2023/12/20 by Michael S. Caterino · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Coleoptera Taxonomy and Distribution #Beetle Biology and Toxicology Studies #Hymenoptera taxonomy and phylogeny
paper · doi:10.1649/0010-065x-77.4.507
openalex publication_date 2023/12/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2025/12/26
Medon icarus Caterino, new species (Staphylinidae: Paederinae) is described, restricted largely to the highest elevations of the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA. This flightless species occurs across several high ranges in the region, and analysis of COI sequences from known populations reveals deep genetic divergences among them. Insufficient morphological differentiation has been observed to subdivide them, but the possibility remains that this represents a cryptic species complex, with from 5–12 genetically but otherwise indistinguishable members. This is the only member of this mainly western Nearctic and Palearctic genus in the southeastern US, though it appears to be closely related to the northeastern winged species Medon americanus Casey. Description of DNA-associated larval specimens, along with adult morphological and molecular information, will help determine its position among global Medonina diversity.