Ocypus (Pseudocypus) quiris, Published, 2007

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 : 15-16

Ocypus (Pseudocypus) quiris sp. nov.

( Figs. 32–37)

Type material. Holotype (male) and allotype (female): CHINA: Sichuan: “CHINA W-Sichuan Aba Co.

Barkam vic. 3500 m, VII. 94 M. Häckel” ( ASC) .

Paratypes: CHINA: Sichuan: same data as holotype, 2 ♂♂ ( ASC); ( BARKAM) Barkam , S environs 31.53N 102.12E, 2900–3700 m, mixed & coniferous forest 22.VI.1994 K. & B. Březina, ♀, 2 ♀♀ ( ASC) ; Barkam , ca. 2300 m 22.– 26.6. 1991 J. Kaláb leg., ♂, ♀ ( NMW) ; Qionglai Shan Mou Pi Shan mount. 3100– 3750 m Barkam , 15km S of Zhuokeji, mixed and relict coniferous forest, 10–30. VI. 2004, leg. R. Fabbri, 2 ♂♂ ( ASC, MSC) .

Diagnosis. A medium-sized species, sharing most of the character states with O. vindex , but different by the entirely differently shaped aedoeagus, and by a few external characters, as given in the description.

Description. In all character states similar to O. vindex , but different as follows: coloration similar, but elytra and abdomen not appreciably paler; legs rufobrunneous in some specimens; head narrower, less distinctly wider than long (ratio 1.18), eyes smaller, tempora more distinctly longer than eyes from above (ratio 2.25); punctation of head slightly finer. Pronotum narrower, more distinctly longer than wide (ratio 1.19), punctation slightly finer. Elytra similar, but at suture less distinctly shorter than pronotum at midline (ratio 0.64), punctation and microsculpture of elytra finer, elytra therefore appearing slightly shinier; punctation and pubescence of abdominal tergites denser.

Male. Medioapical emargination of sternite 8 shallower and more obtuse. Genital segment with sternite 9 narrow and quite elongate, with moderately long basal portion, apical portion with distinct medioapical emargination ( Fig. 32). Tergite 10 rather elongate, evenly narrowed toward arcuate apex ( Fig. 33). Aedoeagus large, elongate, shaped as in Figs. 34–36; median lobe elongate, almost parallelsided in middle portion, apical portion asymmetrical, with narrowly arcuate apex; apical portion, when paramere removed, without fine bisinuate formation ( Fig. 35); paramere elongate, situated on median lobe asymmetrically, shaped as in Fig. 34, with conspicuous longitudinal crest on face away from median lobe ( Fig. 34), apex about reaching apex of median lobe; sensory peg setae on underside of paramere numerous, situated along apical margin and extended posteriad along both lateral margins of apical portion ( Fig. 36), much more so along left margin; apical setae minute, situated at left lateral margin ( Fig. 36).

Female. Tergite 10 of genital segment relatively narrow, with markedly differentiated, rod-like apical portion with numerous long setae, otherwise sparsely setose, apical portion of tergite strongly sclerotized ( Fig. 37).

Length 15.0–17.0 mm.

Bionomics. Very little is known about the habitat requirements of this species. It was collected at elevations from 2300 m to 3900 m; some specimens were taken in “mixed & coniferous forest”.

Geographical distribution. Ocypus quiris is at present known only from the vicinity of Barkam in northwestern Sichuan.

Recognition and comments. Ocypus quiris may be positively identified only by the quite characteristic shape of the aedoeagus.

The pubescence of the body, as well as the setation of the sclerites of the male genital segment was severely damaged in the specimens of the original series, therefore the illustrations of sternite 9 and tergite 10 of the male genital segment do not show the setation.

One male specimen bearing the locality label “ China, N Sichuan prov. BARKAM, ca 2300 m 22.– 26.6.1991 J. Kaláb leg.” differs from the remaining specimens from the same locality. The aedoeagus is slightly different, sternite 9 of the male genital segment is remarkably elongated and its apex is evenly arcuate, and tergite 10 of the male genital segment is markedly elongated. It is possible that the specimen belongs to another, closely related species.

Etymology. The specific epithet is the name of Quiris, - idis, m, the name of a Roman citizen, in apposition.