Lithocharodes falini, Irmler, 2024

Irmler, Ulrich, 2024, Additions to Neotropical species of the genera Lithocharodes Sharp, 1881 and Somoleptus Sharp, 1881 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae), Contributions to Entomology 74 (1), pp. 13-34 : 13

Lithocharodes falini sp. nov.

Figs 4a-d , 19D

Material examined.

Holotype: SURINAME male; Marowijne Palumeu ; 3°20'56"N, 55°26'18"W: ca. 160 m elevation; flight intercept trap; 7-8 July 1999; Z. Falin leg., KNHM #SUR1F99 183.

Diagnosis.

The species resembles L. andersoni sp. nov. and may be the sister species of it in the Guyana region. It certainly belongs also to the L. hanagarthi sub-group. L. falini differs from L. andersoni by the proportion of the head. The head of L. falini is slightly shorter than in L. andersoni and, thus, the postocular sides are also shorter (PS:E ratio in L. falini 3.06 and in L. andersoni 3.73). In contrast, the parameres in L. falini are longer with C:A ratio 0.66 than in L. andersoni with C:A ratio 0.52.

Description.

Length: 4.26 mm; Colouration: completely black; legs and antennae lighter brown to yellowish-brown.

Head: 0.73 mm long, 0.61 mm wide; eyes slightly prominent; moderately large; PS:E ratio 3.7; postocular sides slightly divergent posteriorly; in posterior half semi-circular; interantennal furrows indifferent; setiferous punctation moderately deep and sparse; on average, interstices between punctures two to three times as wide as diameter of punctures; surface without microsculpture; polished; antennae with first antennomere elongate; slightly longer than half-length of head; second and third antennomere conical; longer than wide; combined half as long as first antennomere; following antennomere transverse; longer than wide; apically increasing in width. Pronotum: 0.92 mm long, 0.57 mm wide; widest in anterior third; narrowed to neck in convex curve; posteriorly, sides abruptly narrowed in middle; in posterior half nearly parallel; posterior angles sub-rectangular; posterior margin slightly convex; setiferous punctation as deep as on head, but slightly denser; on average, interstices between punctures 1-1.5 times as wide as diameter of punctures; narrow mid-line impunctate; surface without microsculpture; polished. Elytra: 0.82 mm long, 0.68 mm wide; humeral angles obtuse; posteriorly, sides slightly divergent; posterior angles sub-rectangular; posterior margin slightly retreated to suture; setiferous punctation as deep and dense as on head; on average, interstices between punctures twice as wide as diameter of punctures; surface without microsculpture; polished. Abdomen with fine and sparse setiferous punctation; surface without microsculpture; polished; sternite VII of male slightly emarginate at posterior edge; tergite VII of male at posterior edge straight; meso-tibia and meta-tibia with 4 ctenidia each. Aedeagus oval with sub-rectangular anterior angles; dorsal plate nearly covering central lobe; paramere long and slender; shortly curved at apex; numerous sensillae from base to apex.

Etymology.

The species name honours Zack Falin, who sampled extensively in the Neotropical Region and who also found this species.

Geography.

Suriname.

Ecology.

Unknown.

Figures

Figure 19. A. Fore-body of Lithocharodes andersoni; B. L. dubia; C. L. esmeraldae; D. L. falini; E. L. hansoni; F. L. hibbsi. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Figures 1 - 4. 1. Lithocharodes andersoni; 2. L. dubia; 3. L. esmeraldae; 4. L. falini. a. Aedeagus; b. Paramere; c. Sternite VII; d. Tergite VII. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (a, c, d); 0.1 mm (b).