Moriosomus motschulskyi, Erwin & Moore, new species

(Figs. 2, 5)

Holotype. “ Peru: Huán[uco], Divisoria,” Cordillera Azul, 08° 54’ 0 S, 075° 40’ 0 W, 1700m, September 25, 1946, F. Woytkowski. (AMNH: ADP 108774, male).

Derivation of specific epithet. The word “ motschulskyi ” is a Latinized genitive eponym, based on the surname of Victor Ivanovitsch Motschulsky, also known as Victor von Motschulsky, a Russian entomologist who first recognized the genus Moriosomus .

Proposed English vernacular name. Motschulsky’s robust carabid beetle.

Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and elytral intervals impunctate, interval 7 evenly rounded, not carinate; and clypeus bilobed medially, dentiform paramedially, each dentiform projection setose. Size relatively large for genus, SBL> 15.5 mm.

Description. (Fig. 2). Size relatively large, ABL = 15.9 to 17.2 mm, SBL = 15.8 to 17.0 mm, TW = 5.8 mm. Color: Head, pronotum and elytra black, legs dark rufous, base of tibia and tarsomeres of middle and posterior legs infuscated. Microsculpture: Dorsal surface with very fine transverse sculpticells. Head: Frons glabrous, clypeus bilobed medially, dentiform paramedially, each dentiform projection setose; labrum emarginate with 5–6 setae on anterior margin; mandibles large with scrobe wide, lateroventral margin of mandible explanate and markedly rounded; submentum with two pairs of setae. Prothorax: Pronotum markedly convex, wider than long, with seven setae along lateral margin, six evenly distributed in anterior 2/3 and one at hind angle, lateral margin beaded in posterior 2/3; prosternum including intercoxal process sparsely setose. Pterothorax: Metepisternum subquadrate, lateral and anterior margins subequal, Metasternum sparsely setose, Elytra not fused along suture. Elytral interneurs smooth, impunctate. Metathoracic wing small scale, vestigial. Abdomen: Sternum VII at posterior margin with a pair of ambulatory setae. Male genitalia: (Fig. 5) Phallus progressively more infuscated distally; basal bulb crested (Fig. 5 a), broadly rounded; ostium length 2/3 shaft length, ventral left margin (Fig. 5 b) markedly sinuate, ventral right margin slightly sinuate; apex flattened dorso-ventrally, markedly curved ventrally (Fig. 5 c), and broadly rounded. Endophallus with two microtrichial fields. Parameres (Fig. 5 b): left in ventral aspect slightly oblong, with distal margin broadly rounded, longer and broader than right.

Dispersal potential. These beetles are flightless and therefore they must walk to disperse. Accordingly, the species may be expected to have a markedly restricted geographical range.

Way of life. Available evidence suggests that this species may be confined to high altitude forests and that its members are active in the dry season.

Other specimens examined. Allotype, female (NMNH: ADP 108833). Perú: Huánuco, Chichao, 25 km below Carpish, 09° 43’ 0 S, 076° 06’ 0 W, 2500m, September 9, 1946, F. Woytkowski.

Geographic distribution. This species is known only from two specimens from two localities in Huánuco Department, Perú, in the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes.