Pselaphodes miraculum Yin, Li & Zhao

Yin, Zi-Wei, Li, Li-Zhen & Zhao, Mei-Jun, 2010, Taxonomical study on the genus Pselaphodes Westwood (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) from China. Part I., Zootaxa 2512, pp. 1-25 : 20

Pselaphodes miraculum Yin, Li & Zhao sp. nov.

( Figs. 2, 14, 27, 28, 54, 55, 88, 91, 104, 105, 127, 139, 152,153, 182)

Type material. Holotype: CHINA: Guizhou Prov.: 3, Fanjingshan Mt. (27 ° 56 ’ 24 ”N 108 ° 36 ’ 48 ”E), elev. unknown, Li-Zhen Li leg., 23.vii. 2003. Paratypes: CHINA: Guizhou Prov.: 2 ƤƤ: same data as holotype (all SHNUC).

Description. Male. Body ( Fig. 2) reddish-brown, abdomen dark brown, maxillary palpi and tarsi lighter in color; body length 3.53 mm, combined width of elytra 1.41 mm.

Head slightly longer than wide, frontal margin anterior to eyes straight. Antennomeres I–VIII similar to those of P. walkeri , with antennomere VIII shortest, club strongly modified, IX quadrate, with a distinctive spine and a hook at apex, X smaller than IX, elongate, slightly broadened from apex to base, XI large, oval, about as long as VIII and IX combined ( Fig. 91). Maxillary palpus ( Fig. 139) very similar to that of P. walkeri . Mandibles ( Fig. 127) asymmetrical, each with three to four teeth on mesal margin.

Pronotum about as long as wide, coarsely punctured and densely pubescent. Elytra ( Fig. 14) similar to those of P. cornutus but wider. Hind wing ( Fig. 88) broadest near middle, gradually narrowed from middle toward both apex and base, arcuate near base. Legs long and slender, similar to those of P. walkeri , protrochanter (Fig. 54) with a small apical spine, profemur with a large apical spines, mesotrochanter (Fig. 55) with a small apical spine, mesofemora not armed, hind legs normal, not armed.

Abdomen (Figs. 27, 28) similar to that of P. walkeri , tergite VIII (Fig. 105) well-sclerotized, transverse, narrowed at base, almost straight at apex; sternite VIII (Fig. 104) similar to that of P. walkeri .

Aedeagus ( Figs. 152, 153) with general shape very similar to P. walkeri , but with median lobe protracted left in dorsal view. Endophallus ( Fig. 182) with three sclerites: left linear and short, erected; median irregularly-shaped, its apical part with transverse spine which is attached to semi-membranous and serpentine part; right sclerite shortest and well-sclerotized, attached to basal part of median sclerite; parameres more elongate than those of P. walkeri .

Female. Antennal club without modifications, basal metaventral processes absent.

Remarks. This species is similar to P. walkeri , but the body size larger; the antennal club is uniquely modified and the median lobe is protracted left.

Distribution. China (Guizhou Province).

Etymology. The species name is a noun in apposition (" miraculum " (Latin) means "a miracle") and refers to the amazing modification of the antennal club.