11.07.2015 Views

searchable PDF - Association for Mexican Cave Studies

searchable PDF - Association for Mexican Cave Studies

searchable PDF - Association for Mexican Cave Studies

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Veracruz) belongs in another subgenus (Barr, pers.comm.), and the other (M. gertschi Hendrichs andBolivar) is a dark, eyed troglophile from Cueva deEI Ocote, Hidalgo. Barr (1965) originally consideredMexisphodrus to be a member of the tribe Sphodrini,but with recent collections and further study he feelsit to be more closely related to Platynus and its alliesin the Agonini (Barr, pers. comm.). Whitehead (1973)considers Mexisphodrus to be no more than a subgenusof Platynus. Platynus (M.) profundus is frequentlytaken from guano and from organically richareas. Undescribed species of the subgenus are knownfrom caves in Nuevo Leon, Puebla, Queretaro, SanLuis Potosi, and Tamaulipas.Platynus (Mexisphodrus) urquijoi (Hendrichs andBolivar)-NEW COMBINATIONMexisphodrus, undescribed species: Barr, 1967a:66(Oaxaca record only); Barr, 1968b:184.Mexisphodrus sp.: Reddell, 1971b:61 (Sotano de SanAgustin record only).Mexisphodrus urquijoi Hendrichs and Bolivar, 1973:38-41, fig. 1·2.Type-Iocality.-Sotano de San Agustin, cerca deHuautla de Jimenez, norte del estado de Oaxaca,Mexico.Distribution.-Known only from the type-locality.See Fig. 76.Discussion.-This is the most highly cave-adaptedspecies in the subgenus; it is the only Mexisphodruscompletely lacking eyes. Although known only fromthe type-locality, this species may be represented byspecimens from other caves in the Huautla region.This species is placed in the genus Platynus in accordancewith the evidence offered by Whitehead(1973).Platynus (Mexisphodrus) veraecrucis (Barr)Mexisphodrus veraecrucis Barr, 1965:66-71, fig. 1;Barr, 1966a:112, 113, 114,115; Barr, 1967a:66;Barr, 1968b:184; Reddell, 1971a:226; Reddell,1971b:61; Hendrichs and Bolivar, 1973:38, 41;Reddell, 1973a:36, 41.Mexisphodrus veracrucis: Hendrichs and Bolivar,1966:7,8,10 (erroneous spelling).Platynus (Mexisphodrus) veraecrucis: Whitehead,1973: 182, 214.Platynus veraecrucis: Erwin et al., 1977:31.Type-Iocality.-Sotano del Profesor, near Tequila,Veracruz, Mexico.Distribution.-Known from caves in the vicinitiesof Tequila and Soledad Atzompa, Veracruz. See Fig.76.Records.-Veracruz: Sotano del Profesor and Sotanode Sphodrini.New record.-Veracruz: Sotano Itamo (det. T. C.Barr, Jr.).Discussion.-This species, like P. (M.) profundus,has an elongate body, small eyes, and vestigial metathoracicwings. In Sotano del Profesor it was takenfrom under rocks near the body of a murderedschoolteacher who had been thrown into the pit. InSotano de Sphodrini specimens were taken from thecave walls.Speocolpodes franiai BarrSpeocolpodes franiai Barr, 1973:273,275-276, fig. 1;Mateu,1978:22.Eyeless carabid beetle: Syme and Peck, 1974:146.Platynus franiai: Erwin et al., 1977:30.Speocolpodes: Mateu, 1978:22,26,27.Type-Iocality.-Seamay <strong>Cave</strong> near Senahu, AltaVerapaz, Guatemala.Distribution.-Known only from the type-locality.See Fig. 76.Discussion.-This monotypic genus is most closelyrelated to Platynus. Erwin et al. (1977) place it inPlatynus, but without offering any evidence <strong>for</strong> thiscombination. With the exception of the Venezuelantroglobite Speleodesmoides raveloi Mateu, S. franiaiis the most southern troglobitic beetle in the NewWorld. The species is known only from two femalescollected on flowstone and from under a rock nearpools.Family DytiscidaeDarlington (1936) reported several species of dytiscidbeetle from open-air cenotes in Yucatan. Thermonectessp. was reported by Pearse (1938b) fromCenote de Sambula (Motul), Yucatan. It may be atroglophile. Two additional species of possible troglophileare known from <strong>Mexican</strong> caves: Agabus amencanusAube from Cueva de la Cascada, Veracruz, andHydroporus belfragei Sharp from Cueva de la Capilla,Tamaulipas. The latter species is abundant in siltflooreddrip pools.Suborder PolyphagaFamily AUeculidaeSeveral species of the family Alleculidae are probablytroglophiles in <strong>Mexican</strong> caves. Species of thegenera Hymenorus and Lystronychus have heen foundin caves in Coahuila, San Luis Potosi, and Tamaulipas.Lobopoda subcuneata Casey has been identifiedfrom Sotano del Pozo, San Luis Potosi.224

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!