Catops geomysi
Peck & Skelley, 2001
Catops geomysi is a small carrion beetle in the Leiodidae, described by Peck & Skelley in 2001. It belongs to the Catops, a group of beetles associated with decaying organic matter and small mammal burrows. The is known from scattered records across the south-central and southeastern United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Catops geomysi: /ˈkætɒps dʒiːˈɒmɪsaɪ/
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Identification
The specific epithet 'geomysi' indicates an association with pocket gophers ( Geomys), distinguishing this from . As a member of Catopina, it is small-bodied with reduced or absent , typical of subterranean-adapted leiodids. Positive identification requires examination of male genitalia and comparison with described type material.
Distribution
Recorded from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas in the United States.
Host Associations
- Geomys - commensal or associated withSpecific epithet and known of suggest association with pocket gopher burrow systems
Similar Taxa
- Catops spp. in the same share small size, reduction, and general habitus; require genitalic examination for separation
More Details
Etymology
The name 'geomysi' derives from Geomys, the of pocket gophers, reflecting the species' presumed ecological association with these rodents.
Taxonomic history
Described in 2001, making it a relatively recently recognized within a that has undergone significant revision.