Sphaerobulbus bisinuatus Smetana, 2003

Smetana, Aleš, 2005, Contributions to the knowledge of the “ Staphylinus-complex ” (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini) of China. Part 7. The genus Sphaerobulbus Smetana 2003. Section 2, Zootaxa 1006 (1), pp. 53-64 : 54

Sphaerobulbus bisinuatus Smetana, 2003

( Fig. 1 )

Sphaerobulbus bisinuatus Smetana, 2003: 70 .

New records. CHINA: Yunnan: Dali , 2100–2300 m, 28.–29.VI.2002, S. Murzin, I. Shokhin leg. , 2 ♂♂ ( ASC, YSC) ; Sichuan: Daliang Shan, Meigu, Hongxi , 19.– 21.VII.1996, K. Kitawaki leg. , 2 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀ ( ASC, YSC) ; NNE Eriyzuxiang , 28º47.6'N 101º58.3'E, 3561 m, V.2005, Häckel & Sehnal, 1 ♂, 1 ♀ ( ASC) .

Comments. Sphaerobulbus bisinuatus was until now known only from the Diancang Shan near the old town of Dali (some specimens bear only “Dali” as the locality, see also above) in Yunnan. The occurrence of the species in Daliang Shan (Meigu and Eriyzuxiang) in southern Sichuan confirms my suspicion that S. bisinuatus may be more widely distributed (Smetana 2003: 73). But the presence of this species in Daliang Shan is of particular interest because another, similar and closely related species, S. abdominalis Smetana, 2003 , also occurs in Daliang Shan (type locality: pass 20 km S of Muli [Bowa]).

The specimens of the Daliang Shan population of S. bisinuatus agree perfectly with those of the type series from Diancang Shan (Dali), except that they lack the paler apex of the abdomen (i.e. the abdomen is entirely dark), just like that of S. abdominalis . The difference in the coloration of the abdominal apex was used to distinguish these two species (see Smetana 2003: 69, 74), but it became useless now. Specimens of S. abdominalis may be distinguished from those of S. bisinuatus by the distinctly denser punctation of both the head and pronotum (the difference is particularly obvious on the disc of the head), and by the markedly larger aedoeagus. The latter character state seems to be useful, although only one male (holotype) of S. abdominalis is known at present. The length of the aedoeagus of the holotype is 2.6 mm; the length of the aedoeagi of the six males of S. bisinuatus varies between 2.0– 2.1 mm. It is possible, however, that these two species may turn out, after more material becomes available for study, as two different populations of one species.

The specimens from near Eryizuxiang were taken from pitfall traps set in primary forest.

Due to a technical problem, the figures showing the apical portions of the aedoeagi of both S. bisinuatus and S. abdominalis in the original descriptions were not quite accurate ( Figs. 22 and 26 in Smetana 2003). New illustrations are presented here ( Figs. 1, 2 ).

Figures

FIGURES 1–12. 1. Sphaerobulbus bisinuatus: apical portion of aedoeagus (ventral view); 2. Sphaerobulbus abdominalis: apical portion of aedoeagus (ventral view). 3–7. Sphaerobulbus rex: 3 — sternite 9 of male genital segment; 4 — tergite 10 of male genital segment; 5 — aedoeagus, ventral view; 6 — underside of apical portion of paramere; 7 — apical portion of aedoeagus, lateral view. 8–12. Sphaerobulbus pusio: 8 — sternite 9 of male genital segment; 9 — tergite 10 of male genital segment; 10 — aedoeagus, ventral view; 11 — underside of apical portion of paramere; 12 — apical portion of aedoeagus, lateral view.

FIGURES 13–22. 13–17. Sphaerobulbus businskorum: 13 — sternite 9 of male genital segment; 14 — tergite 10 of male genital segment; 15 — aedoeagus, ventral view; 16 — underside of apical portion of paramere; 17 — apical portion of aedoeagus, lateral view. 18–22. Sphaerobulbus bicolor: 18 — sternite 9 of male genital segment; 19 — tergite 10 of male genital segment; 20 — aedoeagus, ventral view; 21 — apical portion of underside of paramere; 22 — apical portion of aedoeagus, lateral view.