Odontotaenius floridanus

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Odontotaenius floridanus
Odontotaenius floridanus, adult
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Passalidae
Genus: Odontotaenius
Species:
O. floridanus
Binomial name
Odontotaenius floridanus

Odontotaenius floridanus is a beetle of the family Passalidae. It is endemic to Lake Wales Ridge in Florida.[1]

The intriguing aspect of this species lies in its potential evolution, suggesting that it may have emerged as a distinct population during periods of elevated sea levels, effectively isolating it from its mainland counterparts.

Description[edit]

Odontotaenius floridanus adult individuals can range in size from 30 to 40 mm. These beetles have a glossy black body and present golden hair on their legs, antennae and pronotum. A series of 10 to 15 indentations can be seen on the upper abdomen (elytra), while the upper thorax is vertically divided into two equal segments by a deep groove. The antennae are composed of 10 segments, the 3 distal ones forming a structure defined as a "lamellated club". The single horn is situated between the eyes and points forward. The lifespan of adult Odontotaenius floridanus is up to a year. A distinctive feature of these type of beetles is that they produce a screeching noise when disturbed.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Jack C. Shuster (December 1994). "Odontotaenius floridanus New Species (Coleoptera: Passalidae) A Second U.S. Passalid Beetle". Florida Entomologist. 77 (4): 474–479. doi:10.2307/3495701. JSTOR 3495701.
  2. ^ Bibbs, Christopher S.; Hodges, Amanda C.; Baldwin, Rebecca W. (2010). "Horned passalus - Odontotaenius disjunctus (Illiger)". Entomology & Nematology. University of Florida. Retrieved 14 March 2021.