Selonodon compositus
(Fall, 1934)
Selonodon compositus is a of in the Cebrionidae, to the southern United States. The species was originally described by Fall in 1934 and has undergone taxonomic revision, with three former species (S. emarginatus, S. knausi, and S. bruesi) now synonymized under this name. As a member of the Selonodon, it belongs to a group of 25 recognized species within this North genus.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Selonodon compositus: /ˌsɛloʊˈnoʊdɒn kəmˈpoʊsɪtəs/
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Identification
Diagnostic characters for Selonodon include male genitalic structures and specific patterns of pronotal and elytral sculpturing. S. compositus can be distinguished from by features detailed in the taxonomic revision, though specific field identification characters for this species are not documented in available sources.
Distribution
Southern United States. Specific state records associated with this and its synonyms include Texas, though precise distribution boundaries remain incompletely documented.
Similar Taxa
- Selonodon appalachiensis in the same , distinguished by male genitalic characters and geographic distribution (Georgia)
- Selonodon archboldi in the same , to Florida, distinguished by specific diagnostic characters
- Selonodon depressifrons in the same , Texas , similar regional distribution to S. compositus
More Details
Taxonomic History
This has a complex taxonomic . Fall (1934) originally described S. compositus from material in Texas. Three subsequently described species—S. emarginatus (Schaeffer), S. knausi (Van Dyke), and S. bruesi (Werner)—were synonymized with S. compositus in the 1994 revision by Etzler and Johnson. These synonymies reflect the difficulty of distinguishing Selonodon species based on external alone.
Phylogenetic Placement
places S. compositus within one of six recognized groups in the . The revision by Etzler and Johnson (1994) provides a preferred and analyzes species relationships, though the exact placement of S. compositus within its species group requires reference to the original phylogenetic analysis.