GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN THE NORTH AMERICAN TIGER BEETLE, CICINDELA H1RTICOLLIS SAY, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF FIVE NEW SUBSPECIES (COLEOPTERA: CICINDELIDAE)

• Published in: The Canadian Entomologist
• Main Authors: Graves, Robert C., Krejci, Mark E., Graves, Anne C.F.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1988
• Subjects: Insect Science; Molecular Biology; Physiology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Structural Biology; Pacific; Lake Athabasca
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/ent120647-7; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0008347X00041511

Abstract Cicindela hirticollis Say 1817 is associated with shoreline and riverine sand deposits and is widely distributed in North America. Geographic variation in this species was analyzed by multivariate analysis of size, elytral markings, and color data obtained from some 4000 specimens from 75 sites throughout the species distribution. Eleven subspecies are recognized and discussed: C.h . hirticollis Say, gravida LeC., ponderosa Thorns., abrupta Csy., rhodensis Calder, corpuscula Rumpp, shelfordi , athabascensis , coloradula , couleensis , and siuslawensis Graves. Possible Pleistocene réfugia, and redistribution of the species following continental glaciation are discussed. Theoretical advantages of certain variants in particular climates or on certain substrates, are considered. Cicindela hirticollis has been eliminated or is endangered in many of its former habitats due to human activities. Five new subspecies are described: C . h . shelfordi (type locality: Guthrie, OK) which inhabits the Great Plains region; C . h . athabascensis from the Lake Athabasca Sand Dunes of Saskatchewan and Alberta; C . h . coloradula from the Little Colorado River, AZ; C . h . couleensis (type locality: Vantage, WA) which is distributed in the Columbia–Snake river system of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho; and C . h . siuslawensis (type locality: Florence, OR) which inhabits the Pacific coast of Oregon and Washington.