Horistonotus caatinguensis, Casari, Sônia A., 2011

Casari, Sônia A., 2011, New species of Horistonotus Candèze from Brazil (Coleoptera, Elateridae, Cardiophorinae), Zootaxa 3139, pp. 1-27 : 5-6

Horistonotus caatinguensis sp. nov.

(Figs. 17–21, 117–122, 158)

Holotype (male). [ Brazil]. Canindé do S[ão] F[rancis]co(SE), (Faz[enda] Poço Verde), 11.III.2001, am.1, Iannuzzi, L. col. (Malaise); Projeto Xingó Biodiversidade Área 3 ( MZSP).

Paratypes. Canindé do S.Fco. (SE), (Faz.Chesf), 01.VI.2000, am.2, Iannuzzi, L. col. (Malaise); Projeto Xingó Biodiversidade Área 8 (1 ex.) ( UFPE); idem, 14.IX.2000, am.3, idem Área 1 (1 ex.) ( MZSP); idem, (Faz.Poço Verde), 4.III.2000, am.1, idem Área 4 (1 ex. dissected and MEV) ( MZSP). Olho d´água do Casado (AL) (Faz. Talhado), 7.XII.2000, arm.4, idem Área 6 (1 ex.) ( MZSP).

Holotype (male). Body length: 3.8 mm.

General integument light reddish-brown with antennae and legs lighter; antennomeres 4–11 with apex clearer; each elytron with two rounded yellowish spots, located near lateral margin: one anterior smaller near humerus (3.5 interstices wide) and other near apex (6 interstices wide, not reaching apex). Pubescence whitish, fine, short, dense and decumbent.

Frons (Fig. 119) convex, almost as long as wide; anterior margin prominent, upwardly directed and rounded; secondary carina present; punctation moderately coarse and sparse. Antennae (Figs. 117, 119) not reaching hind angles of pronotum; slightly serrate; antennomeres II and III elongate, III longer than II; IV–X elongate and triangular.

Pronotum (Fig. 118) wider than long (length including hind angles), slightly narrowed anteriorly and near hind angles base; moderately convex; densely micropunctate intermingled with punctation moderately coarse and sparse; lateral carina complete; hind angles backwardly directed with carina fused to lateral carina of pronotum. Hypomeron densely micropunctate intermingled with dense moderately coarse punctation. Pronotosternal suture almost straight, opened anteriad not forming anterior channel. Prosternum densely micropunctate with punctation moderately coarse, more concentrate near sutures; prosternal spine short, flattened laterally with truncate apex. Metacoxal plate very wide, strongly narrowed on lateral half. Two well developed tibial spurs; tarsal claws (Fig. 122) widened from base forming a wide and rounded tooth. Scutellum (Fig. 120) pentagonal, wider than long, narrower anteriorly. Elytra (Fig. 121) wider than prothorax, very convex, with apex narrowed and conjointly rounded; striae grooved with row of coarse punctures; interstices very convex.

Paratypes. Body length: 3.4–3.8 mm.

General integument (Fig. 158) light reddish-brown or brown; fore angles of pronotum yellow in some specimens; elytral spots yellowish or yellow, anterior spot smaller or larger than posterior; when posterior spot is smaller, it starts on penultimate interstice.

Male.Tergite VIII (Fig. 18) wider than long, parallel on basal third, narrowed on distal 2/3; with setae moderately long on distal half. Sternite IX (Fig. 17) elongate, elliptical, slightly narrowed at middle, with setae moderately long near anterior margin. Tergite IX (Fig. 19) wider than long; anterior margin strongly notched at middle (notch inverted V-shaped); with setae moderately long near lateral margins. Aedeagus (Figs. 20, 21): basal piece almost as long as wide, wider than parameres base. Parameres separated, strongly narrowed laterally on basal and distal fifth and gradually narrowed at midline on distal 2/5; distal fifth very narrow with apex rounded and two setae; median lobe (excluding basal struts) short and narrow, 0.37 time parameres length; wider at base and gradually narrowed apicad; apex rounded.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a derivative of the word “Caatinga” related to woodland where the material was collected.

Remarks. H. caatinguensis is easily recognized especially by presence of two yellowish spots on each elytron and parameres narrow at apex. Additionally, presents lateral carina of prothorax complete and tooth of tarsal claws very wide, rounded and basal. The integument varies from light reddish-brown to brown, sometimes with fore angles of pronotum yellow; the size of elytral spot is variable.

Distribution. Brazil: Alagoas and Sergipe.

FIGURES 17–21. Horistonotus caatinguensis (male): 17, sternite IX; 18, tergite VIII; 19, tergites IX–X; 20, 21, aedeagus (dorsal, ventral). FIGURES 22–29. H. jaburiensis (male): 22, antenna; 23, pronotum; 24, tergite VIII; 25, tergites IX–X; 26, sternite VIII; 27, sternite IX; 28, 29, aedeagus (dorsal, ventral). Bars = 1 mm, except figs. 24, 27 = 2 mm.