Baeocera serendibensis (Lobl, 1971)

Löbl, Ivan, 2012, On the Scaphisomatini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scaphidiinae) of the Philippines, III: the genus Baeocera Erichson, Revue suisse de Zoologie 119 (3), pp. 351-383 : 354-357

Baeocera serendibensis group

Baeocera bicolorata Löbl, 1979 Figs 1-3 Eubaeocera bicolor Löbl, 1972: 80 ; holotype Ƌ, ZMUB, type locality: "Heightspe". Baeocera bicolorata Löbl, 1979: 86 , replacement name for Eubaeocera bicolor Löbl, 1972 (nec

Baeocera bicolor Achard, 1920 ).

MATERIAL EXAMINED: 1 ex., LUZON, Mountain Prov., Sogong Cave Valley , 21.XII. 1979, leg. L. Deharveng & J. Orousset #79 ( MHNG) . – 1 ex., Mountain Prov., Mt. Nangaoto , 2240m, 27.VII.1985, leg. M. Sakai ( MHNG) .– 6 ex., Ifougao Prov., Mount Data Lodge , 2200- 2300m, 23-24.XII.1979, leg. L. Deharveng & J. Orousset #85, 97, 105, 106 ( MHNG) . – 4 ex., Mount Data, near Lodge , 8.I.90, J. Orousset #165 ( MHNG) . – 1 ex., Ifougao Prov., Mt. Pangao, 2350m, nr. Data , 14.VII.1985, leg. M. Sakai ( EUMJ) . – 7 ex., Benguet Prov., Paoay 2400 nr. Sayangan , 11.VII.1985, leg. M. Sakai ( EUMJ, MHNG) . – 2 ex., Banguio Prov., 1500 near Crystal Caves , 1-2.I.1980, leg. L. Deharveng & J. Orousset #128 ( MHNG) . – 3 ex., Banguio, Mt. Santo Thomas , ca. 2150m,14.I.80, leg. L. Deharveng & J. Orousset #188, 190, 196 ( MHNG) .

HABITAT: Moderately and very moist moss on rocks, moss on trunks, forest floor humus, various vegetation debris.

DISTRIBUTION: Philippines, Luzon.

COMMENTS: The species was previously reported only from two localities, Heightspe and Dallalasan. It may be easily separated from its Philippine congeners by the colour pattern of the elytra and the conspicuously short antennae. "Heightspe" is possibly a misspelling of Heights Place, which is according to Preliminary Gazetter, 1953, at 16°38' N and 120°44' E.

Baeocera brunnea ( Löbl, 1972) Figs 4, 5 Eubaeocera brunnea Löbl, 1972: 82 ; holotype Ƌ, ZMUB, type locality: SIARGAO, Surigao del

Norde Prov., Dapa.

MATERIAL EXAMINED: 8 ex., LUZON, Lagunas Prov., Banahaw above Kinabuhayan , 800m, 25.XI.95, leg. I. Löbl ( MHNG) . – 5 ex., Lagunas Prov., Mt. Makiling above Mad Springs , 400-700m, 19-22.XI.1995, leg. J. Kodada ( MHNG) . – 1 ex., Lagunas Prov., Mt. Makiling , 450- 550m, 20.XI.1995, leg. I. Löbl ( MHNG) . – 1 ex., Lagunas Prov. , Los Banos, Watt. Weston ( FMNH) . – 1 ex., LEYTE, Visca N Baybay, prim. forest 200-500m, 22.II.-10.III.1991, leg. W. Schawaller & al. ( SMNS) .

HABITAT: Leaf litter and other floor debris, in primary forest and on slope of degraded rainforest.

DISTRIBUTION: Philippines, Luzon, Leyte, Siargao.

COMMENTS: The species was previously known only from the type locality, which has been mislocated in Mindanao. In addition to characters given in the key, the shape of the parameres is diagnostic (Figs 4, 5).

Baeocera palawana (Löbl, 1971) Figs 6-9 Eubaeocera palawana Löbl, 1971b: 249 ; holotype ♀, ZMUK, type locality: PALAWAN ,

Brookes Point, Uring Uring.

MATERIAL EXAMINED: 1 ex., PALAWAN, Central Prov., Sadang, 30.XI.1995, leg. I. Löbl. – 1 ex., Central Prov. , above San Rafael , 300m, 4.XII.1995, I. Löbl and 2 ex. with the same data but leg. J. Kodada (all MHNG) .

HABITAT: Leaf litter, in primary forest and at edge of secondary, degraded forest, near sea level and on hills at low elevation.

DISTRIBUTION: Philippines, Palawan.

COMMENTS: The description of B. palawana was based on a single female from Uring Uring, Palawan. The newly examined specimens are smaller than the holotype, with the body 1.50-1.60 mm long and 1.05-1.15 mm wide. The aedeagus of B. palawana (Figs 6-9) is 0.45 mm long and similar to that in other species of the B. serendibensis group. In particular, it reminds that of B. brunnea (Löbl) , although the shape of FIGS 1-9

(1-3) Baeocera bicolorata Löbl , aedeagus (1), internal sac (2) and paramere (3) in dorsal view; scale bar = 0.1 mm for aedeagus, = 0.05 mm for internal sac and paramere. (4, 5) Baeocera brunnea (Löbl) , paramere in dorsal and lateral views; scale bar = 0.05 mm. (6-9) Baeocera palawana (Löbl) , aedeagus (6, 7) in dorsal and lateral views, internal sac (8), paramere in ventral view (9); scale bar = 0.1 mm for the aedeagus, = 0.05 mm for internal sac and paramere.

the parameres is different. These two species may be distinguished by the pattern of the coarse elytral punctation which is limited onto a strongly reduced surface of the disc in B. palawana .