Mordellistena (s. str.) hirtipes Schilsky, 1895

Selnekovic, David & Kodada, Jan, 2019, Taxonomic revision of Mordellistenahirtipes species complex with new distribution records (Insecta, Coleoptera, Mordellidae), ZooKeys 854, pp. 89-118 : 89

Mordellistena (s. str.) hirtipes Schilsky, 1895 Figs 1, 4A, B, 5 A–J

Mordellistena hirtipes Schilsky, 1895: 46 (original description); Heyden et al. 1906: 455 (catalogue); Csiki 1915: 35 (catalogue); Schaufuss 1916: 766 (distribution); Ermisch 1963: 62 (distribution); Ermisch 1965: 268 (distribution); Batten 1976: 168 (distribution); Batten 1977: 171-173 (distribution, figures, key); Horák 1990: 136 (lectotype and paralectotypes designation, figures); Odnosum 2003: 36-37, 40, 46 (key, figures, distribution); Horák 2008: 98 (catalogue, distribution); Odnosum 2010: 153, 192-194 (key, description, figures, distribution); Samin et al. 2016: 24 (distribution); Ruzzier et al. 2017: 152 (distribution).

Mordellistena aegea Franciscolo, 1949: 90, 93 syn. nov. (original description); Batten 1977: 169 (remarks); Horák 2008: 96 (catalogue).

Mordellistena podlussanyi Czető, 1990: 26-29 syn. nov. (original description); Horák 2008: 100 (catalogue).

Type locality.

Attalia [Turkey].

Type material examined.

M. hirtipes : LECTOTYPE (by designation of Horák (1990: 136)): 1 ♂, MNHU: "Attalia Reitter [hand written] / hirtipes Schils. [hand written] / Type [red label] / Zool. Mus. Berlin / [card with dissected genitalia] / LECTOTYPUS [red label] / Mordellistena hirtipes Schils. J. Horák det. 1985"; PARALECTOTYPES (by designation of Horák (1990: 136)): 4 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, MNHU: "Attalia Reitter [hand written] / Coll. Schilsky / Type [red label] / Zool. Mus. Berlin / PARALECTOTYPUS [red label] / Mordellistena hirtipes Schils. J. Horák det. 1985"; 17 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀, MNHU: "♂ [or] ♀ / Coll. Schilsky / Type [red label] / Zool. Mus. Berlin / PARALECTOTYPUS [red label] / Mordellistena hirtipes Schils. J. Horák det. 1985"; 1 ♀, MNHU: "Syrien Kaifa. Reitter. / Coll. Schilsky / Type [red label] / Zool. Mus. Berlin / PARALECTOTYPUS [red label] / Mordellistena hirtipes Schils. J. Horák det. 1985"; 1 ♀, MNHU: "Morea Hagios Wlassis Brenske / hirtipes [hand written] / Type [red label] / Zool. Mus. Berlin / PARALECTOTYPUS [red label] / Mordellistena hirtipes Schils. J. Horák det. 1985". M. aegea : HOLOTYPE: 1 ♂, MCST: "Pod. Sper. Coo 7. VII.-VIII. [Podere sperimentale, Kos Island; hand written] / 7. VII.-VIII. Pod. Sper. Coo [hand written] / 19 [blue label] / [card with dissected median lobe] / Olo [hand written] Typus / [cover slides with dissected parameres and sternite VIII] / Mordellistena aegea n. sp. DET. FRANCSCOLO / HOLOTYPUS Mordellistena aegea Franciscolo, 1949 D. Selnekovič labelled 2018 / Mordellistena (s. str.) hirtipes Schilsky, 1895 D. Selnekovič det. 2018". M. podlussanyi : HOLOTYPE: 1 ♂, HNHM: "♂ / [transparent plastic board with dissected genitalia] / Krotos KRÉTA / 1981. V. 12. leg. Podlussány / Holotypus Mordellistena podlussanyi Czető, 1988 [red label, hand written] / Mordellistena (s. str.) hirtipes Schilsky, 1895 D. Selnekovič det. 2017".

Additional material examined.

Croatia: 1 ♂, HNHM: "Dalmatia leg. Endrödy-Younga / Dubrovnik Ins. Lokrum / 1958. VIII. 7. Kätscher / Mordellistena hirtipes Schils. det. R. Batten 1979 / Mordellistena (s. str.) hirtipes Schilsky, 1895 D. Selnekovič det. 2017". Cyprus: 1 ♂, HNHM: "Cyprus Laranka Glaszner / Mordellistena hirtipes Schils. det. R. Batten 1979 / Mordellistena (s. str.) hirtipes Schilsky, 1895 D. Selnekovič det. 2017"; 12 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, CSB: "Cyprus W, Limassol env., Germasogeia Reservoir 34°45'19"N, 33°05'36"E, 27. IV. 2018 D. Selnekovič leg. / Mordellistena (s. str.) hirtipes Schilsky, 1895 D. Selnekovič det. 2018". Greece: 1 ♂, SNSD: "♂ / Insel Rhodos 24.5.-5.8.62 / Stadt Rhodos Umg. Dr Mand / Genitalpräparat / MORDELLISTENA pseudohirtipes Erm. K. Ermisch det. 19 / Mordellistena (s. str.) hirtipes Schilsky, 1895 D. Selnekovič det. 2017"; 1 ♂, HNHM: "Crete Biró / Ins. Dia 25.-29. V. / Mordellistena hirtipes Schils. det. R. Batten 1980 / Mordellistena (s. str.) hirtipes Schilsky, 1895 D. Selnekovič det. 2017". Montenegro: 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, CSB: "Montenegro SW Bar city env. 42°07'56"N, 19°07'33"E, 22. VI. 2011 D. Selnekovič / Mordellistena (s. str.) hirtipes Schilsky, 1895 D. Selnekovič det. 2012". 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, CSB: "Montenegro SW Bar city–Volujica hill 242°04'16"N, 19°06'10"E, 20. VI. 2011 D. Selnekovič / Mordellistena (s. str.) hirtipes Schilsky, 1895 D. Selnekovič det. 2012". 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, CSB: "Montenegro SW Bar city–Stari Bar 42°05'31"N, 19°07'58"E, D. Selnekovič 19. VI. 2011 / Mordellistena (s. str.) hirtipes Schilsky, 1895 D. Selnekovič det. 2012". 1 ♂, CSB: "Montenegro SW Bar city, on Daucus 42°06'N, 19°06'E, 19. VI. 2011 D. Selnekovič 2011 / Mordellistena (s. str.) hirtipes Schilsky, 1895 D. Selnekovič det. 2012". Spain: 1 ♂, 1 ♂, SNSD: "Spanien, Prov. Gerona Tossa de mar A. Kampf, VII–VIII 35 / Paratypus Mordellistena geronensis Ermisch / Mordellistena (s. str.) hirtipes Schilsky, 1895 D. Selnekovič det. 2017". 1 ♂, SNSD: "Nordostspanien Costa brava 27. 7. 53 Dr David / Paratypus / PARATYPUS Mordellistena (s. str.) geronensis Ermisch, 1977 Selnekovič labelled 2017 [red label] / Mordellistena (s. str.) hirtipes Schilsky, 1895 D. Selnekovič det. 2017".

Differential diagnosis.

Parameres of M. hirtipes are shorter in proportion to the body dimensions than in M. pseudohirtipes and M. purpurascens (EL/LPrL ratio in M. hirtipes : 7.87-9.17 (8.48 ± 0.40, n = 14), M. pseudohirtipes : 4.65-7.17 (5.89 ± 0.71, n = 25) and M. purpurascens : 4.42-5.84 (4.98 ± 0.35, n = 19); EL/RPrL ratio in M. hirtipes : 10.07-11.89 (11.10 ± 0.50, n = 14), M. pseudohirtipes : 5.91-8.63 (7.42 ± 0.72, n = 25) and M. purpurascens : 5.57-6.94 (6.19 ± 0.41 n = 19). Ventral branch of the right paramere is in M. hirtipes (Fig. 5 D–G) usually distinctly shorter than the dorsal one whereas in M. pseudohirtipes (Fig. 6 E–H) and M. purpurascens (Fig. 7 G–J) it is subequal or longer. Basal part of the left paramere is in M. hirtipes (Fig. 5 D–G) distinctly shorter than in M. purpurascens (Fig. 7 G–J). Sides of elytra less convergent apically than in M. pseudohirtipes and M. purpurascens . Terminal maxillary palpomere in females shorter and broader, its inner angle is more acute (Fig. 4B) than in M. pseudohirtipes (Fig. 6D) and M. purpurascens (Fig. 7D).

Redescription.

Measurements: TL: ♂♂ 3.21-3.95 mm (3.51 ± 0.24 mm, n = 13), ♀♀ 2.79-4.68 mm (3.44 ± 0.52 mm, n = 9); HL: ♂♂ 0.72-0.93 mm (0.81 ± 0.06 mm, n = 14), ♀♀ 0.67-0.80 mm (0.74 ± 0.04 mm, n = 9); HW: ♂♂ 0.87-1.02 mm (0.94 ± 0.05 mm, n = 14), ♀♀ 0.77-0.96 mm (0.87 ± 0.06 mm, n = 9); PL: ♂♂ 1.04-1.33 mm (1.17 ± 0.11 mm, n = 14), ♀♀ 0.94-1.20 mm (1.09 ± 0.08 mm, n = 9); PW: ♂♂ 1.06-1.37 mm (1.23 ± 0.10 mm, n = 14), ♀♀ 0.98-1.29 mm (1.16 ± 0.10 mm, n = 9); EL: ♂♂ 2.34-2.96 mm (2.65 ± 0.19 mm, n = 14), ♀♀ 2.08-2.79 mm (2.48 ± 0.21 mm, n = 9); EW: ♂♂ 1.10-1.43 mm (1.25 ± 0.11 mm, n = 14), ♀♀ 1.10-1.36 mm (1.23 ± 0.09 mm, n = 9); PTiL: ♂♂ 0.70-0.87 mm (0.77 ± 0.05 mm, n = 14), ♀♀ 0.56-0.73 mm (0.65 ± 0.06 mm, n = 9); PTrL: ♂♂ 0.65-0.74 mm (0.71 ± 0.03 mm, n = 11), ♀♀ 0.57-0.66 mm (0.63 ± 0.03 mm, n = 7); MsTiL: ♂♂ 0.83-1.10 mm (0.97 ± 0.08 mm, n = 14), ♀♀ 0.78-1.01 mm (0.87 ± 0.07 mm, n = 9); MsTrL: ♂♂ 1.06-1.30 mm (1.16 ± 0.06 mm, n = 11), ♀♀ 0.91-1.13 mm (1.05 ± 0.07 mm, n = 9); MtTiL: ♂♂ 0.69-0.91 mm (0.81 ± 0.05 mm, n = 14), ♀♀ 0.66-0.86 mm (0.76 ± 0.06 mm, n = 9); MtTrL: ♂♂ 1.48-1.87 mm (1.67 ± 0.11 mm, n = 10), ♀♀ 1.33-1.69 mm (1.51 ± 0.11 mm, n = 9); PygL: ♂♂ 1.42-1.85 mm (1.58 ± 0.12 mm, n = 13), ♀♀ 1.17-1.56 mm (1.37 ± 0.12 mm, n = 9); TVtL: ♂♂ 0.54-0.87 mm (0.68 ± 0.10 mm, n = 13), ♀♀ 0.44-0.79 mm (0.63 ± 0.11 mm, n = 9); LPrL: 0.29-0.35 mm (0.31 ± 0.02 mm, n = 14); RPrL: 0.22-0.26 mm (0.24 ± 0.01 mm, n = 14); St8L: ♂♂ 0.57-0.63 mm (n = 2); St8W: ♂♂ 0.38-0.40 mm (n = 2).

Habitus illustrated in Fig. 1. Body slender, widest at the end of anterior third of elytra. Integument black. Head and pronotum covered with yellowish pubescence; pubescence on elytra yellowish in proximal half, gradually darkened towards apices, sometimes with reddish or violet metallic sheen; venter covered with yellowish pubescence, darkened along posterior margins of ventrites 3-5.

Head moderately convex dorsally, wider than long, widest before middle, HW/HL ratio: ♂♂ 1.10-1.23 (1.17 ± 0.04, n = 14), ♀♀ 1.13-1.23 (1.17 ± 0.03, n = 9). Dorsal surface with microreticulation and small round punctures bearing short setae; ventral surface with transverse microreticulation and sparse, small punctures bearing short setae; small medial triangular part before gula without punctures. Occipital margin rounded in dorsal aspect, straight or slightly concave if seen from behind. Eyes oval, finely faceted with short interfacetal setae. Anterior margin of clypeus straight. Labrum transverse, approximately two times as wide as long, anterior margin straight; surface with microreticulation and small, round punctures bearing short setae. Antennae rather long, slightly serrate (Fig. 5A, B); antennomeres I–IV subequal in length, slightly shorter and slenderer than following ones; antennomeres V–X in males 1.40 –1.60×, in females 1.20 –1.30× as long as wide; antennomere XI oval, ~2.30 × as long as wide. Mandibles symmetrical, bidentate, lateral portions microreticulated with short setae, outer distal portion with group of seven long sensilla; mola well developed, minutely dentate; prostheca well developed, setose. Galea gradually expanded toward apex, covered with apically expanded sensilla; lacinia setose medio-apically, reaching half of length of galea. Maxillary palpomere II distinctly expanded with long setae on ventral side in males (Fig. 4A); not expanded, without long setae in females (Fig. 4B); maxillary palpomere III short, ~1.50 × as long as wide; terminal maxillary palpomere broadly securiform, inner angle situated around middle, TPalL/TPalW ratio: ♂♂ 1.95-2.20 (2.09 ± 0.09, n = 14), ♀♀ 1.95-2.20 (2.10 ± 0.08, n = 9). Terminal labial palpomere fusiform, bearing sparse long sensilla on whole surface, and group of short sensilla at apex (Fig. 5C).

Pronotum moderately convex, approximately as long as wide, widest just behind middle, PW/PL ratio: ♂♂ 1.00-1.09 (1.05 ± 0.03, n = 14), ♀♀ 1.02-1.07 (1.06 ± 0.02, n = 9). Surface finely microreticulate, with small, rasp-like punctures bearing flat seta. Anterior margin rounded, slightly produced mesally, anterior angles broadly rounded; lateral carinae emarginated in lateral aspect; posterior margin forming short mesal lobe, emarginated before posterior angles; posterior angles rectangular in lateral aspect. Posterior marginal bead interrupted before posterior angles. Hypomeron triangular with round concavity posteriorly. Prosternum in front of procoxae narrow, expanded laterally; prosternal process incomplete, narrow, slightly constricted in the middle. Scutellar shield small, triangular, covered with small, round punctures bearing short setae. Mesoventral process ~0.50 × as wide as mesofemur, parallel-sided, truncate at apex. Metaventrite strongly convex in the middle; surface weakly microreticulated with small, transversally confluent, rasp-like punctures; posterior margin in the produced mesally; discrimen rather indistinct. Metanepisternum trapezoidal, narrowed posteriorly, dorsal margin emarginated, ventral margin straight.

Elytra long, narrow, widest in anterior 1/3, EL/EW ratio: ♂♂ 2.02-2.26 (2.12 ± 0.08, n = 14), ♀♀ 1.88-2.07 (2.01 ± 0.05, n = 9). Surface with weak transverse microreticulation and rasp-like punctures bearing flat setae. Lateral margins regularly rounded, apices separately rounded.

Protibiae in males expanded basally, bearing fringe of long setae in basal 1/3; PTiL/PTrL ratio: ♂♂ 1.02-1.17 (1.08 ± 0.05, n = 11), ♀♀ 0.95-1.12 (1.03 ± 0.05, n = 7). Protarsomere I as long as two following tarsomeres combined; protarsomere IV simple, parallel-sided, shallowly emarginate at apex. Claws on protarsi with three, on meso and metatarsi with four denticles. Mesotibiae slightly bent inwards; mesotarsus longer than tibia, MsTiL/MsTrL ratio: ♂♂ 0.78-0.89 (0.82 ± 0.03, n = 11), ♀♀ 0.79-0.90 (0.83 ± 0.03, n = 9). Metacoxae large, anterior margin straight, posterior margin broadly rounded. Metatibiae bearing short subapical ridge and 3-4 lateral ridges parallel with apical margin of tibia, reaching 1/3 of tibial width. Metatibial spurs black, inner one ~1.30 × as long as outer one. Metatarsomere I bearing 4-5 short ridges, metatarsomere II bearing 2-3 ridges, metatarsomeres III and IV without ridges. Metatarsus ~2.00 × as long as metatibia, MtTrL/MtTiL ratio: ♂♂ 1.97-2.18 (2.07 ± 0.06, n = 10), ♀♀ 1.89-2.11 (1.98 ± 0.06, n = 9).

Pygidium long, slender, narrowly truncate at apex, PygL/TVtL ratio: ♂♂ 2.00-3.04 (2.36 ± 0.26, n = 13), ♀♀ 1.76-3.14 (2.22 ± 0.37, n = 9). Apical margin of terminal abdominal ventrite arcuate.

Male genitalia: sternite VIII with long setae in apical part, apical margin produced and weakly bilobed mesally (Fig. 5I), St8L/St8W ratio: ♂♂ 1.49-1.59 (n = 2). Sternite IX long, slender, arrow-shaped, with medial longitudinal keel at apex. Parameres (Fig. 5 D–G) rather short, EL/LPrL ratio: 7.87-9.17 (8.48 ± 0.40, n = 14); EL/RPrL ratio: 10.07-11.89 (11.10 ± 0.50, n = 14); LPrL/RPrL ratio: 1.24-1.37 (1.31 ± 0.04, n = 14). Left paramere with short basal part, LPrL/BLPr ratio: 1.88-2.12 (1.98 ± 0.08, n = 14); dorsal branch expanded and obliquely truncate apically; ventral branch slender, slightly bent medially, pointed at apex. Right paramere rather short, ventral branch distinctly shorter than dorsal one, dorsally bent; dorsal branch expanded and rounded apically. Median lobe long, slender, apical part slightly expanded (Fig. 5H). Phallobase with short tubular process (approximately 1/6 of total length) and long, slender furca.

Female genitalia: sternite VIII with apical protuberance and long setae alongside apical and lateral margins, spiculum ventrale short, broadly clavate (Fig. 5J); St8L/St8W ratio: ♀ 1.36 (n = 1).

Sexual dimorphism.

Females are usually more robust; with shorter antennae. Maxillary palpomere II is not expanded in females and without long setae on ventral side. Terminal maxillary palpomere is shorter in females, with angles more rounded. Protibiae are not expanded in females, without long setae in basal portion.

Distribution.

Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Spain, Syria, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine. Mordellistena hirtipes is reported here for the first time from Croatia, Montenegro, and Spain. Csiki (1915) mentioned also “Österreich” (Austria); however, this information is probably based on a misidentification.

Biology.

Adults were found on the flowers of Daucus sp. ( Apiaceae ) and Helichrysum sp. ( Asteraceae ) on dry grasslands and in urban environment.

Remarks.

Franciscolo (1949) described M. aegea based on three specimens from Kos island (Greece). Batten (1977) mentioned that this species does not belong to the micans group because the antennomere IV and V are equal in length. Examination of holotype revealed that this specimen belongs to M. hirtipes . We consider this taxon as a junior synonym of M. hirtipes .

Czető (1990) described M. podlussanyi based on a single male specimen from Crete. He mentioned in the original description that the maxillary palpomere II is not dilated. Examination of the holotype actually revealed, that the palpomere is expanded, and any other differences which could separate this taxon from M. hirtipes were found. This interpretation is also supported by the results of PCA analysis (Fig. 10A). We propose M. podlussanyi as a junior synonym of M. hirtipes .

In HNHM collections, there are three specimens of M. hirtipes , labelled by Reitter as holotype and paratypes. However, these specimens are not mentioned in original description and labels were probably added subsequently, after the description. These specimens are not parts of the type series.