Proteinus limbatus
Mäklin, 1852
Proteinus limbatus is a small () in the Proteininae. It is known from and montane regions of North America, with records spanning Alaska and Canada south to the northern United States. The Proteinus contains diminutive often associated with decaying matter and fungal .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Proteinus limbatus: /proʊˈtiːnəs lɪmˈbætəs/
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Identification
Members of Proteinus are among the smallest staphylinids, usually under 3 mm. P. limbatus can be distinguished from congeneric by the combination of its North distribution and subtle differences in elytral coloration and antennal structure, though precise diagnostic characters require microscopic examination. The are short, exposing most of the flexible typical of .
Distribution
Recorded from Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan) and the United States (Alaska, Idaho, New Hampshire, Oregon, Washington). The distribution pattern suggests affinity for northern and montane forest environments.
Similar Taxa
- Proteinus ovalisOverlapping North range; distinguished by differences in body shape and male structure requiring dissection for reliable separation.
- Other Proteinus speciesMost congeneric require microscopic examination of and subtle morphometric characters for definitive identification.
More Details
Taxonomic note
The Proteinus is taxonomically challenging, with many described from limited material. Identification often relies on male dissection and comparison with .
Collection records
GBIF holds 9 iNaturalist observations as of data compilation date, indicating this is infrequently encountered or underreported, likely due to its minute size.