Dolurgocleptes punctifer Jordal

Jordal, Bjarte H., 2009, The Madagascan genus Dolurgocleptes Schedl (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae): description of a new species and transfer to the tribe Polygraphini, Zootaxa 2014, pp. 41-50 : 44-46

Dolurgocleptes punctifer Jordal , sp. n.

( Figs. 1 A–C, 2A–C, 3A, C, F–G, 4A–B, 5A–B).

Diagnosis: This species is readily distinguishable from D. malgassicus by its 5-segmented funicle, slender protibiae, much more densely punctate frons and pronotum, irregular interstrial punctures, scale-like interstrial setae and ground vestiture, and by the apical plate of proventriculus having strongly elongated and overlapping apical knobs. COI sequence: EU191846 ; EF-1ɑ sequence: EU191878 .

Description: Length 2.2–2.8 mm, 2.2 times longer than wide. Head. Frons flat, densely punctate, punctures spaced by less than their diameter, vestiture consisting of minute scale- and hair-like setae, two small tufts of setae arising from a narrow impunctate strip on epistoma reaching the mandibles. Eyes completely divided at level of antennal insertion, separated above by 1.4–1.5 times their length, upper halves slightly protuberant. Antennal club flat, without sutures; funiculus 5-segmented; scapus about 0.7 times as long as club and funiculus combined, with few setae. Pronotum 0.95 times as long as wide, broadest at posterior third, sides curved, slightly constricted at anterior fourth; pronotal disk densely punctate, covered with fine short scales. Elytra 1.5 times longer than wide, 1.9 times longer than pronotum. Sides subparallel at anterior two-thirds, broadest at middle, broadly rounded behind, declivity convex. Base of elytra straight, a fine rim weakly indicated; striae not impressed except slightly so on declivity, strial and interstrial punctures of similar small size, confused; interstria 10 extending to posterior one-sixth; vestiture consisting of uniseriate rows of interstrial scales about three times longer than wide, and irregularly, densely set small scales, and minute hair-like strial setae. Legs. Mesocoxae broadly separated, by three times width of scapus; metacoxae narrowly separated by half length of one coxa. Protibia narrow, on outer lateral edge with two socketed teeth near distal angle. Mesotibia with four small socketed teeth on lateral and distal end, metatibiae with three lateral socketed teeth and two smaller closely set teeth. Proventriculus with median suture wide open except at apical end that is closed by two prolonged and overlapping knobs. Terminalia. Aedeagus about 2.5 times longer than wide, broadly rounded at apex; apophyses about 0.6 times as long as the aedeagal body; a pair of claw-like structures close to apex. Tegmen weakly sclerotised, open dorsally, with tiny manubrium shorter than width of tegmen. Spiculum gastrale about as long as aedeagus, evenly curved, with a tiny knob at posterior third. Spermatheca L-shaped, lightly sclerotised, broadly rounded at apex.

Material examined. Holotype: Madagascar: Antsiranana, Parc Nacional de Marojejy, Antranohofa, 26.6 km 31º NNE Andapa, 10.7 km 318º NW Manantenina, el. 1325m, 18 November 2003, 14º26’36’’S 049º44’36’’E, California Acad. of Sciences, coll: B.L. Fischer, yellow pan trap, montane rainforest, BLF9081. Paratypes: same data as holotype (n=3); Antsiranana, Parc Nacional de Marojejy, 25.7 km 32º NNE Andapa, 10.3 km 314º NW Manantenina, el. 1575m, 21 November 2003 14º26’42’’S 049º44’30’’E, California Acad. of Sciences, coll: B.L. Fischer, yellow pan trap, montane rainforest, BLF9243 (n=2); Antsiranana, Montagne d'Anjanaharibe, 18.0 km 21° NNE Ambinanitelo, 15°11'18"S 049°36'54"E, EF19 sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood), 8–12 Mar 2003, coll B.L. Fisher, BLF 8002 (n=2). Holotype and 5 paratypes in California Academy of Sciences, 1 paratype in BHJ collection, 1 paratype in AJ Cook Arthropod Collection, Michigan State University.

Etymology: The name refers to the densely punctate frons, pronotum and elytra.

Biology and distribution: Specimens were collected at median altitudes in the north-eastern mountains of Madagascar, in the province of Antsiranana. The collection in yellow pan traps and from sifted litter may indicate an association with highly decomposed wood or seeds on the forest floor.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Dorsal, frontal and lateral views of Dolurgocleptes punctifer sp. n. (A – C) and D. malgassicus Schedl (D – F).