Epuraea mayendorfii ( Reitter, 1873 )

Jelínek, Josef, Leschen, Richard A. B. & Hájek, Jiří, 2017, Revision of Epuraea of New Zealand (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae (Acta. Ent. Mus. Natl. Pragae) 57 (2), pp. 617-644 : 632-636

Epuraea mayendorfii ( Reitter, 1873)

( Figs 7–8 , 31–36 )

Nitidula lateralis White, 1846: 8 (original description); primary junior homonym, not N. lateralis C. R. Sahlberg,

1820: 77 = Cryptarcha strigata (Fabricius, 1787) . Nitidula mayendorfii Reitter, 1873: 44 (new substitute name for N. lateralis White, 1846 ). Epuraea zealandica Sharp, 1878: 48 (original description), syn. nov. Epuraea lateralis: GROUVELLE (1913) : 109 (as synonym of E. antarctica ( White, 1846)) . Epuraea mayendorfi [sic!]: GROUVELLE (1913): 109 (as synonym of E. antarctica ( White, 1846)) .

Type locality. Nitidula lateralis : ‘ New Zealand (Kandy Wood)’. Epuraea zealandica : ‘Tairua’ [Coromandel].

Type material examined. Nitidula lateralis : HOLOTYPE: ♀ ( BMHN), ‘ Type [p, red circle] // N. Zeal [hw, circular label] // Nitidula lateralis . White / Zool. Erebus & Terror [hw]’.

Epuraea zealandica : LECTOTYPE: J ( BMNH) by present designation, mounted on same label with ♀ paralectotype, bearing handwritten inscription: ‘ Epuraea zealan- / dica / Types. D.S. [David Sharp] / Tairua, Broun // Type / H.T. [p, red circle] // Tairua / New Zealand / Broun [p] // Sharp Coll. / 1905-313 [p] // Paralectotypus Epuraea / ♀ zealandica / Broun [sic!] / design. Kirejtshuk, 1993 / Lectotypus Epuraea / J zealandica / Broun [sic!] / design. Kirejtshuk, 1993 [double red label, partly hand-written]’.

Additional material examined. NEW ZEALAND: NORTH ISLAND: AK: Titirangi, 20.iii.[19]13, A.E. Brookes coll., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Waiwera, 7.xii.[19]61, G. Kuschel lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Whangaparapara [ Great Barrier Island ], 17.–29.i.[19]30, A.E. Brookes coll., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Cosseys Cr., ex Nikau, 21.v.[19]60, J.C. Watt lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Waitakere Ranges , Karekare-Whaitipu reserve, 37°00.0–00.6′S, 174°28.6–29.0′E, 12 m, 2.i.2016, sand dunes with coastal vegetation in brackish coastal pools, J. Hájek & P. Hlaváč lgt., 1 spec. ( NMPC). BP: Papatea, Malaise trap, 4.xii.1992 – 5.ii.1993, J. S. Dugdale lgt., 2 spec. ( NZAC). CL: Mt. Te Aroha, 975 m, under rotten bark Pseudopanax colensoii , 23.x.[19]67, J.C. Watt lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Coromandel Pen., Kopu Rd. , leaf litter, 17.iii.[19]67, R.A.Cumber lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC). GB: Te Urewera NP, Lake Waikaremoana Motorcamp, 38°45.3′S, 177°09.4′E, 600 m, 22.–26.xi.2012, A. Becker, M. Fikáček & J. Hájek lgt., 17 spec. ( NMPC) ; Te Urewera NP, Lake Waikaremoana , Black Beech Track, 38°45.2′S, 177°09.7′E, 600 m, 22.–26.xi.2012, A. Becker, M.Fikáček & J. Hájek lgt., 11 spec. ( NMPC). ND: Unuwhao, 2000 ft., 3.xi.[19]67, Freycinetia fruit, J.McBurney, 2 spec. ( NZAC) ; Spirits Bay , Waipuna Sth, ex Nikau [= Rhopalostylis sapida ], xi.[19]67, J.I. Townsend lgt., 3 spec. ( NZAC) ; Spirits Bay , Rd. to Tom Bowling Bay, Rhopalostylis sapida , 17.i.[19]66, A.K. Walker lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Waipoua Beach, at light, 13.x.[19]67, J.C. Watt lgt, 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; same data, but 12.x.[19]67, 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Waipoua S.F., camp at night, x.[19]67, J.S. Dugdale lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Waipoua S.F., dead nikau [= Rhopalostylis sapida ] ‘fronds’, 7.–16.vi.[19]66, J.C. Watt & J.I. Townsend, 9 spec. ( NZAC) ; Waipu, i.[19]14, A.E. Brookes coll., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Hope, 23.ii.[19]14, T. Broun coll., 2 spec. ( NZAC) ; Mt. Manau , Whangarei Heads , Vitex lucens litter, 14.iii.[19]70, B.M. May lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC). TO: Ruapehu , Tk to Silica springs, 4200 ft., on Silver tussock, 23.ii.[19]65, L.P. Marchant lgt., 2 spec. ( NZAC) ; Kaimanawa Forest Park, Te Iringa Track , 38°95614–96031°S, 176.22031–22234°E, 785–850 m, 23.–25.xi.2016, M. Fikáček & M. Seidel lgt., 4 spec. ( NMPC). WN: Orongorongo Field Station, 450 ft., on mossy trunks at night, 20.–21.v.[19]69, 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Tarauna Forest Park, Waiohine Gorge , Lower Waiohine Tk. , 40.993–995°S, 175.388–389°E, 180 m, 28.–30.xi.2016, Fikáček & Seidel lgt., 1 spec. ( NMPC). WO: Okauia, Matamata, infesting cockfoot seed, iii.1924, A.E. Brookes coll., 1spec. ( NZAC) ; Okauia, 1.ii.[19]25, A.E. Brookes coll., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Okauia, Brooks, Fungus, 29.xii.[19]47, A.E. Brookes coll., 3 spec. ( NZAC). SOUTH ISLAND: BR: Punakaikai, 1.iv.[19]34, E.S. Gourlay lgt., 4 spec. ( NZAC) ; Matakitaki Road , 20.8 km S of Murchinson, 41.98669°S, 172.33959°E, 390 m, 3.–9.xii.2016, M. Fikáček & M. Seidel lgt., 1 spec. ( NMPC). CO: Piano Flat, 45°33.02′S, 169°1.16′E, 220 m, 2.–9.ii.2016, M. Seidel, V. Sýkora & M. Fikáček lgt., 5 spec. ( NMPC) ; Springvale , 45°08.17′S, 169°25.2′E, 362 m, 17.ii.2016, M. Seidel lgt., 1 spec. ( NMPC). DN: Owaka, 15.i.[19]59, E.S. Gourlay lgt., 2 spec. ( NZAC) ; Paparoa National Park, Pororari River Valley, E Punakaiki , 6.ii.1997, Schuh & Lang lgt., 2 spec. ( NHMW). FD: Routeburn, A.E. Brookes coll., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Paekakariki, 12.viii.[19]22, J.G.M., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; West Arm , Lake Manapouri, light trap, i.[19]70, A.C. Eyles lgt., 2 spec. ( NZAC) ; West Arm , Manapouri, light trap, i.[19]70, A.C. Eyles lgt., 3 spec. ( NZAC) ; Borland Road , 0.8 km of its end at Lake Manapouri, 45°35.52′S, 167°22.07′E, 170 m, 24.–27.i.2016, M. Seidel, V. Sýkora & M. Fikáček lgt., 1 spec. ( NMPC) ; Borland Walk at Borland Lodge, 45°46.35′S, 167°32.18–25′E, 180 m, 23.–28.i.2016, M. Seidel & M. Fikáček lgt., 1 spec. ( NMPC). MB: Kenepuru Sd, 3.viii.[19]67, F. Alack lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC). MC: Algidus, 9.x.[19]13, A.E. Brookes coll., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Algidus, 14.x.[19]13, T. Broun coll., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Mt. Hutt , Awa Awa Rata Reserve, 400–700 m, 26.i.1997, Schuh & Lang lgt., 1 spec. ( RSCW) ; Marlborugh Hammer Forest Park , Upper part of Waterfall Track, 42.49552°S, 172.84073°E, 640 m, 7.–9.xii.2016, M. Fikáček & M. Seidel lgt., 10 spec. ( NMPC). NN: Mount Arthur, T. Broun coll., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; W. Nelson, S. Island, leaf mould, vii.[19]44, A.A. Prouse coll., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Oparara, 13.–19.xi.[19]57, E.S. Gourlay lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Whangamoa, 700 ft., Neopana arboretum, 29.xi. [20]03, G. Kuschel lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Whangapeka Vall., 25.ii.34, E.S. Gourlay lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Whangamoa Ridge, 1 m. Sth of Saddle , 335 m, 21.ix.[19]71, J.I. Townsend lgt., 2 spec. ( NZAC) ; Whangamoa, under bark Nothofagus fusca logs, 1.ix.[19]66, J.C. Watt lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Mt. Earnslaw , 9.i.[19]45, E.S. Gourlay lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Nelson, 18.v.[19]24, E.S. Gourlay lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Kaihoka lakes, 12.i.[19]66,A.K. Walker lgt., 3 spec. ( NZAC) ; Nelson, Paturau R., on Rhopalostylis sapida , 21.i.[19]72, G. Kuschel lgt., 8 spec. ( NZAC) ; Nelson, Karamea, ex dead Rhopalostylis sapida sheath, 14.x.[19]71, J.C. Watt lgt., 2 spec. ( NZAC). OL: Makarora , Haast Pass , 300–500 m, malt trap, 21.–24.i.1978, S. & J. Peck lgt., 5 spec. ( NZAC). SD: Orr Hill , French Pass, Nikau, 25.iv.[19]63, G. Kuschel lgt., 2 spec. ( NZAC) ; Forsyth Isl. , 8.xi.[19]49, E.S. Gourlay lgt., 3 spec. ( NZAC) ; Ft. Mt. Stokes, Kanepuru Snd., beating, 10.x.[19]67, J.I. Townsend lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Ship Cove, 27.–30.i. [19]72, G. Kuschel lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC). SI: 0.4 km SE of Fredʼs Camp Hut , 46°55.93′S, 167°58.51′E, 10 m, 18.–22.i.2016, M. Seidel, V. Sýkora & M. Fikáček lgt., 2 spec. ( NMPC) ; Northwest Circuit Tk. , 3.2 km W of Oban, 46°53.80′S, 168°5.18′E, 95 m, 17.–21.i.2016, M. Seidel & M. Fikáček lgt., 1 spec. ( NMPC) ; Main Road 1 km W of Oban, 46°53.77′S, 168°6.96′E, 45 m, 16.–18.i.2016, M. Seidel & M. Fikáček lgt., 9 spec. ( NMPC). SL: Forest Hill Scenic Res., 23 km NNE of Invercargill, 29.i.1997, Schuh & Lang lgt., 1 spec. ( NHMW). WD: Waiho, 31.iii.[19]34, E.S. Gourlay lgt., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Lake Paringa , 6.–10.xii.[19]60, J.I. Townsend & P.R. Kettle lgt., 10 spec. ( NZAC) ; Porarai R., leaf mould, 22.iii.[19]53, A.E. Brookes coll., 1 spec. ( NZAC) ; Roaring Billy Falls at Roaring Billy Walk , 43°36.34′S, 169°17.11′E, 45 m, 19.ii.2016, sifting polypore fungus, M. Seidel, V. Sýkora & R. Leschen lgt., 3 spec. ( NMPC). OFFSHORE ISLAND: TH: Three Kings, Great Isl., 3.i.[19]63, E.S. Gourlay lgt., 4 spec. ( NZAC) .

Redescription. Male. Body oval, moderately convex ( Fig. 7 ). Yellow-brown, frons, both pronotal and elytral disc and scutellar shield dark, brown to black, extent and intensity of dark pigmentation variable. Sometimes entire elytra black except for narrow periscutellar area and lateral margins. Ventral surface yellow-brown, sometimes median portion of metaventrite, metanepisterna and abdominal ventrites dark. Antennomeres from antennomere V onwards gradually darkened, antennal club black. Pubescence of normal length, grey-yellow, thin, recumbent, inconspicuous.

Head transverse, frons convex in middle, depressed besides eyes, with pair of round impressions above insertions of antennae. Temples obtusely rounded, converging posteriorly. Punctures nearly equal in size to eye-facets, separated by one diameter or less, interspaces smooth and shining. Antennae nearly as long as width of head across eyes, antennal club occupying approximately one third of antenna length, oblong oval, approximately 1.5× longer than wide ( Fig. 31 ).

Pronotum transverse (ratio WPR2/LEPR: 1.94–2.10, widest behind its midlength, narrowed both anteriorly and posteriorly (ratio WPR1/WPR2: 0.92–0.95; WPR1/WPR3: 1.41–1.52, WPR2/WPR3: 1.50–1.60). Anterior margin in middle truncate, anterior angles subrectangular, prominent. Lateral margins regularly arcuate, sides broadly explanate, in middle nearly as wide as antennomere II, becoming wider both anteriorly and posteriorly. Basal margin truncate in middle, broadly arcuately emarginate besides posterior angles, those subrectangular, moderately projecting backwards. Pronotal disc moderately convex, shallowly transversely impressed both along anterior and posterior margins; punctuation similar to frons, punctures separated mostly by less than one diameter, interspaces smooth and shining.

Scutellar shield triangular, densely shallowly punctate, interspaces with micropunctures.

Elytra oval, widest before midlength, longer than combined width (ratio LELY/WELY: 1.06–1.17), reaching maximum length near suture; sutural angles rounded. Lateral margins broadly arcuate, more strongly so in apical fourth, sides narrowly explanate, at base approximately as wide as antennomere VIII, becoming gradually narrower posteriorly. Surface of elytra convex, punctate like pronotum.

Pygidium densely punctate similar to tips of elytra, truncate; tergite VIII exposed, convex, rounded apically.

Postmentum flat, with shallow punctures smaller than eye-facets, separated by one diameter or less, interspaces smooth and shining. Antennal furrows converging posteriorly, at bottom with microscopic grains, their inner margins raised, sharp, moderately arcuate. Apices of furrows interconnected by shallow transverse impression.

Prosternum transversely convex, with micropunctures or grains, hypomera broadly concave, very densely punctate with widely spaced shallow indistinct punctures. Prosternal process longitudinally convex (in lateral view), narrow between procoxae, dilated and transversely oval posterior to procoxae, apically rounded ( Fig. 32 ). Mesoventrite transversely convex with fine and low mediolongitudinal carina, densely finely grainy, moderately shining. Metaventrite broadly flatly convex with fine discrimen present along its entire length. Median portion (between metacoxae) smooth and shining with punctures smaller than eye-facets and separated by 1.5–2.0 diameters, lateral portions densely punctate-granulate, similarly to hypomera, with widely spaced indistinct shallow punctures. Mesocoxal lines fine, running close to mesocoxal cavities to anterolateral corner of metaventrite, outer recurrent portion not developed. Punctation of abdominal ventrites similar to that of metaventrite, but punctures in median portion of ventrites shallower, interspaces microscopically punctate. Metacoxal lines without outer recurrent portion.

Legs long and slender, simple in both sexes. Protibia approximately 5× longer than wide, outer subapical angle obtuse, not prominent. Protarsomeres I–III bilobed, 0.6× width of tibia. Protarsomere V longer than I–III combined, tarsal claws simple. Mesotibia approximately 4.7× longer than wide, inner margin feebly arcuate, finely and sparsely crenulate. Mesotarsomeres I and II bilobed, 0.4× width of tibia. Metatibia approximately 7× longer than wide, metatarsomeres I–III simple, narrow.

Male genitalia. Tegmen approximately 3× longer than wide, lateral lobes straight, narrow, acutely pointed ( Fig. 33 ). Median lobe approximately 5× longer than wide, subparallel-sided in basal half, in distal half gradually narrowed towards narrowly truncate apex ( Fig. 34 ); armature of endophallus as in Fig. 35 .

Female. Habitus generally corresponding to male, with pygidium apex bluntly rounded ( Fig. 8 ). Ovipositor as in Fig. 36 .

Measurements. Body length 2.4–3.2 mm, width 1.3–1.7 mm.

Notes. This species has been referred to in New Zealand literature incorrectly as Epuraea zealandica (e.g., HUTTON 1904, HUDSON 1923). Nitidula mayendorfii was proposed by REITTER (1873) as a new substitute name for Nitidula lateralis White, 1846 (not Nitidula lateralis C. R. Sahlberg, 1820 ; = Cryptarcha strigata (Fabricius, 1787)) . Subsequently REITTER (1880), referring to the striking sexual dimorphism of N. antarctica , considered N. lateralis as the other sex, and hence a synonym of N. antarctica . Reitter omitted his name N. mayendorfii and classified both nominal taxa in Nitidula , even though N. antarctica was already transferred in Epuraea by SHARP (1878). We believe that REITTERʼs (1880) consideration was wrong, because the female holotype of Nitidula lateralis , which corresponds in morphology to the brief original description by WHITE (1846), differs from the females of N. antarctica , which have strongly acuminate tips of elytra. Meanwhile, N. lateralis is conspecific with the types of Epuraea zealandica Sharp, 1878 , a synonymy that has gone unnoticed by prior workers, for example, GROUVELLE (1913) who followed REITTER (1880) by listing both Epuraea mayendorfii and E. lateralis as synonyms of E. antarctica .

Nitidula lateralis White, 1846 is a primary junior homonym of Nitidula lateralis C. R. Sahlberg, 1820 , which is junior synonym of Cryptarcha strigata (Fabricius, 1787) . The two nominal taxa currently are members of different genera, while Nitidula lateralis C. R. Sahlberg has not been used since GYLLENHAL (1827). Furthermore, Epuraea lateralis ( White, 1846) has not been used frequently enough to meet the conditions of priority in Article 23.9.1 of ICZN (1999). Nitidula mayendorfii was explicitly proposed as replacement name for Nitidula lateralis White by REITTER (1873) and we formally prioritize this name over Epuraea zealandica . Lastly, the lectotype of E. zealandica was selected by Kirejtshuk in 1993 (see above), but this act has not been published and is formalized here.

Geographic distribution. North Island: AK, BP, CL, GB, ND, TO, WN, WO. South Island: BR, CO, DN, FD, MB, MC, NN, OL, SD, SI, SL, WD. Offshore Island: TH.

Figures

Figs 5–8. Dorsal habitus of New Zealand Epuraea species. 5 – E. imperialis (Reitter, 1877) J, Auckland (2.3 mm); 6 – E. imperialis ♀, Auckland (2.2 mm); 7 – E. mayendorfii (Reitter, 1873) J, Mt. Earnslaw (3.3 mm); 8 – E. mayendorfii ♀, Three Kings (3.2 mm).

Figs 31–36.Details of Epuraea mayendorfii (Reitter, 1873).31 – antenna; 32 – prosternal process; 33 – tegmen; 34 – median lobe of aedeagus; 35 – armature of endophallus; 36 – ovipositor. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.