Nesiotus basalis Gimmel, 2013

Gimmel, Matthew L., 2013, Revision of the Malagasy genusNesiotusGuillebeau (Coleoptera: Phalacridae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 67 (2), pp. 123-132 : 123-132

Nesiotus basalis Gimmel , new species

Diagnosis. This species may be distinguished from other members of the genus by the greatly elongated antennomere XI in the male, the basal reddish patch on the elytron, the penis with obtuse but minutely bifid apex, and by the parallel-sided tegmen with semicircular fused parameres.

Holotype. Male , genitalia dissected and mounted in DMHF on card with specimen, with label data “ MADAGASCAR: Prov. \ Fianarantsoa, 7 km \ W Ranomafana, 1100m \ 22–31 October 1988 \ W. E. Steiner // Malaise trap in \ small clearing, \ montane \ rain forest // HOLOTYPE \ Nesiotus \ basalis Gimmel \ des. M.L. Gimmel [red label]”, deposited in USNM. This specimen was somewhat damaged during dissection (the head/prothorax was separated from the mesothorax, and the right metathoracic leg was detached), but all parts except the left metathoracic leg are present and intact.

Description. Length 1.5–2.0 (mean = 1.8) mm. Dorsal coloration ( Fig. 20 ) dark rufous to piceous, with large basal reddish testaceous patch on each elytron, patches with edges poorly defined, sometimes extended medially to suture, not extended laterally to humerus. Ventral coloration testaceous, with thoracic sternites slightly darkened. Appendages testaceous. Head: Eyes separated by ∼ 2.0 times eye width in frontal view ( Fig. 28). Male antennomere XI longer than IX–X combined, IX–X combined about as long as funicle ( Fig. 2 ). Female with antennomere XI about 1.5 times length of antennomere X. Thorax: Pronotum with anterior bead abruptly narrowed medially; posterolateral angles sharp, slightly obtuse; posterior border unmargined. Prosternal process with 1 pair of apical setae, setae located at posterolateral corners. Elytral interval microsetae in 2 irregular rows, occasionally tending towards 3 rows on some intervals. Metaventral lines ( Fig. 1 ) extending posteriorly about one-third distance from mesocoxa to metacoxa. Genitalia: Penis ( Fig. 6 ) short, with obtuse but minutely bifid apex; internal sac sclerites as illustrated. Tegmen ( Fig. 13 ) parallel-sided; parameres forming semicircular shape, apex with minute emargination, with 2 pairs of subbasal setae, anterior pair in line with posterior pair; with 3 acuminate basal struts, lateral struts very thin, middle strut wide, all not extending much beyond anteroventral ring.

Paratypes (n = 10). MADAGASCAR: Fianarantsoa Prov.: same data as holotype except 1–7 November 1988 (2, USNM); same data except 7–14 September 1988, coll. C. Kremen (1, USNM); same data except 15–24 September 1988 (3, USNM); same data except 22–31 October 1988, flight intercept-yellow pan trap in Malaise trap in small clearing in montane rain forest, coll. W. E. Steiner (1, USNM); same data except 1–7 November 1988 (1, USNM); 7 km SW Ranomafana, 1200 m, 22 October 1988, black light in montane rain forest, coll. W. Steiner, C. Kremen, R. Van Epps (1, USNM); Ranomafana National Park, Talatakely area, 21.25041°S, 47.4195°E, 900 m, 2–22 January 2001, mixed tropical forest, coll. D. H. & K. M. Kavanaugh, R. L. Brett, E. Elsom, F. Vargas, R. Ranaivosolo, E. F. Randrianirina, N. Rasoamananana, T. J. Ravelomanana, H. C. Raveloson, COL-DHK- 2001-001V, CASENT 5002666 (1, CAS).

Etymology. The specific epithet denotes the pale basal macula on each elytron, which is distinctive for this species.

Distribution. This species is known only from the type series collected at Ranomafana National Park, Fianarantsoa Province, Madagascar.

Figures

Figs. 20–27. Dorsal habitus and type labels of Nesiotus species. Dorsal habitus: 20) N. basalis; 21) N. fisheri; 22) N. joebranhami; 23) N. nocitus; 24) N. ocularis; 25) N. steineri; 26) N. olibroides, lectotype. All habitus images to same scale. Labels: 27) N. olibroides, lectotype.

Figs. 1–5. Characters of Nesiotus species. Meso- and metaventrite: 1) N. basalis. Antenna: 2) N. basalis; 3) N. nocitus;

Figs. 6–19. Aedeagal sclerites of Nesiotus species. Penis: 6) N. basalis; 7) N. fisheri; 8) N. joebranhami; 9) N. nocitus; 10) N. ocularis; 11) N. olibroides; 12) N. steineri. Tegmen:13) N. basalis; 14) N. fisheri; 15) N. joebranhami; 16) N. nocitus; 17) N. ocularis; 18) N. olibroides; 19) N. steineri. Scale bar = 0.1 mm.