Cis subfuscus

Gorham, 1886

Cis subfuscus is a minute tree-fungus beetle in the Ciidae, first described by Gorham in 1886. It belongs to a group of small beetles specialized for life in fungal fruiting bodies, particularly polypore bracket fungi on dead and decaying wood. The has been documented in Central America and North America.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cis subfuscus: /sɪs sʌbˈfʌskəs/

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Habitat

Inhabits forest environments where decaying wood and fungal fruiting bodies are present. Like other members of the Cis, it is associated with polypore fungi (bracket fungi) growing on dead wood.

Distribution

Central America and North America.

Diet

Feeds on fungal tissues within polypore fruiting bodies.

Host Associations

Polypore fungi (bracket fungi) - /food sourceLarvae and develop within fungal fruiting bodies on decaying wood.

Ecological Role

Contributes to nutrient cycling in forest through association with wood-decay fungi. The helps process fungal and may facilitate spore .

Similar Taxa

Other Cis speciesMembers of the Cis are morphologically similar minute beetles with overlapping geographic ranges. Identification to level typically requires examination of genitalia and other subtle morphological characters.

More Details

Taxonomic note

The was described by Henry Stephen Gorham in 1886. Ciidae is a of approximately 500 described species worldwide, all associated with fungal fruiting bodies.