Gelae fish Miller and Wheeler

Miller, Kelly B. & Wheeler, Quentin D., 2004, Two New Genera of Agathidiini from the Nearctic and Neotropical Regions (Coleoptera: Leiodidae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 58 (4), pp. 466-487 : 473-475

Gelae fish Miller and Wheeler , new species

( Figs. 3–4 , 24 )

Material Examined. Holotype, # in PECK labeled ‘‘PAN:Chiri; 1,550 m 15 km

NW HatoVolcan Harmann Finca 25.v.77, S&J.Peck Ber369, u. bark/ HOLOTYPE

474 Gelae fish Miller and Wheeler, 2003 [red label with black line border].’’ About 80 additional paratypes were also examined from the following localities: Costa Rica: Guanacaste, Prov. Monte Verde , 15 Dec 1985, A. Forsyth, (1, PECK) ; Puntarenas Monte Verde , 22 May 1989, J. Ashe, R. Brooks, and R. Leschen, (2, FMNH) ; Monte Verde , 21 Feb 1983, 1,500 m, D. Lindeman, (16, PECK) . Honduras: Cortes, Parque Nacional Cusuco, San Pedro Sula , 2 Mar 1995, R. Cordero, (2, FMNH) . Mexico: Chiapas, 6.6 km W El Bosque , 25 Aug 1973, 4,800 ft, A. Newton, (7, FMNH) ; Hidalgo, 4 mi SW Chapalhuacan , 1 Jul 1973, 3,500 ft, A. Newton, (1, FMNH) ; Nueva Leon, Santa Rosa Can. 29kn W Linares, 3 Jun 1983, S. and J. Peck, (2, FMNH) ; Oaxaca, 62.5 km SW Valle Nacional km 115.5, 28 Jul 1992, 2,650 m, R. Anderson, (1, CNCI) ; Oaxaca, 48 km E Valle Nacional , 2 Jun 1983, 2,012 m, S. and J. Peck, (2, PECK) ; Oaxaca, 26 km E Valle Nacional , 25 Jun 1983, 1,220 m, S. and J. Peck, (3, PECK) ; Oaxaca, 8 km S Suchixtepec , 10 Aug 1986, H. and A. Howden, (2, CNCI) ; Tamaulipas, near Gomez Farias Ranche del Cielo , 6 Jun 1983, 1,000 m, S. and J. Peck, (2, FMNH) ; Tamaulipas, nr Gomez Farias Rancho del Cielo , 6 Jun 1983, S. and J. Peck, (2, PECK) ; Vera Cruz , 7 km E Huatuscu, 22 Jun 1983, 1,250 m, S. and J. Peck, (1, PECK) .

Panama: Chiriqui, 15 km NW Hato Volcan Harmann Finca , 25 May 1977, 1,550 m, S. and J. Peck, (13, PECK) ; Chiriqui, La Fortuna Dam , 14 Jun 1982, 1,200 m, B. Gill, (19, PECK) ; Chiriqui 818509W 88349N, 3.5 km E Escopeta , 20 Jun 1980, J. Wagner, (2, FMNH) ; Cocle. El Valle , 23 Feb 1959, 2,400 ft, H.S. Dybas, (1, AMNH) ; Chiriqui, 818509W 88349 N 3.5 km E Escopeta , 20 Jun 1980, 1,856 m, J. Wagner, (2, AMNH) .

Type Locality. Panama, Chiriqui, 15 km NW El Hato del Volcan, Harmann Finca , 1,550 m .

Diagnosis. This species differs from others in the genus in being very small (TBL, 1.9 mm) and in the distinctive male genitalia. The median lobe is relatively slender in lateral and ventral aspects and the operculum is apically broadly rounded, not emarginate or elongate and slender ( Figs. 3–4 ). A portion of the endophallus is often distinctly visible extending from the orifice in the form of two moderately long, strutlike processes ( Fig. 3 ). The metasternum is relatively broad medially (MTL/MTW ¼ 0.34–0.35). The labrum is relatively broad and transversely rectangular and the head is moderately constricted posterad of eyes ( Fig. 24 ).

Description. Body very small (TBL ¼ 1.84–1.88 mm), broad (PNW/TBL ¼ 0.41–0.48), laterally broadly rounded, weakly contractile.

Head, pronotum and elytra brown, clypeus yellow-brown; venter brown to yellow-brown; antennae, palpi and legs yellow-brown.

Head moderately broad (MDL/PHW ¼ 0.61–0.68), dorsally flattened; constricted immediately posterad of eye; very finely and sparsely punctate, surfaces shiny and smooth between punctures; eyes very large, rounded, protruding; fronto-clypeal suture continuous, but indistinct medially; clypeal margin moderately protruding, extending beyond level of anterolateral margins of frons ( Fig. 24 ); labrum moderately large, transversely subrectangular; antennae (ratios: length I:II:III ¼ 1.1:1.0:0.9, width VII:VIII:IX ¼ 1.0:1.0:1.9). Pronotum broad (PNL/PNW ¼ 0.65–0.68), laterally not strongly produced, lateral margins nearly straight, anterolateral angle subquadrate, posterolateral corner distinctive, more angulate than anterolateral corner; punctation similar to that of head. Elytra robust (SEL/ELW ¼ 0.89–1.03); lateral margins broadly rounded; punctation very fine and sparse, similar to pronotum; sutural stria prominent, extending about 1/2 length of elytron. Mesosternum strongly concave posteriorly, with prominent lobe extending ventrally between mesocoxae, anterior portion very narrow. Metasternum broad medially (MTL/MTW ¼ 0.34–0.35).

Male tarsi 5–5–4; pro- and mesobasotarsomeres only slightly expanded and with small ventral field of adhesive setae; metafemur slender, unmodified; metasternal fovea moderately prominent, located anteriorly, with prominent pencil of fine, long setae. Median lobe in lateral aspect moderately slender, elongate, medially bent, apical portion moderately broad, apex curved dorsad, narrowly rounded to pointed ( Fig. 4 ); in ventral aspect slender, slightly expanded at base of apical portion, apex evenly narrowed to narrowly rounded apex, orifice moderately large ( Fig. 3 ); operculum elongate-oval, broad, apically broadly rounded, endophallus with two long strutlike processes which often extend out of orifice ( Fig. 3 ); lateral lobes long, slender, curved, apically slightly expanded with 2 stout, spinous setae ( Figs. 3–4 ).

Female tarsi 5–4–4.

Etymology. This species is named fish , a whimsical arrangement of letters that is pronounced like the English word, ‘‘fish,’’ a group of aquatic vertebrates.

Distribution. This species is known from the states of Chiapas, Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Tamaulipas, Veracruz in Mexico, and from Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama.

Discussion. About 80 specimens were examined of this species which appears to be relatively common throughout southern Mexico and Central America. Label data indicate that specimens were collected mainly from cloud forest habitats. The only host data includes specimens collected from a ‘‘slime mold.’’

Figures

Figs. 3–12. Gelae species, median and lateral lobes of aedeagus. Figs. 3–4) G. fish; 3) ventral; 4) lateral. Figs. 5–6) G. belae; 5) ventral; 6) lateral. Figs. 7–9) G. parile; 7) ventral; 8) lateral; 9) apex of median lobe, lateral. Figs. 10–12) G. parvulum; 10) ventral; 11) lateral; 12) apex of median lobe, lateral.

Figs. 24–32. Gelae and Decuria species, heads, dorsal. 24) G. fish; 25) G. belae; 26) G. parile; 27) G. parvulum; 28) G. baen; 29) G. donut; 30) G. rol; 31) G. cognatum; 32) D. newtoni. Bars ¼ 0.25 mm.