Sagola thayerae Park and Carlton

Park, J. - S. & Carlton, C. E., 2014, A revision of the New Zealand species of the genus Sagola Sharp (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae: Faronitae), The Coleopterists Bulletin (mo 13) 68, pp. 1-156 : 17

Sagola thayerae Park and Carlton , new species

( Figs. 3k , 4k , 6 )

Type Material. Holotype. NEW ZEALAND: Northland: 1♂ ( NZAC), “ NEW ZEALAND: ND: Waipoua SF, Waikohatu Br. 290m, 11–14.iv.80 Agathis-podocarp-broadlf. A.Newton, M. Thayer ”, “berl, leaf & log litter, forest floor”, “ HOLOTYPE Sagola thayerae Park and Carlton 2013 ” . Paratypes (n = 7: 6 males; 1 female). NEW ZEALAND: Northland : 1♂ (slide-mounted; FMNH), Waipoua Forest, Waipoua Stream , 70m, 16–21 II 1978, berl. litter, kauri forest, S. Peck, J, Peck ; 1♂ ( DSC), Waipoua State Forest, Toronui Track , 120m, 26 XI–4 XII 1984, kauri-podocarphdwd, A. Newton, M. Thayer 685 ; 1♂ ( FMNH), Waipoua State Forest, Kauri Ricker Track , 120m, 26 XI–4 XII 1984, kauri-podocarp-hdwd., A. Newton, M. Thayer 684 ; 1♂ ( DSC), Waipoua State Forest, 0.9km e Forest Headquarters , 120m, 26 XI-4 XII 1984, hdwd.-podocarp forest, A. Newton, M. Thayer 686 ; 1♂ ( NZAC), Waipoua S.F. , Te Matua Ngahere, 4 II 1975, J.C. Watt, litter 75/94; Waipoua S.F., Lookout, 29 XI 1980, G. Kuschel, moss 80/99 ( NZAC) ; 1♀ ( NZAC), Waipoua Stream , 100m, 19 III 1978, S. B. Peck, litter .

Etymology. This species is named for one of the collectors of the holotype and world renowned beetle specialist, Margaret K. Thayer.

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from the other species of the hirtalis speciesgroup by the following combination of characters: smaller body size, 2.1–2.6 mm; antennomere 1 elongate, approximately 2.5 times longer than wide; posterior frontal fovea elongate; eye small, one-third length of temple; hind wings welldeveloped; shape of genitalia unique to species.

Description. Length 2.1–2.6 mm. Body yellowish brown, elytra, legs, and maxillary palpi paler ( Fig. 3k ). Head: As long as wide, widest across eyes ( Fig. 3k ). Antennomere 1 approximately 2.5 times longer than wide, 2 subquadrate, 3 longer than wide, 4 elongate, 5–6 longer than wide, 7–10 subquadrate. Frontal sulcus deep and reaching behind eye from end of frontal rostral lobes. Anterior frontal fovea round, posterior frontal fovea elongate. Eye small and prominent, one-third length of temple. Thorax: Prosternum as long as wide, widest at one-third length. Elytra rectangular ( Fig. 3k ). Hind wings welldeveloped. Meso- and metathorax trapezoidal, longer than wide. Abdomen: Tergite IV with pair of transverse patches of microtrichia reaching middle. Aedeagus: Median lobe longer than parameres ( Fig. 4k ). Phallobase of median lobe asymmetrical and triangular ( Fig. 4k ). Right paramere divided into 2 branches from base, with minor, slender branch bearing setae ( Fig. 4k ).

Distribution. Northland ( Fig. 6 : white circle).

Habitat. Specimens of this species were collected by sifting leaf or log litter in kauri, broadleaf, hardwood, Agathis Salisb. (Araucariaceae) , and podocarp forests.

Figures

Fig. 3. Habitus of Sagola species in the hirtalis species-group, dorsal views. a) Sagola hirtalis, b) S. terricola, c) S. convexa, d) S. coromandelensis, e) S. northlandensis, f) S. taranakiensis, g) S. kuscheli, h) S. newtoni, i) S. thorpei, j) S. dugdalei, k) S. thayerae, l) S. hunuaensis, m) S. waikatoensis, n) S. gisbornensis, o) S. weiri, p) S. brookesi. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Fig. 4. Sagola species in the hirtalis species-group. Aedeagi, dorsal view: a) S. hirtalis, b) S. terricola, c) S. convexa, d) S. coromandelensis, e) S. northlandensis, f) S. taranakiensis, g) S. kuscheli, h) S. newtoni, i) S. thorpei, j) S. dugdalei, k) S. thayerae, l) S. hunuaensis, m) S. waikatoensis, n) S. gisbornensis, o) S. weiri, p) S. brookesi. S. hirtalis: q) Antenna, r) Head, dorsal view, s) Head, ventral view (arrow indicates transverse depression). S. terricola: t) Meso- and metaventrite, u) Male fore femur (arrow indicates semicircular depression). Scale bars = 0.1 mm.

Fig. 6. Known collection localities of New Zealand Sagola species. S. kuscheli: black circle; S. newtoni: triangles; S. thorpei: black squares; S. dugdalei: star; S. thayerae: white circle; S. hunuaensis: white square.