Sicilicula bergsteni, Perkins, 2017

Perkins, Philip D., 2017, Hydraenidae of Madagascar (Insecta: Coleoptera), Zootaxa 4342 (1), pp. 1-264 : 203-205

Sicilicula bergsteni , new species

Figs. 194 (habitus), 196 (aedeagus), 304 (map)

Type Material. Holotype (male): Fianarantsoa, 21.2263S 47.3694E, Matsiara Ambony, Ranomafana NP, tributary stream of Namorono river under bridge, Amboditanimena 2km from Vohiparara village, medium size stream, elev. 1120 m, 3 xi 2014, J. Bergsten, T. Ranarilalatiana & S. Holmgren ( MAD 14-11) ( NHRS). Paratypes: Same data as holotype (7 NHRS).

Differential Diagnosis. Similar to H. conjugalis in having the lateral lobes of the pronotum relatively small, convex, not margined, and lacking denticulations. Males of H. bergsteni are differentiated by the less markedly arcuate mesotibiae, whereas females are differentiated by the absence of a skirt of setae on the posterior border of the fifth ventrite. The general shape of the aedeagal main piece and parameres also show a relationship, but the distal processes of the two species differ markedly ( Figs. 196, 197 ).

Description. Size: holotype (length/width, mm): body (length to elytral apices) 1.66/0.63; head width 0.46; pronotum 0.38/0.51, PA 0.33, PB 0.35; elytra 0.98/0.63.

Dorsum black, maxillary palpi and legs brown.

Head with labrum/clypeus/frons length rations as 4/3/4. Labrum prominently bilobed, lobes reflexed, median raised area extended onto lobes, finely sparsely punctulate, interstices shining. Clypeus with anterior margin distinctly narrower than posterior. Clypeus and frons strongly shining, clypeus finely sparsely punctulate, frons even more sparsely punctulate, size of punctures much smaller than 1xef. Anteocellar sulci deep. Ocelli distinct.

Pronotum cordate, widest in front of middle; anterior angles obtuse, posterior rectangular; sides with lateral lobes convex, not margined, and not denticulate, sides behind lateral lobes finely margined; anterior margin shallowly arcuate over median 3/4, without hyaline border; discal reliefs strongly shining, very finely and very sparsely punctulate, without setae. Anterior and posterior ¼ and lateral lobes sparsely punctate. Discal foveae ( Fig. 194 ) large and deep, coarsely punctate.

Elytra with disc very slightly depressed in front of midlength, sutural interval raised over summit of posterior declivity, sides parallel in median area, weakly arcuate at posterior, widest near midlength, apices separately rounded; sides smooth, moderately explanate (but see female); posterior declivity gradual. Serial punctures large and deep, without discernable setae, on disc distinctly larger than largest pronotal punctures, interstices about 1xpd or slightly more; without granules. Series deeply striate-impressed, series one and two more weakly so than other series, becoming obsolete at posterior declivity. Intervals rounded, width on disc about 2–3xpd; intervals without setae.

Mentum and submentum finely, very sparsely punctulate; interstices shining. Metaventral disc with oval impression in basal 1/2. Thoracic ventrites and abdominal ventrites 1–5 clothed with dense setae except glabrous midlongitudinal prosternal ridge, glabrous dull mesoventral plaques and small glabrous strongly shining inverted V-shaped basomedian area on mesoventrite in front of intercoxal sternite. Ventrite 1 with weak sublateral and submedial basal carina on each side; ventrite 6 shining, with sparse short setae. Protibiae very slightly arcuate, mesotibiae more arcuate, metatibiae straight. Wings fully developed.

Aedeagus ( Fig. 196 ) length ca. 0.46 mm, main piece 0.28 mm, distal process beyond main piece 0.18 mm; main piece rather slender in lateral view; distal process arcuate, thickened in ca. middle 2/3, in both views, in lateral view thicker than main piece; setae of main piece rather long.

Females size (length/width, mm): body (length to elytral apices) 1.66/0.72; head width 0.45; pronotum 0.37/ 0.52, PA 0.35, PB 0.35; elytra 0.98/0.72. Elytra

with very wide explanate margin, widest at ca. posterior 2/3; posterior angles rounded in dorsal view; apices in posterior view forming angle with one another; sutural angles markedly dehiscent.

Etymology. Named in honor of the collector, Johannes Bergsten, originator and moving force behind the Malagasy aquatic beetle survey project.

Figures

FIGURE 194. Sicilicula bergsteni, habitus, holotype male dorsal (right) and lateral, and female paratype (left).

FIGURES 196 – 198. Sicilicula, aedeagi of holotypes, and spermatheca of S. teres holotype.