Sepedophilus testaceus

(Fabricius, 1792)

Sepedophilus testaceus is a small (: Tachyporinae) originally described from Europe and now established in North America as an . The species has undergone taxonomic revision, with several previously described North species (imbricatus, limuloides, elongatus) synonymized under this name. possess specialized morphological on the that facilitate capture. are associated with decaying matter and fungal .

Sepedophilus testaceus by (c) carnifex, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by carnifex. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sepedophilus testaceus: /sɛˌpiːdəˈfɪləs tɛsˈteɪsiəs/

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Identification

can be distinguished from other North Sepedophilus by male and the structure of the eighth abdominal and tergites. The species belongs to a species group characterized by specific morphological traits defined in the revision. are identifiable by specialized abdominal adapted for capture.

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Distribution

to Europe, Russia (including Siberia and the Far East), North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia), the Middle East (Turkey, Cyprus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Saudi Arabia), and Asia (Afghanistan, Japan, China, Taiwan). to North America, established in Canada (Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan) and widespread in the United States. Also recorded from Atlantic islands including Madeira and the Azores (Flores, Graciosa, Pico, São Miguel).

Behavior

exhibit -capture facilitated by specialized morphological structures on the . The specific mechanics of this prey-capture behavior have been documented in morphological studies.

Similar Taxa

Sepedophilus littoreusHistorically confused due to synonymy of knoxii and carissimus with littoreus; distinguished by male and abdominal /tergite structure
Sepedophilus cinctulusFormerly synonymized under opicus; now recognized as valid with distinct distribution and diagnostic characters
Sepedophilus opicus designated for this ; previously confused with cinctulus in literature

More Details

Taxonomic History

The North fauna of Sepedophilus was extensively revised, resulting in the synonymy of imbricatus Casey, limuloides Casey, and elongatus Blatchley under S. testaceus. The is placed in one of 12 defined species groups based on examination of Nearctic, Neotropical, and Palearctic faunas.

Nomenclatural Notes

The generic group names Sepedophilus Gistel, Conurus , Conosoma Kraatz, and Conosomus Motschulsky have been discussed in relation to this . The basionym Oxyporus testaceus Fabricius, 1792 reflects its original placement.