Agnosthaetus stenomastax Clarke, 2011

Clarke, Dave J., 2011, A Revision of the New Zealand Endemic Rove Beetle Genus Agnosthaetus Bernhauer (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), The Coleopterists Bulletin (mo 10) 2011, pp. 1-118 : 30-31

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.1649/0010-065X-65.mo4.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0818A3A2-AB42-43D8-8F76-4F65F367C584
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/038787B5-FF82-5359-46A2-BE19807DFB49
treatment provided by	Carolina
scientific name	Agnosthaetus stenomastax Clarke
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

(7) Agnosthaetus stenomastax Clarke View in CoL , new species

( Figs. 72 View Figs , 105 View Figs , 108 View Figs , 111 View Figs , 191 View Figs , Map 2 View Map 2 )

Type Material. Holotype. ♂, with four labels: “New Zealand SI| Stewart I| Codfish I| Summit Tk [46°47′S 167°37′E], 250m | 28 Nov 1981 / B.A. Holloway | Moss and| lichens 81/198/ FMNH- INS 0000 048 068 / HOLOTYPE Agnosthaetus stenomastax Clarke , ♂, design. D. Clarke 2011”, in NZAC GoogleMaps . Paratypes. 7 specimens (3♂ 4♀). NEW ZEALAND: Stewart Island: SI: Codfish I., North Hut Trk. , 46°46.554′S, 167°37.344′E, 6.xii.1981, 81/207, litter, B.A. Holloway GoogleMaps , 1♂, 1♀, FMNH-INS 48066. 067 (in NZAC) ; Codfish I., nr. Rimu Trk. , 150 m, 46°46.554′S, 167°37.344′E, 3.xii.1981, 81/204, sifted litter, B.A. Holloway GoogleMaps , 1♀, FMNH-INS 48069 (in NZAC) ; Codfish I., Sealers Bay , 46°45.708′S, 167°39.09′E, 7.xii.1966, 66/427, moss, J.I. Townsend GoogleMaps , 1♂, FMNH-INS 48065 (in NZAC) ; Codfish I., Upper Loop Trk. , 46°46.554′S, 167°37.344′E, 26.xi.1981, 81/195, sifted litter, B.A. Holloway GoogleMaps , 1♂, FMNH-INS 48064 (in NZAC) ; Codfish I., Upper Valley Trk. , 46°46.554′S, 167°37.344′E, 27.xi.1981, 81/197, sifted litter, B.A. Holloway GoogleMaps , 1♀, FMNH-INS 48063 (in NZAC) ; Codfish I., Valley Trk. , 46°46.554′S, 167°37.344′E, 25.xi.1981, 81/193, sifted litter, B.A. Holloway GoogleMaps , 1♀, FMNH-INS 48062 (in NZAC) .

Diagnosis. Agnosthaetus stenomastax can be distinguished externally from all other species of Agnosthaetus except A. falx by the combination of the smooth mentum (as in Fig. 67 View Figs ), antenno-ocular carina of head meeting eye in front of middle of eye (as in Figs. 58, 61–62 View Figs , ao), both the antenno-ocular carina and sublongitudinal ridge of head obscured by secondary lateral carinae (as in Fig. 58 View Figs ), the slightly impressed medial pronotal sulcus, and the pronotal basolateral carina ( Fig. 72 View Figs , bp). Additionally, the combination of the distinctly apically expanded median lobe ( Fig. 108 View Figs ) and the apical part of the paramere subperpendicular with the median lobe apex will distinguish the aedeagus from that of both A. falx and A. heteromastax (cf. Figs. 107–109 View Figs ).

Description. Color: More or less uniformly reddish brown. Head: Frontal ridge present (cf. Fig. 12 View Figs , fr). Dorsum moderately densely punctate; with punctures distributed anteriorly, laterally, and posteriorly on disc, middle part impunctate. Punctures deep, but indistinctly defined; diameter greater than diameter of eye facet; interpuncture distance mostly less than half puncture diameter. Dorsal microsculpture absent. Dorsal tentorial sulcus (cf. Figs. 10–11 View Figs , dt) distinctly slit-like; width subequal to or less than puncture diameter. Sublongitudinal ridge (cf. Fig. 10 View Figs , sr) indistinct; confused by dorsolateral secondary carinae or punctures; crest at antennal tubercle with distinct microsculpture. Area above and behind antennoocular carina ( Figs. 10–11 View Figs , arrow) with several secondary carinae formed by subconfluent to confluent punctures. Antenno-ocular carina (cf. Fig. 10 View Figs , ao) indistinct; confused by secondary carinae; joining eye at or in front of middle. Temple ( Fig. 11 View Figs , tm) short, less than 50% EYL. Subocular surface more or less evenly microsculptured (cf. Fig. 65 View Figs ). Labrum not distinctly sexually dimorphic ( Fig. 105 View Figs ). Apical labral margin in males moderately broadly and shallowly emarginate medially, evenly dentate, with 19–21 teeth (n =3), all teeth normal, projecting more or less anteriorly. Apical labral margin in females very slightly concave medially; with 17–22 teeth (n =4), all teeth subequal in length. Adoral labral surface in males smooth, without subapical transverse ridge. Mandible sexually dimorphic; males with single, dorsally directed tooth, with distinct preapical spur ( Fig. 191 View Figs , arrow); females with single, mesially projecting tooth, without spur. Mentum smooth, unmodified. Prothorax: Pronotum without microsculpture. Medial pronotal sulci (cf. Fig. 23 View Figs ) more or less straight or slightly curving (cf. Figs. 75–76 View Figs ); anteriorly separate from and terminating posterior to anterior punctures ( Fig. 72 View Figs ). Distance between medial sulci subequal along entire length. Pronotal basolateral carina distinct ( Fig.72 View Figs , bp). Pronotal macrosetal punctures absent (cf. Fig. 77 View Figs ). Medial pronotal seta adjacent to lateral sulcus ( Fig. 72 View Figs ). Pronotal hypomeron ( Fig. 24 View Figs , hy) shiny, without microsculpture. Prosternum without microsculpture. Pterothorax: Elytron ( Fig. 23 View Figs , e) without microsculpture; with 2 macrosetae, not set in punctures; laterally with single ridge (cf. Fig. 24 View Figs , ek). Mesothoracic epimeral region ( Fig. 24 View Figs , mer) shiny, without microsculpture. Metathoracic pleural region ( Fig. 24 View Figs , m) shiny, without microsculpture. Metathoracic pleural ridge present, but with longitudinal portion variously effaced; metathoracic pleural groove ( Fig. 24 View Figs , gr) complete, continuing to or near to pleurocoxal articulation. Abdomen: Abdominal vestiture long, dorsally more or less evenly projecting posteriorly but with middle setae directed postero- medially. Abdominal sternite IV of male with surface nearly glabrous apicomedially, apex slightly convex apicomedially; V with surface glabrous and slightly impressed apicomedially, apparently without modified setae, and apex distinctly convex; VI with surface broadly glabrous medially, without modified setae; VII with surface broadly glabrous medially, without modified setae. Aedeagus ( Fig. 108 View Figs ): “ Type A” (see description on p. 8). Apical part of median lobe distinctly narrower at base, forming broadly rounded apicolateral lobes, produced into broadly acute, sharp point. Both apicolateral and apicomedial setae short ( Fig. 111 View Figs ). Paramere extending to about level of median lobe apex; lamellate, in lateral view broadened from base to apex; with apical part perpendicular to median lobe; in dorsal view with outer side gently convex; with 4 large, mesially directed setae arranged in close line at apex.

Etymology. The specific epithet stenomastax is a noun in apposition derived from the Greek stenos, narrow, and mastax, jaws, in reference to the comparably slender mandibles of this species.

Distribution. ( Map 2 View Map 2 ). South Island: SI, probably endemic to Codfish Island.

Biology and Ecology. Habitat: presumably forest. Specimens have been taken from sifted litter and bryophytes. Phenology: February, September. Elevation: 150– 250 m.

Remarks. Males of both A. stenomastax and A. falx share similar mandibular structure, with a distinct spur on the mesal edge ( Figs. 190–191 View Figs , arrows) closer to the mesal mandibular tooth apex than the mandibular apex (cf. A. heteromastax : Figs. 192–194 View Figs ). Only comparison of genitalia can confirm the identity of A. stenomastax as distinct from A. falx (cf. Figs. 107–108 View Figs , 110–111 View Figs ). Of all known species (excluding singletons), this species appears to have the most restricted range.