Pallijassus stenospatulatus (Evans, 1959) comb. nov.

Figs 1D, 4 J–P, 21

Platyjassus stenospatulatus Evans, 1959: 499 .

Material examined

Holotype

MADAGASCAR • ♂ (Figs 21 A–D, without abdomen, ♂ according to original description); “ Type [circle red label]”, “Ampijoroa”, “prés Tsaramandroso”, “ XII.51 \ (R.P[aulian].)”, “ Platyjassus \ stenopatulatus \ J. W. Evans det., 19 Evans”, “Institut \ scientifique \ MADAGASCAR”, “Museum Paris \ MNHN(EH) \ 2359”; MNHN(EH) 2359.

Paratypes

MADAGASCAR – Mahajanga • 1 ♂ (Fig. 21 E–I); “Morondava fôret Sud de Befasy; I-56; R.Paulian; MNHN(EH) 2361; Platyjassus stenopatulatus Evans J.W. Evans det. 1958, abdomen dissected by O. Evangelista det. ‘17”; MNHN(EH) 2361 • 1 ♂; “ Morondava fôret Sud de Befasy; I-56; R.Paulian; MNHN(EH) 2361; Platyjassus stenopatulatus Evans J. W. Evans det. 19??; Brit. Mus 1958-489”; BMNH .

Other material

MADAGASCAR – Toliara • 3 ♂♂; Beza Mahafaly Reserve, Parcelle II near Bellevue; 23°41.39′ S, 44°34.53′ E; alt. 180 m; 10–21 Nov. 2001; M. Irwin and R. Harin’Hala leg.; Malaise trap; in spiny forest; MA-02-14B-02; CAS . – Antananarivo • 3 ♂♂; 46 km NE of Ankazobe, Ambohitantely; 18°11.88′ S, 47°16.89′ E; alt. 700 m; 20 Jan.–1 Feb. 2004; M. Irwin and R. Harin’Hala leg.; Malaise trap; in sclerophyll forest; MA-27-14; CAS • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; INHS .

Description

Length of male 9.2–10.0 mm. Dorsum with indistinct median longitudinal band extended from crown apex to scutellum. Head distinctly shorter than pronotum, anterior margin parabolic. Hind tibial rows PD, AD and AV with 22, 12 and 21 macrosetae, respectively. Male pygofer lobe relatively short with apex rounded. Style apophysis slender, smooth, apex attenuate, weakly curved dorsad. Connective with anterior margin bilobed. Aedeagus with atrium quadrate in posterior view, shaft broad and parallel-sided in ventral view, curved dorsad, without conspicuous pair of lateral preapical spines; with anteriorly extended apical flap curved slightly to strongly anterad (cf. Fig. 4K, O).

Remarks

The holotype of P. stenopatulatus from Ampijoroa (MNHN(EH) 2359) does not have an abdomen; therefore, the present interpretation of the male genitalia of this species is based on the two male paratypes from Morondava (MNHN(EH) 2361 and BMNH). Based on external features, the paratypes appear to be conspecific with the holotype. Some other more recently collected males listed above are similar to the paratypes and here considered conspecific, but the apex of the aedeagus varies from being strongly curved, as in the paratypes (Figs. 4P, 21I), to less strongly curved (Fig. 4K).