Tobochares akoerio sp. nov. Figs 8D-F, 11K, 13

Type material examined.

Holotype (male): "Suriname: Sipaliwini District, 2.46554°N, 55.7700°; 800 m; Camp 2, Grensgebergte Rock; rock seepages; 12.iii.2012; leg. A. Short; SR12-0312-01A" (NZCS). Paratypes (5 exs.): Same data as holotype (5, SEMC).

Differential diagnosis.

Tobochares akoerio can be recognized by its strongly convex body in lateral view (Fig. 8E), accompanied by elytra with well-defined rows of serial punctures, moderately impressed, forming grooves along apical 3/4 of elytra (Fig. 8D, E); interserial punctures somewhat irregularly distributed (Fig. 8D, E). The general habitus of T. akoerio is similar to that of T. romanoae and T. canaima, especially by the uniformly dark coloration of the pronotum; T. akoerio can be distinguished from these two species by its strongly impressed striae, especially along the lateral regions of the elytra when compared to T. romanoae (compare Fig. 8D, E to 8A, B).

Description.

Size and form: Body length 2.0 mm. Body elongate oval, strongly convex (Fig. 8E). Color and punctation: Dorsal and ventral surfaces of body dark brown, with lateral margins of prothorax only very slightly paler (Fig. 8D, E); mouthparts and antennae yellow, with slightly darker antennal club and apical third of maxillary palpomere IV; legs orange with paler tarsi (Fig. 8F). Ground punctation on head, pronotum and elytra moderately marked (Fig. 8D). Head: Eyes in dorsal view with anterior margin oblique (anteriorly directed), and outer margins slightly bulging from outline of head; in lateral view, eyes not emarginate. Thorax: Elytra with well-defined rows of serial punctures, moderately impressed, forming grooves along apical 3/4 of elytra (Fig. 8D); interserial punctures somewhat irregularly distributed (Fig. 8D). Metafemora mostly glabrous on anterior face, with narrow band of pubescence along basal third of dorsal margin (Fig. 8D). Elevation of mesoventrite forming a low transverse carina (Fig. 8D). Metaventrite with distinct median, longitudinal, narrow glabrous area extending along posterior half (Fig. 8D). Abdomen: Abdominal ventrites uniformly and very densely pubescent. Aedeagus (Fig. 11K). Basal piece 0.4 × the length of a paramere; parameres nearly 1/3 as narrow as greatest width of median lobe, with outer margins widely and uniformly convex, and rounded apex; median lobe roughly triangular, rounded and slightly pinched at apex; gonopore situated nearly at midlength of median lobe.

Etymology.

Noun in apposition. Named after the Akoerio, an indigenous nomadic tribe, with only few people remaining in the South of Suriname.

Distribution.

The species is only known from an exposed rocky summit in the Grensgebergte Mountains along the border between Suriname and Brazil. See Fig. 13.

Life history.

This species was collected on flowing seeps with moss and algae over granite. See Fig. 16F.