Zeanillus phyllobius (Broun)

Figs. 1 A, 2A, 3A–B, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 9A, 10AFL, 11A, 12I –L, 14A, 15A, 16A, 18A

Anillus phyllobius Broun, 1893: 164 . Type locality: «Riccarton Bush, Christchurch» (original citation).

Examined material. Six specimens (3 dissected) from the following localities: Canterbury: Christchurch, Riccarton Bush; Port Hills, Ahuriri Scenic Reserve; Banks Peninsula, Coopers Knob.

Recognition. Adults of this species (Fig. 11 A) are practically indistinguishable externally from the adults of Z. punctigerus and Z. nunni, and are distinguished from the males of those by the structure of the male genitalia. From other congeners, adults of Z. phyllobius can be distinguished by the characters listed in the subgeneric diagnosis.

Description. Size. Medium for genus (SBL range 1.67–1.74 mm, mean 1.70± 0.034 mm, n=4).

Habitus. Body form slightly convex, ovoid, moderately elongate (WE/SBL 0.37±0.008), head of moderate width for genus compared to pronotum (WH/WPm 0.74±0.013), pronotum of moderate width in comparison to elytra (WPm/WE 0.74±0.020).

Color. Body color rufotestaceous, appendages testaceous.

Prothorax. Pronotum moderately long (LP/LE 0.44±0.016) and moderately elongate (WPm/LP 1.31±0.031), with lateral margins rectilinear constricted posteriorly (WPm/WPp 1.73±0.097). Width between anterior angles much greater than between posterior angles (WPa/WPp 1.36±0.044).

Elytra. Slightly depressed along suture, comparatively short (LE/SBL 0.48±0.015) and moderately wide (WE/ LE 0.77±0.022). Lateral margins slightly divergent at basal half, subparallel behind middle, and evenly rounded to apex in apical third.

Male genitalia. Median lobe (Fig. 12 I) with straight ventral margin and short semicircular apex. Apical orifice area with a pair of long ostial fields. Sclerites of internal sac united basally, long, slightly shorter than the length between apical and basal orifices. Left paramere with apical constriction (Fig. 12 K). Ring sclerite with long and slightly transverse handle (Fig. 14 A).

Female internal genitalia. Goncoxite 2 with short ensiform setae (Fig. 15 A). Spermatheca sclerotized, elongate, with three compartments (Fig. 16 A). Spermathecal duct short with few coils. Attachments of spermathecal duct and gland to spermatheca close together.

Geographical distribution. This species is known from the hills of Banks Peninsula and adjacent coastal territories of Mid Canterbury (Fig. 18 A, white circles).

Way of life. Specimens were collected in the broadleaf forest.

Relationships. The structure of male genitalia and spermatheca suggest that this species is the sister taxon to the allopatric Z. punctigerus from the interior.