Phylacastus makskacymirowi, Lumen & Kamiński, 2023

Lumen, Ryan & Kaminski, Marcin Jan, 2023, Taxonomic revision of the genus Phylacastus Fairmaire (Tenebrionidae, Eurynotina): shortfalls of anatomical nomenclature with notes on aedeagal homology, ZooKeys 1138, pp. 1-27 : 1

Phylacastus makskacymirowi sp. nov.

Figs 1B , 3B , 4D, F

Material examined

(data represents single specimens unless otherwise noted). Holotype (TMNH): " S.Afr., E.Transvaal Berlin;Karst plat. 25.31°S, 30.46°E; 20.9.1986; E-Y:2279 groundtraps, 33 days leg. Endrödy-Younga; ground trap with meat bait." With an additional label on red paper: " Holotype: Phylacastus makskacymirowi Lumen & Kaminski"

Paratypes (n = 11) (TMNH and MIIZPAN): Three additional specimens with same data as holotype (MIIZPAN). " S.Afr., E.Transvaal Berlin; Karst plat. 25.31°S, 30.46°E; 23.10.1986; E-Y:2001 groundtraps, 42 days leg. Endrödy-Younga; ground trap with meat bait.", " S.Afr., E.Transvaal Berlin; Karst plat. 25.31°S, 30.46°E; 4.2.1986 E-Y:2414 under fungous logs leg. Endrödy-Younga.”, " S.Afr.; Mpumalanga 10 km E Kaapsehoop 25.36°S, 30.43°E; 4- 6.1.2014: E-Y:3943 sifting; indigenous forest leg. Ruth Müller.”, " S.Afr.; Mpumalanga Sjonajona, Badplaas 24.44°S, 30.40°E; 11.11.2002; E-Y:3565 general collect. 1410 m leg. TMSA staff" (four specimens), " S.Afr., E.Transvaal Berlin;Karst plat. 25.31°S, 30.46°E; 8.12.1986 E-Y:2363 fungous Pinus logs leg. Endrödy-Younga.”

Diagnosis.

As of this revision, this is the smallest species of the genus (4-6 mm). In addition to its size, this species is further defined by the presence of well-defined tubercles on the apical declivity of the elytra-a trait shared only by P. rhodesianus , which is larger and can be further differentiated by 1) punctures on elytral intervals (more numerous and dense in P. rhodesianus ); 2) the shape of the mentum is broad, not tapered, further concealing the lateral wings in P. rhodesianus (Fig. 3C ), tapers apically, exposing lateral wings in P. makskacymirowi (Fig. 3B ); 3) aedeagus with a wide space between parameres, exposing large portion of median lobe in P. rhodesianus (Fig. 4C ), narrow exposing only the tip of the median lobe in P. makskacymirowi (Fig. 4D ).

Etymology.

Named after young bug enthusiast Maksymilian Jan Kacymirow (born on December 17, 2014 in Warsaw, Poland).

Description.

Length 4-6 mm. Head: punctures separated by <1 diameter. Mentum midportion medially raised but without distinct median carina, laterally tapering slightly toward apex, lateral wings exposed. Prothorax: pronotum finely punctate, punctures smaller and widely spaced, separated by> 1 diameter. Hypomeron very finely punctate and lightly sculptured/wrinkled. Prosternal process produced between forecoxae. Pterothorax: elytra wider than pronotal width. Elytral striae and intervals punctate; striae clearly impressed. Interval punctures fine, widely spaced (>1 diameter), distinctly smaller than strial punctures. Elytra distinctly tuberculate on apical declivity. Abdomen: ventrite V sulcus narrowly separated from apical border. Terminalia: male: parameres tapering apically, fused basally with narrow opening at apex exposing median lobe. Each paramere bearing a small, weak, subapical suture (Fig. 4F ). Female: ovipositor slightly elongate (ratio of ovipositor coxites I-IV to paraprocts <1:1). Bursa copulatrix not bilobate, accessory gland present near-to spermatheca, accessory pouch absent.

Distribution.

South Africa.

Figures

Figure 1. Dorsal habitus of Phylacastus species A Phylacastus ancoralium sp. nov. holotype B Phylacastus makskacymirowi sp. nov. C Phylacastus crypticoides D Phylacastus rhodesianus E Phylacastus striolatus lectotype. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Figure 3. Diagnostic features of Phylacastus species A-C mentum (Median keel red, middle portion and lateral wings blue and green respectively) D-E prosternal process F-G abdominal ventrite V A, D, F Phylacastus crypticoides B P. makskacymirowi C P. rhodesianus E P. ancoralium G P. striolatus. Scale bars: 0.1 mm

Figure 4. Phylacastus species spp. aedeagi A-D aedeagus dorsal view E, F aedeagus Ventral view A, H Phylacastus striolatus B, G P. ancoralium (ancorae highlighted blue) C P. rhodesianus E P. crypticoides D, F P. makskacymirowi (subapical sutures highlighted blue). Median lobes highlighted green. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.