Nesiotus fisheri Gimmel, 2013

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

Nesiotus fisheri Gimmel , new species

Diagnosis. This species may be distinguished from other members of the genus by the moderately elongated antennomere XI in the male, the size of the eye in frontal view (separated by between 1.5 and 2.0 times width of one eye), the elytral interval microsetae in two rows, the acuminately pointed penis that is parallel-sided in apical half, and by the fused parameres of the tegmen hexagonal.

Holotype. Male , genitalia dissected and mounted in DMHF on card with specimen, with label data “ MADAGASCAR: \ Antsiranana \ 6.5km ssw. \ Befingot[r]a rsrv. \ 14°45′S 47[49]° 30′E \ 17–31.X.1994 875m \ BLFisher #1067 MT // HOLOTYPE \ Nesiotus \ fisheri Gimmel \ des. M.L. Gimmel [red label]”, deposited in UCDC. See note on label data below.

Description. Length 1.5 mm. Dorsal coloration ( Fig. 21 ) brownish testaceous, elytral bases somewhat lighter. Ventral coloration similar. Appendages testaceous. Head: Eyes separated by about 1.5–2.0 times width of a single eye in frontal view ( Fig. 29). Male antennomere XI about as long as IX–X combined, IX–X combined slightly longer than funicle. Female unknown. Thorax: Pronotum with anterior bead not narrowed medially; posterolateral angles sharp, almost right; posterior border unmargined. Prosternal process with 1 pair of apical setae, setae located at posterolateral corners. Elytral interval microsetae in 2 irregular rows. Metaventral lines extending posteriorly about one-half distance from mesocoxa to metacoxa. Genitalia: Penis ( Fig. 7 ) with acutely pointed apex; parallel-sided in apical half; basal strut long and narrow; internal sac sclerites as illustrated. Tegmen ( Fig. 14 ) with fused parameres hexagonal, with 1 pair of setae lateroapically; basal piece widest in apical half; with 3 acuminate basal struts, middle strut extending anteriorly well beyond level of basal ring, lateral struts much shorter and converging anteriorly.

Etymology. The specific epithet is dedicated to Brian L. Fisher (CAS), who collected the only known specimen of this species.

Distribution. This species is known only from the holotype collected at 14°45′S 49°30′E, Anja 875, 6.5 km SSW Befingotra, Rés. Anjanaharibe-Sud, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar.

Note. The specimen label was printed with two observed errors regarding the place name and longitude. However, the collection code was available from www.antweb.org (collection code: BLF01067; accessed 01 February 2013) with full locality data .

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. 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.