Rhadine caudata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rhadine caudata |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Rhadine
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| Species: |
caudata
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| Synonyms | |
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Platynus caudatus LeConte, 1863 |
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The Rhadine caudata is a special kind of beetle found in the eastern United States. It's known for living in very specific places, like certain types of forests. This beetle is also brachypterous, which means it cannot fly.
Scientists consider R. caudata a Vulnerable species. This means its population is at risk. It is especially vulnerable in states like Alabama and Virginia.
This beetle lives both on the surface and underground. Studying R. caudata and other beetles in its group, Rhadine, helps scientists learn about how life evolves underground. It also teaches us about regressive evolution, where animals lose features they no longer need, like wings. These beetles can also be biodiversity indicators, showing how healthy an environment is.
The Rhadine caudata was first officially named in 1863 by a scientist named John Lawrence LeConte. He first called it Platynus caudatus. Later, it was moved into the Rhadine group of beetles.
Where This Beetle Lives
Most of the 60 species in the Rhadine beetle group live underground. Almost all of them are found in the southwestern United States. However, the R. caudata is different. It has been found across a much wider area.
You can find R. caudata from Texas all the way to the east coast. It has also been seen as far north as Wisconsin. Even though it covers a large area, it is quite rare. It does not spread out very quickly.
This beetle is known to be common in only two places: the Cumberland Caverns and McElroy Cave in Tennessee. Scientists have found R. caudata in many states. These include Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. It has also been found in the District of Columbia.
