Dinacoma sanfelipe
Gillett, Osborne, Reil & Rubinoff, 2020
Dinacoma sanfelipe is a melolonthine scarab beetle to southern California, described in 2020 as the first new in the in 90 years. The genus Dinacoma is restricted to California and contains cryptic species that are difficult to distinguish. One (D. caseyi) is federally listed under the U.S. Act, and all known species in the genus may be of conservation concern.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Dinacoma sanfelipe: //ˌdaɪnəˈkoʊmə sæn fəˈlipeɪ//
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Identification
males can be distinguished from other Dinacoma using the dichotomous key provided in the original description. The species was described based on examination of 141 specimens across the , with diagnostic characters detailed in accompanying photographs.
Distribution
Southern California, USA.
Human Relevance
Member of a of potential conservation concern; one is federally endangered, suggesting similar may warrant protection.
Similar Taxa
- Dinacoma caseyiCongeneric in the same California ; D. caseyi is federally listed under the U.S. Act and is morphologically similar, requiring diagnostic keys for separation.
- Other Dinacoma speciesAll in this are cryptic and difficult to distinguish without detailed examination and identification keys.