Trogellus (Trogellus) ticiticus, Paulsen, 2013

Paulsen, M. J., 2013, A new genus for the Neotropical species of Aesalus Fabricius, with descriptions of eight new species (Coleoptera: Lucanidae: Aesalinae), Insecta Mundi 2013 (325), pp. 1-25 : 8-9

Trogellus (Trogellus) ticiticus Paulsen, new species.

Type Material. Holotype male ( CMNC) labeled: a) “ COSTA RICA: Puntarenas / Monteverde, Estacion Biologica / Monteverde , 10 o 19’40”N / 84 o 49’08”W, 1540m, 9.VI.2001 / R. Anderson, at lights / 2001- 101X”; b) orange paper “DNA VOUCHER / P006 2008 / MJ PAULSEN – UNSM ”; c) on red paper “ Trogellus / ticiticus / [male symbol] / Paulsen, 2013 / HOLOTYPE ”.

One male paratype ( CMNC) labeled a) “ COSTA RICA, 1560m / 4 dung traps / 11–18. VI.83 / D.H. Lindeman ” ; b) “ Aesalus howdeni” (sic). One male paratype ( MJPC) labeled: a) “ COSTA RICA. Punt. / Monteverde. 1400m / 26 May 1979 / H. & A. Howden ”. One female paratype ( CNCI) labeled: a) “ COSTA RICA. Punt. / Monteverde. 1400m / 31 May 1979 / H. & A. Howden ”. One paratype female ( INBIO) labeled: a) “San Luis, 1040m, R.B. / Monteverde Prov. Punt- / arenas, Costa Rica, Jul / 1992. Z. Fuentes / L-N 250850, 449250 ; b) INBIO barcode “ COSTA RICA INBIO / CRI000 / 730108”. All paratypes with paratype labels on yellow paper: “ Trogellus / ticiticus / [male or female symbol] / Paulsen, 2013 / PARATYPE ” .

Description. Holotype male: Length: 4.3 mm. Width: 2.3 mm. Head: Clypeus triangular with distinctly produced, tooth-like apex. Canthus elongate, length approximately 2× width. Mandibles without external median tooth at angulation. Pronotum: Surface densely punctate, lacking obvious tubercles; punctures moderate in size. Elytra: Surface with acute bristles, bristles relatively long (distinctly longer than canthus). Legs: Protibia more or less tridentate but with 2–3 smaller but distinct teeth giving a multidentate appearance, external margin between larger teeth slightly concave. Mesotibia with 3 strong external teeth. Metatibia with 1 large median tooth and strongly toothed apex (left metatibia also with second relatively large median tooth). Male genitalia: Parameres 1/4 as long as median lobe. Median lobe more or less symmetrical, cylindrical, and tapering before spatulate, less sclerotized apex ( Fig. 19 ).

Paratypes vary as follows: Length: 4.0– 5.3 mm. Width: 2.2–2.8 mm. Mandibles with external angle rarely appearing toothed. Mesotibia generally with 3 strong external teeth. Metatibia of females with external tooth weak.

Distribution. COSTA RICA: Puntarenas (5): Monteverde.

Temporal Distribution. May (2), June (2), July (1).

Diagnosis/Remarks. This species is recognizable due to its long, spiny bristles on the elytra. Only three species have acute bristles, and in T. ticiticus they are distinctly longer than in T. herrmanni or T. neotropicalis . The male genitalia are unique in being more bulbous basally and narrowing before a spatulate apex of the median lobe ( Fig. 19 ). In addition, the protibiae have more strongly developed secondary teeth in this species than in T. herrmanni , which results in the protibiae appearing less tridentate than multidentate.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a Latinized form of the term ‘ tico’, a colloquial name for Costa Ricans, with the diminutive suffix -itico used in that country, resulting in ‘ ticitico ’ and meaning ‘little tico ’. It is used as a noun in apposition, and the gender is masculine.

Figures

Figures 18–23. Male genitalia of Trogellus species, dorsal view. 18. T. herrmanni n. sp. 19) T. ticiticus n. sp. 20) T. neotropicalis. 21) T. chapinitus n. sp. 22) T. hawksi n. sp. 23) T. trogoides. The male genitalia of T. maesi n. sp. are unknown.