Nyphaeba mimica, Riedel, Alexander, 2017

Riedel, Alexander, 2017, The weevil genera Nyphaeba Pascoe and Pantiala Pascoe and the problems of an unstable nomenclature in orphaned taxa, Zootaxa 4244 (3), pp. 377-389 : 382

Nyphaeba mimica sp. n.

( Figs 3 a–d, 5a, 5c–d)

Description. Holotype, male ( Figs. 3 a, c). Length 4.25 mm. Color black; elytra with narrow patches of white scales. Rostrum with lateral contours in basal half concave, weakly converging to antennal insertion. Forehead coarsely punctate, without median impression. Pronotum 1.6 X wider than long; dorsally densely punctate, towards sides foveate; interspaces subglabrous. Elytron with striae bordered by fine lateral ridge except at apical declivity; sutural interval behind scutellum with weak, densely punctate swelling; interval 4 in apical 1/3 with elongate patch of white scales; interval 9 in basal half and subapically covered with white scales; base weakly sinuate, almost straight. Thoracic venter. Ventral rim of mesothoracic receptacle punctate, with sparse white scales. Metaventrite laterally with sparse white scales. Legs. Femora and tibiae sparsely clothed with narrow white scales; apical third of femora dorsally more densely covered by white scales; femur and anterior tibial face of hind leg more densely clothed than of foreleg and midleg. Profemur in basal 1/3 with distinct tooth. Abdominal venter with punctures of ventrites 1–2 bearing white scales. Ventrite 5 densely punctate, sublaterally with white scales. Male terminalia. Penis ( Fig. 3 b) with apex subtruncate. Intraspecific variation. Length 4.25–5.15 mm. Female rostrum in apical half more slender than male; male rostrum at antennal insertion with weak swelling.

Material examined. Holotype ( BMNH): Papua New Guinea, Fly River (labels Fig. 3 d), ARC 4665 (PCR failed); condition: fair; protarsi missing; remounted on card; genitalia in glycerol in microtube ( BMNH) . Paratypes ( MCDG, SMNK): West New Guinea : 1 ex, ARC 0919 ( EMBL LT545996 ), West New Guinea , Cyclops Mts, Sentani, 700–900 m, S 02° 32.0´E 140° 30.4´, 02-XII-2007 ; 1 ex, ARC 0899 ( EMBL LN 889386 , LN 889575 , LN 888788 , LN 889037 , LN 888435 , LN 888256 , LN 888614 ), Cyclops Mts , Sentani, 900–1100 m, S 02° 31.6´E 140° 30.4´, 28-XI-2007. Papua New Guinea: 1 ex, Fly River.

Distribution. West Papua: Cyclops Mts., Papua New Guinea: Fly River.

Etymology. This epithet is based on the Latin adjective mimicus, -a, -um (acting, imitating) and refers to the superficial resemblance of its habitus and color pattern with Pantiala illusa Pascoe and Trigonopterus oblongus (Pascoe) .

Notes. One paralectotype of Pantiala illusa Pascoe is designated holotype and another one paratype of this new species.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Nyphaeba mimica sp. n., holotype; (a) Habitus in dorsal aspect (b) Penis (c) Habitus in lateral aspect (d) original labels.