Mnioticus gugheanus, Esser & R, 2019

Esser, Jens & R, Afrotropical, 2019, Revision of Mnioticus COOMBS & WOODROFFE, 1962 (Coleoptera, Cryptophagidae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 51 (2), pp. 915-928 : 917-918

Mnioticus gugheanus nov.sp. ( fig. 11 )

T y p e m a t e r i a l: Holotype ♂: " Ethiopia: 1948-1949, Hugh Scott, B.M. 1949-184 / Abyssinia: Gamo Prov. , Mt. Gughé, ca. 10,500 ft, 22.XII.1948 / from dying stem and fruiting inflorescence of Lobelia rhynchopetalum" [ BMNH] . Paratypes: 37 ex. with the same data as the holotype [ BMNH, cES] ; 6 ex. " Ethiopia: 1948-1949, Hugh Scott, B.M. 1949-184 / Abyssinia: Gamo Prov. , Mt. Gughé, over 11,000 ft, 21.XII.1948 / among decaying stems and leaves of Kniphofia on south-west slope" [ BMNH] .

E t y m o l o g y: Named after the Mt. Gughé ( Ethiopia), where the type material was collected.

D e s c r i p t i o n: Male, 1.9 mm, reddish-brown, shiny, elytra with a semi-circular black spot (except suture, base and apex). Membranous wings absent. Legs and antennae slender, tarsi 5-segmented, hind tarsi 4-segmented (in female 5-segmented). Antennae 11-segmented with a 3-segmented club. Segments 4 to 8 more or less globular, segments 1 to 3 slightly longer than broad. Segments 9 and 10 moderately transverse, 11 dropshaped and asymmetrical. Eyes large with fine ommatidia, puncture on head fine and sparse. Pronotum also with fine and sparse puncture. Pronotum convex and moderately transverse (1.5 times broader than long), with sides rounded, more narrowed to base in the posterior third and minute serration. Basal furrow flat, basal fovea deep. Anterior margin slightly concave, posterior margin slightly convex. Elytra elongate, puncture stronger and less sparse than on pronotum. Humeral callus absent.

C o m m e n t: Resembles in general shape to the most species except M. gibbinsi ( SCOTT, 1936) , M. hancocki ( SCOTT, 1936) , M. jeanneli ( SCOTT, 1936) and M. kinangopianus nov.sp. but normally separated by its dark spots on elytra (spot is of variable in size but well circumscribed). The also Ethiopian species M. rhynchopetali ( SCOTT, 1936) ( fig. 3 ) differs by its longer legs and more slender antennae. M. rougemonti ESSER, 2014 ( fig. 4 ), described also from Ethiopia, has smaller eyes and antennae segments 9 and 10 less transverse.

Pale specimens have only a small dark spot, which is enlarged in darker specimens. Very dark specimens have also a darkened pronotum.

Mnioticus holmi nov.sp. ( fig. 9 ) T y p e m a t e r i a l: Holotype ♂: "EAK Ruwenzori, Kitandara, 10.IV.1948, Å. Holm Nr. 93 /

3850 m, Sålln mossa i Senecio/Lobelia-skog." [ NHRM]. Paratypes: 1 ♂, 5 ♀ with the same data as the holotype [ NHRM, cES] ; 3 ♀ " Congo: P. N. A., 21-22-VII-1963, RP. M.-J. Célis 2129 / Massif Ruwenzori, Mahungu, r. dr. Katsambu, 3.280 m, terreau » [ RMAC, cES], 1 ♀ « Congo: P. N. A., 19-VII-1963, RP. M.-J. Célis 2135 / Massif Ruwenzori, Mahungu, camp des porteurs, 3.250 m, Ericetum » [ RMCA] .

E t y m o l o g y: Named after Åke Holm (1909-1989) who collected the holotype and a few paratypes, and also a lot of Cryptophagidae from several mountain ranges in East

Africa.

D e s c r i p t i o n: Male, 1.9 mm, reddish-brown, elytra pale (except suture), underside dark, posteriorly paler, shiny. Covered with whitish hairs, more or less (on sides of elytra) decumbent. Membranous wings absent. Legs and antennae slender, tarsi 5- segmented, anterior tarsomeres 1-3 widened (only in male), antennae 11-segmented with a 3-segmented club. Segment 3 elongated and pear-shaped, segment 2 somewhat shorter and broader. Segment 1 stout, segments 4 to 8 more or less long as broad. Segments 9 and 10 moderately transverse, 11 fusiform and asymmetrical. Eyes moderately large with coarse ommatidia, puncture on head fine and sparse. Pronotum moderately transverse (1,4 times broader than long), broadest in the middle, sides narrowed anteriorly and posteriorly, convex, before posterior angles abruptly concave. Sides with fine crenulation. Anterior margin nearly straight, basal margin slightly rounded backwards in the medium half. Basal furrow moderate, basal fovea short. Puncture on pronotum fine and sparse. Elytra elongated, without any features. Puncture distinctly denser and stronger than on pronotum.

C o m m e n t: Not well distinguishable from M. scotti nom.nov. except by the origin of specimens. M. scotti nom.nov. is known by two females (holotype and one additional specimen). For distinguishing the two species the discovery of male of M. scotti is helpful. Also similar to M. ruwenzoriensis nov.sp. but pronotum with puncture and shiny. Sides of pronotum concave in the posterior part. The M. karisimbianus nov.sp. ( fig. 10 ) with elytra more stout is so far not known from Ruwenzori Mountains.

Figures

Figs 9-12: (9) Mnioticus holmi nov.sp., dark specimen, paratype, female; (10) Mnioticus karisimbianus nov.sp., paratype, female; (11) Mnioticus gugheanus nov.sp. Gughe Mts., paratype, male; (12) Mnioticus kinangopianus nov.sp. Aberdare, paratype, female.

Figs 1-4: (1) Mnioticus gibbinsi (SCOTT, 1936), male; (2) Mnioticus hancocki (SCOTT, 1936), male; (3) Mnioticus rhynchopetali (SCOTT, 1936), holotype, male; (4) Mnioticus rougemonti ESSER, 2014, paratype, male.