Tobochares canaima sp. nov. Figs 3I, 10D-F, 11N, 13

Type material examined.

Holotype (male): "Venezuela: Bolívar: 5°51'N, 62°33'W; 1700 m; Auyan-tepui; Intercept trap; 7-14.ii.1994; leg. J.L. García, A. Chacón” (MIZA). Paratypes (7 exs.): Venezuela: Bolívar: Same data as holotype (6, MIZA, SEMC); " 5°46'50"N, 62°31'36"W; 2170 m; Auyan-tepui; yellow trap; 20.iv.1994; leg. L. Mesner, J.L. García” (1, MIZA).

Differential diagnosis.

Tobochares canaima can be recognized by its strongly convex body in lateral view, accompanied by elytral punctation uniform in size and degree of impression, with serial punctures seemingly aligned in rows, not impressed to form grooves; the interserial punctures are somewhat irregularly distributed in two or three rows (Fig. 10D, E). The general habitus and punctation of T. canaima are similar to those of T. arawak, T. kappel, and T. kolokoe . In T. kappel and T. kolokoe the interserial punctures form only one or two irregular rows (e.g., Fig. 3H). In T. arawak the pronotal and elytral punctation is shallower than in T. canaima (compare Fig. 10A vs. Fig. 10B) and the apodemes of the median lobe are half the length of the median lobe in T. arawak (Fig. 11M), as opposed to one fourth of the length in T. canaima (Fig. 11N).

Description.

Size and form: Body length 1.9-2.1 mm. Body elongate oval, moderately convex (Fig. 10E). Color and punctation: Dorsal and ventral surfaces of body dark brown, with anterolateral margins of prothorax slightly paler (Fig. 10D, E); mouthparts yellow to orange; antennae light brown; legs reddish to dark brown, distally paler (orange), with paler (yellow) tarsi (Fig. 10F). Ground punctation on head, pronotum and elytra sharply marked; pronotal punctation dense (Fig. 10D). 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: Elytra with serial punctures similar in size and degree of impression to interserial punctures, and only seemingly aligned longitudinally, not forming grooves; interserial punctures irregularly distributed in two or three rows (Fig. 10D). Metafemora mostly glabrous on anterior face (Fig. 10F). Elevation of mesoventrite forming a very low transverse carina (Fig. 10F). Metaventrite with distinct median, longitudinal, narrow glabrous area extending along posterior half (Fig. 10F). Abdomen. Abdominal ventrites uniformly and very densely pubescent (Fig. 10F). Aedeagus (Fig. 11N). Basal piece nearly 0.45 × the length of a paramere; greatest width of a paramere nearly 0.6 × greatest width of median lobe; outer margins of parameres straight to widely and uniformly convex; apex of paramere obliquely rounded; median lobe roughly sagittate, rounded at apex; gonopore situated nearly at midlength of median lobe.

Etymology.

Noun in apposition. Named after the Canaima National Park in Venezuela, where the type locality is situated.

Distribution.

This species is known from the famous Auyan-tepui, which is also home to Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world. Collected at elevations of 1700-2170 m, this species is one of the relatively few water beetle taxa known from the "Pantepui Province", which comprises areas of the Guiana Shield which are greater than 1500 m in elevation. See Fig. 13.

Life history.

The only known series was collected in a flight intercept trap and a yellow pan trap. Nothing further is known about the habitat or biology of this species.