Schizogenius chiricahuanus
Whitehead, 1972
Schizogenius chiricahuanus is a in the , described by Whitehead in 1972. It belongs to the tribe Clivinini, a group of small to -sized carabids often associated with sandy or loose soil . The species epithet references the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona, suggesting a geographic association with this sky island range. Like other members of Schizogenius, it likely exhibits (burrowing) .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Schizogenius chiricahuanus: /ˌskɪtsəˈdʒiːniəs ˌkɪrɪˈkɑːwənəs/
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Identification
Members of Schizogenius are distinguished from related clivinine by their divided , with the deeply split or bilobed. S. chiricahuanus can be separated from by geographic range and subtle morphological differences in elytral striation and body proportions, though specific diagnostic features require examination of material. The is small, likely under 10 mm in length, with elongate, somewhat flattened body form typical of the genus.
Distribution
Known from the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona, USA. The has been recorded in the sky island mountain ranges of the Southwest.
Similar Taxa
- Schizogenius falliOverlaps in geographic range in the southwestern United States; distinguished by differences in body size, elytral microsculpture, and male .
- Schizogenius lineatusOccurs in similar in the Southwest; S. chiricahuanus differs in pronotal and elytral proportions.
- ClivinaRelated in the same tribe with similar body form; distinguished by the undivided or less deeply split .
More Details
Type locality
The was described from the Chiricahua Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona. The specific epithet 'chiricahuanus' directly references this locality.
Taxonomic note
Schizogenius is a of approximately 20 restricted to the New World, with highest diversity in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus is characterized by the deeply cleft mental that gives it its name ('schizo-' = split, 'genius' = chin/).