Omotropis terrenus (Lewis, 1913)

Mazur, Slawomir, 2009, Random studies upon Histerini (Coleoptera: Histeridae), Baltic Journal of Coleopterology 9 (2), pp. 101-109 : 104-107

Omotropis terrenus (Lewis, 1913)

Placing it originally in the genus Hister L., Lewis (1913b: 357) noted its peculiarity as follows: “The dorsal striae of this species somewhat resemble those of H. semigranosus, Mars. , but there is no known species similar to it”.

Reichardt (1933: 84) creating a new genus Omotropis (with H. terrenus as the type) showed some affinities to Teinotarsus Marseul , 18 (pronotum carinate at sides, prosternum bistriate) and Psiloscelis (carinate elytra and sulcate pronotum laterally).

To a better recognition of this curious and very rare species some morphological details and as well as a male genital structure are figured ( Figs. 21-31 ).

Material examined:

Type: a male, [ Malawi]: Mlanje , Nyasaland, 11.12.1912, S.A. Neave , Type, Hister terrenus Lewis , Type, 1919-140 [ MNHL] .

Figures

Figs. 21-31. Omotropis terrenus. 21 – head, 22 – body, upper side, 23 – pronotum, 24 – elytron, 25 – pro- and pygidium, 26 – body, under side, 27-31. genital structure of the male. 27-29 – edeagus, 30 – 8th segment, 31 – 9th and 10th tergites, 23, 24, 29 0 laterally, 27 – dorsally, 28 – ventrally.