Horologion hubbardi
| Horologion hubbardi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Adephaga |
| Family: | Carabidae |
| Genus: | Horologion |
| Species: | H. hubbardi |
| Binomial name | |
| Horologion hubbardi Harden & Davidson, 2024 | |
Horologion hubbardi, or Hubbard's hourglass beetle, is an eyeless trechine beetle collected from caves in Virginia.
Description and habitat
Horologion hubbardi was described by Curt W. Harden and Robert L. Davidson in 2024 based on specimens collected from caves in Virginia. All of the specimens were found in or near drip pools and most of these were deceased, leading the authors to speculate that H. hubbardi is not a true cave dweller but an inhabitant of the overlying epikarst occasionally washed down into caves.[1]
The scientific name of the species was chosen in honor of David A. Hubbard Jr., the speleobiologist who collected the first known specimen.[1]
Morphology
Horologion hubbardi has an hourglass-shaped body with short appendages; the latter may be advantageous in that they allow the beetle to more easily navigate through small crevices between layers of rock.[1]
Collected specimens ranged from 3.16 – 3.20 mm in length.[1]
Status
As of 2026, the Hubbard's hourglass beetle is considered critically imperiled by the state of Virginia (i.e. at very high risk of extirpation).[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Harden, Curt W.; Davidson, Robert L.; Malabad, Thomas E.; Caterino, Michael S.; Maddison, David R. (2024-01-08). "Phylogenetic systematics of the enigmatic genus Horologion Valentine, 1932 (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechinae, Horologionini), with description of a new species from Bath County, Virginia". Subterranean Biology. 48: 1–49. Bibcode:2024SubBi..48....1H. doi:10.3897/subtbiol.48.114404. ISSN 1314-2615.
- ↑ Roble, Steven (June 2026). "Natural Heritage Resources of Virginia: Rare Animals" (PDF). Natural Heritage Rare Species Lists (2026-Summer). Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, Virginia.