THE CATOPINAE (COLEOPTERA; LEIODIDAE) 
OF PUERTO RICO* 
By Stewart B. Peck 
Museum Comparative Zoology, Harvard University 
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 
Only three species of Catopinae have been reported from the 
Greater Antillean Islands: Dissochaetus portoricensis Hatch 1933 
from Puerto Rico; Ptomaphagus ( Adelops ) darlingtoni Jeannel 
1936 from Cuba; and Proptomaphaginus apodemus Szymczakowski 
1969 from Cuba. These three species are known from a total of 
four specimens. 
In December- January 1966-1967 I had the opportunity to collect 
in Puerto Rico and to begin field studies on the evolution and dis- 
tribution of West Indian Leiodidae. This paper reports on the 
Puerto Rican collections. Seventeen days were spent in the field. 
Twelve collecting visits were made to 1 1 caves along the north 
slope of the island. Carrion (rotted liver) and yeast baited pitfall 
traps were set in the moist forests of the eastern and central parts 
of the Island. The collecting stations yielding Catopinae are shown 
in fig. 1. Collected were 230 Dissochaetus portoricensis and 60 
specimens of a new species of Proptomaphaginus. Additional infor- 
mation is given for Cuban Proptomaphaginus. 
Dissochaetus portoricensis Hatch 1933 
Fig. 9 
Type: 1 female, El Yunque, Puerto Rico, alt. 2950', Feb. 1900, 
L. Stejneger leg., in U. S. National Museum. I have seen the 
type. 
Up to now the species was known only from the single type 
female. The collection of several males allows additional descrip- 
tion. 
Males. Total length 2. 1-2.3 mm., noticeably smaller than females 
(total length 2. 6-2. 8 mm.). Aedeagus elongate, narrowing gradually 
to tip, small notch at tip. Parameres long and thin, slightly reaching 
beyond tip of aedeagus, armed with two apical hairs. Both narrow 
and straight in side view. Internal sac with two thin chitinized 
pieces. Ligulae lacking. 
Zoogeography. The species seems to belong to the spinipes group 
* Manuscript received by the editor , May 6, 1970. 
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