Nothocyphon serratipenis, Zwick, Peter, 2015

Zwick, Peter, 2015, Australian Marsh Beetles (Coleoptera: Scirtidae). 7. Genus Nothocyphon, new genus, Zootaxa 3981 (3), pp. 301-359 : 319

Nothocyphon serratipenis , n. sp.

( Figs. 41−45 )

Type material: 1♂ holotype, 2 ♂ paratypes: Tasmania \ K 24-144 \? Cyphon var. pictus Blck. ? Id. by JHCarter \ Cyphon very near but prob. not pictus Bl. Id. by A.M.Lea \ K249509 (AMS).

Additional paratypes: 1♂: Hobart TAS. Lea; 2♂♂: 42.41S 146.43 TAS, National Park, low bushes entrance to NP, 150m, Feb. 1992, C. Reid; 1♂ paratype, 1 probable ♀: 1090 [red ink] \ Tasmania \ Cyphon doctus Lea? var. cf. pictus Blkb. (originally together on the same card which has a green band across the base, perhaps taken in copula; female genitalia missing) (all ANIC). 2♂: TAS, South Esk R. Evandale, 1.3.67 A.Neboiss (MV, T-22023, T-22024).

Habitus. BL 2.9−3.0 mm. BL/BW ~1.7. Elongate-suboval. Head and pronotum yellowish brown, pronotum with brown marks. Elytra light to dark brown, with variably distinct pattern ( Fig. 45 ). On either side of the scutellum the front edge of the elytra is pale. A dark band extends over the anterior 2/3 of the elytral side margin. Directly behind the humerus is a short curved spot. Near midlength a dark band extends obliquely across the elytra, with a short backward spur along the light sutural interval.

Male ( Figs. 41−44 ). Segments 8 and 9 as standard in the group. Tegmen a narrow band supporting the elongate parameres which have no armature except a blunt curved caudoventral spur.

Penis slender, the hairpin-like pala occupies 2/3 of its length. The widest point is at the origin of the slender parameroids. They are longer than the trigonium which they embrace. The trigonium is carrot-shaped with roughened apex. Two prominent ventral keels rise cephalad beginning at some distance from apex and side edge, each with a row of large sharp teeth ( Figs. 43, 44 ).

Female (presumed). The only specimen is very dark but the elytral pattern can still be recognized. The female abdominal sternites are unmodified, damaged, genitalia missing.

Note. The male genitalia readily separate N. serratipenis from its relatives, especially N. multidentatus n. sp., see account of that species.

Etymology. The name is an adjective referring to the saw-like crests on the penis apex (Latin serra, a saw).

Figures

FIGURES 41 – 47. Nothocyphon lanceolatus - group, males. N. serratipenis: 41, T 8, S 8, tegmen with parameres, T 9 and S 9, superimposed; 42, penis, ventral view; 43, penis apex of same male, from National Park; 44, same, specimen from Hobart; 45, dorsal pattern. — N. multidentatus: 46, segments 8 and 9, superimposed; 47, tegmen with parameres and penis; the arrow points at the sclerotized bracket of the parameres. 41, 42 and 43, 44 to the same scales, respectively; 45 not to scale.