Sphaeropthalma triangularis ( Blake, 1871 )

Sphaeropthalma triangularis ( Blake, 1871)

Agama triangularis Blake, 1871 . Amer. Ent. Soc., Trans. 3: 262. ♂. Holotype data: Nevada ( ANSP).

Diagnosis of male. This species is easily recognized by the lobe-like projections on the hind coxae. Other useful characters include the triangular shaped posterior margin of the head, the weakly excised mandible (see Pitts et al. 2009: Fig. 40), the lack of mesosternal processes, and the unique triangulate posterior projection of the apex of the hind tibia. Genitalia are illustrated by Pitts et al. (2009: Fig. 26).

Diagnosis of female. This species has the dorsum of the body covered with sparse erect brachyplumose setae, but the integument is not obscured; the ventral margin of the mandible has a slight excision, but lacks a long erect tooth at the termination of the dorsal carina; the head below eyes is parallel; the head evenly rounded in lateral view; the first metasomal segment is sessile with the second segment; and the pygidium is longitudinally striate.

Material examined. Holotype data: Nevada ( ANSP) . JTNP: 18–21.Jul.2012: 1 ♂ N5. 26–28.Oct.2012: 1 ♂ S9.

Distribution. USA ( Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Texas) and northern Mexico ( Baja California and Sonora).

Activity. This species is seemingly rare at JTNP.

Remarks. This species is placed in its own species-group ( Pitts & Sadler 2015), and seems to be closely related to members of the S. unicolor species-group (e.g. Pitts et al. 2010b). It also seems to be more abundant at the northern extent of its range ( Table 2 & 3; Pitts et al. 2009, 2010a; Wilson et al. 2010; Boehme et al. 2012).