Pselaphodes tmesisternus sp. nov.

Figs 22A, 23 A-K

Type material (8 specimens): Holotype; MHNG- ENTO-44082; ♂; NEPAL, ‘E. NEPAL: KOSI Forêt S. Mangsingma, 2200-2600 m, 11-13.IV.1984, Löbl - Smetana’ (MHNG) . – Paratypes; MHNG-ENTO-44083 to 44086;2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; NEPAL, same label data as holotype . – MHNG-ENTO-44087; 1 ♂; NEPAL, same label data as holotype, except ‘ 2300 m, 13.IV.84’. – MHNG-ENTO-44088 & 44089; 1 ♂, 1 ♀; NEPAL, ‘E. NEPAL: KOSI Col N-E Mangmaya, 2300 m, 6.IV.84, Löbl - Smetana’ (all paratypes in MHNG) .

Type locality: Nepal, Khandbari District, forest south of Mangsingma, 2200 -2600 m alt.

Diagnosis of males: Length 2.93-3.01 mm; antennomeres 9 with disc-shaped process at apex, antennomeres

10 strongly constricted at apex and slightly constricted at base, antennomeres 10 slightly constricted at base; metaventral processes long; profemora with large blunt ventral spine, protibiae with small spine at apex; mesotrochanters with three ventral spines. Median lobe of aedeagus broad at apex, asymmetric; parameres short, broadened apically.

Description: Male (Fig. 22A). Body reddish brown,

BL 2.93-3.01 mm. Head as long as wide, HL 0.59- 0.60 mm, HW 0.59-0.60 mm; each eye composed of about 30 facets; with well-developed ocular canthus. Antennomeres (Fig. 23A) 9-11 forming distinct club, antennomeres 9 with disc-shaped process at apex, antennomeres 10 oblique, strongly constricted at apex and slightly constricted at base, antennomeres 11 constricted at base. Pronotum (Fig. 23B) about as long as wide, PL 0.67-0.69 mm, PW 0.66-0.67 mm, roundly angulate at anterolateral margins, strongly constricted at apical third. Elytra wider than long, EL 0.70- 0.71 mm, EW 1.20-1.22 mm. Metaventral processes (Fig. 23C) long, narrowing apically. Protrochanters with small spine, profemora with large blunt ventral spine (Fig. 23D), protibiae (Fig. 23E) with small spine at apex; mesotrochanters (Fig. 23F) with three ventral spines; metatrochanters and metafemora (Fig. 23G) simple. Abdomen broad at base and narrowing apically, AL 0.96-1.02 mm, AW 1.34-1.38 mm. Sternite IX semimembranous, composed of three sclerites, shape as in Fig. 23H. Length of aedeagus (Figs 23 I-K) 0.70 mm; median lobe broad and asymmetric; parameres short and broad apically, endophallus composed of two one long and one short sclerites.

Female. Each eye composed of about 25 facets; antennae simple. Measurements: BL 2.98-3.30 mm, HL 0.63- 0.76 mm, HW 0.58-0.66 mm, PL 0.63-0.72 mm, PW 0.66-0.74 mm, EL 0.66-0.82 mm, EW 1.18-1.29 mm, AL 1.00- 1.06 mm, AW 1.43-1.50 mm.

Distribution: Nepal, Koshi.

Comparative notes: The new species belongs to the P. bagmatius species-group, and can be readily separated from all other congeners based on the unique form of the male antennal clubs, the divided male sternite IX, and the configuration of the aedeagus.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the divided male sternite IX of the new species.

New records