Prolixocupes

Neboiss, 1960

Prolixocupes is a of in the , suborder . The genus contains two described with disjunct distributions: P. latreillei in central Chile and western Argentina, and P. lobiceps in western North America (Arizona, California, and Baja California, México). Archostemata is a small, relictual suborder of representing some of the most lineages.

Prolixocupes lobiceps by (c) jimeckert49, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Prolixocupes: /proʊˌlɪksoʊˈkjuːpiːz/

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Identification

Members of Prolixocupes can be distinguished from other by the combination of elongated body form and specific antennal structure characteristic of the . As with other , possess visible notopleural and a transverse occipital ridge on the . -level identification requires examination of geographic origin and subtle morphological differences; P. latreillei and P. lobiceps are and do not overlap in range.

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Distribution

Disjunct distribution with two . P. latreillei: to central Chile and adjacent western Argentina between 25° and 35° S. P. lobiceps: western North America including Arizona, California, and the Baja California Peninsula, México.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Cupedidae generaProlixocupes shares the -level traits of including -veined and elongated , but differs in specific antennal and body proportions diagnostic of the .
  • Other Archostemata familiesDistinguished from , , Crowsoniellidae, and by -level characters of including the structure of the and patterns.

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Conservation status

Both appear to have restricted ranges; P. latreillei has a relatively narrow latitudinal in South America, while P. lobiceps occupies arid regions of southwestern North America. No formal assessments were found in available sources.

Taxonomic history

established by Neboiss in 1960. The disjunct trans-Pacific distribution pattern is notable and shared with some other relictual groups, though the biogeographic of this pattern in Prolixocupes has not been explicitly studied in available literature.

First Mexican records

P. lobiceps was first documented from México (Baja California Peninsula) in 2012, representing the first records of both suborder and for the country.

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Sources and further reading