Dissochaetus oblitus

(LeConte, 1853)

Dissochaetus oblitus is a small carrion beetle in the Leiodidae, Cholevinae. It is one of three Dissochaetus occurring north of Mexico, representing an independent northward from Neotropical ancestors. A lectotype was designated for this species by LeConte. It is known from the eastern deciduous forest biome of the United States and southern Ontario.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dissochaetus oblitus: /dɪsoʊˈkiːtəs əˈblaɪtəs/

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Habitat

Eastern deciduous forest biome.

Distribution

Eastern United States (Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia) and southern Ontario, Canada.

Diet

Carrion scavenger.

Ecological Role

Carrion scavenger; contributes to decomposition processes.

Similar Taxa

  • Dissochaetus arizonensisOccurs in mountain forests of the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, west Texas, Wyoming), separated from D. oblitus by geography and type.
  • Dissochaetus mexicanusOccurs in montane forests of Big Bend, Texas; represents a separate northward from Neotropical ancestors.

More Details

Type specimen

A lectotype was designated for this , which was originally described as Catops oblitus by LeConte in 1853.

Sources and further reading