Mecyclothorax ferruginosus Perrault, 1987: 426; 1988: 241

Liebherr, James K., 2013, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Tahiti, Society Islands, ZooKeys 322, pp. 1-170 : 40

28. Mecyclothorax ferruginosus Perrault, 1987: 426; 1988: 241

Identification.

Befitting its name, this species is characterized by the palest cuticle observed in all Tahitian Mecyclothorax (Fig. 21C). The male aedeagus of one of the two known specimens does not appear particularly teneral (Fig. 19G), though the flavous cast suggests the individual had not become completely melanized when collected. Beyond the coloration, this species can be told by the transverse, basally constricted pronotum; MPW/PL = 1.33, MPW/BPW = 1.75. The pronotal hind angles are distinct, nearly right, and projected, with the pronotal lateral margins convergent immediately anterad the angles. The discal elytral striae are nearly smooth, and are lined with minute punctures that cause slight irregularities in the striae in their basal half. The head is glossy with patches of transverse mesh microsculpture in depressed wrinkles associated with the frontal grooves. The pronotal disc is covered with an indistinct elongate transverse mesh that results in slight iridescence. The discal elytral intervals are covered with a dense transverse-mesh microsculpture, sculpticell breadth 2 –4× length. The male aedeagal median lobe apex has an elongate ventral extension (Fig. 19G), most similar, to though not as exaggerated as, that observed in Mecyclothorax bryobioides (Fig. 3H). Setal formula 2122; standardized body length 5.8-6.0 mm.

Distribution and habitat.

Georges Perrault collected the two known specimens together between 800 and 1000 m elevation on Mont Teatara, Tahiti Iti.