Introduced Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) in the Maritime Provinces of Canada

Abstract

AbstractThe fauna of introduced rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the Maritime Provinces of Canada is surveyed. Seventy-nine species have now been recorded. Of these, 73 have been found in Nova Scotia, 29 on Prince Edward Island, and 54 in New Brunswick. Twenty-five species are newly recorded in Nova Scotia, 16 on Prince Edward Island, and 10 in New Brunswick, for a total of 51 new provincial records. Of these, 15 species,Tachinus corticinusGravenhorst,Mycetoporus lepidus(Gravenhorst),Habrocerus capillaricornis(Gravenhorst),Aleochara(Xenochara)lanuginosaGravenhorst,Gnypeta caerulea(C.R. Sahlberg),Atheta(Microdota)amicula(Stephens),Cordalia obscura(Gravenhorst),Drusilla canaliculata(Fabricius),Deleaster dichrous(Gravenhorst),Coprophilus striatulus(Fabricius),Carpelimus subtilis(Erichson),Leptacinus intermediusDonisthorpe,Tasgius(Rayacheila)melanarius(Heer),Neobisnius villosulus(Stephens), andPhilonthus discoideus(Gravenhorst), are newly recorded in the Maritime Provinces. Two of these,Atheta(Microdota)amiculaandCarpelimus subtilis, are newly recorded in Canada.Leptacinus intermediusis removed from the faunal list of New Brunswick andPhilhygra botanicarumMuona, a Holarctic species previously regarded as introduced in North America, is recorded for the first time in the Maritime Provinces. An examination of when species were first detected in the region reveals that, on average, it was substantially later than comparable dates for other, better known families of Coleoptera — an apparent indication of the comparative lack of attention this family has received. Some introduced species appear to be associated with the dry-ballast mechanism of introduction to the continent, while others are synanthropic and may have been inadvertently introduced in connection with agriculture, horticulture, or other processes associated with human activities. A substantial number are now established and well distributed, seemingly indicative of an early introduction into the region, the ability to successfully colonize a habitat and disperse within it, or a combination of these factors. Other species appear to be local in distribution, perhaps indicative of more recent introductions, more restricted ecological tolerances, a lesser ability to disperse, or a combination of these factors. These recent discoveries are discussed briefly in the context of the importance of taxonomic research and ongoing monitoring in order to detect and identify exotic species and monitor for new introductions and changes in existing native or introduced populations — all important in terms of assessing the risk of introductions to, and their impact on, native faunas and habitats.