RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1880. [Note on Psephenus darwinii.] In C. O. Waterhouse, Descriptions of new Coleoptera belonging to the families Psephenidae and Cyphonidae. Cistula Entomologica 2: 563-573, p. 563.
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed and edited by John van Wyhe 4.2023. RN1
NOTE: See Smith, Kenneth G. V. 1987. Darwin's insects: Charles Darwin's entomological notes, with an introduction and comments by Kenneth G. V. Smith. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Historical Series. vol. 14 (1): 1-143.
[page] 563
Psephenus Darwinii, n. sp.
Fuscus, sat nitidus, subtilissime pilosus; thoracis angulis posticis acutis, pedibus sordide testaceis. Long. 2 ½ lin.
Closely resembles P. Lecontei, but is at once distinguished by the thorax being broadest at the posterior angles, which are moreover very acute. The apical joint of the maxillary palpi much smaller than in P. Lecontei. Thorax gently convex, very finely and very closely punctured, bisinuate at the base. Elytra densely and finely punctured, with traces of three or four obtuse costae on each.
Hab. Rio Janeiro.
A single example taken by Mr. Charles Darwin in May, 1832, during the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle; it has the following note respecting it, "habits the same as Elmis, living under stones in running water."
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 17 April, 2023