Ambrysus pulchellus
Montandon, 1897
Ambrysus pulchellus is a creeping water bug in the Naucoridae, part of the A. pulchellus characterized by distinctive male phallosoma and medial lobes of abdominal VIII. The exhibits the widest distribution within the subgenus Ambrysus, spanning parts of both the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographic realms. Recent taxonomic revision has synonymized the A. pulchellus nitidulus and A. pulchellus pallidulus with the nominate form, and documented new country records from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ambrysus pulchellus: /ˈæmbrɪsəs pʊlˈkɛləs/
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Identification
The A. pulchellus is diagnosed by unifying features of male phallosoma and the medial lobes of abdominal VIII. within the complex can be distinguished using morphological characters presented in the taxonomic key by Sites et al. (2017). Ambrysus pulchellus specifically can be differentiated from A. buenoi, A. californicus, and A. vanduzeei by geographic distribution and associated morphological traits.
Images
Distribution
Widest distribution in subgenus Ambrysus Stål, spanning parts of the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographic realms. Documented from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama in Central America (new country records), with broader distribution across Middle America and North America. Related in the complex have more restricted ranges: A. buenoi in Mexico and the United States, A. californicus to coastal ranges of California, and A. vanduzeei endemic to the Baja California Peninsula.
Similar Taxa
- Ambrysus buenoiMember of same ; distinguished by distribution in Mexico and United States versus broader Central American range of A. pulchellus
- Ambrysus californicusMember of same ; to coastal California ranges versus widespread distribution of A. pulchellus
- Ambrysus vanduzeeiMember of same ; to Baja California Peninsula versus broader range of A. pulchellus
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
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