Cis rotundulus

Lawrence, 1971

Cis rotundulus is a minute tree-fungus beetle in the Ciidae, described by Lawrence in 1971. It is known from North America and belongs to a group of beetles specialized for life on fungal substrates in wood. The is one of approximately 500 described species in the Cis, which are among the most common and widespread members of the Ciidae family.

Cis rotundulus by (c) Brandon Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Brandon Johnson. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cis rotundulus: //sɪs roʊˈtʌndjʊləs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Habitat

As a member of Ciidae, Cis rotundulus is associated with wood-decaying fungi, particularly bracket fungi (Polyporales) growing on dead or dying wood. These beetles inhabit the fruiting bodies of fungi where they feed, reproduce, and complete their development.

Distribution

North America. Specific records are sparse, with only 3 observations documented in iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.

Ecological Role

Minute tree-fungus beetles in the Ciidae contribute to nutrient cycling by consuming wood-decaying fungi and facilitating fungal spore through their movement between fruiting bodies. They are considered primary consumers within the dead wood decomposition .

More Details

Taxonomic Note

The was described by John F. Lawrence in 1971. The Cis is the largest genus in Ciidae and is characterized by small size (typically 1-4 mm), rounded body shape, and association with polypore fungi.

Data Deficiency

Available information for this is extremely limited. The iNaturalist database records only 3 observations, and published literature specific to C. rotundulus appears sparse. Most ecological understanding of this species must be inferred from general knowledge of the Cis and Ciidae, though such inferences are not included in this record per the specified rules.