Tobochares kappel sp. nov. Figs 9A-C, 11L, 13, 16A, B, D

Type material examined.

Holotype (male): "Suriname: Sipaliwini District: 3°47.479'N, 56°8.968'W; 320 m; CSNR: near Kappel airstrip, wet rocks on sides of waterfall; 13.viii.2013; leg. Short and Bloom; SR13-0813-04B" (NZCS). Paratypes (53 exs.): Suriname: Sipaliwini District: same data as holotype (49, NZCS, SEMC); same, except "Petromina Falls; leg. Short, Bloom, Kadosoe; SR13-0813-04C" (4, SEMC).

Differential diagnosis.

Tobochares kappel can be recognized by its strongly convex body in lateral view, accompanied by elytral punctation uniform in size and degree of impression, not impressed to form elytral striae; the serial punctures are seemingly aligned in rows and the interserial punctures are somewhat irregularly distributed and moderately dense (in one or two rows, Fig. 9A, B). The general habitus and punctation of T. kappel are similar to those of T. arawak, T. canaima, and T. kolokoe . In T. arawak and T. canaima the interserial punctures are highly dense (forming two or three irregular rows, Fig. 3I). In T. kappel the coloration of pronotum and elytra gradually becomes paler (orange) towards the outer margins (Fig. 9A, B), and the legs are orange in color (Fig. 9C), whereas in T. kolokoe only the anterolateral margins of the pronotum are slightly paler and the legs are reddish brown in coloration (Fig. 9D-F). In addition, the serial punctures are equally impressed along the entire surface of the elytra in T. kappel (Fig. 9B) whereas in T. kolokoe the serial punctures become more impressed along the postero-lateral areas of the elytra (Fig. 9E).

Description.

Size and form: Body length 1.6-1.9 mm. Body elongate oval, strongly convex (Fig. 9A, B). Color and punctation: Dorsal and ventral surfaces of body dark brown, prothorax (especially its lateral areas) and outer margins of elytra slightly paler (Fig. 9A, B); mouthparts yellow (especially maxillary palps); antennae yellowish brown; legs orange brown with paler (yellow) tarsi (Fig. 9C). Ground punctation on head, pronotum and elytra moderately marked. Head: Eyes in dorsal view with anterior margin oblique (anteriorly directed; e.g., Fig. 2D), and outer margins slightly bulging from outline of head; in lateral view, eyes not emarginate (e.g., Fig. 2E). Thorax: Elytral punctation uniform in size and degree of impression, not impressed to form elytral striae; serial punctures seemingly aligned in rows; interserial punctures somewhat irregularly distributed in one or two rows (Fig. 9A). Metafemora mostly glabrous on anterior face (Fig. 9C). Elevation of mesoventrite forming a very low transverse carina (Fig. 9C). Metaventrite with distinct median, longitudinal, narrow glabrous area extending along posterior half (Fig. 9C). Abdomen: Abdominal ventrites uniformly and very densely pubescent (Fig. 9C). Aedeagus (Fig. 11L). Basal piece nearly 0.5 × the length of a paramere; greatest width of a paramere nearly 0.5 × greatest width of median lobe; outer margins of parameres weakly convex; apex of paramere narrowly rounded; median lobe roughly sagittate, pinched and rounded at apex; gonopore situated nearly at midlength of median lobe.

Etymology.

Noun in apposition. Named after the Kappel airstrip, the locality where the species has been collected.

Distribution.

Known from two very closely situated localities adjacent to Kappel Airstrip, at the foot to Tafelberg Tepui in Suriname. See Fig. 13.

Life history.

Series were collected from two seepage habitats: one vertical seepage on sandstone adjacent to a large waterfall, and the second from a small mostly horizontal seepage on sandstone seeping into an adjacent stream. See Fig. 16A, B, D.