Agnosthaetus nitidus 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 : 45-46

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/92F76BDD-2F59-4DF7-9902-9230F6E15DD6
taxon LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:act:92F76BDD-2F59-4DF7-9902-9230F6E15DD6
treatment provided by	Carolina
scientific name	Agnosthaetus nitidus Clarke
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

(16) Agnosthaetus nitidus Clarke View in CoL , new species

( Figs. 59 View Figs , 77 View Figs , 80 View Figs , 86 View Figs , 120 View Figs , 132 View Figs , 136 View Figs , Map 4 View Map 4 )

Type Material. Holotype. ♂, with seven labels: “ Hump | Ridge | Southland / Coll.| F. Fairburn | 12.3.1939 / Dimerus | n.sp./ A.E. Brookes | Collection/ FMNH-INS 0000 038 347 / Agnosthaetus | spec. nov. 2b| det. Puthz 200 4 / HOLOTYPE Agnosthaetus nitidus Clarke , ♂, design. D. Clarke 2011”, in NZAC. Specimen and last abdominal segments on card; aedeagus mounted on clear strip (by V. Puthz) in either Euparal or Canada Balsam . Paratypes. 54 specimens (32♂ 15♀, 7 unsexed). NEW ZEALAND: South Island: FD: Bauza I., 45°17′27″S, 166°54′52″E, 27.xi.1981, 81/187, litter & moss, C.F. Butcher GoogleMaps , 2♂, FMNH-INS 38357–358 (in NZAC); Borland Saddle , 900 m, 45°44.61′S, 167°22.67′E, beech forest, 24.i.2008, sifted moss, J.T. Nunn GoogleMaps , 2♀ (in JTNC); Breaksea Sound , Gilbert I. No. 6, 12.iii.1983, 83/52, litter, C.F. Butcher , 2♂, 1♀, FMNH-INS 38376–377, 378 (in NZAC); v.1982, litter, C.F. Butcher , 1♂, FMNH-INS 38379 (in NZAC); Breaksea Sound, Outer Gilbert 2, 45°35′S, 166°40′E, 1985–1986, pitfall trap, B.I.P. Barratt GoogleMaps , 1♂, 1 sex unknown, FMNH-INS 19733–734 (in JTNC); Dusky Sound , Passage I., 45°46′1″S, 166°34′29″E [coord.=Passage Islands], moss, 8.iii.1983, 83/49, moss, C.F. Butcher GoogleMaps , 1♂, FMNH- INS 38361 (in NZAC); Dusky Sound , Seal I., 45°46.8′S, 166°28.8′E, 8.iii.1983, 83/48, sifted rotten wood, C.F. Butcher GoogleMaps , 1♀, FMNH-INS 38360 (in NZAC); Eglinton Valley Divide , 400 m, 13.ii.1982, 82/29, moss & liverworts, C.F. Butcher , 1♂, FMNH- INS 38359 (in NZAC); Fiordland N.P., Borland Rd., Borland Saddle vic., 980 m, ANMT 1171, 45°44.81′S, 167°22.88′E, Nothofagus menziesii forest in ravine, 10.xii.2005, FMHD#2005-090, berl., leaf & log litter, A. Newton GoogleMaps , 1♂ (in FMNH); Hump Ridge , 46°8.4′S, 167°19.2′E, 12.iii.1939, Fairburn GoogleMaps , 3♂, FMNH-INS 38346, 384–385 (in NZAC); Hump Ridge , 1220 m, 46°8.4′S, 167°19.2′E, 6.ii.1976, 76/38, litter, G.W. Ramsay GoogleMaps , 4♂, 1♀, FMNH-INS 38348–352 (in NZAC); Hump Ridge , 920 m, 45°40.002′S, 168°0′E, 8.ii.1968, litter, J.I. Townsend GoogleMaps , 1♂, 2♀, FMNH-INS 38353, 354–355 (in NZAC); Hump Ridge Trk , 46°7′S, 167°25′E, 20.ii.2003, RL 757, berl., R. Leschen & J. Nunn GoogleMaps , 2♂, 1♀ (in NZAC); Lake Hauroko, First Bay, 150 m, 45°59.406′S, 167°23.05′E, forest, 20.iv.2003, forest floor litter, J.T. Nunn, 3 sex unknown, FMNH-INS 19725 (in JTNC); Lake Hauroko , Thicket Burn , 46°0.6′S, 167°27.6′E, 4.i.1996, Nothofagus litter, J.T. Nunn, 3 sex unknown, FMNH-INS 19727, 729– 730 (in JTNC); Lake Manapouri , West Arm , 45°30′S, 167°22′E, 26.i.1970, 70/95, litter, J.I. Townsend GoogleMaps , 2♂, FMNH-INS 48476–477 (in NZAC); Percy Saddle , road end, 950 m, 45°34.138′S, 167°18.896′E [coord.=Percy Saddle], 15.xii.1998, amongst wet dead basal tussock leaves, J.T. Nunn GoogleMaps , 1♂, 1♀, FMNH-INS 19686–687 (in JTNC); Resolution I., Disappointment Cove , 45°36.408′S, 166°40.158′E, 26.v.1982, 82/61, sifted litter, C.F. Butcher GoogleMaps , 2♂, 2♀, FMNH-INS 38362–363, 364–365, 1♂, FMNH- INS 38373 (in NZAC); Routeburn Trk., trk. Head , 44°49′S, 168°7′E, 11.v.2000, RL 566, leaf litter, R. Leschen GoogleMaps , 1♂, FMNH-INS 38356 (in NZAC); Secretary I., Grono Bay , 50 m, 45°17.04′S, 166°56.52′E, 28.xi.1981, 81/188, sifted litter, C.F. Butcher GoogleMaps , 1♂, 1♀, FMNH-INS 38371–372 (in NZAC); 24.iii.1984, 84/57, sifted litter, C.F. Butcher ,

1♂, FMNH-INS 38375 (in NZAC) ; Secretary I., Gut Bay , nr. hut, 10 m, 45°17.7′S, 166°57.36′E [coord.= The Gut Hut], 24.xi.1981, 81/180, beech litter & rotten wood, C.F. Butcher GoogleMaps , 2♀, FMNH- INS 38370, 374 (in NZAC) ; 23.xi.1981, 81/177, sifted litter, C.F. Butcher, 3♂, 1♀, FMNH-INS 38366–368, 369 (in NZAC) ; SL: Maclennan [as McLennon, South ld.], 30 m (as 100 ft), 46°32′S, 169°28′E, 13.ii.1968, 68/30, moss, J.I. Townsend GoogleMaps , 1♂, FMNH-INS 38383 (in NZAC) .

Diagnosis. One of the most distinctive Agnosthaetus species , A. nitidus may be distinguished from all other known Agnosthaetus species by the combination of lack of distinct punctures on the dorsum of the head ( Fig. 59 View Figs ), impunctate nuchal line ( Fig. 59 View Figs , cf. Fig. 60 View Figs , nul), interrupted lateral pronotal sulcus ( Fig. 77 View Figs , ls), incomplete and partially effaced lateral pronotal carina ( Fig. 80 View Figs , pc), and single basomedian pronotal fovea ( Fig. 77 View Figs , bf). The parameres are unique in having clusters of small setae on the outer side ( Fig. 132 View Figs , arrow).

Description. Color: More or less uniformly yellowish to reddish brown, occasionally with abdominal segment VI darkly pigmented. Head ( Fig. 59 View Figs ): Frontal ridge present (cf. Fig. 12 View Figs , fr). Dorsum very sparsely punctate; with few punctures distributed either side of convex impunctate vertex. Punctures deep, but indistinctly defined; diameter greater than diameter of eye facet. Dorsal microsculpture absent. Dorsal tentorial sulcus (cf. Figs. 10–11 View Figs , dt) broadly ovate; deep. Sublongitudinal ridge (cf. Fig. 10 View Figs , sr) distinct; not confused by smaller carinae or punctures; crest at antennal tubercle without distinct microsculpture. Area above and behind antenno-ocular carina ( Figs. 10–11 View Figs , arrow) more or less smooth, without subsidiary carinae. Antenno-ocular carina continuing behind eye onto temple. Temple ( Fig. 11 View Figs , tm) short, less than 50% EYL. Subocular surface with narrow, well-demarcated band of microsculpture (cf. Fig. 63 View Figs , bm). Nuchal line impunctate ( Fig. 59 View Figs ; cf. Fig. 11 View Figs , nul). Labrum distinctly sexually dimorphic ( Fig. 120 View Figs ). Apical labral margin in males strongly emarginate medially, evenly dentate, with 18–20 teeth (n =5), all teeth normal, projecting more or less anteriorly. Apical labral margin in females slightly concave medially; with 17–21 teeth (n =5), 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 weakly developed preapical spur (cf. Fig. 190 View Figs , arrow); females with single, mesially projecting tooth, without spur. Prothorax ( Figs. 71 View Figs , 80 View Figs ): Pronotum without microsculpture. Medial pronotal sulci anteriorly separate from and terminating posterior to anterior punctures ( Fig. 77 View Figs ). Distance between medial sulci subequal along entire length. Lateral pronotal sulcus partly to completely interrupted at middle ( Figs. 77 View Figs , 80 View Figs , ls). Pronotal basolateral carina absent (cf. Figs. 23 View Figs , 69 View Figs , 77 View Figs ). Base of pronotum with single, large (or 2 subcontinuous) median fovea ( Fig. 77 View Figs , bf); with lateral foveae more or less absent, only faintly recognizable. Pronotal macrosetal punctures absent (cf. Fig. 77 View Figs ). Medial pronotal seta adjacent to lateral sulcus ( Fig. 77 View Figs ). Lateral pronotal carina, anteriorly incomplete, usually more or less completely absent beyond middle of pronotum, if present anteriorly then difficult to discern even at high magnification ( Fig. 80 View Figs , pc). Pronotal hypomeron ( Fig. 24 View Figs , hy) shiny, without microsculpture. Prosternum ( Fig. 24 View Figs , pro) impunctate; without microsculpture. Pterothorax: Elytron ( Fig. 23 View Figs , e) without microsculpture; with 1 or (rarely) 2 macrosetae, not set in punctures; laterally with single ridge (cf. Fig. 86 View Figs ). 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 absent ( Fig. 86 View Figs ); metathoracic pleural groove ( Fig. 24 View Figs , gr) complete, continuing to or near to pleurocoxal articulation ( Fig. 86 View Figs , gr). Abdomen: Abdominal vestiture long, dorsally more or less evenly projecting posteriorly. Abdominal sternite IV of male with surface glabrous and slightly impressed apicomedially; V with surface glabrous and impressed apicomedially, flanked by patches of coarser acuminate setae, apex distinctly emarginate; VI with surface glabrous, broadly but shallowly impressed apicomedially; VII with surface glabrous apicomedially. Aedeagus ( Fig. 132 View Figs ): “ Type A” (see description on p. 8). Apical part of median lobe with rounded lateral lobes; gradually produced into acute, sharp point. Both apicolateral and apicomedial setae short (but with few setae near sides up to 3X longer than others; Fig. 136 View Figs ). Paramere not exceeding apex of median lobe; lamellate, in lateral view distinctly broad along most of length; with apical part perpendicular to median lobe; in dorsal view with outer side more or less straight; and with basal cluster of minute setae ( Fig. 132 View Figs , arrow); with 4 large setae at apex.

Etymology. The name nitidus (-a, -um) is an adjective from Latin meaning shiny or elegant, both of which are appropriate descriptions of this species.

Distribution. ( Map 4 View Map 4 ). South Island: FD; SL. The easternmost SL record may be erroneous.

Biology and Ecology. Habitat: Nothofagus forest. Specimens have been taken from a variety of different litter substrates and wet habitats. Phenology: year-round. Elevation: 10–1,220 m.

Remarks. This attractive species is similar only to A. leviceps , from which it can be distinguished by the presence of the subocular band of microsculpture ( Fig. 63 View Figs , bm) and single basal pronotal foveae ( Fig. 77 View Figs , bf), both absent in A. leviceps . Additionally, it has unusually few setae on the head ( Fig. 59 View Figs , compared with a more or less ‘normal’ puncture/seta density in A. leviceps ) as well as an impunctate nuchal line ( Fig. 11 View Figs , nul, unique within Agnosthaetus ) and distinct elytral sutural stria.