Belonuchus colon ( Sharp, 1885 )

Márquez, Juan & Asiain, Julieta, 2022, Taxonomy of the Mexican species of Belonuchus Nordmann (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), Zootaxa 5152 (1), pp. 1-129 : 27-28

Belonuchus colon ( Sharp, 1885)

Figs. 2e , 13k , 17h, 18d, 21d, 28a

Philonthus colon Sharp, 1885: 419 . Belonuchus colon comb. nov. ex Philonthus ( Navarrete-Heredia et al. 2002) .

Total body length in males 12.05 (range 11.0–13.4), in females 11.52 (range 10.0–12.2). Black on head, almost entire fifth visible abdominal segment (except its anterior border), sixth and genital segment. Rest of body reddish.

Head: transverse in both sexes, with convex posterior corners; wider than long in males (ratio 0.66, range 0.59–0.74) and in females (ratio 0.82, range 0.79–0.87). Dorsal surface with punctures sparser than in majority of species, with similar distribution pattern; sulcate longitudinal midline visible at anterior 2/3 of head; front foveate. Eyes slightly longer than 0.5 times the cephalic lateral length, slightly protruding. Antennomere 4 slighly elongate, 5 as long as wide, 6–10 transverse. Mandibular length in males 1.52 times longer than head (range 1.11–1.79), females with mandibles almost as long as head (ratio 0.98, range 0.93–1.04); mandibles with microsculpture as waved lines at base; with two well separated teeth (basal and middle), with middle tooth placed slightly before half of mandibular length, teeth of medium to small size; mandibular channel with external margin widely separated from internal margin at base, internal margin carinate from base of mandible to beyond level of middle tooth. Apical palpomere of maxillary and labial palpi almost 1.25 times longer than preapical palpomere. Ventral surface smooth, with fine microsculpture as in dorsal surface. Head wider than pronotum in males (ratio 1.31, range 1.23–1.38) and slightly wider than pronotum in females (ratio 1.10, range 1.05–1.17).

Thorax: pronotum with microsculpture and gloss as on head; each dorsal row formed by five punctures; pronotum slightly longer than wide in both sexes (ratio in males 1.09, range 0.97–1.33, in females 1.15, range 1.10–1.19); and slightly wider at anterior corners than at posterior corners (ratio in males 1.09, range 1.03–1.16, in females 1.04, range 1.00–1.07). Scutellum with denser punctures than on elytra, where they are moderately dense. Prosternum weakly elevated near anterior margin, which is slightly impressed. Intercoxal process of mesoventrite shieldshaped; transverse discal ridge little to moderately visible, broadly U-shaped. Profemur of males without defined internal margin, except near apex where there are four to five aligned spines of medium size; external margin with row of spines covering nearly 2/3 of its length, not reaching apex, spines increasing in size from base to apex, some of them as long as spines on anterior tibia; profemur of females also without defined internal margin, and spines of external margin shorter and less numerous than in males. Male metatrochanter modified like a hook that is situated somewhat ventrally, as long as 0.33 to 0.5 times the length of metafemur; metafemur notably curved at level of its overlap with hook; metatibia clearly curved on internal side of anterior third. Tarsomeres flattened dorsally ( Fig. 13k ).

Abdomen: visible tergites 1–3 with posterior basal transverse carina and depressed adjacent area clearly formed, with wide-superficial punctures covering almost all surface of visible tergite one, together with sparse, fine punctures; visible tergites 2–4 with wide-superficial punctures covering anterior half or slightly less, tergites 5–6 only with fine punctures; all wide-punctures are moderately dense. Visible sternites 1–4 with type of punctures as on tergites, slightly denser than in tergites. Male pregenital sternite with posterior margin narrowly, distinctly emarginate and with peculiar shape (Fig. 17h). Male genital sternite very elongate (3.0 times longer than wide), slightly asymmetrical, anterior portion occupying 48% and posterior portion 52% of its length, apical emargination narrow and deep ( Fig. 18d ). Male abdominal styli moderately wide and flattened at apex, somewhat convex at sides, covered by many reddish-brown or dark setae, mainly at apex.

Aedeagus: length 1.7 mm; cone-shaped; apex subacute; in ventral view, sides gradually narrowed toward apex; in lateral view, base notably widened in relation to apical half; internal sac visible ( Fig. 21d ).

Variability. Great variation was observed in the measurements and ratios that were already indicated in the description, as well as variation due to sex and size of the specimens.

Taxonomic comments. Belonuchus colon is the only species of the trochanterinus group and of any Mexican Belonuchus with a mainly reddish body, except for the head, neck and the last two visible abdominal segments (except the anterior border of the fifth) that are black. The shape of the hooks of the posterior legs of the males, the abdominal styli, the pregenital and genital sternite, as well as the aedeagus, reinforce their separation from any other species. Despite not having studied the syntypes of B. colon , the information included in the original description ( Sharp 1885) and the clear diagnostic characters of this species leave no doubt of their correct identification.

Material examined (221 males, 204 females): Mexico: Chiapas: “ San Cristóbal de las Casas, Reserva Biológica Huitepec , Cadera NE, bosque de encino, 2238 m, N16°14’798”, W92°40’848”, en pera podrida, 21-XI- 1999, J. Márquez col.” (1, MAAS) . “ San Cristóbal de las Casas, Carretera SCLC- Sta. Rosa 1 km N de El Puerto, bosque de encino, 1687 m, N16°26’899”, W92°24’186”, NTP-80, 21-XI al 3-XIII-1999, J. Márquez col.” (3, MAAS) . Hidalgo: “ Huehuetla, Rio Blanco , bosque tropical perenifolio, 588 m, UTM (WG-384), 14594809 E 2257383 N, NTP-80 (calamar), 1 a 30-V-2010, C. Berriozábal col.” (2, CC-UAEH) . “ Juárez , bosque mesófilo perturbado, 1973 m, N20°45’59.7”, W98°49’1.8”, trampa de intercepción de vuelo #1, 7 a 14-III-2009, J. Márquez, M. Rivero, M. Torres, M. Vargas y J. Sánchez cols.” (4, CC-UAEH) . “La Misión, Palo Hueco 1.5 km al NE de Puerto de Naranjos, bosque mesófilo de montaña, 1197 m, N21°08’21”, W99°05’4.6”, en coprotrampa, del 10 al 24-III- 2011, J. Márquez col.” (1, CC-UAEH) . “ Molango, Acuatitlán , bosque mesófilo de montaña, 1715 m, N20°45’38.4”, W88°42.6’ 50.7”, NTP-80 (calamar) #1, 15 a 29-IV-2011, J. Márquez col.” (13, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #5” (2, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #8” (1, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #4” (7, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #7” (9, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #2” (2, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #3” (1, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #6” (4, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #3, 30-IX a 21- X-2011 ” (1, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “trampa de intercepción de vuelo #3” (1, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #9, 30-IX a 21-X-2011. J. Márquez col.” (1, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #7” (2, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #3” (10, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #6” (1, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #5” (2, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #4” (2, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “trampa de intercepción de vuelo #1” (1, CC- UAEH). “ Tenango de Doria, El Potrero, N20°18’40.2”, W98°13’51.8”, bosque mesófilo, 2182 m, NTP-80 #3, 18 a 25-V-2009, J. Márquez, M. Rivero, M. Torres, M. Vargas y J. Sánchez cols.” (1, CC-UAEH). “ Tenango de Doria, camino a La Viejita , bosque mesófilo de montaña, 1647 m, N20°19.0’ 37.9”, W98°14.0’ 39.7”, NTP-80 (calamar) #4, 1 a 15-IX-2011, J Márquez col.” (3, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #3” (4, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #2” (4, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #7” (3, CC- UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #1” (1, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #5” (3, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #6” (4, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “trampa de intercepción de vuelo #3, 29-III a 12-IV-2011 ” (1, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #7, 31-III a 14-IV- 2011 ” (1, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “trampa de intercepción de vuelo # 2, 5 a 10-V-2013, N. Gutiérrez col.” (4, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “trampa de intercepción de vuelo #1, 11 a 16-VI-2013 ” (1, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “trampa de intercepción de vuelo #2” (1, CC-UAEH). Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar), 12- VIII - 2010, C. Cornejo col.” (30, CC-UAEH). “ Tepehuacán de Guerrero, Chilijapa , bosque mesófilo de montaña, 1401m, N21°12’5.1”, W98°51.8’ 2.1”, NTP-80 (calamar) #4, 11 a 25-III-2011. J. Márquez col.” (1, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #6” (1, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #8” (3, CC- UAEH) . “ Tlanchinol, La Cabaña , bosque mesófilo de montaña, 1462 m, N21°01.333’, W98°38.650’, trampa de intercepción de vuelo #2, 16 al 23-VII-2005, M.C. Pedraza, E. Pedraza y C. Ortiz cols.” (1, CC-UAEH) . “ 3 km N de Tlanchinol , 1450 m, bosque mesófilo de montaña, N21°1.328’, W98°38.77’, NTP-80 (calamar), 16-IV a 1-V- 2003, J. Asiain y J. Márquez cols.” (14, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “ 16-IV-2003 ” (2, CC-UAEH) . “ Tlanchinol , bosque mesófilo de montaña, NTP-80 (calamar), 29-IV a 29-V-1995, A. Soria col.” (2, MAAS) . “ Tlanchinol , bosque mesófilo de montaña, en necrotrampa temporal, 15 al 19-V-1996, J. Márquez col.” (1, CC-UAEH) . “ Tlanchinol camino a Apantlazol, El Pozo, bosque mesófilo de montaña, 1391 m, N20°59’6.73”, W98°37’39.86”, NTP-80 (calamar) #4, 16 a 30-IV-2011, J. Márquez col.” (3, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #1” (5, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #5” (1, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “trampa de intercepción de vuelo #3” (2, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “trampa de intercepción de vuelo #1” (1, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #3, 1 a 22-X-2011 ” (1, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #4, 1 a 22-X-2011 ” (1, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #8, 1 a 22-X-2011 ” (3, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #3, 16 a 30-IV-2011 ” (1, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “trampa de intercepción de vuelo #1” (5, CC-UAEH) . “ Zacualtipán, camino a Sto. Domingo , bosque mesófilo de montaña, 1830 m, N20°37.749’, W98°34.851’, NTP-80 (calamar), 30-VII al 30-X-2003, J. Márquez y J. Asiain cols.” (2, CC-UAEH) . “ Zacualtipán, camino a Tizapán , bosque mesófilo de montaña, 1790 m, N20°38’ 44.5”, W98°36’ 7.2”, NTP-80 (calamar) #9, 20-IX a 4-X-2011, J. Márquez col.” (2, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #5” (1, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #10” (10, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #6” (7, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #3” (2, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #1” (6, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #2” (7, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #4” (10, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #1, 14 a 28-IV-2011 ” (2, CC- UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #7” (2, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #3” (1, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #6” (1, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #9” (10, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #10” (2, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #8” (6, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #5” (4, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #2, 14 a 28-IV-2011 ” (11, CC-UAEH) . “ Zacualtipán camino a Tizapán , bosque mesófilo de montaña, 1790 m, N20°38’44.5”, W98°36’7.2”, trampa de intercepción de vuelo #1, 14 a 28-IV-2011, J. Márquez col.” (1, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “ 20-IX a 4-X-2011 ” (1, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “trampa de intercepción de vuelo #2, 20-IX a 4-X-2011 ” (3, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “trampa de intercepción de vuelo #3, 20-IX a 4-X-2011 ” (7, CC-UAEH) . “ Zimapán, P. N. Los Mármoles, Minas Viejas , bosque de encino, 1892 m, N20°55’ 5.2”, W99°12’41.1”, NTP-80 (calamar), del 13-VII al 18-VIII-2007, J. Márquez, J. Asiain y S. Sierra cols.” (36, CC- UAEH) . Same data, except: “11-X al 17-XI-2007 ” (5, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “coprotrampa” (1, CC- UAEH) . Same data, except: “18-VIII al 20-IX-2007, coprotrampa” (2, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “necrotrampa” (1, CC-UAEH) . “ Zimapán, P. N. Los Mármoles, La Encarnación , bosque de encino, 2412 m, N20° 52’1”, W99°12’50.3”, en excremento, 23-VI-2007, J. Márquez y J. Asiain cols.” (1, CC-UAEH) . “ Zimapán, P. N. Los Mármoles, Trancas , bosque de pino-encino, 2444 m, N20°48’12.222”, W99°14’41”, coprotrampa, 17-VIII al- 19- IX-2007, J. Márquez, J. Asiain y S. Sierra cols.” (1, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “29-V al 22-VI-2007 ” (1, CC- UAEH) . Same data, except: “22-VI al 12-VII- 2007 ” (2, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “19-IX al 13-X-2007 ” (1, CC-UAEH) . “ Zimapán , P. N. Los Mármoles, 2 km E de Durango, 1970 m, bosque de pino, N20°53’55.3”, W99°12’45.5”, NTP-80 (calamar), 30-VI-2003, J. Asiain, J. Canales y J. Márquez cols.” (1, CC-UAEH) . “ Zimapán, El Salto a 2 km al E de Durango, 14Q0477652, UTM 231197, bosque de encino, 2155 m, NTP-80 #3, 28-III a 04- IV-2009, J. Márquez, M. Rivero, M. Torres, M. Vargas y J. Sánchez cols.” (1, CC-UAEH) . “ Zacualtipán, La Mojonera , N20º37’59”, W98º35’48”, 1886 m, bosque mesófilo de montaña perturbado, NTP-80 (calamar), 28-II a 29-IV- 2004, J. Asiain y J. Márquez cols.” (5, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “mayo-junio, 2004” (1, CC-UAEH) . “ Zacualtipán, camino a Santo Domingo , N20º37’44.9”, W98º34’51.06”, 1830 m, bosque mesófilo de montaña, NTP-80, 28-II a 29-IV-2004, J. Márquez y J. Asiain cols.” (1, CC-UAEH) . Puebla: “ Zacapoaxtla, Ex-hacienda Apulco , cascada La Gloria, N19°54´12”, W97°37´00”, 1,508 m, dentro de cañada bosque mesófilo de montaña rodeado por pinos, trampa de intercepción de vuelo, 18 a 28-V-2021, familia Márquez-Asiain cols.” (21, MAAS) . Same data except: “NTP-80 (calamar)” (1, MAAS) . Veracruz: “ Córdoba, camino a Plan de Ayala , bosque mesófilo de montaña, 1352 m, N18°57’15.2”, W96°58’41”, NTP-80 (calamar), V a VI-1999, J. Asiain, Q. Santiago, J. Márquez. ” (6, MAAS) . “ Cosmatepec, Tecoac , bosque mesófilo de montaña, 1750 m, 26-VII al 23-IX-1995, NTP-80 (calamar) #909, M. A. Pensado y Q. Santiago cols.” (2, MAAS) . Same data, except: “ 11-III a 8-IV-1995 ” (1, QJSJ) . “ Huayacocotla, Helechales, San Antonio , bosque mesófilo de montaña, 1434 m, N20°40’ 23.4”, W98°23’39.6”, NTP-80 (calamar) #4, 06-III a 2-IV-2006, F. Ramírez col.” (5, CC-UAEH) . “ Huayacocotla, Helechales , bosque mesófilo de montaña, 1936 m, N20° 37.5’ 25.0”, W98°27.6’ 49”, NTP-80 (calamar) #7, 19-III a 2-IV-2011, J. Márquez col.” (9, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #3” (15, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “NTP-80 (calamar) #1” (20, CC-UAEH) . Same data, except: “trampa de intercepción de vuelo #3” (1, CC-UAEH) . “ Xalapa, Macuiltepetl, Arca Verde , N19°32´53.46”, W96°55´9.58”, 1552 m, coprotrampa, 2-VII-2013, V. Cruz, F. Sandoval y E. Montes de Oca cols.” (3, QJSJ) . Same data, except: “ N19°32´54.12”, W 96°55´10.8”, 1546 m, NTP- 80” (2, QJSJ) . Same data, except: “ 23-VII-2013 ” (1, QJSJ) . Same data, except: “ N19°32´49.2”, W96°55´12.12”, 1538 m ” (1, QJSJ) .

Figures

FIGURE 2. Dorsal view of males of: a) Belonuchus alternans (syntype, NHM©), b) B. alternans, c) B. apiciventris, d) B. cariniventris (lectotype), e) B. colon, f) B. confusus (holotype), g) B. julietitae (paratype), h) B. linuzensis (paratype). Scale bars = 2.5 mm.

FIGURE 13. Ventral view of the left posterior leg of males of: a) B. trochanterinus, b) B. tenuistylus, c) B. zunilensis, d) B. rufipennis, e) B. mixtecus, f) B. pollens, g) B. ephippiatus, h) B. aenigmaticus, i) B. iridescens, j) B. viridipennis. Tarsomeres of posterior leg of males of: k) B. colon, l) B. ephippiatus. Yellow ovals: median longitudinal groove.

FIGURE 18. Male genital sternite of: a) Belonuchus altenans, b) B. apiciventris, c) B. cariniventris, d) B. colon, e) B. confusus, f) B. julietitae, g) B. magnistylus, h) B. linuzensis, i) B. metafemoralis, j) B. oxyporimimus, k) B. oxyporinus, l) B. pulcher, m) B. rufisternus, n) B. singularis, o) B. tenuistylus. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 21. Ventral (left) and lateral (right) view of the aedeagus of: a) Belonuchus alternans, b) B. apiciventris, c) B. cariniventris, d) B. colon, e) B. confusus, f) B. julietitae, g) B. linuzensis, h) B. magnistylus, i) B. metafemoralis. Scale bar = 0.5 mm (all figures).