Xeropsamobeus
Saylor, 1937
Species Guides
5Xeropsamobeus is a of aphodiine dung beetles in the Scarabaeidae, containing approximately 10 described . The genus was established by Saylor in 1937. Species in this genus are native to arid regions of western North America, with several species described from desert in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Most species were described or revised by Gordon and Skelley in 2007.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Xeropsamobeus: //ˌzɛrəpˌsæmoʊˈbiːəs//
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Habitat
in this have been described from sandy desert and arid environments. Specific associations include: Xeropsamobeus arenicolus from sand dunes; Xeropsamobeus desertus from desert regions; Xeropsamobeus mohavei from the Mojave Desert; Xeropsamobeus padrei from the Algodones Dunes (also known as the Imperial Sand Dunes).
Distribution
Nearctic region, specifically western North America. Documented from the southwestern United States (California, Arizona, Nevada) and adjacent regions of Mexico. The shows a distribution pattern centered on desert systems of the American Southwest.
More Details
Etymology
The name Xeropsamobeus appears to derive from Greek roots: xero- (dry), psammo- (sand), and -beus (dweller), reflecting the genus's association with dry, sandy desert .
Taxonomic History
The was established by Saylor in 1937. A major revision by Gordon and Skelley in 2007 added five new (arenicolus, brighti, doyeni, mohavei, padrei) and clarified the of previously described species. Several species were transferred from other genera, including Psammodius and Aphodius.
Conservation Status
No in this have been evaluated for IUCN Red List status. Several species have restricted distributions associated with specific dune systems, which may make them vulnerable to loss from development and off-road vehicle activity.