Leptusa (Eucryptusa) ferroi Park & Carlton, new species

(Figs. 1 i, 10a – m, Map 1)

Type material. Holotype. U.S.A.: Tennessee: ɗ, “ USA: TN: Blount Co. GSMNP Tremont N35°37.308’ 15 IV – 18 V 2006 W83°40.447’ SN22B -CWD Rear 1 -M Ferro”, “ HOLOTYPE, Leptusa ferroi Park and Carlton, des. 2010”. Paratypes (n=1). U.S.A.: Tennessee: Ψ, “ USA: TN: Blount Co. GSMNP middle Prorg Tr at 3944389 259358, 2200’ Berlese 17 June 2006, C. Ware, C. Shapico, J. Hudson” (LSAM).

Diagnosis. Leptusa (Eucryptusa) ferroi is similar to L. (E.) brevicollis, but it differs by having a shorter tubus of the median lobe, a distinctively more slender median lobe in dorsal view (Fig. 10 l), and short mesoventral carina.

Description. Length 2.8 – 2.9 mm. Body brown, glossy; antennomeres 1 – 3, legs, and abdominal tergites II – IV somewhat brighter; antennomere 11, mouthparts yellowish brown (Fig. 1 i). Head pubescent, with setigerous punctures, and with microsculpture. Antennomeres 1 – 3 elongate, 4 longer than wide, 5 subquadrate, 6 – 10 transverse (Fig. 10 a). Carina on each side of ventral surface of head incomplete, fading before attaining gular suture.

Mouthparts. Labrum transverse, bearing 3 pairs of short setae, 7 pairs of long setae, a-seta, b-seta, and many pores (Fig. 10 b). Labium with two distal setae in a longitudinal row and several pores in median area; a pair of setal pores, 2 pairs of real pores and several pseudopores present in lateral area (Fig. 10 c). Labial palpi bearing 12 setae (a – h, α – δ), (Fig. 10 d). Mentum trapezoidal, bearing 4 pairs of main setae (b, u, v, w), 2 pairs of additional setae, and many pores (Fig. 10 e).

Thorax. Pronotum wider than head, approximately 1.39 times wider than long, pubescent, with setigerous punctures, and with microsculpture. Mesoventrite with distinct reticulate microsculpture. Mesoventrite incompletely carinate, carina extending approximately 1/3 length of mesoventrite. Metaventrite with setigerous punctures. Elytra wider than pronotum and abdomen, approximately 1.65 times longer than wide, approximately 1.52 times longer than pronotum, latero-posterior margin emarginate, pubescent, with setigerous punctures. Hind wings present.

Abdomen. Abdominal tergite VI approximately 1.31 times wider than long. Male abdominal tergite VII with single median elongate tubercle; tergite VIII with posterior margin rounded, bearing 4 pairs of main setae, and many additional short setae and pores (Fig. 10 f), sternite VIII with posterior margin rounded, bearing 7 pairs of main setae, and many additional short setae, and pores (Fig. 10 g). Female abdominal tergite VIII bearing 4 pairs of main setae, and many additional short setae and pores (Fig. 10 h), sternite VIII with posterior margin rounded, bearing at least 4 pairs of main setae, and many additional short setae and pores (Fig. 10 i).

Genitalia. Paramere as in Fig. 10 j. Median lobe as in Figs. 10 k – l. Spermatheca as in Fig. 10 m.

Distribution. USA: Tennessee. Locations where L. (E.) ferroi has been collected in GSMNP as in Map 1.

Etymology. This species is named in honor of Michael L. Ferro (Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge), collector of the holotype.

Habitat. The holotype was emergent from CWD decay class II, and the female paratype was collected from sifted leaf litter. Both were from secondary forest in GSMNP.