Ocypus (Pseudocypus) puer (Smetana, 2005)

Published, First, 2007, Contributions to the knowledge of the “ Staphylinus-complex ” (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini) of China. Part XX. The genus Ocypus Leach, 1819, subgenus Pseudocypus Mulsant & Rey, 1876. Section 1, Zootaxa 1421, pp. 1-72 : 30

Ocypus (Pseudocypus) puer (Smetana, 2005)

(Figs. 103–108)

Protocypus puer Smetana, 2005a , 299.

Type material. Holotype (male) and allotype (female): CHINA: Hubei: “CHINA: W-Hubei, 2002 Dashennongjia mts. 2100–2900 m, 10.–14.6 31.5N 110.3E, leg. J. Turna ” ( NMW).

Paratypes: CHINA: Hubei: same data as holotype, 27 ♂♂, 18 ♀♀ ( ASC, NMW) ; same data, but 2500– 2900 m, 23.6.– 14.7.2003, 58 ♂♂, 23 ♀♀ ( ASC, NMW) .

Additional material studied: CHINA: Hubei: W-Hubei Daba Shan pass E Mt. Da Shennongjia 12 km NW Muyuping 1950 m ”/”31.30 110.21E 16–22.VII.01 pitfall traps A. Smetana [C105], ♂ ( ASC) ; same, but 2050 m, 19–22.7.01, A. Smetana [C114], ♀ ( ASC) ; Dashennongjia massive, 31°24–27'N 110°17–20'E 28.6.– 3.7.1995, 2500–2900 m [note: elevation missing on some labels], L.& R. Businský legit, 10 ♂♂, 15 ♀♀ ( ASC, MDC) ; Daba Shan mountain range NE Muyuping , pass 12 km N Muyuping (N-slope), 2380 m, 31°32'N 110°26'E, 17.–21.VII.2001, Wrase [15], ♂, 9 ♀♀ ( ASC, MSC) ; same data, but M. Schülke [C01-15b], 2 ♂♂, 10 ♀♀ ( ASC, MSC) ; same data, but 17.VII.2001, 31°31.743N, 110°26.373E, sifted, leg. D. W. Wrase [note: “S-Shaanxi” is given eroneously on these labels], 5 ♀♀ ( ASC, MSC) ; Dashennongjia mts. , 2500–2900 m, 31.5N 110.3E, 23.6.– 14.7. 2003, leg. J. Turna ( NMW) , ♂; same data, but 2500–3000 m, 21.–24.VI.2001, Jaroslav Turna leg., 10 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀ ( ASC, YSC) .

Diagnosis. Ocypus puer shares most of the character states with O. neocles , but differs from it by the differently shaped aedoeagus, sternite 9 of the male genital segment, and by a few external characters, as given in the description.

Description. In all character states similar to specimens of O. neocles with dark legs, but different as follows: golden-yellowish tomentose pubescence on visible abdominal tergites 4 and 5 dense, limited to middle of tergite; antennae similar in color, but darker, mostly piceous-black to black (particularly first three segments); punctation of head, pronotum and elytra finer and denser, punctation of abdominal tergites slightly denser, microsculpture on interspaces somewhat coarser.

Male. Sternite 8 with medioapical emargination similar to that of O. neocles but somewhat deeper. Genital segment with sternite 9 with tapered basal part situated laterally, apex of sternite emarginate (Fig. 103). Tergite 10 wider, with numerous long setae at and near apical margin, apical portion not strongly sclerotized (Fig. 104). Aedoeagus shaped as in Figs. 105–108; median lobe similar to that of O. neocles , but with apex narrowly arcuate to subacute (Fig. 105); paramere situated on median lobe markedly asymmetrically, on face away from paramere with distinct carina, apical portion of paramere wider, tending to be almost parallelsided, with right margin curled markedly invard (Figs. 107, 108), apex of paramere distinctly not reaching apex of median lobe (Fig. 105); sensory peg setae on underside of paramere less numerous, situated as in Fig. 108, missing on invard curled right margin; 4 or 5 minute apical setae at apex, two markedly longer setae situated at left margin below apex (Fig. 108).

Female. Tergite 10 of genital segment not appreciably different from that of O. neocles .

Length 12.0–15.0 mm.

Bionomics. Most specimens were taken from pitfall traps, most of which were set at moderate elevations of 1950–2900 m in deciduous forests and among shrubby vegetation. Some specimens were taken by sifting forest floor litter in young deciduous forest.

Geographical distribution. Ocypus puer is at present known only from the Da Shennongjia range and the adjacent mountains in western Hubei. It may be endemic to this area.

Recognition and comments. Specimens of Ocypus puer may be easily distinuished from those of O. neocles by the characters given in the key and in the description. Specimens of the habitually similar species O. rhinton differ from those of O. puer by the medially emarginate apex of median lobe (Fig. 111), by the on average smaller size, the different type of the golden-yellowish tomentose spots of visible tergites 4 and 5 (these are of the same type as those in O. neocles ), by the paler antennae, etc.