Ctenoplus coomani Fleutiaux

Fuller, E. & Platia, G., 2006, A revision of the click beetle genus Ctenoplus Candèze, 1863 (Coleoptera: Elateridae, Synaptina), Zootaxa 1217 (1), pp. 1-76 : 51-55

Ctenoplus coomani Fleutiaux

Figures 25 , 37 , 52 , 77 , 98 , 110

Ctenoplus coomani Fleutiaux 1940a: 20 ; one specimen, sex not stated; type locality: “ Tonkin: Hoa­Binh (A. de Cooman)”.

Silesis tonkinensis Fleutiaux 1940a: 22 ; one specimen, sex not stated; type locality: “ Tonkin: Chapa ”. NEW SYNONYMY

Ctenoplus confusus Platia , new name for Silesis coomani Fleutiaux 1940a: 23 , secondary homonym of Ctenoplus coomani Fleutiaux 1940a: 20 ; NEW COMBINATION; sex and number of specimens not stated; type locality: “ Tonkin: Hoa­Binh (A. de Cooman); environs de Lam (Blaise)”. NEW SYNONYMY

Ctenoplus topali Ohira 1973: 333 ; holotype ♂, 20 paratypes; type locality: “ Cuc Phuong , Ninh binh, 3–10.V.1966, Ex Gy. TOPÁL”. NEW SYNONYMY

Diagnosis

Medium­sized, unicoloured brown Ctenoplus with apices of the elytra subtruncate, a subquadrate pronotum bearing subparallel hind angles, and tarsomere 4 with small ventral lobe; male genitalia with lateral margins of median lobe parallel ( Fig. 77 ); female genitalia with tubular extension coiled in distinctive rows ( Fig. 98 ). C. coomani is difficult to distinguish externally from C. brunneus Fleutiaux and C. divergens n. sp. (q.v.).

Description

Body medium brown; legs, palpi and antennae yellowish­brown; setae yellowishwhite. Length: 7.5–10.0 mm; width: 2.0 mm.

Head. Punctures relatively shallow, almost contiguous throughout; setae almost as long as antennomeres 2+3. Antenna ( Fig. 25 ) extending posterad apex of pronotal hind angles by 1.5–2 antennomeres in male, by ca. 1.5 antennomeres in female; antennomeres without obvious fine, erect setae along anterior margin; antennomeres 2–11 with cuticle appearing microrugose and duller than basal segment.

Prothorax. Pronotum ( Fig. 37 ): midline not impressed; punctures shallow, simple; anterior and lateral punctures about same size and density as those on frons, grading to smaller and separated by about own diameters posteriorly along midline, setae as on frons; lateral margins subparallel in dorsal aspect, hind angles subparallel to weakly divergent. Hypomeron: posterolateral angle projecting beyond posterior margin, projection about as long as basal width, subtriangular; setae slightly shorter and finer than lateral pronotal setae; punctures shallow, simple, separated by about own diameters, posterior 1/4 glabrous. Prosternum: punctures shallow, simple, more dense than hypomeron, separated by about own diameters; setae directed mesally along lateral margin, gradually shifting to posteriorly directed along midline; prosternal spine ( Figs. 52a, b ): V­shaped in ventral aspect, lateral carinae meeting posteriorly at ventral apex, extending anteriorly onto prosternum for distance subequal to width of procoxae, lateral margin sloping dorsomesally, punctures and setae like prosternum.

Mesothorax. Scutellum flat; punctures shallow, simple, separated by slightly less than own diameters, setae as long as posterior pronotal setae. Mesosternum between mesocoxae horizontal, conspicuously elevated above mesocoxae and metasternum, posterior margin emarginate and darkly pigmented laterally. Mesepisternum glabrous except for narrow band along anterior and lateral margins. Elytra elongate, margins subparallel in basal 1/2, increasingly convergent apically, apex subtruncate, not toothed or notched; striae impressed, punctures relatively large, almost contiguous, most punctures lacking setae; intervals relatively densely punctured, punctures small, shallow, simple, separated by about own diameters, setae as on pronotum, directed posteriorly throughout; anterior margin inconspicuously angulate, coming to small point opposite pronotal sublateral longitudinal incision.

Metathorax. Metasternum: carina posterad mesocoxa up to 5X basal width (see Variation); punctures shallow, simple; setae as in pronotum.

Legs. Tarsomere 4 with small but distinct lobe ventrally, claws conspicuously stout, with 6 tines, bases of tines broadly fused.

Abdomen. Terga relatively lightly sclerotized; spiracles partially enclosed on terga 2–6. Ventrites with punctures shallow, simple, almost contiguous, setae arising anteriorly in pit; dorsal surface of ventrite 5 with U­shaped submarginal carina; ventrite 5 longer than basal width, apex broadly rounded, apical 1/3–1/2 with band of shorter, stouter setae with a few unmodified setae intermixed. Male genitalia, Fig. 77 ; articulation between basal piece and parameres not conspicuously sclerotized; median lobe with margins subparallel in basal 3/4, apical 1/4 gradually convergent and produced at tip into blunt point; inner margins of parameres converging in basal 1/4 covering base of median lobe ventrally. Female genitalia, Fig. 98 ; bursa copulatrix with plates subequal in size but ventral plate varying in size from slightly larger than, to slightly smaller than dorsal plate; band of thorn­like spines around base of tubular extension same width as base of tubular extension; tubular extension: arising dorsally about halfway between base of colleterial glands and bursal plates; long, in situ lying in two parallel coils, proximal coils shorter; with thorn­like spines proximal to first coil, area covered by spines variable (see Variation); densely spined where proximal coils merge into distal coils, patch of spines continuous between proximal and distal coils or not (see Variation); at distal end of proximal coils spines small and fine, coarse and robust at proximal end of distal coils, fine spines fairly abruptly merging into coarse spines; orientation of spines in coils variable (see Variation); large unspined coil at end of distal coils; spermathecal gland surrounded by distal coils; spermatheca absent.

Variation. Separation of pronotal punctures from nearest neighbour varies from almost contiguous to up to 1/2 own diameters, more widely spaced posteriorly in some specimens. The hind angles of pronotum vary from slightly convergent to slightly divergent. The carina of the hind angles extend variably from level of middle of procoxa to anterad the procoxal cavity, bilaterally symmetrical or not. The ventral margin of the prosternal spine is variably concave posterad the procoxae in lateral aspect; in the type of C. confusus , the ventral margin is smoothly though weakly convex posterad the procoxae, whereas in the type of C. coomani and the specimen from Tuyen Quang (see Material examined), the prosternal spine is shallowly concave anterad the ventral apex in lateral aspect. The posterior concavity of the prosternal spine is variable in shape ( Figs. 52a, b ). The carina on the metasternum posterad the mesocoxae is variable in length; in two specimens from Cuc Phuong, the carina is barely longer than its basal width, whereas in the specimens from Cao Bang and Tuyen Quang, the carina is about five times as long as its basal width, and the carina is intermediate in length in the holotype of C. coomani .

The impunctate border of the hypomeron adjacent to the procoxae bears a variably developed triangular projection. The projection is almost as well developed as the projection in C. girardianus (c.f., Fig. 46 ) in a specimen from Cuc Phuong, and absent or very small in the other specimens where this part of the hypomeron is visible.

The length of the basal piece of the male genitalia relative to the length of the parameres is variable.

The distribution and orientation of spines on the tubular extension is variable. The spines are continuous between proximal and distal coils in the C. topali paratypes examined, but separated by a long section of unspined extension in the specimen from Cao Bang . The area covered by spines proximal to the first coil of the tubular extension is variable: in three of four specimens, the spines extend to the base of the proximal coils, though the size and density of spines are variable relative to most basal spines. The orientation of spines in the coils of the tubular extension is also variable: the spines are distally pointing in the C. topali paratypes examined, and proximally pointing in the specimen from Cao Bang .

Type material

We have examined the type material of C. coomani , S. tonkinensis , C. confusus and C. topali .

Ctenoplus coomani was described from one specimen collected in Vietnam. The holotype, a male in the MNHN, Paris , bears the following labels: “ TONKIN, Lac Thô, HOA­BINH, A. DE COOMAN”/ “ TYPE ” [red ink]/ “ Ctenoplus coomani Fleut. ” [handwritten], “COLLECTION FLEUTIAUX type” [latter handwritten] .

Silesis tonkinensis was described based on a single specimen collected in Vietnam. The holotype, a female in the MNHN, Paris, bears the following labels: “Chapa. prov.de. LaoKay, Ht Tonkin ”/ “MUSEUM PARIS, COLL. E. FLEUTIAUX”/ “TYPE” [red ink]/ “ Silesis tonkinensis Fleut. type” [handwritten] “COLLECTION FLEUTIAUX”/ “ HOLOTYPUS female Silesis tonkinensis Fl. des. Platia 1997"/ “ Ctenoplus tonkinensis (FL.) det Platia 1997". S. tonkinensis is here transferred to Ctenoplus as Ctenoplus tonkinensis (Fleutiaux) NEW COMBINATION. There are no significant differences between C. coomani and C. tonkinensis .

Silesis coomani Fleutiaux was described from at least two specimens collected in Vietnam. One male specimen was received from MNHN, Paris. It bears the following labels: “ TONKIN, Lac Thô, HOA BINH, A. DE COOMAN”/ “TYPE” [red ink]/ “ MUSEUM PARIS, COLL. E. FLEUTIAUX”/ “ Silesis coomani Fleutiaux type” [handwritten] “COLLECTION FLEUTIAUX”/ “ LECTOTYPUS Silesis coomani FL male, des Platia 1996 "/ “ Ctenoplus confusus n. nam., det Platia 1996 ". The size range (6.5–8.0 mm) and two localities given in the original description indicates more than one specimen was part of the type series. The specimen examined above is here designated the lectotype. S. coomani is here transferred to Ctenoplus as Ctenoplus coomani ( Fleutiaux, 1940a: 23) NEW COMBINATION. C. coomani (Fleut.) is a secondary homonym of C. coomani Fleut. , and is renamed Ctenoplus confusus Platia. There are no significant differences between the types of C. coomani and C. confusus .

Ctenoplus topali was described based on a series of specimens collected in Vietnam. The holotype and 33 paratypes deposited in the National Museum of Hungary, Budapest, have been examined. There are no significant differences between the types of C. coomani and C. topali .

Material examined and range

29♂, 19♀. VIETNAM: holotype of C. coomani , lectotype of C. confusus , holotype of C. tonkinensis [ MNHN]; 18♂, 15 ♀, 1 undetermined sex, “Cuc Phuong, Ninh Binh, 3–17 v 1966, Gy. Topal” [type series of C. topali, HNHM ]; 6♂, 1♀, “Cuc Phuong, 2–11. V.91, Strnad Jan leg” [ CCW, CPG], ibid but “ 21–22. V.1996, leg. Dembicky & Pacholatko” [ CPG]; 1♂, “ Tuyen Quang: ca. 6 km NE Pac Ban, 22° 25’N 105° 25’E, 23.v – 1.vi 1996, DC Currie, DC Darling, J Swann, ROM 963003" [ ERFC]; 1♀, “ Cao Bang: Ba Be Natl. Park, 14–23 v 1995, D. Currie, B. Hubley, J. Swann, ROM 956049" [ ERFC]; 1♂, ibid but “ 18 v 1995, D. Currie, J. Swan, ROM 956068" [ ROME]; 1♂, “Sapa, m 1530, 25.v–9.vi.1991, leg., J. Strnad” [ CPG]; 1♀, “ Yen Bai, 10.vi.1990, J. Horak” [ CPG]. C. coomani has been found only in northern Vietnam ( Fig. 110 ).

Natural history

Specimens have been collected by a malaise trap in a “burnt area on hillside surrounding 1° rainforest”, beaten from bushes in forest and by creek, and at UV light at “1° forest edge”. Specimens examined were collected between 2 May and 10 June. The only recorded elevation is 1530 m.

Figures

FIGURE 110. Distribution of Ctenoplus species.

FIGURES 15–30. Antenna of Ctenoplus species. 15, C. javanensis Cand.; 16, C. sumatrensis n. sp.; 17, C. sanguinolentus (Cand.); 18, C. sanguinolentoides n. sp.; 19, C. nitidipennis Schwarz; 20, C. indicus n. sp.; 21, C. neosiamensis n. sp.; 22, C. siamensis n. sp.; 23, C. rufoantennatus n. sp.; 24, C. castaneus (Fleut.); 25, C. coomani Fleut.; 26, C. divergens n. sp.; 27, C. alutaceus n. sp.; 28, C. semialutaceus n. sp.; 29, C. cateianus n. sp.; 30, C. dorsalis n. sp. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

FIGURES 31–43. Pronotal outline of Ctenoplus species, dorsal. 31, C. javanensis Cand.; 32, C. sumatrensis n. sp.; 33, C. sanguinolentoides n. sp.; 34, C. indicus n. sp.; 35, C. rufoantennatus n. sp.; 36, C. castaneus (Fleut.); 37, C. coomani Fleut.; 38, C. divergens n. sp., a: male, b: female; 39, C. alutaceus n. sp.; 40, C. semialutaceus n. sp.; 41, C. gigas n. sp.; 42, C. cateianus n. sp.; 43, C. dorsalis n. sp. Abbreviation: bf, sublateral longitudinal incision. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

FIGURES 50–57. Prosternal spine of Ctenoplus and Silesis species. 50–57, lateral; 58, 59, ventral. 50, C. sanguinolentus (Cand.); 51, C. sanguinolentoides n. sp.; 52a, b, C. coomani Fleut.; 53, C. balli n. sp.; 54, C. gigas n. sp.; 55, C. divergens n. sp.; 56, C. alutaceus n. sp.; 57, C. dorsalis n. sp.; 58, C. brunneus Fleut.; 59, S. fulvus Fleut.; Abbreviations: da, dorsal apex; va, ventral apex. Scale bar = 0.25 mm.

FIGURES 66–85. Male genitalia of Ctenoplus species, dorsal aspect unless otherwise specified. 66, C. javanensis Cand.; 67, C. sumatrensis n. sp.; 68, C. sanguinolentoides n. sp.; 69, C. nitidipennis Schwarz; 70, C. indicus n. sp.; 71, C. collaris Cand., a, dorsal, b, ventral; 72, C. pseudocollaris n. sp.; 73, C. neosiamensis n. sp.; 74, C. siamensis n. sp.; 75, C. rufoantennatus n. sp.; 76, C. castaneus (Fleut.), a, dorsal, b, lateral; 77, C. coomani Fleut.; 78, C. divergens n. sp.; 79, C. alutaceus n. sp., a, dorsal, b, lateral; 80, C. semialutaceus n. sp.; 81, C. balli n. sp.; 82, C. girardianus n. sp.; 83, C. gigas n. sp.; 84, C. cateianus n. sp.; 85, C. deceptus n. sp. Abbreviations: st, median struts; pa, parameres; ph, phallobase. Scale bar = 0.25 mm.

FIGURES 98–106. Female genitalia of Ctenoplus species. 98, C. coomani Fleut.; 99, C. brunneus Fleut.; 100, C. divergens n. sp.; 101, C. alutaceus n. sp.; 102, C. balli n. sp.; 103, C. girardianus n. sp.; 104, C. gigas n. sp.; 105, C. cateianus n. sp.; 106, C. deceptus n. sp. Abbreviations: sd, tubular extension. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

FIGURES 44–46. posterior part of hypomeron of Ctenoplus species. 44, C. alutaceus n. sp.; 45, C. semialutaceus n. sp.; 46, C. girardianus n. sp. 47, prosternum of C. nitidipennis Schwarz, ventral. 48, venter of mesothorax of C. dorsalis n. sp., ventral. 49, tarsus of C. castaneus (Fleut.), lateral. Abbreviations: ac, alutaceous cuticle; ag, anterior groove of mesepisternum; as, anterior articulating surface of mesosternum; c, mesocoxa; d, lateral depression of mesosternum; gr, groove on prosternum; l, lobe of tarsomere 4; lp, anterolateral projection of mesepimeron; mf, mesosternal cavity; pr, projection of mesal border of hypomeron. Scale bar = 44–46, 48, 49: 0.25 mm; 48: 0.5 mm.