Abacetus (Caricus) alluaudi Tschitscherine 1899

Abacetus alluaudi is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Pterostichinae.^[1] It was described by Tschitscherine in 1899.^[1] A. alluaudi is found in Cote d'Ivoire, Africa.^[2] A. alluaudi is a shiny black beetle, with an unusual upper jaw (mandible) which is more likely found in Caelostomus species.^[2]

Taxonomy and Phylogeny

A. alluaudi is named after the French entomologist Charles A. Alluaud who first collected the species.^[2]

Description

Colour and Markings

A. alluaudi is a shiny black colour with iridescent wings.^[2] The line of the junction between the prothorax and the wings and the associated lateral edges, have a reddish tinge.^[2] The legs and mouth feelers are a dull yellow brown to red in colour.^[2] The antenna are a dark reddish-brown.^[2]

Head features

Upper jaw is very slightly arched, similar to Celostomus species.^[2] Head is of medium size and smooth with short frontal impressions.^[2] Rear of the beetles head strongly diverges from the base.^[2] Female beetles have convex and protruding eyes.^[2] A. alluaudi has long antennae extending from the shoulders with a large first segment, which is at least as long as the next two combined.^[2]

Distribution and Habitat

The species was originally collected by Charles A. Alluaud from Assinie, Cote d'Ivoire, Africa.^[2] No other locations are known.

Very little is known about the habitat of A. alluaud, however, based on the collection records, the species is predominately found in a tropical savanna climate (Aw).^[3] Tropical savannas comprises grassland with isolated trees and shrubs and are generally found between tropical rainforest and desert biomes.^[4]

Assinie

Assinie (Ivory Coast)

References

Abacetus alluaudi is een keversoort uit de familie van de loopkevers (Carabidae).^[1] De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1899 door Tschitscherine.