Radicitus cf. granitum

Short, Andrew Edward Z. & García, Mauricio, 2014, A new genus of egg case-carrying water scavenger beetle from the Guiana Shield (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Acidocerinae), Zootaxa 3835 (2), pp. 251-262 : 259

Radicitus cf. granitum

( Fig. 7 C)

Material examined (14): SURINAME: Sipaliwini District: Tafelberg Summit, nr. Caiman Creek Camp, large seepage, 19.viii.2013, leg. Short & Bloom, SR13-0819-01A (13: SEMC, NZCS); Kappel Airstrip, seepage flowing into canal along airstrip, 24.viii.2013, leg. Short & Bloom, SR13-0824-02B (1: SEMC).

Remarks. These specimens were collected from both the summit of Tafelberg Tepui in central Suriname and a seep alongside Kappel Airstrip near its base. They closely resemble R. granitum , and we have been unable to externally distinguish them from one another. The aedeagus of these specimens ( Fig. 7 C) is also extremely similar in form to R. granitum ; however, there do appear to be some differences, including the narrowness of the apex of the parameres and curvature of the median lobe. These differences are apparent when comparing Figs. 7 C and 7D, but there is variation and not all of these features are consistent in the series examined, and thus we are reluctant to base the concept of a fourth new species on this evidence alone. Given the significant disjunction between the localities in northwestern Venezuela and Tafelberg, we also refrain from assigning these specimens to R. granitum for the time being until genetic or other suitable data can be obtained to provide further insight into the relationships among these populations.

Figures

FIGURE 7. Aedeagi of Radicitus spp. A) R. ayacucho, B) R. surinamensis, C) R. cf. granitum (Suriname), D) R. granitum (Venezuela).