Lepilius chisosensis
Anderson, 2012
Lepilius chisosensis is a weevil in the Curculionidae, described from the Chisos Mountains of Texas in 2012. It belongs to a of flightless weevils associated with high-elevation in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is known from a limited number of specimens and has been documented in coniferous forest environments.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Lepilius chisosensis: //lɛˈpɪliəs ˌkaɪsoʊˈsɛnsɪs//
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Identification
Lepilius chisosensis can be distinguished from by characters described in the original description, including features of the rostrum and elytral . As a member of Lepilius, it lacks functional wings and has the compact body form typical of flightless alpine weevils. Detailed identification requires comparison with the type series and reference to Anderson (2012).
Habitat
Coniferous forest in high-elevation mountain ranges.
Distribution
Known from the Chisos Mountains, Brewster County, Texas, USA. The Chisos Mountains are an isolated mountain range within Big Bend National Park.
Host Associations
- Pinus - possibly associatedLepilius are frequently associated with Pinus; specific records for L. chisosensis are not documented.
Similar Taxa
- Lepilius alpinusOverlaps in geographic region and shares flightless, high-elevation ; distinguished by morphological details of the rostrum and genitalia.
- Lepilius texanusAnother Texas in the same ; L. chisosensis is restricted to the Chisos Mountains while L. texanus occurs in the Davis Mountains.
More Details
Etymology
The specific epithet chisosensis refers to the Chisos Mountains, the type locality.
Conservation status
The restricted range within a single mountain range suggests potential vulnerability to changes, though no formal assessment has been conducted.