Laximicracis dubia (Schedl, 1950)

Jordal, Bjarte, 2021, Laximicracis-a new genus of Afrotropical Micracidini beetles (Coleoptera Scolytinae), Zootaxa 4966 (1), pp. 91-96 : 93

Laximicracis dubia (Schedl, 1950)

( Figs 5, 8, 11 )

Miocryphalus dubius Schedl, 1950 (original spelling)

Afromicracis dubia (Schedl, 1950)

Afromicracis angolensis Schedl, 1962 (synonym by Jordal, 2021)

Type material examined. Holotype, male? D. O.Afrika, Schinjanya P.N. [leg.] ( NHMW) . Holotype of A. angolensis : Angola, Lunda , Nova Chavez, 1949 ( NHMW).

Diagnosis, male? Length 2.0– 2.5 mm, 2.6–2.7 × as long as wide, colour black. Frons concave, with coarse short erect setae in most of the impressed area; antennal funicle 5-segmented, club elongated, drop-shaped, suturefree, about 1.4–1.6 × long as wide; eyes separated above by 1.6 × their width. Pronotum descending from posterior fourth, asperities small, increasing in size towards anterior margin, with two pronounced and closely set small tubercles along anterior margin; vestiture of short spatulate setae. Elytral interstriae with uniseriate rows of spatulate setae; strial setae fine, short, erect. Protibiae with three or four denticles in oblique row along apical margin.

Distribution. Angola, Tanzania, Zambia (new country).

New record: Zambia, Ndole Bay , Lake Tanganyika [GIS: -8.483, 30.452], 23.11. 2012, 800 m alt., light trap, R. Smith, H. Takano, BMNH€2013-71 1432737 (1, NHMUK) ; Angola, Senis., NE Negola [1500 m alt., GIS: -14.13, 14.50], 25.iii.1972, Southern African exp. B.M. 1972-I (1, NMNUK).

Remarks. This species has the same main structure of the antennae and frons compared to male L. latipes . The two types are therefore inferred to be male with some uncertainty. Although the protibiae are narrower and intermediate between this genus and Afromicracis , it has long spatulate setae on the legs, and a gradually curved pronotum with small asperities, further supporting inclusion in Laximicracis .

Only four specimens have been collected, from four different localities across the green dry belt from Angola to Tanzania. This species and L. latipes were both collected by light trap, in dry forest and thicket patches.

Figures

FIGURES 4–12. Dorsal, lateral and front view of Laximicracis latipes (4, 7, 10), Laximicracis dubia (5, 8, 11) and Laximicracis convexa (6, 9, 12) holotypes.