EUPLECTINI 85 



RHINOSCEPSIS (LeConte, 1878) 



LeConte (1878) 

 ScHAUFuss (1888) (Rhinosceptis) 

 Raffray (1898) (Rhynoscepsis) 

 Raffray (1904, 1908) (Rhinoscepsis) 

 Bowman (1934) 



As in the case of Rhexius, this is a genus of pselaphids which is found in 

 the subtropics of North America through the region of Florida, and again in 

 the Amazon basin and as far south as Argentina. Its dispersal is more discon- 

 tinuous, however, since no species is known from the whole of Central America. 



The genus is primitive in its structure, but has several highly specialized 

 characters, as has already been noted (PI. IX and X). The genotype {bistriatus 

 LeConte) appears to be relatively abundant in the St^inhatchee river drainage 

 of Florida, and differs in many particulars from the South American congeners. 

 This species has been discussed, and its gross anatomy figured so that other 

 species of the genus can be contrasted with it. 



All Rhinoscepsis have the head attenuated anteriorly to form a long rostrum 

 or antennal tubercle, with the antennae inserted subcontiguously at the apex of 

 this extension; again the vertex, sides of the head, and genae are usually crossed 

 by tortuous lateral sulci, as noted in the key to the tribe. The eyes are generally 

 small, almost rudimentary, in both sexes. The eleven-segmented antennae have 

 a moderately developed club, the distal segments of which are provided with 

 antennal cones. 



The cordiform pronotum usually has four foveae at basal margin, two 

 large foveae or foveoid depressions connected by a transverse sulcus, and a 

 longitudinal median sulcus more or less entire. Prosternum is not medianly 

 carinate. Sternal foveae are well developed, usually including lateral pro- 

 sternals, and meso-metasternal foveae II, III, IV, and V on each side. 



Each elytron has two basal foveae, entire sutural stria, subhumeral fovea ; 

 subepipleural carina and sulcus more or less developed. There may be a rudi- 

 mentary third basal fovea present. The dorsal stria is variable in extent. The 

 humeri are prominent, usually subdentate. 



Abdomen large and well developed. Six tergites visible, and both sexes have 

 seven stemites. The male has the seventh sternite primitive, divided into a right 

 and left pygidial plate, so that when these plates are appressed, their mesial 

 margins form a straight or arcuate "pygidial carina", as in Euplectus and 

 Acolonia, etc. The penis is large and bilaterally symmetrical in the genotype. 

 The female has the seventh sternite transversely triangular and small, or ovate- 

 rhomboidal with two converging carinae. Some females, at least, have the third 

 tergite prominently spined at apical margin. 



Prothoracic coxae primitive, elongate-conical and prominent; mesothoracic 

 and metathoracic coxae shorter, the former contiguous and the latter contiguous 

 or virtually so. 



Tarsi primitive for the euplectines, with a well-developed secondary tarsal 

 claw. 



