Lithocharodes hibbsi, Irmler, 2024

Irmler, Ulrich, 2024, Additions to Neotropical species of the genera Lithocharodes Sharp, 1881 and Somoleptus Sharp, 1881 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae), Contributions to Entomology 74 (1), pp. 13-34 : 13

Lithocharodes hibbsi sp. nov.

Figs 6a-d , 19F

Material examined.

Holotype: ECUADOR male; Pichincha; Quito; Maquipucuna Station ; 1600-1650 m elevation; flight intercept trap; 8-18 Apr 1996; P. Hibbs leg.; KNHM ECU1H96 012.

Paratypes: ECUADOR 1 female; from same location as holotype; 18 Apr-5 May 1996; KNHM ECU1H96 013 ; 1 female; Esmeraldas; Bilsa ; 0°20'0"S, 79°43'0"W; flight intercept trap; 18 Apr-10 May 1996; P. Hibbs leg.; KNHM ECU1H96 015 ; 1 male, 1 female; from same location as holotype but; 5 Jun-7 Jul 1996; KNHM ECU1H96 014 ; 1 female; same data; UIC ECU1H96 014 ; 1 female; Napo, Sierra Azul; Hacienda Aragon ; 2300 m elevation: 0°40'0"S, 77°55'0"W; flight intercept trap; 17 Feb-26 Mar 1996; P. Hibbs leg. KNHM ECU1H96 009 ; 1 male Pichincha; Otongatchi Nat. Res. ; leaf litter; 26.8.2009; Ramon leg; UIC .

Diagnosis.

According to the structure of the aedeagus, L. hibbsi is added to the L. verhaaghi -group due to the oval shape of the central lobe and the shape and minute teeth of the endophallus. The species is characterised within the group and all other Lithocharodes species by the slender body. In this respect, it resembles species of the genus Somoleptus , but the structure of the aedeagus equals that of Lithocharodes . The aedeagus of L. hibbsi mostly resembles that of L. peruanus Irmler, 2021 by the structure of the thick endophallus, but has only one torsion.

Description.

Length: 5.6 mm; Colouration: blackish; pronotum in anterior part lighter than on posterior half; legs and antennae light brown.

Head: 0.98 mm long, 0.69 mm wide; elongate; PS:E ratio 3.4; without posterior angles; smoothly curved sides continuing to widely rounded posterior part; setiferous punctation moderately deep and dense; on average, interstices between punctures twice as wide as diameter of punctures; surface without microsculpture; polished; antennae with first antennomere elongate; three fourths as long as head; second and third antennomere conical; third longer than second; combined half as long as first antennomere; following antennomeres transverse; on average, twice as wide as long; apically increasing in width. Pronotum: 1.09 mm long, 0.67 mm wide, in front of posterior angles 0.57 mm; widest in anterior third; posterior half narrower; slightly divergent to widely rounded posterior angles; posterior margin nearly semi-circular; setiferous punctation irregular; moderately deep and dense; on average, interstices between punctures as wide as to twice as wide as diameter of punctures; wide mid-line impunctate; surface without microsculpture; polished. Elytra: 1.05 mm long, 0.99 mm wide; humeral angles obtuse; sides approximately parallel; posterior angles sub-rectangular; posterior margin retreated to suture; setiferous punctation denser than on pronotum; surface without microsculpture; polished. Abdomen with fine and sparse setiferous punctation; surface without microsculpture; polished; posterior margin of sternite VII of male convex; nearly semi-circular; tergite VII of male with straight posterior margin; meso- and meta-tibia with four ctenidia each. Aedeagus oval with semi-rectangular anterior margin; dorsal plate of central lobe large covering nearly total central lobe; endophallus thick, covered by minute teeth; one torsion dividing endophallus in thick posterior and short, narrow anterior part; paramere three fourths as long as central lobe; divided in long straight and short curved upper part; nearly hook-like; in basal part, with numerous short setae; in basal half, several sensillae at outer edge; in upper half, several sensillae at inner edge and few sensillae at outer edge.

Etymology.

The species name honours P. Hibbs, who sampled in particular in various Ecuadorian regions.

Geography.

Ecuador.

Ecology.

Cloud forest between 1600 and 2500 m elevation from February to June.

Figures

Figure 19. A. Fore-body of Lithocharodes andersoni; B. L. dubia; C. L. esmeraldae; D. L. falini; E. L. hansoni; F. L. hibbsi. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Figures 5 - 8. 5. Lithocharodes hansoni; 6. L. hibbsi; 7. L. lituratus; 8. L. montanus. a. Aedeagus; b. Paramere; c. Sternite VII; d. Tergite VII. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (a, c, d); 0.1 mm (b).