 species from New Brunswick. Majka (2008) added another two species in his review of the Atlantic Canadian Histeridae. Here, we report another 18 species, bringing the total number of species known from the province to 42.

Methods and conventions
The following records are based in part on specimens collected as part of a general survey by the first author to document the Coleoptera fauna of New Brunswick, a study to document the Coleoptera fauna of barred owl (Strix varia Barton) nests, and specimens obtained as by-catch in Lindgren 12-funnel traps (ConTech Inc., Delta, BC) during a study to develop a general attractant for the detection of invasive species of Cerambycidae.

Collection methods
A variety of collection methods were employed to collect the specimens reported in this study. General details are outlined in Webster et al. (2009, Appendix). See Webster et al. (in press) for details of the methods used for deployment of Lindgren traps and sample collection. A significant number of Histeridae were collected from the nest contents of barred owls, which usually nest several meters or more above ground in tree cavities or in artificial nest boxes. Trees were climbed, and the entire nest contents (usually about 2-3 L) were removed (usually when chicks were present or shortly after the chicks had left the nest). Nest contents were replaced with wood chips similar to those normally used in nest boxes. Contents were hand sifted, and all beetles were removed from the samples. A detailed description of the habitat was recorded for all specimens collected during the Coleoptera survey. Locality and habitat data are presented exactly as recorded on labels for each specimen. This information, as well as additional collecting notes, is summarized and discussed in the collection and habitat data for each species.

Distribution
Distribution maps, created using ArcMap and ArcGIS, are presented for each species from New Brunswick. Every species is cited with current distribution in Canada and Alaska, using abbreviations for the state, provinces, and territories. New provincial records are indicated in bold under Distribution in Canada and Alaska. The following abbreviations are used in the text:

Species Accounts
All records are species newly recorded for New Brunswick, Canada. Species followed by ** are newly recorded from the Maritime provinces of Canada.
The classification of the Histeridae follows Bouchard et al. (2011). Notes: *New to province, **New to Maritime provinces.
Collection and habitat data. This species was reported from flicker (Colaptes auratus L.) nests by Kovarik and Caterino (2001). The specimens from New Brunswick were found in nest material of a barred owl nest with chicks. Euspilotus rossi was found in only one of 23 barred owl nests sampled (Webster and Makepeace, unpublished data), suggesting that this is not the usual habitat for this species. The two adults were collected in late May.
Distribution in Canada and Alaska. ON, QC, NB (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). Only a few specimens of this rare species are known from Canada (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). Webster, in barred owl nest, with dry organic material and remains of squirrel, birds, and insect parts (4, RWC, NBM).

Gnathoncus barbatus
Collection and habitat data. Little information was previously known about the habitat and biology of this species. Bousquet and Laplante (2006) reported one specimen from porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum (L.)) dung piled in a cavity at the base of an old sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.). Most specimens from New Brunswick were collected from nest material of barred owl nests (most with chicks) in natural cavities in trees or in artificial nest boxes. Others were collected from a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus Gmelin) nest, decaying mushrooms, and a Lindgren funnel trap. This species is probably associated with birds and possibly mammals that nest in tree cavities. The nest contents of the barred owls and great horned owl contained decaying animal remains, and often many Diptera larvae were present on which the predaceous histerid adults and larvae were probably feeding. Adults were collected during May, June, and September.
Distribution in Canada and Alaska. BC, AB, ON, QC, NB, NS (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). Collection and habitat data. This species was collected from nest material from barred owl nests in natural cavities in trees or artificial nest boxes. Bousquet and Laplante (2006) reported this species as occurring in similar habitats. Adults were collected during June and September.

Gnathoncus communis
Distribution in Canada and Alaska. BC, AB, MB, ON, QC, NB, NS (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). This species is possibly adventive in North America (Bousquet and Laplante 2006 Collection and habitat data. A few specimens from Quebec were found on sandy beaches along rivers (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). The New Brunswick specimens were found in debris resting on sand on a sand bar along a small river during late May.
Distribution in Canada and Alaska. ON, QC, NB (Bousquet and Laplante 2006).

Subfamily Dendrophilinae Reitter, 1909
Distribution in Canada and Alaska. MB, ON, QC, NB, NS (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). This adventive species is now widespread in North America (Bousquet and Laplante 2006).  (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). In New Brunswick, specimens were collected from Ips pini tunnels, from under bark scales of a recently fallen red pine, and in Lindgren funnel traps in a variety of forest types with conifers. Adults were collected during May, June, July, and August. Collection and habitat data. Platysoma leconti is found under bark of a variety of dead deciduous tree species (maples (Acer spp.), oaks (Quercus spp.), elm (Ulmus spp.), poplars (Populus sp.), ashes (Fraxinus spp.)) and pines (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). In New Brunswick, this species was found under bark of a red oak, under bark with fermented sap of a dead standing birch (Betula sp.), and among polypore fungi on a poplar log. Adults were also caught in Lindgren funnel traps. Adults were captured during April, May, June, and August.

Distribution in Canada and
Distribution in Canada and Alaska. NT, BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, NS (Bousquet and Laplante 2006).
Collection and habitat data. Atholus perplexus has been collected from North American beaver (Castor canadensis Kuhl) lodges, muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus (L.)) nests, and in manure (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). The specimens from New Brunswick were collected among sticks and debris on top of a beaver dam. Beaver dung was present in the material on the top of the dam. The two adults were collected during June. Collection and habitat data. This species occurs in compost, dung, and carrion (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). The specimen from New Brunswick was found in welldecayed mushrooms during August.

Distribution in Canada and
Distribution in Canada and Alaska. ON, QC, NB (Bousquet and Laplante 2006 Collection and habitat data. Most adults from New Brunswick were collected from well-decayed gilled and boletus mushrooms that had been placed in an opening in a 20-year-old regenerating mixed forest. One individual was caught in a Lindgren funnel trap deployed in an old red pine forest. Adults were collected during June, July, and August. Little was previously known about the biology of this species (Bousquet and Laplante 2006 Collection and habitat data. This species has been collected in woodchuck (Marmota monax (L.)) burrows and carrion (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). In New Brunswick, adults were collected from the entrance of a fox (Vulpes sp.) den, the entrance of a porcupine den in dung, and in moist leaf litter on the margin of a vernal pond. Adults were collected during May.
Distribution in Canada and Alaska. ON, QC, NB, NS (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). Collection and habitat data. This species is commonly found in woodchuck burrows early in the spring and also in various decaying organic material such as carrion, dung, and decaying mushrooms (Bousquet and Laplante 2006 Collection and habitat data. One of the New Brunswick specimens was collected in moss and leaf litter near a vernal pond, the other from a Lindgren funnel trap. In Indiana (USA), the species was usually found in cow dung and was frequent under "chunks" on the beach of Lake Michigan (Blatchley 1910 Collection and habitat data. In Europe, this species occurs in dung, fungi, compost, and decaying vegetables and in bird nests and henhouses (Vienna 1980). All specimens of this adventive species from New Brunswick were collected from nest material from barred owl nests (most with chicks) in natural cavities in trees or in artificial nest boxes. Adults were captured during June and July.

Margarinotus egregius
Distribution in Canada and Alaska. BC, AB, MB, ON, QC, NB, NS (Bousquet and Laplante 2006 Collection and habitat data. Relatively little is known about the habitat requirements of this species. The scant habitat data available suggest that the species is probably associated with mammal nests. Adults have been collected by sifting around a deserted mouse nest (Blatchley 1910) and from a fox burrow (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). The specimen from New Brunswick was captured during June in a pitfall trap baited with dog dung.
Distribution in Canada and Alaska. MB, ON, NB, NS (Bousquet and Laplante 2006). Majka (2008) considered this species to be disjunct in Nova Scotia due to a lack of records from Quebec and other regions of Atlantic Canada.