Euops ratcliffei, Riedel, 2006

Riedel, Alexander, 2006, Revision of the subgenus Metaeuops Legalov of Euops Schoenherr (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea, Attelabidae) from the Papuan region, Zootaxa 1181 (1), pp. 1-102 : 35-38

Euops ratcliffei sp. n.

( Figs 14 , 26 , 49 , 68 , 107 , 118 , 129 , 140 , 154 , 177 , 196 , 213 , 222 )

Diagnosis

Coloration largely bright metallic blue, scutellum of same color as elytron. Male: TA relatively simple, as in Fig. 107 ; transfer processes apically slightly projecting beyond frame´s apex; internal support structures of ductus ejaculatorius hardly reaching level of basal sclerites. Female: Apex of protibia with distinct premucro. Spermatheca with short siphon­like extension ( Fig. 213 ).

Range ( Fig. 222 )

Biak­Numfor Prov. (Biak Isl.: Mangrowawa, Korim); Japen­Waropen Prov. (Japen Isl.: Tindaret). Elevation: ca. 50– 150 m.

Material examined

Holotype: WEST NEW GUINEA, Biak­Numfor Prov. , Korim, Workar ­ Wari, 50­ 100 m, 14.XII.2000, leg. A.Riedel ( MZB) . Paratypes: WEST NEW GUINEA, Biak­ Numfor Prov .: 1 male, Biak Isl. , Mangrowawa, 50–100 m, 29.V.1959, sweeping, leg. T.C.Maa ( BPBM) ; 1 female, Biak Isl. , Mangrowawa, 50–100 m, 30.V.1959, leg. J.L.Gressitt ( BPBM) ; 1 female, Biak Isl. , Sepse, 3.X.1990, leg. A.Riedel ( ARC) ; 1 male, Biak Isl. , 3 Km S Korim, 100 m, 21–22.VI.1993, leg. A.Riedel ( ARC) ; 52 males, 40 females, same data as holotype ( ARC) ; 52 males, 41 females (1 marked as “ allotype ”), Biak Isl. , Korim, Nernu, 100–150 m, 12–14.XII.2000, leg. A.Riedel ( ARC, MZB) ; 3 males, 4 females, Biak Isl. , Korim, Nernu, 100–150 m, 1.II.2001, leg. A.Riedel ( ARC) ; 15 males, 13 females, Biak Isl. , Korim, Nernu, 100–150 m, 4.II.2001, leg. A.Riedel ( ARC) ; 3 males, Biak Isl. , Korim, Roidifu, ca. 100 m, 2.II.2001, leg. A.Riedel ( ARC) ; Japen­ Waropen Prov.: 1 male, Japen Isl. , N­coast, Tindaret, 50–100 m, 21.XII.2000, leg. A.Riedel ( ARC) .

Description Holotype, male. Length, pronotum + elytron: 2.81 mm. Coloration ( Fig. 14 ) largely

bright metallic blue; scutellum of same color as remainder of dorsal surface; pygidium metallic greenish­blue; legs black with slight bluish lustre, anterior surface of metafemur with more distinct blue lustre; antennal funicle dark ferruginous, antennal club black. Head. As in Fig. 26 . Gena 0.88 X as long as width of head immediately behind eyes. Contours of genae in dorsal view moderately converging anteriad. Vertex subglabrous, laterally behind eye sparsely punctate. Eyes in dorsal view weakly prominent from lateral contour of head. Profile of vertex with weak constriction immediately behind eye. Ventral surface of head in front of gular region weakly sculptured; with shallow median furrow, with sparse minute punctures, posteriorly with shallow transverse wrinkles. Rostrum 1.95 X as long as mouthparts; at widest point 1.45 X wider than at base; in profile dorsal contour above antennal insertion with weak rounded prominence, anteriorly in sinuate line to apex; ventral contour subangulate with head (ca. 135°), weakly sinuate to apex; ventrally on submentum with numerous long, stiff, suberect setae. Mouthparts. Prementum at base 1.7 X wider than long, ca. 2.5 X wider than at apex; with weakly bisinuate lateral margins converging apicad; apical processes angulate, of equal length, on same level dorsoventrally. Antenna slender, as in Fig. 68 . Prothorax 0.98 X as long as wide; preapical constriction shallow; disc evenly convex, shining, impunctate; sides with dense, deep punctures. Metanotum with pair of lateral lobes. Elytron 2.26 X longer than wide; striae moderately impressed. Thoracic venter. Height of pterothorax 0.82 X length of elytron. Procoxa in anterior aspect 1.24 X as long as wide. Legs. Profemur subsymmetrically clavate, moderately swollen, thickest at 0.29 of length from apex, at base with indistinct stalk. Protibia in basal half straight, in apical half weakly curved ventrad; ventral contour slightly sinuate, subparallel to dorsal contour. Mesotibia dorsally before apex with subangulate lobe, its apical edge leading obliquely towards uncus; overall shape of tibia subtriangular. Mesotarsus straight, 2.7 X as long as wide. Metatibia of similar size as mesotibia. Abdomen. Ventral contour anteriorly straight in lateral view, evenly rounded to constriction between sternite VI and VII. Ventral surface of sternite III– VI each with double patch of erect setae, at middle with subglabrous longitudinal band; sternite VI without median knob or swelling in front of posterior margin. Pygidium 0.99 X wider than long; basal third microreticulate, apically shining; densely, moderately deeply punctate. Genitalia. Apex of tergite VIII curved in evenly convex line. Sternite VIII as in Fig. 177 . Tegminal plate ( Fig. 129 ) with sides moderately converging apicad; apical edge subtruncate, densely setose with moderately long setae. Aedeagus. Apical scoop of pedon ( Fig. 154 ) ca. 1.12 X as long as wide, evenly rounded to apex, spoon­shaped. Tectum as in Fig. 140 ; lateral frame converging with straight sides to narrow apex; subapically with indistinct lateral arms. TA as in Fig. 107 , relatively simple; transfer processes basally articulated inside of frame of TA, apically slightly projecting beyond frame´s apex; base of transfer processes at about middle of frame; without distinct dorsal plate; internal support structures of ductus ejaculatorius moderately long, but hardly reaching level of basal sclerites; basal sclerites ca. 0.29 X of total length of TA. Cuticle of endophallus in apical 0.42 (of total length of aedeagus) with dense, subtriangular denticles; in mid portion with pair of elongate sclerites; between these sclerites with sparse, short, thin, undirected setae ( Fig. 118 ).

Allotype, female. Same as holotype except: length, pronotum + elytron: 2.97 mm. Head as in Fig. 49 . Gena 0.83 X as long as width of head immediately behind eyes. Profile of vertex with shallow constriction immediately behind eye. Rostrum 1.51 X as long as mouthparts; at widest point 1.48 X wider than at base. Prothorax 0.93 X as long as wide. Disk at middle without transverse impression. Elytron 2.16 X longer than wide. Thoracic venter. Height of pterothorax 0.87 X length of elytron. Procoxa in anterior aspect 1.09 X as long as wide. Legs. Dorsal contour of profemur sinuate, in basal third straight, continuing in markedly convex line to apex. Protibia straight; ventral contour sinuate, basal half convex, apical half concave; ventral surface crenulate, setose with suberect setae; tibial apex with uncus and distinct premucro; premucro in ventral position. Abdomen. Setose patch of venter 1.23 X as long as wide, consisting of 3 double rows of modified setae. Pygidium 1.09 X wider than long. Genitalia. Sternite VIII as in Fig. 196 . Tergite VIII apically rounded. Spermatheca as in Fig. 213 ; basally with short siphon­like extension; shape robust; somewhat tapering towards apex. Length of ductus spermathecae plus spermatheca 1.9 X as long as tergite VIII.

Intraspecific variation

Coloration usually bright metallic blue; in some teneral specimens dark ferruginous to black with slight bluish lustre. Length, pronotum + elytron: males 2.38–3.03 mm (n=35, =2.73 ± 0.17); females 2.28–3.06 mm (n=32, =2.77 ± 0.17). Prothorax 0.92–0.99 X as long as wide in males (n=35, =0.96 ± 0.02), 0.89–0.95 X as long as wide in females (n=32, =0.92 ± 0.02). Elytron 2.11–2.26 X longer than wide in males (n=35, =2.19 ± 0.04), 2.12–2.29 X longer than wide in females (n=31, =2.19 ± 0.05). Thoracic venter. Height of pterothorax 0.79–0.87 X length of elytron in males (n=35, =0.83 ± 0.02), 0.81–0.88 X length of elytron in females (n=30, =0.85 ± 0.02). Abdomen. Pygidium 0.98–1.13 X wider than long in males (n=30, =1.04 ± 0.04), 1.05–1.20 X wider than long in females (n=25, =1.10 ± 0.04). Female patch of modified setae 1.09–1.40 X as long as wide (n=28, =1.25 ± 0.08). Genitalia. Aedeagus slightly variable in length.

Remark

This species could be considered an endemic for Biak island if there was not the specimen from the north coast of Japen. Although this locality is in sight from Biak, the record comes as a surprise: the faunas of both islands are zoogeographically distinct from each other. While E. ratcliffei is common on Biak and long series could be collected, only a unique specimen was captured on Japen in spite extensive fieldwork. A case of mislabeling seems unlikely; however, there may be a chance that the specimen captured was introduced through strong winds or human activities. It should be verified if the species is really autochthonous in Japen. A comparison of external morphology and genitalia of this specimen with some from Biak island could not detect any significant differences.

Etymological note

This species is named in honor of the scarab specialist Prof. Brett C. Ratcliffe (University of Nebraska). Major portions of this revision were prepared in his lab.

Figures

FIGURES 10–18. Habitus of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.: (10) E. ruficornis, female lectotype; (11) E. ruficornis, male (Torricelli Mts.); (12) E. curvipes, holotype; (13) E. biru, holotype; (14) E. ratcliffei, holotype; (15) E. arfakensis, holotype; (16) E. dintelmanni, holotype; (17) E. piceus, holotype; (18) E. paratibialis, male (Japen Isl.). Scale lines 1 mm.

FIGURES 26–35. Head of Euops (Metaeuops) spp., in lateral aspect; males: (26) E. ratcliffei, holotype; (27) E. arfakensis, holotype; (28) E. illegalovi, holotype; (29) E. biru, holotype; (30) E. oops, holotype; (31) E. swartensis, holotype; (32) E. judithae, holotype; (33) E. dintelmanni, holotype; (34) E. coelestinus (Ransiki); (35) E. ruficornis (Wau). Scale lines 500 µm.

FIGURES 46–55. Head of Euops (Metaeuops) spp., in lateral aspect; females: (46) E. violaceus, lectotype; (47) E. coelestinus, lectotype; (48) E. ruficornis, lectotype; (49) E. ratcliffei, holotype; (50) E. dintelmanni, allotype; (51) E. tenuiflagellaris, allotype; (52) E. curvipes, allotype; (53) E. illegalovi, allotype; (54) E. piceus, allotype; (55) E. paratibialis (Emdoman). Scale lines 500 µm.

FIGURES 56–72. Antenna of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.: (56) E. torricelliensis, holotype; (57) E. oops, holotype; (58) E. arfakensis, holotype; (59) E. biru, holotype; (60) E. illegalovi, holotype; (61) E. tenuiflagellaris, holotype; (62) E. judithae, holotype; (63) E. swartensis, holotype; (64) E. coeruleus, holotype; (65) E. dintelmanni, holotype; (66) E. piceus, holotype; (67) E. curvipes, holotype; (68) E. ratcliffei, holotype; (69) E. coelestinus (Ransiki); (70) E. ruficornis, lectotype; (71) E. paratibialis, holotype; (72) E. violaceus, lectotype. Scale lines 200 µm.

FIGURES 106–109. Male genitalia of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.; transfer apparatus of aedeagus in dorsal aspect (left) and lateral aspect (right); (106) E. arfakensis, holotype; (107) E. ratcliffei, holotype; (108) E. judithae, holotype; (109) E. tenuiflagellaris, holotype. Scale lines 100 µm. b.s. = basal scerite, f = frame of TA, tr.pr. = transfer processes.

FIGURES 110–118. Male genitalia of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.; mid portion of endophallus with endophallic sclerites and field of centripetal setae if present; (110) E. ruficornis (Wau); (111) E. dintelmanni, holotype; (112) E. curvipes, holotype; (113) E. judithae, holotype; (114) E. illegalovi, holotype; (115) E. torricelliensis, holotype; (116) E. biru, holotype; (117) E. coeruleus, holotype; (118) E. ratcliffei, holotype. Scale lines 50 µm.

FIGURES 119–130. Male genitalia of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.; dorsal plate of tegmen in dorsal aspect; (119) E. coeruleus, holotype; (120) E. torricelliensis, holotype; (121) E. illegalovi, holotype; (122) E. ruficornis (Wau); (123) E. oops, holotype; (124) E. swartensis, holotype; (125) E. dintelmanni, holotype; (126) E. biru, holotype; (127) E. arfakensis, holotype; (128) E. curvipes, holotype; (129) E. ratcliffei, holotype; (130) E. coelestinus (Ransiki). Scale lines 100 µm.

FIGURES 136–147. Male genitalia of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.; tectum of aedeagus in dorsal aspect; (136) E. torricelliensis, holotype; (137) E. dintelmanni, holotype; (138) E. biru, holotype; (139) E. curvipes, holotype; (140) E. ratcliffei, holotype; (141) E. oops, holotype; (142) E. ruficornis (Wau); (143) E. coelestinus (Ransiki); (144) E. swartensis, holotype; (145) E. illegalovi, holotype; (146) E. coeruleus, holotype; (147) E. arfakensis, holotype. Scale lines 100 µm.

FIGURES 148–159. Male genitalia of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.; pedon of aedeagus in ventral aspect; (148) E. arfakensis, holotype; (149) E. torricelliensis, holotype; (150) E. coelestinus (Ransiki); (151) E. curvipes, holotype; (152) E. swartensis, holotype; (153) E. dintelmanni, holotype; (154) E. ratcliffei, holotype; (155) E. oops, holotype; (156) E. illegalovi, holotype; (157) E. coeruleus, holotype; (158) E. biru, holotype; (159) E. ruficornis (Wau). Scale lines 100 µm.

FIGURES 170–186. Male sternite VIII of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.; (170) E. coelestinus (Ransiki); (171) E. torricelliensis, holotype; (172) E. oops, holotype; (173) E. illegalovi, holotype; (174) E. tenuiflagellaris, holotype; (175) E. judithae, holotype; (176) E. swartensis, holotype; (177) E. ratcliffei, holotype; (178) E. arfakensis, holotype; (179) E. curvipes, holotype; (180) E. dintelmanni, holotype; (181) E. coeruleus, holotype; (182) E. ruficornis (Wau); (183) E. biru, holotype; (184) E. piceus, holotype; (185) E. tibialis, lectotype; (186) E. paratibialis, holotype. Scale lines 100 µm.

FIGURES 189–202. Female sternite VIII of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.; (189) E. coelestinus (Wasior); (190) E. coelestinus lectotype; (191) E. violaceus, lectotype; (192) E. swartensis, allotype; (193) E. tenuiflagellaris, allotype; (194) E. judithae, allotype; (195) E. illegalovi, allotype; (196) E. ratcliffei, allotype; (197) E. curvipes, allotype; (198) E. ruficornis, lectotype; (199) E. dintelmanni, allotype; (200) E. biru, allotype; (201) E. piceus, allotype; (202) E. tibialis (Epomani); (203) E. paratibialis, allotype. Scale lines 100 µm.

FIGURES 204–219. Spermatheca of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.; (204) E. coelestinus, lectotype; (205) E. coelestinus (Japen Isl.); (206) E. coelestinus (Wasior); (207) E. swartensis, allotype; (208) E. illegalovi, allotype; (209) E. violaceus, lectotype; (210) E. ruficornis, lectotype; (211) E. tenuiflagellaris, allotype; (212) E. judithae, allotype; (213) E. ratcliffei, allotype; (214) E. dintelmanni, allotype; (215) E. biru, allotype; (216) E. curvipes, allotype; (217) E. piceus, allotype; (218) E. paratibialis, allotype; (219) E. tibialis (Epomani). Scale lines 100 µm.

FIGURES 220–222. Distribution of Euops (Metaeuops) spp. Areas above 1000 m are shaded.