Mesoceration abstrictum Perkins & Balfour-Browne, 1994

Bilton, David T., 2015, New species and new records of Mesoceration Janssens, 1967 from South Africa (Coleoptera, Hydraenidae), Zootaxa 3972 (4), pp. 495-520 : 519

Mesoceration abstrictum Perkins & Balfour-Browne, 1994

Described from three localities in the north-south trending fold mountains of the Western Cape, and one locality (Nature’s Valley) in the Eastern Cape; not reported since the description. I can add the following locality, which extends the range of this species west, onto Table Mountain: 24/ix/2010 Western Cape, Table Mountain National Park, Table Mountain, sandy stream in Echo Valley ( Fig. 6 D)—abundant. Note that the long distal lobe extends linearly from the apex of the main piece when dissected from fresh specimens, the curved appearance shown in the original description ( Perkins & Balfour-Browne 1994 p. 122) developing when the aedeagus is placed in lactic acid.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Habitats of Mesoceration species in South Africa. A) Western Cape, Matsikammaberg, permanent stream 1 km SE of Sewefontein farm— M. foggoi sp. nov., M. sewefonteinense sp. nov., M. umbrosum; B) Western Cape, False Bay, small stream on R 44 road below Boskloof Peak— M. sinclairi sp. nov., M. brevigranum; C) Western Cape, Groote Swartberg, permanent stream below Kangoberg on Gamkaskloof road— M. barriotum, M. littlekarroo, M. reticulatum, M. splendorum; D) Western Cape, Table Mountain National Park, Table Mountain, stream in Echo Valley— M. abstrictum, M. tabulare. Photos D. T. Bilton.