Microdytes whitingi Miller & Wewalka

Miller, Kelly B. & Wewalka, Günther, 2010, Microdytes Balfour-Browne of India with description of three new species (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae), Zootaxa 2420, pp. 26-36 : 31-32

Microdytes whitingi Miller & Wewalka , new species

Type locality. India, Maharashtra, Mulshi.

Material examined. Holotype ♂ ( MSBC) “ INDIA: Maharashtra Mulshi. 26 Sep 2004 18º26.665’N 073º25.654’E KB Miller, colr./ HOLOTYPE: Microdytes whitingi Miller & Wewalka, 2009 [red printed label].” Paratypes, 26 ex. with same locality data as holotype ( CGWW, MSBC, USNM); All paratypes are provided with red printed paratype labels.

Diagnosis. Microdytes whitingi resembles M. cameroni and M. boukali in the very fine to almost absent punctation on dorsal and ventral surfaces, but differs from them in having the body overall oblong-oval and dorsoventrally compressed and the predominantly yellow-brown elytra.

Description. Measurements. TL = 1.33–1.53 mm, GW = 0.83–1.00 mm, TL/GW = 1.54–1.59. Body dorsoventrally compressed and flattened; lateral outline continuous between pronotum and elytron; lateral margins of elytron relatively parallel-sided ( Fig. 3 ).

Coloration. Head yellow-brown, darker along the eyes. Pronotum red-brown to dark brown, yellowbrown along lateral margins. Elytron predominantly yellow-brown, dark brown along base and suture and with diffuse light-brown maculae ( Fig. 3 ). Ventral surfaces of head, prothorax and posterior three abdominal ventrites yellowish; thorax, anterior two abdominal ventrites and elytral epipleuron red-brown; legs, antennae and palpi yellowish-brown.

Sculpture and structure. Head with very fine, inconspicuous, irregular punctation; other microsculpture indistinct; clypeus evenly rounded, anterior clypeal margin flattened and extended anteriorly but without distinct subapical depression or marginal bead; eyes small. Pronotum with very fine, inconspicuous, irregular punctation or with punctation almost absent; other microsculpture absent; with posterior angles not produced posteriorly; lateral bead distinct and of even width throughout. Elytron with very fine, irregular punctation or with punctation almost absent, with discal series of punctures more pronounced posteriorly; dorsolateral series of punctures present anteriorly; other microsculpture absent. Metaventrite, metacoxae and abdominal ventrites with very fine, irregular punctation or with punctation almost absent; ventral side without other microsculpture.

Male genitalia. Median lobe in ventral aspect ( Fig. 7 a), in lateral aspect ( Fig. 7 b). Lateral lobes in ventral aspect fused apically ( Figs 11 a), lateral aspect ( Fig. 11 b).

Variation. This species varies somewhat in the extent of the elytral maculae and the depth of brown coloration.

Etymology. This species is named in honor of esteemed colleague, M.F. Whiting, Provo, UT, USA.

Habitat. The species was found in a small, torrential stream in the Western Ghats area of southwestern India. It was found in the same locality and habitat as M. sabitae .

Distribution. India: Maharashtra ( Fig. 13 ).

Figures

FIGURE 13. Distribution of Microdytes in India.

FIGURES 1 – 4. Dorsal habitus and variations of color patterns of Microdytes species: 1) M. svensoni; 2) M. cameroni; 3) M. whitingi; 4) M. sabitae.

FIGURES 5 – 8. Median lobe of aedeagus: a) dorsal aspect, b) right lateral aspect: 5) M. svensoni; 6) M. cameroni; 7) M. whitingi; 8) M. sabitae.

FIGURES 9 – 12. Lateral lobes of aedeagus: a) dorsal aspect, b) lateral aspect: 9) M. svensoni; 10) M. cameroni; 11) M. whitingi; 12) M. sabitae.