Halocoryza whiteheadiana Erwin, 2011

Erwin, Terry L., 2011, Halocoryza Alluaud 1919, sea-side beetles of the Indian, Atlantic (sensu lato), and Pacific Oceans: a generic synopsis and description of a remarkable new species from Baja California Sur, Mexico (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Scaritini, Clivinina), ZooKeys 127, pp. 1-13 : 6-8

Halocoryza whiteheadiana Erwin sp. n. Figs 3a, 3b 6

Common name.

Whitehead’s Saline Catarrh Beetle

Holotype. México.

Baja California Sur, Isla Carmen, north end, sea level, approximately " 26.05°N, 111.1°W," 18-19 July 1984 (S.E. Miller) (NMNH: ADP127139, female).

Derivation of specific epithet.

The epithet “whiteheadiana” is an eponym, based on the family name of Donald R. Whitehead†, who had a profound interest in the species of this genus and its adelphotaxon, Schizogenius Putzeys, during his relatively short career.

Proposed English vernacular name.

Whitehead’s Saline Catarrh Beetle.

Diagnosis.

With the attributes of the genus described by Whitehead (1966) and large sized for the genus. Adults rufotestaceous and shiny throughout; shallow microsculpture only in sulci. Occiput five-carinate each side with one medial and two lateral carinae on frons. Clypeus with 3 prominent tubercles; lateral margins prominently lobate. Elytron with 10 setae in interval 3, close to interneur 2.

Description.

(Fig. 3). Size: Very small, ABL = 2.8 mm, SBL = 2.52 mm, EW = 0.69 mm, LP = 0.647mm, WP = 0.622mm, LE = 1.476mm. Color: Rufotestaceous throughout. Luster:Shiny throughout. Head: Labrum slightly emarginate apically, six-setose. Frons markedly tri-tuberculate apically, laterally markedly lobate, lobes nearly vertical, bicarinate basally, carinae set on an angle, widest basally. Eyes slightly convex; gena short and flat. Occiput five-carinate each side; rim above eye also carinate. Prothorax: Markedly convex, moderately longer than broad (W/L: 0.96), narrowed basally anteriad of posterior lateral pore; surface smooth, five-sulcate; lateral sulci 2/3 length of pronotum, extended to posterior lateral pore, paramedian sulci sigmoid shaped, not reaching base, median sulcus deep, extended from near apex to base of pronotum, slightly crossing anterior transverse sulcus; anterior and posterior lateral setae present. Pterothorax: Elytra markedly convex (W/L: 0.46), intervals markedly convex, intervals 3, 5, and 7 each with a serial row of setiferous punctures, 10 such in interval 3. Legs: Normal in female. Abdomen: Abdominal sterna III to VI of female with normal ambulatory setae, VII with a pair of setae each side. Male genitalia: Unknown. Female genitalia: Not studied.

Dispersal potential.

These beetles, as represented by the holotype, are macropterous and are capable of flight; they are slow runners, strong burrowers. However, both the Caribbean and Indian Ocean species are wing-polymorphic and perhaps with additional specimens, Halocoryza whiteheadiana may prove to be the same.

Way of life.

Adults of other Halocoryza species are found on coralline sands in the intertidal zone of open beaches and among mangroves; a larva of the Indian Ocean species of this genus was found under dry seaweed just above the high-water mark on coralline sands. The single known specimen of Halocoryza whiteheadiana was collected at UV light on a sandy beach on the north shore of Isla Carmen, Baja California Sur. Adults of Halocoryza whiteheadiana are likely nocturnal halobiont predators, as are members of the other known species of this genus.

Other specimens examined.

None.

Figures

Figure 3. Color image, showing habitus of Halocoryza whiteheadiana sp. n., 3 a, left lateral aspect, 3 b, dorsal aspect, ABL = 2.9 mm; Holotype: Isla Del Carmen, BJ, Mexico.

Figure 4 - 8. 4 Line drawing, showing habitus of Halocoryza acapulcana Whitehead, 1966, dorsal aspect, ABL = 2.4 mm; Acapulco, Mexico; modified from Whitehead 1966 5 Line drawing, showing habitus of Halocoryza arenaria (Darlington, 1939), dorsal aspect, ABL = 2.9 mm; Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico; modified from Whitehead, 1966 6 Line drawing, showing habitus of Halocoryza whiteheadiana sp. n., dorsal aspect, ABL = 2.9 mm; ABL = 2.8 mm, ADP 127139; Isla Del Carmen, Mexico 7 Line drawing, showing male genitalia, median lobe, of Halocoryza acapulcana Whitehead, 1966, left lateral aspect, 0.41 mm (dorsal margin of basal lobe to apex); Acapulco, Mexico; modified from Whitehead 1966 8 Line drawing, showing male genitalia, median lobe, Halocoryza arenaria (Darlington, 1939), left lateral aspect with internal sac everted, 0.41 mm (dorsal margin of basal lobe to apex); Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico; modified from Whitehead, 1966.