Monotalla maierae Konstantinov, Linzmeier, Clark & Ivie

Konstantinov, Alexander S., Linzmeier, Adelita M., Clark, Shawn M. & Ivie, Michael A., 2015, Review of the West Indian genus Monotalla Bechyne (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini) with description of five new species, ZooKeys 505, pp. 117-136 : 122-123

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Chrysomelidae

Monotalla maierae Konstantinov, Linzmeier, Clark & Ivie sp. n. Figs 27-31, 32-35

Description.

Body length: 1.32-1.35 mm, width: 1.08-0.90 mm. Elytra with purplish luster. Ventral side and appendages light brown or amber. Distance between eyes about 2 times wider than transverse diameter of eye. Punctures on vertex poorly defined, mostly smaller than distance between them. Pronotal punctures sparse, slightly elongate in shape, their transverse diameter much smaller than distance between them. Elytral punctures relatively small, forming rows. Distance between punctures in rows lesser than or equal to their diameter. Distance between rows greater than diameter of punctures. Lateral side of metatibia with short evenly spaced denticles. Metatibial spur straight, strongly projecting beyond denticle situated on apex of inner side of metatibia. Aedeagus slender, with shallow and wide impression ventrally. Posterior sclerotizations of vaginal palpi slightly widening apically, straight at apex. Posterior sclerotization of tignum gradually narrowing posteriorly, abdominal sternite 8 without sclerotized spots near apex. Spermatheca with relatively long middle part of receptacle, with internal side slightly bend.

Comments.

Monotalla maierae can be separated from all other of Monotalla species by the purplish elytra. In addition, Monotalla maierae differs from most Monotalla based on small and sparse pronotal and elytral punctures.

Etymology.

We name this species after C. A. Maier who collected three of five new species described in this paper.

Type material.

Holotype, male: 1) St. Lucia: Piton Troumasse trap site. 793m, 13.8535°N, 61.0098°W, 17 JUNE 2009. moss berlese C. A. Maier (WIBF, to be deposited in the USNM). Paratypes 2 males, the same label as holotype (1- WIBF, 1- BYUC). Paratypes 2 females: 1) St. Lucia: Piton Troumasse trap site. 793m, 13.8535°N, 61.0098°W, 22 JUNE 2009. litter berlese C. A. Maier (1 - USNM, 1 - WIBF). The specimens are provided with one additional label (Holotype or Paratype respectively) Monotalla maierae Konstantinov et al. 2015.