A review of the ectoparasitic Leptinus beetles of North America (Coleoptera: Leptinidae)

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Peck, Stewart B.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1982
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Bering Land Bridge; Alaska; Yukon
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z82-201; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z82-201

Leptinus beetles are facultative ectoparasites known to occur on 18 species of small mammals in North America. Leptinus americanus is restricted to the central United States, west of the Mississippi River. Its hosts and seasonality are unknown. Leptinus orientamericanus n.sp. is widespread east of the Mississippi River. It occurs on seven hosts, most frequently on Blarina brevicauda and Scalopus aquaticus and during fall and winter months. Leptinus occidentamericanus n.sp. has a range in western North America from California to Alaska and the Yukon. It occurs on 11 hosts, most frequently on Sorex trowbridgii, and during spring and fall months. A hypothesis of evolution is given for all nine species in the genus. It suggests a Palaearctic origin for the family and genus and an early Tertiary entry to North America by a Bering land bridge.