Nesamblyops montanus, Sokolov, 2023

Sokolov, Igor M., 2023, Fourteen new species of the genus Nesamblyops Jeannel (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Anillini) from the South Island of New Zealand with redescription of the genus and description of a new subtribe, Zootaxa 5375 (2), pp. 151-192 : 173-174

Nesamblyops montanus , sp. nov.

Figures. 10A , 12G , 15A–C , 17F , 20

Type material. HOLOTYPE, male, in NZAC, labeled: \ L.Sylvester 3500’. Nelson 29.x.69 J.S. Dugdale \ Litter 69/180 \ NZ PB \. PARATYPES (344 specimens, dissected 18 exx.), 13 males and females labeled same as holotype; 2 males and 2 females labeled: \ Wooded Pk. Dun Track Sdle Nelson 14 Sept. 71 \ G.Ramsay \ litter 71/109 \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 1 female labeled: NEW ZEALAND NN Beebys Knob 1220m 5Feb 1978 A.K. Walker \ Moss and rotten wood 78/76 \ NZ PB \; 20 males and females labeled: \ Mt.Robert above 4500’ \ 15.iii.68 J. McBurney \ moss 68/90 \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 17 males and females labeled: \ Mt.Robert Nel. 15.III.68 J. McBurney \ Mat plant 68/91 \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 4 males and 4 females labeled: \ Mt.Robert 4600’ 3.iv.68 J.S. Dugdale \ Mat plants 68/101 \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 1 female labeled: \ Mt Robert Ridge Nelson 1600m 12 Oct 69 GW Ramasay \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 1 female labeled: \ St. Arnaud Ra. 22.10.64 G.Kuschel \ moss in bush \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 2 males and 3 females labeled: \ New Zealand MB Ranbow Skifield 9-Feb-07 \ Tussock litter \; 3 males and 2 females labeled: New Zealand BR nr Relax Shelter Mt Robert Ridge Nelson Lakes NP 1-Dec-05 \ 1410m in damp tussuck litter \ Nesamblyops s.nov. det JTN 6/06 \; 15 males and females labeled: \ L.Sylvester 1310m. Cobb Nelson 29 Oct 69 \ J.S. Dugdale \ Litter 69/181 \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 60 males and females labeled: \ L.Sylvester> 1300m Cobb V. NN 29 Oct 69 \ J.S. Dugdale \ mat plants 69/179 \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 1 male and 1 female labeled: \ L. Sylvester 1310m. NN 19 Oct 69 J.S. Dugdale \ J.S. Dugdale \ Litter 69/118 \ NZ PB \; 2 males and 2 females labeled: \ L. Sylvester 1066m. NN 19 Oct 69 J.S. Dugdale \ Litter 69/180 \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 1 female labeled: \ L.Sylvester 1432m. NN 29 Oct 69 J.S. Dugdale \ Litter 69/141 \ NZ PB \; 1 male and 4 females labeled: \ L.Sylvester 1402m. Cobb Nelson \ 29 Oct 69 J.S. Dugdale \ Mats 69/179 \ NZ PB \; 6 males and 1 female labeled: \ L.Sylvester 4300’ Cobb Nelson \ 30 Apr 69 J.S. Dugdale \ tussock 69/139 \ NZ PB \; 3 males and 7 females labeled: \ L.Sylvester Cobb. Nelson 31.x.69 4330’ J.C. Watt \ Litter 69/122 \ NZ PB \; 2 males and 3 females labeled: \ L.Sylvester 4600’ Nel. 29.x.69 J.S. Dugdale \ Mat plants 69/182 \ NZ PB \; 4 males and 2 females labeled: \ Iron Hill , 5500’ Cobb, Nelson 31 March 69 J.C. Watt \ Plants 69/116 \ NZ PB \; 1 male labeled: \ Iron Hill Ridge 1602m. Cobb Nel. 16.III.68 J.S. Dugdale \ Mat Plants 68/98 \ NZ PB \; 10 males and females labeled: \ Iron L. 4900’ Cobb Nel. 31.iii.69 J.S. Dugdale \ moss 69/119 \ NZ PB \; 1 female labeled: \ Summt. Ridge Iron Hill 1600m L.Sylvester NN 18 Nov 72 \ 72/193 J.S. Dugdale \ NZ PB \; 2 males and 3 females labeled: \ Iron Lake Cobb area 4660’. 16.ii.68 J.S. Dugdale \ mat plants 6/96 \ Nesamblyops subcaecus (Sharp) Det. I.Townsend \ NZ PB \; 3 males and 1 female labeled: \ Mt Arthur 1372m. NN 24 Mar 71 J.S. Dugdale \ 71/91 Swards \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 11 males and females labeled: \ NEW ZEALAND NN Mt.Arthur 1341m 24 Mar 1971 J.S. Dugdale Swards 71/91 \ NZ PB \; 2 males and 1 female labeled: \ Mt Arthur 1200m Nelson 13-20 Nov 69 J.I. Townsend \ moss 69/230 \ NZ PB \; 2 females labeled: \ Mt.Arthur 4000’ Nel. 13.xi.69 J.I. Townsend \ Celmisia Litter 69/216 \ NZ PB \; 1 male labeled: \ Flora Hut 900m Mt Arthur Nelson 21 Nov 69 J.N. Jolly \ Litter 69/233 \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 1 male labeled: \ NEW ZEALAND MB Schrodess Cr. Upper Wairau V. 792m 7 Sept 1966 L.P. Marchaut \ Mixed moss \ Litter 66/294 \ NZ PB \; 25 males and females labeled: \ Mt.Johnson 5200’ Richmond Ra. \ 13 Mar 69 J.S. Dugdale \ litter 69/99 \ NZ PB \; 8 males and females labeled: \ Johnson Pk 5200’ \ Richmond Ra . 13 Mar 69 J.C. Watt \ litter 69/98 \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 9 males and females labeled: \ Johnson Pk 5100’ \ Richmond Ra. \ 13 Mar 69 J.C. Dugdale \ litter 69/101 \ NZ PB \; 22 males and females labeled: \ Johnson Fell Pk Saddle 4900’ \ Richmond Ra. 13 Mar 69 E.W. Valentine \ mats 69/106 \ NZ PB \; 13 males and females labeled: \ Johnson Fell Pk Sdle Richmond Ra \ 1493m 13 Mar 69 J.S. Dugdale \ Mats 69/104 \ NZ PB \; 18 males and females labeled: \ Johnson, Pk Fell Richmond Ra . 13.iii.69 4900’ J.S. Dugdale \ litter & swards 69/103 \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 1 male and 2 females labeled: \ Johnson , Pk Fell Richmond Ra. 13.iii.69 5300’ J.S. Dugdale \ litter 69/93 \ NZ PB \; 3 males labeled: \ Johnson Pk 1555m Richmond Ra. \ 13 Mar 69 litter J.S. Dugdale 69/100 \ NZ PB \; 1 male and 3 females labeled: \ Johnson Pk Richmond Ra. 13.iii.69 J.C. Watt \ Litter 67/97 \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 3 males and 3 females labeled: \ Mt Altimarlock Black Birch Ra. Marlborough 1200–1800m \ G. Kuschel 16 Feb 70 \ Mats 70/119 \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 1 female labeled: \ Mt.Altimarlock 5550’ Marlb. 16.ii.70 G. Kuschel \ Plants \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 1 female labeled: \ Black Birch Range , Marl. 4500’ 27.9.65 \ J.I. Townsend moss in tussock 65/495 \ NZ PB \; 1 male labeled: \ Mt Murchison 1420m. MB 21 Nov 71 J.C. Watt \ Litter 71/154 \ DSIR \ Ns .

Additional material: 1 male labeled: \ Ngaiatonga Saddle 800’ Northland 13.XI.67 J. McBurney \ Litter 67/261 \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \; 2 males and 1 female labeled: \ Auckland 4 Jan 73 B.M. May \ DSIR \ Ns \ NZ PB \.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a Latin adjective, montanus (meaning “dwelling in the mountains”), in the masculine form and refers to the type of landscape where the new species occurs.

Type locality. New Zealand, South Island, Nelson, Kahurangi National Park, Lake Sylvester area .

Recognition. Adults of this species ( Fig. 10A ) are practically indistinguishable from the adults of many Nesamblyops species based on external characters (e.g., Figs 10B , 11B ) and are distinguished from them by the structures of the male genitalia.

Description. Small for genus (SBL range 1.40–1.72 mm, mean 1.57± 0.085 mm, n=33).

Habitus. Body form ( Fig. 10A ) slightly convex, elongate ovoid, general proportions wide (WE/SBL 0.40±0.014), head moderately wide relative to pronotum (WH/WPm 0.74±0.024), proportions of pronotum in comparison to elytra average for genus (WPm/WE 0.74±0.029).

Color. Body color rufotestaceous, appendages testaceous.

Prothorax. Pronotum ( Fig. 12G ) slightly long in comparison to elytra (LP/LE 0.40±0.013) and moderately transverse (WPm/LP 1.27±0.039), with lateral margins rectilinear constricted posteriorly (WPm/WPp 1.41±0.048). Anterior angles indistinct, posterior angles obtuse (121–133°), slightly angulated. Width between posterior angles equals the width between anterior angles (WPa/WPp 1.01±0.053). Basal margin slightly convex.

Elytra. Ovoid, widely depressed along suture, comparatively long (LE/SBL 0.58±0.009) and moderately wide (WE/LE 0.68±0.025). Humeri completely rounded. Lateral margins slightly divergent at basal half, subparallel at middle and evenly rounded to apex in apical third.

Male genitalia. Median lobe of aedeagus ( Fig. 15C ) moderately arcuate and slightly twisted. Shaft slightly convex at dorsal side basally, almost subparallel medially, moderately tapering in apical third. Apex straight with semicircular tip of moderate size. Apical orifice of moderate length occupies one third of the shaft length. Ventral margin of median lobe almost straight. Walls of shaft with numerous poriferous canals scattered across shaft body. Dorsal copulatory sclerites typical for genus with the following modifications. Medial rC-sclerite small, while dorsal V-contour large, shaped by strongly sclerotized and widely divergent structures ( Fig. 15C ). In addition, there is a weakly sclerotized field apically from V-contour. Left paramere ( Fig. 15A ) comparatively wide, with short apex, bearing two long setae. Right paramere ( Fig. 15B ) narrow, of moderate length, bearing three long setae, equal to the length of paramere. Ring sclerite as in Fig. 17F .

Female internal genitalia. Not examined.

Geographical distribution. The range of the species occupies mountainous areas of the South Island within south-central parts of Tasman and Marlborough Districts ( Fig. 20 , black circles). The distribution of this species needs further investigation taking into account the presence in examined material of three specimens collected in the northern third (Auckland and Northland) of the North Island. If it is not a result of mislabeling, then the species might have a great disjunctive range occupying two distant areas in northern parts of the South and the North Islands. It is worth to mention that a great disjunction in the geographical distribution is also recorded for Nesamblyops disjunctus (see above) .

Habitat. Specimens were collected from swards, mat plants, moss, moss and rotten wood, and litter samples (labels mention tussock ( Poaceae ) and Celmisia ( Asteraceae ) litter).

Relationships. The structure of the male genitalia of N. montanus suggests its relatedness to the other species having V-contour and rC-copulative sclerite in copulative sclerites of median lobe. The reduced state of rC-sclerite suggests an isolated position of N. montanus within the genus.

Figures

FIGURE 10. Digital images of habitus of New Zealand Nesamblyops species, dorsal aspect. A—N. montanus (Lake Sylvester, Kahurangi National Park, Nelson, SO), B—N. moorei (Kangaroo Creek, Mawhera Forest, Buller, SO), C—N. ovipennis (Mount Arthur, Nelson, SO), D—N. rotundicollis (Onekaka, Nelson, SO), E—N. solitarius (Italian Creek, Capleston, Buller, SO), F—N. subcaecus (Sharp) (Greymouth, Buller, SO). Scale bar = 1.0 mm.

FIGURE 11. Digital images of habitus of New Zealand Nesamblyops species, dorsal aspect. A—N. subrufus (Dublin Terrace, Upper Buller Gorge, Nelson, SO), B—N. viator (Secretary Island, Grono Bay, Fiordland, SO), C—N. victoriae (Capleston, Victoria Range, Buller, SO). Scale bar = 1.0 mm.

FIGURE 12. Digital images of pronota of New Zealand Nesamblyops species, dorsal aspect. A—N. canaanensis (Canaan, Nelson, SO), B—N. disjunctus (Fletchers Creek, Buller, SO), C—N. hobbit (9mi. N Karamea, Nelson, SO), D—N. karamea (Karamea River Gorge, Nelson, SO), E—N. kuscheli (Flora Hut, Mount Arthur, Nelson, SO), F—N. magnificus (Allison Reserve, Akatore, Dunedin, SO), G—N. montanus (Lake Sylvester, Kahurangi National Park, Nelson, SO), H—N. moorei (Kangaroo Creek, Mawhera Forest, Buller, SO), I—N. ovipennis (Mount Arthur, Nelson, SO). Scale bar = 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 15. Line drawings of male genitalia of New Zealand Nesamblyops species. N. montanus (Relax Shelter, Mount Robert Ridge, Nelson, SO): A—left paramere, left lateral aspect, B—right paramere, right lateral aspect, C—median lobe, right lateral aspect. N. moorei (Kangaroo Creek, Mawhera Forest, Buller, SO): D—left paramere, left lateral aspect, E—right paramere, right lateral aspect, F—median lobe, right lateral aspect. N. ovipennis (Mount Arthur, Nelson, SO): G—left paramere, left lateral aspect, H—right paramere, right lateral aspect, I—median lobe, right lateral aspect. N. rotundicollis (Onekaka, Nelson, SO): J—left paramere, left lateral aspect, K—right paramere, right lateral aspect, L—median lobe, right lateral aspect. N. solitarius (Italian Creek, Capleston, Buller, SO): M—left paramere, left lateral aspect, N—right paramere, right lateral aspect, O—median lobe, right lateral aspect. N. subacecus (Margarets Tarn Lake, Arthur’s Pass, Mid Canterbury, SO): P—left paramere, left lateral aspect, Q—right paramere, right lateral aspect, R—median lobe, right lateral aspect. Scale bar = 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 17. Line drawings of ring sclerite of New Zealand Nesamblyops species, male genitalia, dorsal aspect. A—N. canaanensis (Canaan, Nelson, SO), B—N. disjunctus (Fletchers Creek, Buller, SO), C—N. hobbit (Mount Domett, Nelson, SO), D—N. karamea (Karamea River Gorge, Nelson, SO), E—N. kuscheli (Flora Hut, Mount Arthur, Nelson, SO), F—N. montanus (Relax Shelter, Mount Robert Ridge, Nelson, SO), G—N. moorei (Kangaroo Creek, Mawhera Forest, Buller, SO), H—N. ovipennis (Mount Arthur, Nelson, SO), I—N. rotundicollis (Onekaka, Nelson, SO), J—N. subcaecus (Margarets Tarn Lake, Arthur’s Pass, Mid Canterbury, SO), K—N. viator (Secretary Island, Grono Bay, Fjordland, SO), L—N. victoriae (Capleston, Victoria Range, Buller, SO). Scale = 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 20. Distributional records for the Nesamblyops species and images of male median lobe, obtained from specimens, collected in the line-connected with images localities. Green circles—N. solitarius; black circles—N. montanus; pink circles— N. rotundicollis; red circles—N. subrufus. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.