Laccodytes costae, Braga, 2020

Braga, Rafael Benzi, 2020, Laccodytes costae sp. nov., and new records for the genus from Brazil (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia (Pap. Avulsos Zool., S. Paulo) 60 (17), pp. 1-4 : 2-3

Laccodytes costae sp. nov.

( Figs. 1-9 )

Type material: Holotype ♀ ( INPA): Brazil, Amazonas State , Barcelos municipality, Acará ridge, “Igarapé”; 00°51′44,32″N, 63°28′18,91″W, 94 m, 01.Aug.2009, [UFRJ/ INPA exped.], Pensilvânia light trap B011 . Paratype: Brazil, same data as for holotype (1♀, DZRJ, accession number 7806).

Diagnosis: This new species is distinguished from oth- er species of the genus by the following combination of characters: total length 1.4 mm (both examined specimen); prosternal process with thorn-shaped tip, extend- ed caudally beyond mesocoxae; posterior angle of pronotum produced backward, acute; head, pronotum and ventral side yellow; each elytron yellow with a pattern of dark longitudinal lines; apex of elytra rounded.

Description: Holotype female. Habitus ( Figs. 1, 3 ). Total length 1.4 mm; maximum width 0.9 mm. Body shape

oval elongated, elytra apically conjointly rounded, lateral sides of pronotum rounded. Posterior angles of pronotum acute ( Fig. 5 ).

Coloration ( Figs. 1, 3-4 ): Head and pronotum yellow; each elytron yellow with five longitudinal dark lines ( Fig. 4 ), alternating long and short lines: the three longer with the length going from the base to the final quarter of the elytron and the three shorter covering the middle third of the disc ( Figs. 1, 4 ). Ventral side of head, epipleuron, legs and abdomen yellow; yellow prosternal process darkening to light brown at apex; metasternum light brown and metacoxae yellow darkening to light brown on the posterior margin ( Fig. 3 ).

Sculpture ( Figs. 2 a-d): Dorsal surface with microreticulation, consisting of small somewhat irregular cells and small punctures scattered on whole dorsal surface ( Fig. 2 a-c). Line of punctures accompanying apical mar-

gin of pronotum. Ventral surface with microreticulation, consisting of small somewhat irregular cells and small punctures scattered on whole surface ( Fig. 2d ).

Structures ( Figs. 5-9 ): Pronotum with narrow lateral bead; posterior angle acute ( Fig. 5 ); Prosternum smooth, slightly elevated, without carinae or ridges; prosternal process broad and flat with a long, acute posterior tip, going slightly beyond the mesocoxae ( Figs. 3 , 6 ). Posterior margin of metacoxal processes rounded, with a deep notch between hind lobes( Figs.3 , 7 ).Epipleuron broad up to the level of ventrite 5 and 6. Ventrite 6 wide, triangular, slightly concave on both sides, distal margin with a small and shallow V-shaped emargination at the middle ( Fig.8 ), pro- and mesolegs long and slender. Metatarsomeres 1-4 with apicolateral angle slightly lobed. Metatibial spurs acute. Gonocoxal blade with one medial and one apical denticle ( Fig. 9b ); ramus with large and spaced dentation decreasing from the apex to the base ( Fig. 9a ).

Etymology: The specific name is an homage to Dr. Cleide Costa,an important Brazilian Coleopterologist.The specific name stands as a noun in apposition to the generic name.

Geographic distribution: Only known from Amazonas State, Brazil.

Taxonomic notes: Laccodytes costae sp. nov., has an acute posterior pronotal angles and a long extended prosternal process caudally past the mesocoxae, very similar in shape to L. rondonia . Although the other two species of L. apalodes -group have a longer process extending caudally, past the mesocoxae for a third of its length, and L. costae sp. nov., for a fourth of its length, the similar shape of process and the acute pronotal angles indicate this new species is the third species to L. apalodes -group.

Only females were found, but they have characteristics that are unique within the genus. The yellow color with longitudinal darker lines in the elytron is unique, as known members of the genus usually are darkly colored with clear wide transverse strips or maculae. In addition to coloration, this species is one of the smallest species of the genus, comparable only to L. olibroides Régimbart, 1985 , a member of the L. phalacroides -group, which has nearly entire body with a dark patterning.

Figures

Figures 1‑5. Laccodytes costae sp. nov. (1) Habitus, dorsal. (2) Surface reticulation: a = Head, b = Pronotum, c = Elytron, d = Metacoxae. (3) Habitus, ventral. (4) Elytron,color pattern.(5) Pronotum,hind angle.

Figures6‑9.Laccodytescostae sp.nov.(6) Prosternalprocess.(7) Metaventral process.(8) Last abdominal ventrite.(9) Genitalia:a= Gonocoxa,b= Ramus.