Mecyclothorax micans (Blackburn)

Liebherr, James K., 2015, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Haleakala-, Maui: Keystone of a hyperdiverse Hawaiian radiation, ZooKeys 544, pp. 1-407 : 245-247

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Carabidae

(099) Mecyclothorax micans (Blackburn) Figs 126C, 128C, 129C, 130, 131 E–H

Cyclothorax micans Blackburn 1878a: 122; Blackburn and Sharp 1885: 214.

Mecyclothorax micans , Sharp 1903: 244; Britton 1948b: 131.

Diagnosis.

This species (Fig. 126C) shares with Mecyclothorax montivagus (Fig. 126B): 1, a broad subquadrate elytra with broadly rounded humeri, MPW/HuW = 1.91-2.05; and 2, a transverse pronotum-MPW/PL = 1.36-1.32-with briefly sinuate lateral margins anterad the obtuse hind angles. The parascutellar seta is absent. The cuticular microsculpture is similarly to that of Mecyclothorax montivagus : 1, vertex and pronotal disc with obsolete transverse mesh; 2, pronotal median base glossy; 3, elytral disc with obsolete elongate transverse mesh, apex with isodiametric sculpticells in transverse rows; 4, metasternum glossy; and 5, laterobasal abdominal ventrites with swirling isodiametric and transverse sculpticells. Setal formula 2 2 2 2. Standardized body length 3.6-4.3 mm.

Identification

(n = 5). The eyes are convex and large, and are situated on ocular lobes protruded from the gena, ocular ratio = 1.52-1.58, ocular lobe ratio = 0.87-0.88. The dorsal surface of the head is convex. The pronotal median base is broadly smooth with minute punctures, and the pronotal lateral marginal depression is narrow with the edge beaded. The elytral discal striae 1-3 are impressed and distinctly punctate, stria 4 shallower with punctures more isolated, and stria 5 represented by a series of isolated punctures. Stria 6 may be represented by a few remnant punctures, or be absent as is stria 7. The mesepisternum bears ~6 shallow punctures in 2 rows. The metathoracic flight wings are a vestigial strap 2.5 × long as broad, with remnant R and M veins present, and the strap apex extended to the hind margin of the metanotum.

Male genitalia (n = 7). Aedeagal median lobe gracile, distance from parameral articulation to tip 3.4 –4.4× depth at midlength (Fig. 131 E–H); apex obliquely narrowed along dorsal margin to acutely rounded tip; median lobe straight in ventral view, apex slightly curved rightward (Fig. 131G; compare to Fig. 131B); internal sac with dorsal ostial microtrichial patch near base on right side, and ventral ostial microtrichial patch at 1/3 sac length; flagellar plate large, length 0.55 × parameral articulation-tip distance.

Female reproductive tract (n = 1). Bursa copulatrix elongate, ellipsoid with a basal constriction distad vagina, length 1.14 mm, breadth 0.45 mm, basal constriction 0.23 mm broad (Fig. 128C); bursal walls translucent, thinly wrinkled; gonocoxite 1 with 4 very short apical fringe setae, a curved seta at apicomedial angle and 6-7 setae on medial surface (Fig. 129C); gonocoxite 2 broadly subtriangular, apex broadly rounded, 2 lateral ensiform setae, apical nematiform setae on medioventral surface at 0.75 × gonocoxite length.

Lectotype.

Male (BMNH) hereby designated, labeled: mounting platen with Blackburn Maui label ( Zimmerman 1957: 210), Cyc micans (on reverse) // Type // Hawaiian Is. Rev. T. Blackburn 1888-30. // LECTOTYPE Cyclothorax micans Blackburn J.K. Liebherr 1998 (black-margined red label).

Distribution and habitat.

Mecyclothorax micans can be found in the same situations as Mecyclothorax montivagus (Figs 130, 132), with beetles of this species looking like miniature versions of the latter when encountered in the field. Deschampsia (hairgrass) clumps and Sophora ( māmane) litter shelter individuals of this species. Unlike Mecyclothorax montivagus , which is not present at the summit of the Kula face (i.e. Pu‘u ‘Ula‘ula), the range of Mecyclothorax micans extends to the highest elevations, where the species keeps company with Mecyclothorax nubicola , Mecyclothorax pusillus , Mecyclothorax rusticus , and Mecyclothorax subconstrictus (Figs 79, 80).