Calotheca leonardii, D’Alessandro et al., 2023

D’Alessandro, Paola, Grobbelaar, Elizabeth, Iannella, Mattia & Biondi, Maurizio, 2023, Calotheca leonardii, a new flea beetle species from southern Africa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), Natural History Sciences 10 (1), pp. 5-10 : 6-9

Calotheca leonardii sp. nov. ( Figs. 1 , 3 )

Calotheca thunbergi Biondi & D’Alessandro : Biondi et al. (2017: 126, 155 partim)

Type material

Holotype ♂: Republic of South Africa, CP [Eastern Cape Province], Cintsa Mouth, 32°49’S 28°07’E, 26.xi.1988, E. Grobbelaar leg., collected by beating ( SANC). Paratypes: Republic of South Africa: Eastern Cape Province: 2♂ and 5♀, same data as the holotype ( SANC); 1♂ and 1♀, road R 63, 4 km E Komga, 350 m, 32.34.67 S 27.55.22 E [32°34’43’’S 27°54’28’’E], 2.v.2005, E. Colonnelli leg. ( BAQ); 1♀, Port St Johns - second plage, 31.38.66 S 29.31.25 E [31°38’39’’S 29°31’15’’E], 8-9.xi.2006, E. Colonnelli leg. ( BAQ); 1♀, Port St. Johns, Silaka Nature Reserve, 31.39.45 S, 29.30.14 E [31°39’45’’S 29°30’14’’E], 10.xi.2006, E. Colonnelli leg. ( BAQ); 1♀, 10 km South of Addo, 100 m, 35°46’S, 25°45’E [33°36’58’’S, 25°42’41’’E], 5.xi.1988, E. Colonnelli leg. ( BAQ); 1♀, road Grahamstown to Alexandria, 350 m, 33 23.97S, 26 28.43E [33°23’58’’S 26°28’26’’E], 3.v.2005, P. Audisio & E. Colonnelli leg. ( BAQ); 1♂ and 1♀, Mondhoek, 12 km NNE of Jeffreys Bay, 33°56.5’[33°56’30”] S 24°59’E, 02.i.1997, R. Ståls leg. ( SANC); 2♂ and 1♀, Pirie Forest, K [ing] W [illiam]’s Town [32°53’44”S 27°25’02E], 21.iii.[19]65, A. L. Capener leg. ( SANC); 1♀, Hogsback State Forest, Hogsback Pass (middle) c. 1100m, 32°36’S 26°56’E, 26.v.1998, Collected from Rhus sp. ( Anacardiaceae ), E. Grobbelaar, S. Neser, O. Neser leg. ( SANC); 1♂, Van Staden’s Riv[er] nr. Thornhill, 33°55’S 25°12’E, 06.xii.1988, B.[= E.] Grobbelaar leg. ( SANC); 2♂ and 1♀, Colonie du Cap, East London [33°01’42”S 27°51’06”E], 1923, R. Ellenberger leg. ( MNHN); 4♂, N 2 Rd side 20 km N of Peddie, 175 m, - 33.0659S / 27.2098E [33°03’57”S 27°12’35”E], 18.xi.2013, karoo vegetation, M. Wanat leg. ( UWCP); 1♂, Silaka Nat[ure] Res[erve], near Port St. Johns, 20-80 m, trail up chalet 11, - 31.6532S / 29.5068E [31°39’12”S 29°30’24”E], 13.xi.2013, beating, M. Wanat leg. ( UWCP); 1♂ and 1♀, Alexandria Forest, 33°42’S 26°22’E, 27.xi.1988, B.[= E.] Grobbelaar leg. ( SANC); 1♂, 5 Km N Allcedale, 300 m, 33°18’53”S 26°06’15”E, 12.xi.2005, E. Colonnelli leg. ( SANC); 1♂, Port St. John[s], Pondoland, [31°37’55”S 29°32’11”E] 10-31.vii.1923 ( NHMUK); Western Cape Province: 1♂, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, near Cape town, 33°59’15”S 18°25’58”E, 23.i.2000, Feeding on Rhigozum obovatum ( Bignoniaceae ), C. N. Duckett leg. ( SANC); 2♂ and 1♀, Bloukrans River Bridge, c. 10 km E of Nature’s Valley, 33°57’S 23°09’E, 31.xii.1996, Beaten from flowering Rhus sp. ( Anacardiaceae ), R.Stals leg. ( SANC).

Diagnosis

The colour pattern of Calotheca leonardii sp. nov. is very similar to C. thunbergi : dark yellow pronotum, elytra with irregular brown patches and blackish punctation ( Figs. 1A , 2A ). However, the new species is distinguishable by the longer elytra and, especially in male, the longer antennae ( Figs. 1A , 2A ): in Calotheca leonardii sp. nov. LE / LP = 3.59 ± 0.08 in ♂, 3.85 ± 0.11 in ♀; LAN /( LE + LP) = 0.48 ± 0.02 in ♂, 0.41 ± 0.02 in ♀; in C. thunbergi LE / LP = 3.31 ± 0.08 in ♂, 3.46 ± 0.14 in ♀; LAN /( LE + LP) = 0.39 ± 0.02 in ♂, 0.36 ± 0.02 in ♀. In addition, C. leonardii sp. nov. has a less convex pronotum, with rather irregular surface compared to C. thunbergi .

The median lobe of the aedeagus of Calotheca leonardii sp. nov. is distinguishable from that of C. thunbergi by the clearly sinuate apex, and a longer dorsal ligula ( Figs. 1D , 2D ). Spermatheca ( Fig. 1C ) is rather variable and does not have striking diagnostic value at the species level. Its basal part is approximately fusiform, distal part distinctly curved, about as long as half the length of the basal part, with evident appendix; ductus is thickset, rather short, uncoiled, roughly U-shaped, with insertion slightly dorsally oriented. It can be generally distinguished from C. thunbergi by the ductus more elongate ( Figs. 1C , 2C ).

Description of the holotype (♂)

Body elliptically-elongate in dorsal view, rather convex in lateral view; total length of body ( LB) = 6.45 mm; maximum pronotal width near the base ( WP = 3.00 mm); maximum width of elytra in the basal third ( WE = 3.80 mm). Head, distal half of the antennae, and legs pale brown; pronotum and proximal half of the antennae dark yellow; elytra slightly paler than pronotum, with irregular brown patches and blackish punctation ( Fig. 1A ); scutellum dark yellow. Head surface ( Fig. 1B ) microreticulate and micropunctate, with setiferous punctures that are sparser on the frons; frontal grooves sinuate, deeply impressed, extending from the dorsal ocular margin to approximately the inter-antennal space; eyes elliptical, elongate; antennae shorter than half the body length ( LAN = 3.15 mm; LAN /LB = 0.49); LA: 100:53: 74:74:84:74:79:68:74:63:95. Pronotum ( Fig. 1B ) slightly convex, sub-trapezoidal, distinctly transverse ( LP = 1.50 mm; WP / LP = 2.00), sides moderately rounded, lateral margins visible in dorsal view; surface microreticulate and micropunctate, with small, dense punctation, and very shallow, irregular depressions; punctate lateral striae moderately impressed, L-shaped; some sparse additional punctures along the pronotal margins; basal furrows very short and moderately incised; a small dimple medially, near the basal margin; anterior angles distinct, prominent and pointed, indistinctly swollen; posterior angles obtuse. Scutellum sub-triangular. Elytra ( Fig. 1A ) elongate ( LE = 5.35 mm; WE/ LE = 0.71; LE / LP = 3.57), moderately rounded laterally, jointly rounded apically; lateral margin narrow, barely visible in dorsal view; elytral punctation arranged in single regular rows formed by distinctly impressed punctures; interstriae on elytral disc flat, with finely microreticulate and sparsely micropunctate surface; humeral calli indistinctly raised. Macropterous. Basal pro- and meso-tarsomeres distinctly enlarged. Underside pale brown; apical abdominal ventrite without preapical sculptures or impressions. Median lobe of the aedeagus ( Fig. 1D ) ( LAED = 2.80 mm; LE / LAED = 1.91) softly sinuate laterally in ventral view, subtriangular and truncate apically; ventral surface coarsely wrinkled and prominent from about the half-length to the subapical part, with a narrow median sulcus; median lobe moderately curved in lateral view, with sinuate apex; dorsal ligula moderately elongate, with a wide median lobe, subtriangular apically, and with two narrow and more elongate lateral lobes.

Variability

Males (n = 10; mean ± standard deviation, range): LE = 4.98 ± 0.23 mm (4.75 ≤ LE ≤ 5.35 mm); WE = 3.58 ± 0.14 mm (3.45 ≤ WE ≤ 3.80 mm); LP = 1.39 ± 0.06 mm (1.30 ≤ LP ≤ 1.50 mm); WP = 2.80 ± 0.11 mm (2.68 ≤ WP ≤ 3.00 mm); LAN = 3.04 ± 0.17 mm (2.80 ≤ LAN ≤ 3.35 mm); LAED = 2.65 ± 0.08 mm (2.58 ≤ LAED ≤ 2.80 mm); LB = 6.24 ± 0.23 mm (5.93 ≤ LB ≤ 6.65 mm); LE / LP = 3.59 ± 0.08 (3.39 ≤ LE / LP ≤ 3.69); WE/WP = 1.28 ± 0.02 (1.23 ≤ WE/WP ≤ 1.31); WP/ LP = 2.02 ± 0.03 (1.96 ≤ WP/ LP ≤ 2.06); WE/ LE = 0.72 ± 0.01 (0.71 ≤ WE/ LE ≤ 0.74); LAN /LB = 0.49 ± 0.02 (0.46 ≤ LAN /LB ≤ 0.53); LE / LAED = 1.88 ± 0.05 (1.78 ≤ LE / LAED ≤ 1.95). Females (n = 10; mean ± standard deviation; range): LE = 5.12 ± 0.38 mm (4.50 ≤ LE ≤ 5.78 mm); WE = 3.70 ± 0.26 mm (3.15 ≤ WE ≤ 4.10 mm); LP = 1.33 ± 0.09 mm (1.20 ≤ LP ≤ 1.45 mm); WP = 2.83 ± 0.21 mm (2.40 ≤ WP ≤ 3.15 mm); LAN = 2.66 ± 0.20 mm (2.25 ≤ LAN ≤ 3.05 mm); LSP = 0.70 ± 0.04 mm (0.65 ≤ LSP ≤ 0.75 mm); LB = 6.48 ± 0.46 mm (5.80 ≤ LB ≤ 7.50 mm); LE / LP = 3.85 ± 0.11 (3.70 ≤ LE / LP ≤ 4.04); WE/WP = 1.31 ± 0.01 (1.29 ≤ WE/WP ≤ 1.34); WP/ LP = 2.13 ± 0.07 (2.00 ≤ WP/ LP ≤ 2.23); WE/ LE = 0.72 ± 0.01 (0.70 ≤ WE/ LE ≤ 0.74); LAN /LB = 0.41 ± 0.02 (0.38 ≤ LAN /LB ≤ 0.42); LE /LSP = 7.32 ± 0.49 (6.57 ≤ LE /LSP ≤ 7.97). Paratypes are very similar in shape, sculpture, and colour to the holotype. Some variability affects the pronotal surface, more regular in some specimens, and with the basal furrows moderately impressed to barely detectable. Female with basal pro- and mesotarsomeres less enlarged than in male. Spermatheca ( Fig. 1C ) rather variable but always roughly fusiform; distal part distinctly curved, about as long as half the length of the basal part, with a distinct appendix; ductus thickset, moderately elongate, uncoiled, roughly U-shaped; ductus insertion almost dorsally oriented.

Etymology

The specific epithet refers to our friend and colleague Carlo Leonardi (Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano, Italy), passionate and esteemed expert in flea beetles.

Distribution

Republic of South Africa, Eastern Cape and Western Cape Provinces ( Fig. 3 ). Chorotype: Southern African (SAF).

Ecological notes

Based on the notes reported on the labels, adults were collected in January, March, May, July, November, and December, between 20-1100 m a.s.l., on karoo vegetation, Rhus sp. ( Anacardiaceae ) and Rhigozum obovatum ( Bignoniaceae ).

Figures

Fig. 1 - Calotheca leonardii sp. nov. A) habitus of the holotype; B) head and pronotum, male; C) spermatheca (Eastern Cape, 4 km E Komga); D) median lobe of the aedeagus, from left to right in ventral, dorsal and lateral view (Eastern Cape, 20 km N of Peddie). bf: basal furrow; fg: frontal grooves; ld: lateral depression; pls: punctate lateral stria; smd: shallow medial dimple. / A) habitus dell’olotipo; B) testa e pronoto, maschio; C) spermateca (Eastern Cape, 4 km a E di Komga); D) lobo mediano dell’edeago, da sinistra a destra in visione ventrale, dorsale e laterale (Eastern Cape, 20 km a N di Peddie). bf: solco basale; fg: docce frontali; ld: depressione laterale; pls: stria laterale di punti; smd: fossetta mediana superficiale.

Fig. 3 - Locality occurrences of Calotheca leonardii sp. nov. and C. thunbergi Biondi & D’Alessandro. / Località di presenza di Calotheca leonardii sp. nov. e C. thunbergi Biondi & D’Alessandro.

Fig. 2 - Calotheca thunbergi Biondi & D’Alessandro. A) habitus, male (Eastern Cape, Katberg); B) head and pronotum, male (Eastern Cape, Katberg); C) spermatheca (Eastern Cape, Katberg); D) median lobe of the aedeagus, from left to right in ventral, dorsal and lateral view (Eastern Cape, Katberg). bf: basal furrow; fg: frontal grooves; pls: punctate lateral stria. / A) habitus, maschio (Eastern Cape, Katberg); B) testa e pronoto, maschio (Eastern Cape, Katberg); C) spermateca (Eastern Cape, Katberg); D) lobo mediano dell’edeago, da sinistra a destra in visione ventrale, dorsale e laterale (Eastern Cape, Katberg). bf: solco basale; fg: docce frontali; pls: stria laterale di punti.