Desmopachria challeti Miller, 2000

Miller, Kelly B., 2001, Descriptions Of New Species Of Desmopachria Babington (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae: Hyphydrini) With A Reassessment Of The Subgenera And Species Groups And A Synopsis Of The Species, The Coleopterists Bulletin 55 (2), pp. 219-240 : 224-225

Desmopachria challeti Miller , new species

Figs. 5–7 , 17

Diagnosis. Distinguishable from other members of D. convexa group by shape of median lobe with lateral rami relatively broad and rounded apically ( Fig. 5 ).

Description. Measurements. n = 4, TL = 1.54–1.65 mm (x = 1.61 mm); GW = 1.05–1.10 mm (x = 1.07 mm); TL/GW = 1.47–1.53 (x = 1.51).

Habitus. Size average for genus; body robust, broadly rounded laterally, not attenuate posteriorly; greatest width slightly anterior of middle; slightly dorsoventrally flattened.

Coloration. Head and pronotum yellow; elytron yellow laterally, basally and apically darker yellow­brown medially and along suture. Antennae and palpi yellow. Sterna and legs yellow.

Sculpture and structure. Head very finely and inconspicuously punctate; anterior clypeal margin dorsoventrally compressed and distinctly beaded; antennae moderately short, antennomeres 6–10 anteroapically lobed. Pronotum very finely and inconspicuously punctate; without basal striae; lateral pronotal margins broadly rounded; lateral bead narrow, slightly broader posteriorly; epipleuron impunctate. Elytron finely punctate over most of surface, more coarsely punctate apically. Prosternum short, with posteromedial tubercle. Prosternal process broad medially, broadly acuminate apically, medially shallowly concave. Metasternum, metacoxae and abdominal sterna impunctate. Legs not modified.

Male genitalia ( Figs. 5–7 ). Median lobe in dorsal aspect strongly bifid into two, elongate, lateral rami, rami broad apically, broadly rounded, lateral margins sinuate, basally broadly bifurcate ( Fig. 5 ); in lateral aspect basally with broad section, apically with elongate portion medially expanded, apex narrowly rounded ( Fig. 6 ). Lateral lobe apically with articulable lobe long, apically pointed, apex of lateral lobe truncate with small areas of setae ( Fig. 5 ), in lateral aspect very broad medially ( Fig. 7 ).

Female genitalia ( Fig. 17 ). Spermatheca globular, spermathecal cap oblique with distinctive invaginated lobe; fertilization duct elongate, tightly contorted, moderately broad; posterior lobes of gonocoxae reduced; apex of vagina with rami; gonocoxosternites rounded, anterior lobe robust, anteriorly expanded, posterior margin of gonocoxosternite with region of short setae, apex with few, stout setae.

Variation. This species varies somewhat in the depth of colaration of the elytron.

Taxonomy. This species is a member of the D. convexa group (see Discussion below for information about species groups) as evident from the presence of a distinct, apical, articulable lobe on the lateral lobe and deeply bifid median lobe ( Fig. 5 ).

Etymology. This species is named challeti in honor of the collector of the type series, G.L. Challet.

Material Examined. Holotype: ϐ in USNM, labeled, ‘‘ϐ/ COLOMBIA: Quindio Pond nr. Salento June 18, 1984 G.L. Challet / HOLOTYPE Desmopachria challeti K.B. Miller, 2000 [red label with double black line border].’’ Paratypes: 2, same data as holotype except ‘‘.../ PARATYPE Desmopachria challeti K.B. Miller, 2000 [blue label with black line border];’’ 1, labeled ‘‘ COLOMBIA: Antioquia El Retiro June 10, 1984. G.L. Challet / PARATYPE Desmopachria challeti K.B. Miller, 2000 [blue label with black line border].’’

Figures

Figs. 2–14. Desmopachria spp., male genitalia. 2–4) D. amyae; 2) median lobe and left lateral lobe, dorsal aspect; 3) same, median lobe, right lateral aspect; 4) same, right lateral lobe, right lateral aspect; 5–7) D. challeti; 5) median lobe and left lateral lobe, dorsal aspect; 6) same, median lobe, right lateral aspect; 7) same, left lateral lobe, left lateral aspect; 8–10) D. signatoides; 8) median lobe and left lateral lobe, dorsal aspect; 9) same, median lobe, right lateral aspect; 10) same, right lateral lobe, right lateral aspect; 11–13) D. volatidisca; 11) median lobe, dorsal aspect; 12) same, median lobe, right lateral aspect; 13) same, right lateral lobe, right lateral aspect; 14) Desmopachria signatoides, left antenna, dorsal aspect. bars = 0.1 mm

Figs. 15–20. 15–16) D. amyae, female genitalia; 15) right gonocoxosternite; 16) same, right gonocoxa; 17–20) Desmopachria species, female genitalia, ventral aspect; 17) D. challeti; 18) D. volatidisca; 19) D. convexa; 20) D. youngi; al = anterior lobe of gonocoxosternite, bc = bursa copulatrix, co = common oviduct, ds = spermathecal disc, fd = fertilization duct, fs = fertilization sac, gc = gonocoxa, gs = gonocoxosternite, ra = ramus, sd = spermathecal duct, sp = spermatheca, va = vagina. bars = 0.1 mm.