Paratyndaris tucsoni

Knull, 1938

Paratyndaris tucsoni is a of jewel beetle ( Buprestidae) in the Polycestinae. It was described by Knull in 1938 and belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris) Fisher. The Paratyndaris is a southwestern and Mexican group of beetles that are often poorly represented in collections. A 2004 revision by Nelson & Bellamy recognized three subgenera within Paratyndaris and provided comprehensive taxonomic treatment of the genus.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Paratyndaris tucsoni: /ˌpærəˈtɪndərɪs tuːˈsoʊnaɪ/

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Identification

Members of the Paratyndaris can be distinguished from the related genus Tyndaris by their more robust body form and different antennal structure. Within Paratyndaris, in the subgenus P. (Paratyndaris) typically exhibit greater morphological diversity than those in other subgenera. Specific diagnostic features for P. tucsoni are not detailed in available sources, but the species can be identified using the key provided in Nelson & Bellamy (2004).

Distribution

The distribution of Paratyndaris tucsoni is not explicitly detailed in available sources. The Paratyndaris occurs primarily in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The specific epithet "tucsoni" suggests an association with the Tucson, Arizona region. GBIF records indicate presence in the Nearctic region, including North America and Middle America.

Similar Taxa

  • Paratyndaris prosopisBoth belong to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris) and share similar body plans. P. prosopis is the only species in the known to venture north and east beyond Texas, with records from Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi. P. prosopis has been associated with hackberry (Celtis), oak (Quercus), and mesquite (Prosopis) as larval . The two species can be distinguished by specific morphological characters detailed in Nelson & Bellamy (2004).
  • Paratyndaris anomalisAnother member of the subgenus P. (Paratyndaris) described by Knull. P. anomalis and P. tucsoni share the same subgeneric placement and were both described by the same author, suggesting potential similarity in overall and possibly geographic range.
  • Paratyndaris crandalliAlso in subgenus P. (Paratyndaris) and described by Knull. Like P. tucsoni, this is part of the diverse southwestern fauna of the and would require close examination to distinguish from .

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