Tasgius melanarius
(Heer, 1839)
Tasgius melanarius is a rove beetle in the Staphylinidae, native to Europe. It was formerly considered with Tasgius winkleri under the name Tasgius globulifer until taxonomic revision in 1987 split the two . Like other members of the , it is a predatory with the characteristic short and elongated of staphylinids. The species has been introduced to North America, with established in Canada and the northeastern United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Tasgius melanarius: /ˈtazɪəs ˌmɛləˈneɪriəs/
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Identification
Separation from the closely related Tasgius winkleri requires examination of minute setal characters, including length and placement of hairs on the body. Both are large rove beetles (approximately 10-12 mm) with short that leave most of the exposed. Males possess dilated front (expanded "feet"). Before 1987, both species were treated as Tasgius globulifer.
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Habitat
In its native European range, found in various terrestrial . The introduced North American occupy habitats including gardens, neighborhood parks, leaf litter, edges of wetlands, and moist under stones and boards. Seldom found far from human-disturbed environments.
Distribution
Native to Europe (including Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Belarus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Yugoslavia), Russia (European part), Turkey, and Kazakhstan. Introduced to North America: Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec) and USA (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington).
Similar Taxa
- Tasgius winkleriFormerly considered under the name Tasgius globulifer; distinguished by subtle setal characters. Both are large, European rove beetles introduced to North America.
- PlatydracusSuperficially similar large rove beetles; Tasgius were initially mistaken for Platydracus by observers unfamiliar with staphylinid diversity.
More Details
Taxonomic History
Before 1987, Tasgius melanarius was included within Tasgius globulifer, a name that also encompassed what is now recognized as Tasgius winkleri. The splitting of T. globulifer into two distinct resulted from taxonomic work recognizing overlooked character differences.
Introduction to North America
Unlike Tasgius winkleri, which was first detected in New York in 1938 and has spread westward to Illinois and Colorado, the introduction history and spread dynamics of T. melanarius in North America are less documented in available sources.