Serranillus septentrionis
Sokolov & Carlton, 2008
Serranillus septentrionis is a of ground beetle in the Carabidae, described from the United States in 2008. It belongs to the subtribe Anillina, a group of minute, often eyeless or reduced- beetles adapted to subterranean or soil-dwelling . The species name 'septentrionis' refers to its northern distribution relative to .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Serranillus septentrionis: //sɛrəˈnɪləs ˌsɛptɛnˈtriːɒnɪs//
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Identification
Members of Serranillus are distinguished from related anilline by the presence of serrate elytral —distinctly toothed or saw-like grooves running lengthwise on the wing covers. S. septentrionis can be separated from its S. jeanneli by geographic distribution and subtle differences in male genitalia and elytral microsculpture, as detailed in the original description.
Habitat
Distribution
United States (North America). Known from the northern portion of the range.
Similar Taxa
- Serranillus jeanneliOnly other described in the ; distinguished by distribution (southern) and subtle morphological differences in male genitalia and elytral microsculpture.
- Other Anillina genera (e.g., Anillinus, Geocharis)Similar minute, subterranean habits, but Serranillus is distinguished by the diagnostic serrate elytral .
More Details
Taxonomic history
Described by Sokolov and Carlton in 2008 based on specimens from the United States, expanding the Serranillus (previously with S. jeanneli from Mexico) into the northern part of North America.
Etymology
The specific epithet 'septentrionis' is derived from Latin 'septentriones' (the seven stars of Ursa Major, hence 'the north'), referring to its more northerly distribution compared to S. jeanneli.