Silusa alternans
Sachse, 1852
Silusa alternans is a small rove beetle in the Aleocharinae, previously known from Georgia and New York, with range now extended to Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and New Hampshire. The was synonymized with Silusa valens Casey in a 2002 revision of Nearctic Silusa. A lectotype was designated from original syntype material. Like other aleocharine rove beetles, it likely inhabits moist microhabitats in forested environments, though specific ecological data remain sparse.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Silusa alternans: //sɪˈluːsə ælˈtɜrnænz//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from other Nearctic Silusa by external and genital characters detailed in Klimaszewski (2002). The species can be identified using the provided key to Canadian Silusa species, with and illustrations of and genitalia available in the revision. Silusa valens Casey is now considered .
Distribution
Eastern North America: USA (Georgia, New Hampshire, New York) and Canada (Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia). Distribution records greatly expanded from historical Georgia and New York records.
Similar Taxa
- Silusa valens CaseyFormerly described as distinct , now synonymized with S. alternans based on morphological examination.
- Other Nearctic Silusa speciesRequires examination of genital characters and external ; distinguished in the 2002 revision key.
More Details
Type specimen
Lectotype newly designated from syntype material by Klimaszewski (2002) to stabilize .
Nomenclatural history
Silusa valens Casey synonymized with S. alternans; S. alternans lectotype designation clarifies identity of this historically confused .