Call for specimens/records of a new species of Rhadine.

Rhadine authority Thomac C. Barr and I are in the process of describing a new species of the subterranean genus Rhadine. It is tentatively named "Rhadine nebraskana" for good reason. We are aware of only four such specimens (just males!) from Nebraska prairies in Hooker Co. and Banner Co. All were taken from pitfalls presumably near mammal burrows, most likely that of pocket gophers. Our paper could include a key to other members of the larvalis species group sensu Barr (1974).

Some key external traits of this new species are as follows:
1) coloration is uniformly blackish (mature adults of most species are pale); 2) relatively large (apparent body length 11.5 - 13 mm); 3) elytral apices are not acutely prolonged; 4) mentum without a pair of prominent pubescent foveae (circular pits).

We are requesting additional specimens for loan study and collection records that expand its range. Please reply here or privately by e-mail (see my profile) if you are aware of such specimens in your personal collection or in an institutional collection. We suspect that more "gopher hole pairies" of north-central North America are home to Rhadine nebraskana and possibly other undescribed species. Thank you.

Contributed by Peter W. Messer on 31 January, 2011 - 12:40pm
Last updated 14 March, 2011 - 12:46pm

Thomas C. Barr Jr. left us April 29, 2011

at age 79 after suffering an untimely heart attack. My wishes are with his family as funeral is planned tomorrow 5/5/2011 in Nashville TN. We can deal with Tom's huge pile of unfinished entomology work later. I for one will miss Tom's friendship and professional expertise.

… Peter W. Messer, 4 May, 2011 - 10:51am

Rhadine nebraskana update:

Work on Rhadine nebraskana has been stalled for the past one year as the type specimens and corresponding unfinished document (in electronic form) remain "lost" somewhere among Thomas Barr's vast beetle collection and maze of computer files which were deposited in the Carnegie Museum Natural History (Pittsburgh, PA) for safe keeping. Museum curators there are (understandably) too busy to search for and provide me with the missing material. I suppose I could make the difficult travel to the museum and spend a few days personally searching the collection. I do not know when, if ever, work in earnest will proceed again to publish this undescribed species. Disheartened.

… Peter W. Messer, 22 August, 2012 - 8:33am

That sucks...

I hope you'll be able to pick up the project again soon.

… Brad Barnd, 23 August, 2012 - 2:54pm

Oct/2012: name changed to Rhadine "barri" n. sp.

Regarding unpublished Rhadine "nebraskana" n. sp. (Barr & Messer), I am happy to report that many paratype specimens (including the three from Chadron College) have been secured thanks to diligent searching by Robert Davidson (CMNH). In our productive meeting last week, Bob and I decided that future description of Rhadine "barri" (new epithet) will be redirected to authors Messer & Davidson. Naming the species after Thomas Barr, Jr is a nice way of honoring his contribution.

… Peter W. Messer, 30 October, 2012 - 9:19am

Wonderful news, Peter.

Good to know that both this new species and Mr. Barr will be recognized. Let us know when your description paper is published.

… Wisconsin Oecanthinancy, 30 October, 2012 - 10:17pm

would be nice to have a separate Coleoptera forum

-- e.g., for this kind of things that will be buried here in no time :(

the arachnologists are really lucky to have one of their own

… v belov, 31 January, 2011 - 1:16pm

I have family in Pittsburgh

and at some time I do plan on visiting.....and I know what to look for. I certainly could see if I could get something planned for when I do eventually get there.

… Guy A. Hanley, 24 August, 2012 - 2:45pm

Thanks Guy

for keeping my quest in the back of you mind when traveling to Pittsburgh. I took the liberty today of forwarding to you a flurry of related correspondences that help explain the situation and how the type specimens are labelled.

… Peter W. Messer, 24 August, 2012 - 4:20pm

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