Bolitogyrus fulgidus (Sharp, 1884)

Brunke, Adam J. & Solodovnikov, Alexey, 2014, A revision of the Neotropical species of Bolitogyrus Chevrolat, a geographically disjunct lineage of Staphylinini (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae), ZooKeys 423, pp. 1-113 : 25-26

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Staphylinidae

Bolitogyrus fulgidus (Sharp, 1884) Figs 1B, 5B, 7B, 9B, 10A, 11D, F, 12 D–E, 26 E–F, 27H, 29C (map)

Cyrtothorax fulgidus Sharp, 1884: 341

Cyrtothorax fulgidus : Scheerpeltz 1974: 182 (in key)

Type locality.

Chontales, Nicaragua.

Type material.

Cyrtothorax fulgidus Sharp, 1884. Holotype (♀, BMNH):" Cyrtothorax fulgidus , Type D.S., Chontales Nicaragua, Janson" [written on card in Sharp’s hand, with specimen]/ Chontales, Nicaragua, Janson [printed label]/ B.C.A. Col. I.2., Cyrtothorax , fulgidus, Sharp. [printed label]/ Type [printed on disc with red border]/ Sharp Coll., 1905.-313. [printed label] / Holotype ♀, Cyrtothorax fulgidus Sharp (1884), det. A. Brunke 2013 [red printed label].

The single, female specimen located in the BMNH is interpreted as the holotype as Sharp (1884) stated that only one specimen was seen. The holotype differs from all other species of the genus by the beveled apex of female tergite X (Fig. 26 E–F).

Other material.

COSTA RICA:Alajuela: Estación San Ramón Oeste, [10.8832, -85.4135 retrieved from INBIO specimen database] 620m, 3 to 19.IV.1994, F. Quesada, 001777049, ♀ (INBIO). Heredia: La Selva Biological Station, ' 10.26°N, 84.01°W ' [10°26'0" N, 84°1'0"W], 50-150m, ex. Malaise, 15.XII.1993 to 3.I.1994, ALAS, M/05/308, 1 ♀ (PTC); same except: 1.VI to 1.VII.1993, M/06/151, 1 ♀ (PTC). Puntarenas: Monteverde, 10.30, -84.80 [retrieved from SEMC database], 1550m, 15.X.2000, R. M. Timm, SM0694452, 1 ♀ (SEMC).

Diagnosis.

Head without central protuberance; antenna distinctly bicolored (Fig. 5A); genital and abdominal segments VIII distinctly paler than previous segments; abdominal sternites with fine transverse microsculpture, interspaces about as wide as lines (Fig. 13D); female procoxa entirely pale not contrasting with profemur; female tergite X with beveled apex (Fig. 26 E–F); female gonocoxite distinctly swollen at base (Fig. 27H).

Redescription.

Measurements ♀ (n=5): HW/HL 1.48-1.56; PW/PL 1.32-1.43; EW/EL 1.24-1.31; ESut/PL 0.66-0.73 (one specimen = 0.80); PW/HW 1.14-1.19; forebody length 5.2-5.5 mm.

Similar to Bolitogyrus buphthalmus and differing only in the following: head with metallic green to greenish-bronze reflections; pronotum varying from bright orange-red to dark reddish brown with a metallic greenish-bronze reflection and broadly reddish margins; elytra with metallic blue to greenish-bronze reflection, epipleuron and extreme base of elytra partly reddish; abdominal segments III–V reddish, with variable amounts of darkening both dorsally and ventrally; entire abdominal segment VI and base of VII dark brown, apex of VII onward, including genital segment, yellow to orange, distinctly paler than previous segments; antennomeres XI or X–XI paler than preceding segments; legs not distinctly bicolored: coxa light reddish-brown and remainder of legs either equally pale or gradually darkened to dark brown, toward apex of tibia; median frontal impression weak; head with impunctate area in middle of disc; last segment of labial palpus distinctly setose, setae more numerous and longer than in Bolitogyrus buphthalmus ; pronotum with pair of depressions but without distinct protuberance in lateral view; surface of elytra relatively even, without distinct protuberances; disc of tergites III–V and sometimes VI, impunctate at middle; sternites III–IV and usually V with basal transverse lines sharply projected posteriad at middle; female tergite X transverse to weakly transverse, sharply produced apically, with beveled apex (Fig. 26 E–F); female gonocoxite distinctly swollen at base (Fig. 27H).

Distribution.

Figure 29C. Bolitogyrus fulgidus is known from Nicaragua and Costa Rica (not east of the Central Cordillera).

Bionomics.

Bolitogyrus fulgidus has been collected in April, October and December/January at elevations ranging from 50-1550 m (but see below). All specimens with collecting data were captured in Malaise traps. Currently only females have been collected and nothing is known about this species’ microhabitat preferences. It is notable that this species was never collected by fogging fungusy logs or from other fungi. It is possible that this species normally occurs in a forest stratum higher than accessed by most collecting efforts.

Comments.

Bolitogyrus fulgidus is most similar to Bolitogyrus pulchrus and Bolitogyrus salvini but may be easily distinguished by the bicolored antennae and pale base of the elytra. Four recently collected female specimens Bolitogyrus fulgidus from Costa Rica are included in this species concept based on the shape of female tergite X, though in one specimen (SM0694452), the tergite is distinctly more elongate (Fig. 26F), antennomere X is not paler than the preceding segments, the pronotum-to-head width ratio is slightly greater, and the elytra are slightly longer. This specimen was also collected at a much higher elevation (1550 m) than the other specimens including the holotype (50-620 m) and from a locality on the Pacific slope of the continental divide in Costa Rica. Bolitogyrus fulgidus is otherwise known from the Caribbean lowlands of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Additional collecting in Costa Rica will hopefully determine the identity of this specimen from the Pacific cloud forest, especially if males of this species are discovered from both side of the divide.