Leonhardia solaki Curcic , Rađa , Vesovic & Vrbica, 2021

Curcic 1, Srecko, Vesovic 1, Nikola, Vrbica 1, Maja, Popovic 1,2, Slađana, Radovanovic 3, Zeljko, Curcic 4, Nina B. & Rađa 5, Tonci, 2021, A new species of Leonhardia Reitter, 1901 (Coleoptera, Leiodidae, Leptodirini) from Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a key to species of the genus, Subterranean Biology 41, pp. 69-85 : 69

publication ID

https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.41.75613

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:917780D7-509B-43D7-B649-9D1D4FF0EC54

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/075A8FD8-A3B4-5743-840D-9C7DBB0D8B38

treatment provided by

Subterranean Biology by Pensoft

scientific name

Leonhardia solaki Curcic , Rađa , Vesovic & Vrbica
status

sp. nov.

Leonhardia solaki Curcic, Rađa, Vesovic & Vrbica sp. nov.

http://zoobank.org/32557822-9245-4CE3-9E5B-3E8ABF5DEF12 Figures 2 View Figure 2 , 3 View Figure 3

Type material.

Holotype: male ( IZFB) labeled as follows: "WESTERN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: town of Glamoč, village of Skucani, Golubnjača kod Skucana Pit, 1,005 m a.s.l., 43°58'31.9"N, 16°54'43.6" E, June, 27, 2018, Tonći Rađa“ (white label, printed)/"Holotypus Leonhardia solaki sp. nov. Ćurčić, Rađa, Vesović & Vrbica det. 2021" (red label, printed) (Fig. 2 View Figure 2 ).

Paratypes (seven specimens). Same data as for holotype [two males and two females, IZFB, SSM]; same data as for holotype except for date [one male and two females, IZFB, June, 12, 2018]. All paratypes are labeled with white, printed locality labels and with red printed labels "Paratypus Leonhardia solaki sp. nov. Ćurčić, Rađa, Vesović & Vrbica det. 2021".

Etymology.

The new species is named after Siniša Šolak, a geographer and naturalist, who was our guide during cave investigations conducted near the town of Glamoč.

Type locality.

Western Bosnia and Herzegovina, town of Glamoč, village of Skucani, Golubnjača kod Skucana Pit.

Diagnosis.

The new species is closely related to some other species of Leonhardia by its large size and by the presence of a high mesosternal carina. Those other species are L. hilfi , L. reitteri , L. delminiumica , L. jajcensis , and L. sebesicensis (Figs 1 View Figure 1 , 4 View Figure 4 ) ( Jeannel 1924; Nonveiller et al. 2002; Ćurčić et al. 2014, 2018).

Leonhardia solaki sp. nov. differs from L. hilfi in regard to AL in males (antennae exceeding the middle of elytra vs. antennae reaching the middle of elytra); A10L/A10W (less than 2.375 vs. more than 2.50); pronotum form (bell-shaped, lateral margins well-rounded anteriorly vs. subquadrate, lateral margins obtuse anteriorly); PL/PW (pronotum wider than long vs. pronotum as long as wide); shape of the mesosternal carina (higher, almost right-angled, posterior margin concave vs. lower, obtuse-angled, posterior margin somewhat elevated); shape of elytra (inversely ovate vs. widely oval); shape of the median lobe in dorsal view (apically flattened vs. apically narrowed); length of the median lobe (barely longer than parameres vs. markedly longer than parameres); shape and size of the basal bulb in dorsal view (larger, rounded vs. smaller, not rounded); and shape of the aedeagus in lateral view (median lobe more curved, basal bulb larger vs. median lobe less curved, basal bulb smaller) (Figs 2 View Figure 2 - 4 View Figure 4 ) ( Reitter 1901; Jeannel 1924; Knirsch 1928; Perreau 1999; Nonveiller et al. 2002).

Leonhardia solaki sp. nov. is easily distinguished from L. reitteri , from which it differs with respect to AL (antennae exceeding the middle of elytra in males and reaching the middle of elytra in females vs. antennae barely reaching the middle of body); A2L/A3L+A4L (antennomere II shorter than the following two antennomeres combined vs. antennomere II as long as the following two antennomeres combined); A8L/A8W (M in males 2.06, in females 1.58 vs. 1.50 in both genders); A10L/A10W (R in females 1.54-1.78 vs. more than 2.00 in both genders); shape of the hind pronotal angles (obtuse vs. right or weakly acute); shape of the mesosternal carina (almost right-angled, anterior margin convex, posterior margin regularly concave vs. obtuse-angled, anterior margin obtuse, posterior margin deeply incised); shape of elytra (inversely ovate vs. oval); shape of the median lobe in dorsal (wider in apical half, apically flattened vs. thinner in apical half, apically narrowed) and lateral (more elongate vs. less elongate) views; length of the median lobe (barely longer than parameres vs. markedly longer than parameres); and position of parameral setae in dorsal view (inner pre-apical seta somewhat separated from two remaining setae vs. all setae equidistant) (Figs 2 View Figure 2 - 4 View Figure 4 ) ( Breit 1902; Jeannel 1924; Knirsch 1928; Müller 1937; Perreau 1999; Nonveiller et al. 2002).

Leonhardia solaki sp. nov. differs from L. delminiumica in regard to TL (R 3.40-3.65 mm in males, 3.55-3.93 mm in females vs. R 3.10-3.20 mm in males, 3.40 mm in a female); A8L/A8W (M 2.06 in males, 1.58 in females vs. antennomere VIII barely longer than broad); shape of the mesosternal carina (almost right-angled, posterior margin less concave vs. obtuse-angled, posterior margin more concave); shape of the median lobe in dorsal (apically flattened, with a rounded apex vs. apically narrowed, with a pointed apex) and lateral (more curved, wider vs. less curved, narrower) views; length of the median lobe (barely longer than parameres vs. markedly longer than parameres); size of the basal bulb in dorsal view (larger vs. smaller); and position of parameral setae in dorsal view (inner pre-apical seta closer to the two remaining setae vs. inner pre-apical seta farther away from the two remaining setae) (Figs 2 View Figure 2 - 4 View Figure 4 ) ( Nonveiller et al. 2002).

Leonhardia solaki sp. nov. is easily distinguished from L. jajcensis , from which it differs with respect to AL in females (antennae reaching the middle of elytra vs. antennae ending before the middle of elytra); shape of the hind pronotal angles (obtuse vs. almost right); shape of the mesosternal carina (higher, anterior margin more convex, posterior margin more concave vs. lower, anterior margin less convex, posterior margin less concave); form of the elytra (more elongate vs. less elongate); shape of the median lobe in dorsal (apically flattened vs. apically narrowed) and lateral (more thickened in its basal half, less convex ventrally vs. less thickened in its basal half, more convex ventrally) views; length of the median lobe (barely longer than parameres vs. markedly longer than parameres); size of the basal bulb in dorsal view (larger vs. smaller); and position of parameral setae in dorsal view (inner pre-apical seta farther away from the two remaining setae vs. inner pre-apical seta closer to the two remaining setae) (Figs 2 View Figure 2 - 4 View Figure 4 ) ( Ćurčić et al. 2014).

Leonhardia solaki sp. nov. differs from L. sebesicensis in regard to AL in females (antennae reaching the middle of elytra vs. antennae ending before the middle of elytra); shape of the hind pronotal angles (obtuse-angled in both genders vs. almost right-angled in males); shape of the pronotum and elytra (less elongate vs. more elongate); shape of the mesosternal carina (apically rounded vs. apically toothed); shape of the median lobe in dorsal (apically flattened vs. apically rounded) and lateral (more curved, narrower in apical half vs. less curved, wider in apical half) views; length of the median lobe (barely longer than parameres vs. markedly longer than parameres); and position of parameral setae in dorsal view (inner pre-apical seta somewhat separated from two remaining setae vs. all setae equidistant) (Figs 2 View Figure 2 - 4 View Figure 4 ) ( Ćurčić et al. 2018).

Description.

Medium-sized leptodirine. TL M 3.62 mm (3.55 mm in males, 3.69 mm in females), R 3.40-3.93 mm (3.40-3.65 mm in males, 3.55-3.93 mm in females).

Habitus: Body shape pholeuonoid, colour reddish-brown (Figs 2A View Figure 2 , 3A, B View Figure 3 ).

Integument: Shiny, microsculptured (Fig. 3D, G, L View Figure 3 ). Body covered with a number of densely distributed deep punctures and yellow pubescence of medium length (erect on head, recumbent on both pronotum and elytra).

Head: Longer than wide (HL/HW M 1.11, R 1.06-1.19), anophthalmous, with no occipital carina (Figs 2A View Figure 2 , 3C View Figure 3 ). Labrum slightly emarginate, with several long setae. Penultimate maxillary palpomere widened apically. Ultimate maxillary palpomere short, thin, gradually narrowing apically. Vertex with a longitudinal impression. Antennae inserted in middle third of head, slender, narrow proximally, slightly dilated distally, longer in males, AL M 2.15 mm, R 1.93-2.33 mm (2.165-2.33 mm in males, 1.93-2.165 mm in females), exceeding middle of elytra in males and reaching middle of elytra in females (Figs 2A View Figure 2 , 3E View Figure 3 ). Antennomere I short and wide. A1L/A2L M 0.54, R 0.52-0.58. Antennomere II narrow, elongate, shorter than III and IV combined (A2L/A3+A4L M 0.86, R 0.79-0.90). Antennomeres III-VI of similar shape and size, narrow, among which V is the longest. Antennomeres VII and IX-XI widened (VII, IX, and X dilated distally), large, among which VII is the shortest in males, VIII the shortest in females, and XI the longest in both sexes. Antennomere VIII small, elongate in males (A8L/A8W M 2.06, R 1.82-2.40), wide in females (A8L/A8W M 1.58, R 1.33-1.90). A9L/A9W in males M 2.35 (R 2.25-2.50), in females M 1.68 (R 1.60-1.78). A10L/A10W in males M 2.27 (R 2.21-2.375), in females M 1.65 (R 1.54-1.78). Ultimate antennomere slender, narrowing apically, A11L/A11W in males M 3.10 (R 2.54-3.50), in females M 2.82 (R 2.67-3.00).

Prothorax: Pronotum bell-shaped, transverse (PL/PW M 0.87, R 0.84-0.91), widest slightly after anterior third, markedly broader than head (Figs 2A View Figure 2 , 3F View Figure 3 ). Lateral margins well-rounded anteriorly, somewhat concave posteriorly, sub-parallel basally. Pronotal base straight, markedly shorter than elytral base (PB/EB M 0.95, R 0.90-0.99). PB/AM M 1.40, R 1.18-1.55. Anterior margin somewhat convex medially. Fore pronotal angles small, rounded, obtuse. Hind pronotal angles obtuse, prominent, not protruding backwards. Pronotal disc moderately convex (Fig. 3B View Figure 3 ).

Mesothorax: Mesosternal carina high anteriorly, low posteriorly (Figs 2B View Figure 2 , 3H View Figure 3 ). Anterior margin convex, posterior margin concave, with a few setae. Tooth obtuse, rounded. No mesoventral processus on mesoventrite (Fig. 3I View Figure 3 ). Scutellum large, triangular (Figs 2A View Figure 2 , 3J View Figure 3 ).

Metathorax: Metasternum without carina.

Elytra: Wide, obovoid, slightly wider in females (EL/EW in males M 1.47, R 1.40-1.57; in females M 1.44, R 1.41-1.48), markedly wider than pronotum (Figs 2A View Figure 2 , 3K View Figure 3 ). Maximum width slightly before middle. Lateral margins arcuate. Marginal furrows visible on nearly entire elytra. Shoulders weakly expressed, almost rounded. Elytral disc markedly convex, gently declining basally and steeply declining apically in lateral view (Fig. 3B View Figure 3 ). Sutural striae developed. Elytral apex attenuated, rounded. Pygidium covered by elytra.

Legs: Elongate (Fig. 2A View Figure 2 ). Femora widened basally, constricted sub-apically. Tibiae thin, very gently curved, gradually widening distally, each with several spines. Each fore tibia with an outer distal brush-like structure. Male fore tarsi five-segmented, weakly dilated. Tarsal claws elongate, narrow, curved, pointed apically.

Male genitalia: Aedeagus elongate, straight, thin, sclerotized (Figs 2C, D View Figure 2 ). Basal bulb small and rounded in dorsal view (Fig. 2C View Figure 2 ), moderately large in lateral view (Fig. 2D View Figure 2 ). Median lobe in dorsal view sub-parallel, rounded anteriorly, with a flattened apex, longer than parameres (Fig. 2C View Figure 2 ). Median lobe in lateral view curved, straight in basal half, sub-apically concave dorsally, almost straight ventrally in basal part, with an acute apex curved downwards (Fig. 2D View Figure 2 ). Parameres slender, narrow, arcuate, sub-apically curved towards exterior, each with a dilated rounded apex in dorsal view (Figs 2C, E View Figure 2 ), while gently narrowing distally in lateral view (Fig. 2D View Figure 2 ). Paramere bearing three setae: two strong, long, in apical and pre-apical position, respectively, and one inner, thin, short, in pre-apical position (Fig. 2E View Figure 2 ). Two long parameral setae close-set, short one somewhat separated, positioned somewhat below level of other two parameral setae (Fig. 2E View Figure 2 ). Endophallus elongate, tubular. Copulatory piece having a Y-shaped phanera and two lateral basal sclerifications, in front of which a weakly chitinized structure resembling teeth is present. In addition, two lateral bands are present in apical half of median lobe (Fig. 2C View Figure 2 ).

Female genitalia: Gonostyli slender, thin, gradually narrowing distally, straight, pointed apically (Fig. 2F View Figure 2 ). Each gonostylus carrying one apical seta, three inner setae, and one outer seta (Fig. 2F View Figure 2 ). Spermatheca elongate, chitinized, curved, constricted posteriorly in sub-apical part, spherical apically (Fig. 2G View Figure 2 ).

Female abdominal sternite VIII: Large, transverse, with a thin anterior process, carrying pubescence (Fig. 2H View Figure 2 ).

Intraspecific variability.

A certain level of intraspecific variability is observed in the new species. Several morphological differences between males and females point to the occurrence of sexual dimorphism. To be specific: (i) males are on average slightly shorter than females; (ii) the antennae in males are longer than in females; (iii) antennomeres VIII-XI in males are more slender than in females; (iv) the head in males is larger than in females; (v) the pronotum in males is more elongate than in females; (vi) the elytra in males are more elongate than in females.

Geographic distribution.

Thus far, the species is known only from its type locality - the Golubnjača kod Skucana Pit, situated in the village of Skucani, close to the town of Glamoč in western Bosnia and Herzegovina. This site represents the westernmost location of a Leonhardia species. We assume that the new species probably inhabits other subterranean sites in the surrounding areas of western Bosnia and Herzegovina, although one of us (TR) visited the Ledenjača Cave situated in the same village (Skucani), but found no specimens of the new species there.

Bionomy and habitat.

All specimens of L. solaki sp. nov. were collected deep in the Golubnjača kod Skucana Pit. They were recorded at this subterranean site at a depth of 30 m under conditions of permanent darkness and high humidity, along with the presence of trickling water. All individuals of L. solaki sp. nov. were gathered manually from the floor and walls in the innermost part of the pit. Aside from the new species, Golubnjača kod Skucana Pit is inhabited by another subterranean leiodid, Parapropus ganglbaueri obenbergeri Mařan, 1943, which is recorded in the same habitat where individuals of the new species were found, so these two taxa can be treated as sympatric. The same pit is also the type locality of the recently described moth fly Psychoda glamocensis Wagner & Rada, 2020 ( Wagner and Rada 2020).

Key for identification of species and subspecies of Leonhardia (Figs 2 View Figure 2 - 4 View Figure 4 )

1 Smaller body size (2.80-3.00 mm in length). Mesosternal carina low (Fig. 4A View Figure 4 ) L. droveniki Perreau, 1999
- Larger body size (3.10-4.00 mm in length). Mesosternal carina high (Figs 2B View Figure 2 , 3H View Figure 3 , 4B-F View Figure 4 ) 2
2 Anterior margin of mesosternal carina obtuse, posterior margin deeply incised (Fig. 4C View Figure 4 ). Median lobe in lateral view less elongate and more curved (Fig. 4M View Figure 4 ) ( L. reitteri Breit, 1902) 3
- Anterior margin of mesosternal carina convex, posterior margin regularly concave (Figs 4B, D-F View Figure 4 ). Median lobe in lateral view more elongate and less curved (Figs 4L, N-P View Figure 4 ) 5
3 Larger body size (3.50-3.70 mm in length). Pronotum less transverse. Lateral elytral margins more arcuate, elytra apically rounded 4
- Smaller body size (3.20 mm in length). Pronotum more transverse. Lateral elytral margins less arcuate, elytra apically pointed L. reitteri mersa Knirsch, 1928
4 Pronotum narrowed basally, elytra narrower and less convex, pronotal depressions lacking or barely discernible L. reitteri reitteri Breit, 1902
- Pronotum not narrowed basally, elytra wider and more convex, two depressions present on pronotum L. reitteri zariquieyi Müller, 1937
5 Mesosternal carina almost right-angled (Figs 2A View Figure 2 , 3H View Figure 3 , 4E View Figure 4 ) 6
- Mesosternal carina obtuse-angled (Figs 4B, D, F View Figure 4 ) 7
6 Hind pronotal angles almost right. Mesosternal carina lower, anterior margin less convex, posterior margin less concave (Fig. 4E View Figure 4 ). Median lobe in dorsal view apically narrowed, markedly longer than parameres (Fig. 4J View Figure 4 ) L. jajcensis S. Ćurčić & Rađa, 2014
- Hind pronotal angles obtuse (Figs 2A View Figure 2 , 3F View Figure 3 ). Mesosternal carina higher, anterior margin more convex, posterior margin more concave (Figs 2B View Figure 2 , 3H View Figure 3 ). Median lobe in dorsal view apically flattened, barely longer than parameres (Fig. 2C View Figure 2 ) L. solaki sp. nov.
7 Median lobe in dorsal view apically pointed (Fig. 4I View Figure 4 ). Inner pre-apical seta markedly separated from two remaining parameral setae (Fig. 4S View Figure 4 ) L. delminiumica Nonveiller, Pavićević, Rađa & Vujčić-Karlo, 2002
- Median lobe in dorsal view apically rounded (Figs 4G, K View Figure 4 ). Parameral setae close-set (Figs 4Q, U View Figure 4 ) 8
8 Mesosternal carina higher, apically toothed (Fig. 4F View Figure 4 ). Median lobe in dorsal view wider, apically rounded (Fig. 4K View Figure 4 ). Parameral setae equidistant (Fig. 4U View Figure 4 ) L. sebesicensis S. Ćurčić, Pavićević & Mulaomerović, 2018
- Mesosternal carina lower, apically rounded (Fig. 4B View Figure 4 ). Median lobe in dorsal view narrower, apically flattened (Fig. 4G View Figure 4 ). Inner pre-apical parameral seta somewhat separated from two remaining parameral setae (Fig. 4Q View Figure 4 ) ( L. hilfi Reitter, 1901) 9
9 Smaller body size (3.40-3.50 mm in length). Antennae shorter and narrower. Punctures smaller. Pubescence shorter L. hilfi hilfi Reitter, 1901
- Larger body size (3.80-4.00 mm in length). Antennae longer and wider. Punctures larger. Pubescence longer L. hilfi robusta Knirsch, 1928

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Coleoptera

Family

Leiodidae

Genus

Leonhardia