Pseudolibrus gestroi Flach, 1889

Gimmel, Matthew L., 2012, Phalacridae of Socotra Island (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea), Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 52, pp. 233-240 : 238-239

Pseudolibrus gestroi Flach, 1889

( Figs. 11–15 )

Pseudolibrus Gestroi Flach, 1889: 270 (original description; Type locality: Eritrea).

Type material. HOLOTYPE: J ( MSNG), point mounted, genitalia removed and placed in DMHF on acetate card with specimen, abdomen removed and remounted on point, with label data ‘Bogos 1870 / Sciotel [handwritten] / O. Beccari. // Museo Civ. / Genova // Olibrus / pallescens / m. [handwritten] // Olibrus / pallescens / n.sp. in litt. [handwritten] / det.E.Reitter //? TYPUS of / Pseudolibrus / gestroi Flach, 1889 / R.Poggi [handwritten] [red label] // HOLOTYPE / Pseudolibrus / gestroi Flach / det. M.L. Gimmel 2011 [red label]’.

Material examined (N =80). YEMEN: SOCOTRA: Noged Plain (Sand Dunes), Sharet Halma village environs, 12°21.9′N, 54°05.3′E, 20 m, 10–11.xi.2010, J. Hájek leg. (17, NMPC; 2, MLGC) ; same data except P. Hlaváč leg. (5, NMPC) ; same data except J. Bezděk leg. (20, NMPC) ; Esdegob , 24.ii.2000, V. Bejček & K. Šťastný leg. (1, NMPC) ; Zerik , 25–27.iii.2001, V. Bejček & K. Šťastný leg. (2, NMPC) ; Noged Plain , Qaareh (waterfall), 12°20′10″N, 53°37′56″E, 57 m, 05–06.xii.2003, coll. J. Farkač leg. (6, CULS; 1, MLGC) ; same data except D. Král leg. (3, NMPC) ; same data except P. Kabátek leg. (1, NMPC) ; Hadiboh environs, 12°65′02″N, 54°02′04″E, 10–100 m, 21.xi–12.xii.2003, P. Kabátek leg. (2, NMPC) ; Wadi Ayhaft , 12°36.5′N, 53°58.9′E, 200 m, 07–08.xi.2010, J. Bezděk leg. (1, NMPC) ; Dixam Plateau , Wadi Zeeriq, 12°31′08″N, 53°59′09″E, 750 m, 03.xii.2003, D. Král leg. (1, NMPC) ; Dixam Plateau , Firmihin ( Dracaena forest), 12°28.6′N, 54°01.1′E, 490 m, 15–16.xi.2010, J. Bezděk leg.(7, NMPC) ; same data except J. Hájek leg. (2, NMPC) ; same data except L. Purchart leg. (1, NMPC) ; Firmihin Plateau , 12°28′46″N, 54°01′E, 400–500 m, 18–19.vi.2010, V. Hula & J. Niedobová leg. (2, NMPC) ; Dixam Plateau , Wadi Esgego, 12°28′09″N, 54°00′36″E, 300 m, 02–03.xii.2003, P. Kabátek leg. (2, NMPC) ; same data except J. Farkač leg.(1, NMPC) ; Aloove area , Hassan village environs, 12°31.2′N, 54°07.4′E, 221 m, 09–10.xi.2010, J. Hájek leg.(1, NMPC) ; Khayrha Mountains ,north slopes, Qalansiyah environs, 12°38′50″N, 53°27′45″E, 85–592 m, 09–10.xii.2003, P. Kabátek leg. (1, NMPC) ; Wadi Da’arho , 21.ii.2009, P. Lo Cascio & F. Grita leg. (1, PLFG) .

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other Socotran phalacrids by the nine nearly complete elytral striae ( Fig. 11 ), large scutellum, and by the structure of the metatarsus ( Fig. 14 ) and antenna ( Fig. 15 ). It differs from other species of Pseudolibrus by the uniform testaceous coloration and details of the aedeagus, especially the two pairs of setae on the parameres ( Fig. 12 ) and the blunt, evenly rounded apex of the penis ( Fig. 13 ).

Distribution. Reliably identified specimens are known only from the type locality ( Eritrea) and Socotra Island, but the species is probably much more widespread in Africa.

Notes. The genus Pseudolibrus had not been used outside of catalogues since the original description, until GIMMEL (submitted) recognized it as a senior synonym of Biophytus Guillebeau, 1894 and Polyaloxus Guillebeau, 1894 .

Figures

Figs. 11-15. Pseudolibrus gestroi Flach, 1889. 11 – dorsal habitus; 12 – tegmen, ventral; 13 – penis, ventral; 14 – metatibia and tarsus, ventral; 15 – antenna. Scale bars = 0.3 mm.