cool Thalpius - Thalpius undescribed-one

This is undescribed Thalpius sp. 1

based on my physical examination of this specimen which is on loan to me from TAMU. It matches another south Texas specimen that I had received from Ed Riley and which now bears my manuscript name Thalpius "monilicornis". T. deceptor differs by antennomeres more squarish, dorsum much darker brown, elytra more robust and with dense dorsal setae much shorter. This additional specimen will certainly contribute to a formal descriptive account in a sequel paper on the Thalpius of North America which so far has four new species to report. Thank you.

… Peter W. Messer, 19 October, 2018 - 1:41pm

I believe I have another specimen, from a NEON pitfall trap

Hi Peter!
I believe I have another one of these that I just IDed from a pitfall trap in Wise County, TX, as part of the NEON project. Has your description of this species been published yet? If so, I would love to add to our list of identification resources!

… Abby Rankin, 3 February, 2023 - 12:48pm

This could be an exciting additional paratype

for my sequal paper which is still in rough manuscript form. Is there a way you could mail me this very important specimen for verification AND inclusion as a recorded paratype to be returned to NEON? I would gladly cover postage if the expense is personal.

… Peter W. Messer, 3 February, 2023 - 12:58pm

Excited that this is likely to be helpful!

It's definitely possible to get the beetle to you, but I'm not certain of the timeline for doing so, or if I would be able to ship it to you directly. The usual process is that I identify specimens in my office, then ship them to an external taxonomist (Dr. Kipling Will at Essig)for confirmation of the IDs, then they are sent to the NEON Biorepository at ASU where researchers can request them, but I can ask and see if there's any way I can expedite getting this specimen to you.

… Abby Rankin, 3 February, 2023 - 1:20pm

I correspond often with Dr. Kipling Will

on matters of Carabidae. I contacted him about your potential discovery here and asked if I can examine this specimen (others?) sooner than later. Thank you.

ADDENDUM: Abby's specimen is posted at https://bugguide.net/node/view/2216165. It certainly fits my concept of this undescribed species.

… Peter W. Messer, 3 February, 2023 - 4:23pm