Oocyclus shorti, Jia, Fenglong & Maté, Jason F., 2012

Jia, Fenglong & Maté, Jason F., 2012, A New Species of Oocyclus Sharp From Southeastern China (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae), Zootaxa 3509, pp. 81-84 : 81-83

Oocyclus shorti sp. n.

( Figs. 1–5 )

Type material. Holotype 3: CHINA: Guangdong Province: Dadongshan, 24°55’68”N, 112°42’41”E, 28.v.2011, Kubecek & Yun Li lgt. ( SYSU). Paratypes (81 exs.): CHINA: Guangdong Province: same data as holotype (7 exs., SYSU). Danxiashan, Zhanglao peak, 10.vi.2011, leg. F. L. Jia [original label in Chinese]. (2 exs., SYSU). Danxiashan, Jinshiyan, wet rock, 11.vi.2011. leg. F.L. Jia [original label in Chinese] (37 exs., SYSU, SEMC); Danxiashan, Zhanglao peak, with dense algae and duckweeds, 4.xi.2010, leg. F.L. Jia [original label in Chinese] (9 exs., SYSU); Shenzhen, Wutongshan, Hengpailing, 15.v.2011, leg. F.L. Jia & Junlei Liao (1 male, SYSU). Hong Kong SAR: Hong Kong Island, Tai Tam Reservoir, intersection Tai Tam Rd and Mt Parker Rd, 21.xii.2009, rock seep, leg. J.F. Maté (5 exs., JFMC); Hong Kong Island, Jardine´s Lookout, 26.iv.2001, leg. J.F. Maté (2 exs.); 1.v.2001 (2 exs.); Hong Kong Island, 22°16.42’N, 114°11.71’E, 3.iii.2000, Hygropetric seep, leg. J.F. Maté (1 ex.); Hong Kong Island, 22°30.36’N 114°14.16’E, 18.xii.2007, Hygropetric seep, leg. J.F. Maté (1 ex.); New Territories; Tai Mo Shan C.P. Seep 500m due North from Weather Station, 7.ix.2008 (2 exs.); Tai Mo Shan C.P., 700m, leg. P. Aston (1 ex.); Lantau Island, Mui Wo, 29.xii.2010, pond fern in ditch, leg. J.F. Maté (9 exs.); Lantau Island, Mui Wo waterfall (on open face of waterfall), 20.i.2009, leg. P. Aston (2 exs.). (When not indicated, specimens are deposited in BMNH, JFMC, PAC, and BASC).

Diagnosis. From most regional species, O. shorti can be distinguished from most species of the genus except O. fikaceki and O. dinghu by its small to medium size, its rounded posterolateral margin of the pronotum, lack of procoxal spines, with sparse and long setae on abdominal ventrites 1–4, lack of distinct elytral systematic punctures, and the metafemora without microreticulation. It is extremely close to O. fikaceki Short & Jia and O. dinghu Short & Jia. It can be separated from both species by the aedeagus ( Fig. 4 ) with the outer margin of parameres distinctly curved inwards and clearly narrowed apically; the median lobe abruptly narrowed at apical one-fourth; and with the gonopore situated one and half times of its length below it.

Description. Size and Form. Total body length= 3.6–4.0 mm. Oval, strongly convex. Elytra slightly longer than wide. Color. Dorsum black; head, pronotum and often elytra with a subtle green iridescent sheen. Maxillary and labial palps yellow, with apex of maxillary palpomere slightly darkened. Legs, epipleura, lateral margins of prosternum and posterior half of each ventrite yellowish brown, with remainder of venter slightly to moderately darker reddish brown. Head. Ground punctation on labrum, clypeus and frons slightly variable in size from almost undetectable to fine; fairly densely distributed, distance between punctures 0.5–1.5x the width of one puncture. Systematic row of punctures on the labrum very dense, more or less forming a lateral, shallow median groove, and set with a dense row of long erect yellow setae. Frons with an irregular row of systematic punctures mesad of each eye, bearing a few fine setae. Clypeus with a few nearly undetectable systematic punctures along anterolateral margins, slightly larger than surrounding punctation and usually bearing short setae. Maxillary palps very short, subequal in length as width of labrum; segment 2 slightly bulbous, apical segment slightly longer than penultimate. Labial palps three-fourths as long as width of mentum. Mentum quadrate, anterior margin slightly convex; anterior half portion bearing very fine and scattered punctures, including two small clusters of punctures mediolaterally that bear fine setae; posterior half portion almost glabrous, sometimes with a few nearly undetectable punctures. Thorax. Ground punctation on pronotum and elytra very irregular in size, composed of both extremely fine and moderately coarse punctures, which are generally mixed and evenly distributed. Pronotal systematic punctures present, but blending with larger general punctures, usually not more than 1.5x the size of general punctation and set with a fine recumbent seta. Lateral margins of pronotum appearing without setiferous punctures. Posterolateral corners of pronotum evenly rounded. Sutural punctation on elytra absent or unmodified from general punctation. Elytra without distinct rows of larger punctures, as they blend uniformly with the largest of the ground punctures; these rows (of systematic punctures) can be detected by the presence of a fine, short seta. Prosternum with median carina along entire length, with a small blunt tooth anteriorly; without long spines or hairs anteriorly. Mesosternal process with lateral extensions sloping evenly downward; apex set with a few long fine setae. Metasternum with small oval glabrous area posteromedially, slightly longer than wide, length of glabrous area about two-fifths the total length of the metasternum. Pro- and mesocoxae densely pubescent; without spines. Protibiae with 6–7 spines on dorsal face. Protarsal segments 1–4 small, subequal in length, apical segment slightly shorter than segments 1–4 combined. Metafemora without microreticulation. Abdomen. Ventrites 1–4 with two lateral rows of very long, fine setae; longest setae longer than the setae around the metasternal glabrous area. Fifth ventrite entire, with dense, uniform setae over entire surface. Aedeagus ( Fig. 4 ) with outer margin of parameres distinctly curved inwards and clearly narrowed apically, not expanded on inner face apically; median lobe abruptly narrowed at apical one-fourth, appearing bilobed at apex, with gonopore situated one and half times its length below it.

Etymology. Named in honor of Dr. Andrew Edward Z. Short, Division of Entomology, Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, and avid hydrophilid specialist who has collaborated with first author.

Distribution. China (Guangdong & Hong Kong).

Biology. Living on wet rock face ( Fig. 5 ), sometimes living with Cymbiodyta orientalis Jia & Short together.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 5. Habitus and details of Oocyclus shorti sp. n. 1) dorsal habitus, 2. lateral habitus, 3) ventral habitus, 4) aedeagus (holotype), 5) habitat of Oocyclus shorti from Danxiashan.