Gelae belae 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 : 475-476

Gelae belae Miller and Wheeler , new species

( Figs. 5–6 , 25 )

Material Examined. Holotype, # in MZLU labeled ‘‘ Mexico: Oaxaca 61 km S Valle Naci- onal, 2,800 m., 3-X.1986, R.Baranowki / HOLOTYPE Gelae belae Miller and Wheeler, 2003 [red label with black line border].’’ Two additional paratypes ( MZLU) were examined with the same label data as the holotype .

Type Locality. Mexico, Oaxaca, 61 km S Valle Nacional , 2,800 m .

Diagnosis. This species differs from others by being relatively small (TBL ¼ 2.10– 2.14 mm). The metasternum is moderately broad medially (MTL/MTW ¼ 0.25–0.27). The head is moderately narrowed posterad of the eyes ( Fig.25 ) and the labrum is large and subquadrate ( Fig.25 ). The male genitalia are very distinctive ( Figs.5–6 ). The median lobe is very slender in lateral and ventral aspects ( Figs. 5–6 ). In lateral aspect the apex is slender, gently curved dorsad and slightly expanded apically ( Fig. 6 ).

Description. Body very small (TBL ¼ 2.10–2.14 mm), robust (PNW/TBL ¼ 0.39–0.40), laterally broadly rounded, weakly contractile.

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

Head moderately broad (MDL/PHW ¼ 0.66–0.67), dorsally flattened; constricted immediately posterad of eye; very finely and sparsely punctate, surfaces shiny and smooth between punctures; eyes large, rounded, protruding; fronto-clypeal suture continuous, but indistinct, medially; clypeal margin moderately protruding, extending beyond level of anterolateral margins of frons ( Fig. 25 ); labrum broad, transversely rectangular; antennae (ratios: length I:II:III ¼ 1:1:0.7, width VII:VIII:IX ¼ 0.9:1.0:2.2). Pronotum broad (PNL/PNW ¼ 0.66–0.76), not strongly produced laterally, lateral margins nearly straight, anterolateral angle subquadrate, posterolateral angle distinctive, more angulate than anterolateral corner; punctation similar to that of head. Elytra robust (SEL/ELW ¼ 1.12–1.32); 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 moderately narrow. Metasternum broad medially (MTL/MTW ¼ 0.25–0.27).

Male tarsi 5–5–4; pro- and mesobasotarsomeres only slightly expanded and with small ventral field of adhesive setae; metafemur slender, slightly expanded medially but without tooth; metasternal fovea moderately large, located submedially with prominent pencil of fine, dense setae. Median lobe in lateral aspect elongate, slender, apical portion slender, slightly curved dorsad, apex distinctly expanded and rounded ( Fig. 6 ); in ventral aspect slender, slightly expanded near base of apical portion, apically narrowed to moderately broad, sub-truncate apex, orifice moderately large ( Fig. 5 ); operculum broad, rounded, apex narrowly emarginate ( Fig. 5 ); lateral lobes slender, curved, shortened, narrowly rounded apically with two short, inconspicuous setae ( Figs. 5–6 ).

Female tarsi 5–4–4.

476 Etymology. This species is named belae , a whimsical arrangement of letters that is pronounced like the English word ‘‘belly.’’

Distribution. This species is known only from the type locality in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Discussion. The three specimens in the type series were collected from litter in a pine-oak forest.

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.