Valiability of Zophobas rugipes Kirsch (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tenebrioninii) in Cuba.

Abstract

The blind click-beetles are the larger tenebrionids of Cuba. In our territory there are two species described, Zophobas rugipes Kirsch with a wide distribution in other West Indies, Central and South America, and Z. cubanus Marcuzzi, endemic to Cuba. Other authors had exposed the variability of Z. rugipes. We have compared all the available material from Cuban collections and have reached the conclusion that the diagnostic characters exposed for Z. cubanus, based on a small series, are not valid. Therefore, we consider this taxon as an individual variation of Z. rugipes, and synonymize Z. cubanus under Z. rugipes.