Heterelmis comalensis

Heterelmis comalensis is a rare species of beetle known by the common name Comal Springs riffle beetle. It is endemic to Texas in the United States, where it occurs in only two springs. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

Heterelmis comalensis

Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Elmidae
Genus:
Heterelmis
Species:
H. comalensis
Binomial name
Heterelmis comalensis
Bosse, Tuff, and Brown, 1988

Description

This beetle was described as a new species in 1988. It is about 2 mm (0.079 in) long.[1] It has nonfunctional wings and cannot fly.[2]

Habitat and conservation

The beetle lives in Comal Springs in Comal County and San Marcos Springs in Hays County, Texas.[3] It occurs in shallow water in the gravel substrate and in riffles.[2] It lives alongside other species such as the beetle Microcylloepus pusillus.[4]

The main threat to this rare species is the slow loss of the Edwards Aquifer, which has long been tapped for its water. The aquifer feeds the springs in which the beetle lives.[2] Some specimens are kept in captivity at the San Marcos National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center, and some larvae have been produced.[5]

References
  1. Bosse, L. S.; Tuff, D. W.; Brown, H. P. (1988). "A new species of Heterelmis from Texas (Coleoptera: Elmidae)". Southwestern Naturalist. 33 (2): 199–203. doi:10.2307/3671895. JSTOR 3671895.
  2. USFWS. Final Rule To List Three Aquatic Invertebrates in Comal and Hays Counties, TX, as Endangered. Federal Register December 18, 1997.
  3. Heterelmis comalensis. The Nature Conservancy.
  4. Bowles, D. E.; Barr, C. B.; Stanford, R. (2003). "Habitat and phenology of the endangered riffle beetle Heterelmis comalensis and a coexisting species, Microcylloepus pusillus, (Coleoptera: Elmidae) at Comal Springs, Texas, USA". Archiv für Hydrobiologie. 156 (3): 361–383. doi:10.1127/0003-9136/2003/0156-0361.
  5. Fries, J. F. (2003). "Possible reproduction of the Comal Springs riffle beetle (Coleoptera: Elmidae) in captivity" (PDF). Entomological News. 114 (1): 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-04.
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