Tmesiphorus carinatus
(Say, 1824)
Tmesiphorus carinatus is a of ant-loving beetle in the Staphylinidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. It belongs to the Pselaphinae, a group of small rove beetles characterized by their compact body form and association with colonies. The species is known from North America, with records spanning eastern and central United States and southern Ontario, Canada. As with other members of the Tmesiphorus, it is presumed to be myrmecophilous, living in close association with ants, though specific relationships remain undocumented.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Tmesiphorus carinatus: /tmiˈsɪfərəs kɑːrɪˈneɪtəs/
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Identification
Members of Tmesiphorus can be distinguished from other Pselaphinae by their characteristic body form with a distinct longitudinal carina (keel) on the , reflected in the epithet 'carinatus'. The is placed in the tribe Tmesiphorini based on antennal structure and abdominal . Specific identification of T. carinatus requires examination of male genitalia and subtle differences in pronotal and elytral sculpturing compared to . The species is most readily separated from Tmesiphorus costalis and other North American species by the form of the lobe of the and the pattern of elytral .
Distribution
Recorded from Canada (Ontario) and the United States (Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia). The distribution spans the eastern and central United States with a notable concentration of records in the Midwest and Southeast.
Behavior
Presumed myrmecophilous based on -level traits and the 'ant-loving beetle', though specific behavioral observations for this are not documented. Members of Tmesiphorus are typically found in nests or in close proximity to ant colonies.
Similar Taxa
- Tmesiphorus costalisOverlapping distribution in eastern North America; distinguished by differences in elytral costation and male genitalia structure.
- Tmesiphorus singularisSympatric in parts of the eastern United States; requires careful examination of pronotal shape and elytral microsculpture for separation.
More Details
Taxonomic History
First described by Thomas Say in 1824, placing it among the earliest described North American Pselaphinae. The has remained in Tmesiphorus throughout its taxonomic history, with no recorded transfers to other .
Collection Records
The 17 iNaturalist observations and museum records indicate it is infrequently encountered, likely due to its small size, cryptic habits in nests, and the specialized collecting techniques required for Pselaphinae.