Dinacoma

Dinacoma is a small genus of beetles in the scarab family (Scarabaeidae).
The genus Dinacoma includes two described species, D. caseyi and D. marginata.[1] Delbert La Rue, a researcher experienced with the genus Dinacoma and a taxonomic expert stated, "Dinacoma caseyi is a distinct species morphologically and comprises its own species group—the caseyi complex—the other [species group] being the marginata complex which includes the bulk/remainder of the genus".[2]
In 2006, entomologists indicated that there were two apparently new species or subspecies of Dinacoma, collected respectively from near the city of Hemet, California, and in the northwest portion of Joshua Tree National Park, California, at Covington Flats.[3] As of 2007, these specimens of Dinacoma have not been formally described in the scientific literature, but expert evaluation places them in the Dinacoma marginata species group.[2] La Rue (2006, p. 2) stated that Dinacoma caseyiis the most morphologically divergent and distinct species in the genus. The new specimens collected from the Hemet area are paler than Casey’s June beetle specimens and possess morphologically different genitalia.[4] Furthermore, the Little San Bernardino Mountains geographically isolate the new Dinacoma Joshua Tree population from all other known Dinacomaspecies.
Category:Animals
Category:Creatures