Mecyclothorax peryphoides (Blackburn)

Liebherr, James K., 2018, Taxonomic review of Australian Mecyclothorax Sharp (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) with special emphasis on the M. lophoides (Chaudoir) species complex, Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 65 (2), pp. 177-224 : 177

Mecyclothorax peryphoides (Blackburn) Figures 2H, 5B, 9H, 10H, 11D, 12D, 13D, 14 E–F

Cyclothorax peryphoides Blackburn 1889: 1392.

Cyclothorax peryphoides Sloane, 1895: 446.

Mecyclothorax peryphoides Csiki, 1929: 489.

Mecyclothorax cordicollis Jeannel, 1940: 100 (misidentification).

Mecyclothorax lophoides Liebherr, 2011a: 292, table 2 (misidentification).

Diagnosis

(n = 5). Among the species of the M. lophoides complex characterized by darker bodies and contrastingly pale legs (Figs 4B, 5 B–C), this species has an ellipsoid elytra with large strial punctures, a pronotum with distinct obtuse hind angles, and concolorous elytral disc and apex, i.e. without an apical flavous marginal band (Fig. 5B). The eyes are broadly convex, MHW/mFW = 1.60-166. The pronotal margins are sinuate anterad the well-defined hind angles, but the posterior margin behind the angle is at most slightly sinuate, and usually convex, smoothly meeting the curved median basal margin (Fig. 2H). Body coloration is dark, with the head, pronotum and elytra piceous. The pronotum is transverse and constricted basally–MEW /EL = 1.20-1.28, MPW/BPW = 1.63 –1.71– though the basal constriction less than that observed in beetles of M. eyrensis ; MEW/BPW = 1.76-1.82. The pronotal median base is covered with distinct punctures, about 20 punctulae each side from midline to the very shallow, poorly defined laterobasal depression (Fig. 2H). The pronotal lateral marginal depression is narrow, but broad enough for sculpticells to line the deepest part, and the margin is beaded. Like M. eyrensis : 1, the prosternum is flat to depressed medially, the medial area bearing a longitudinal series of 4-7 distinct punctures; 2, the anteapical groove is deep and distinctly punctate laterally, continuous and more shallowly punctate medially; 3, the marginal bead of the procoxal cavity is bordered anteriorly by 5-6 strigose punctulae; and 4, the concave mesepisternal surface is lined with 13 deep punctures arrayed in 3-4 irregular rows. The elytral striae are punctate on the disc, though the punctures are far enough apart that the cuticle is coplanar with the intervals between the punctures. Like M. eyrensis , the punctures of striae 1-6 are progressively more isolated laterally on the elytra, but the sutural stria is more shallowly and irregularly punctured mesad the posterior dorsal elytral seta in this species (Fig. 12 C–D). Cuticular microsculpture is well developed in this species, with: 1, frons covered with indistinct transverse lines, vertex with more well-developed sculpticells, transforming from transverse just behind posterior supraorbital setae to nearly isodiametric near pronotum; 2, pronotal disc with indistinct transverse lines visible outside areas of direct reflection, irregular surface of pronotal base covered with irregular transverse mesh; 3, elytral disc with transverse lines visible outside areas of direct reflection, apex covered with well-developed elongate transverse mesh. Standardized body length 4.3-5.0 mm. Setal formula ++/++/+2++.

Male genitalia (n = 16). As stated under M. eyrensis , the aedeagal median lobe and flagellar complex of that species and M. peryphoides show no differences (Fig. 14 D–E). However the right paramere of this species bears significantly more setae (9-17) along its ventral margin.

Female reproductive tract (n = 3). Bursa copulatrix short, slightly longer than broad (Fig. 9H); helminthoid sclerite broad basally, with narrow mediodistal projection; spermathecal duct elongate, sclerotized enough to hold coiled configuration, length ~2 × length of spermathecal reservoir; basal gonocoxite with 3-6 apical setae, 2-3 large and the balance smaller, plus a similarly sized seta at the apicomedial angle (Fig. 10H); medial surface of basal gonocoxite with larger setae apically; apical gonocoxite subtriangular, narrowly rounded apically; lateral ensiform setae small, narrow; apical nematiform setae in apical sensory furrow.

Type information.

Holotype male (BMNH): platen mounted with “1614” in red ink and “T” in black ink on the obverse, with basal marginal black and red lines, the red crossed by an arrowhead // Type (round red-margined label) // Blackburn coll. 1910-236. // Cyclothorax periphoides [sic.], Blackb. Blackburn states the type locality as "Woodville, near Adelaide; a single specimen ( Blackburn 1889: 1393)."

Distribution and habitat.

This species is distributed (Fig. 11D) to the south of its sister species, M. eyrensis , in South Australia. The type locality of Woodville is near recent collections made at Belair Recreation Park, 10 miles S of Adelaide (FMNH), Blackwood, Sturt Gorge Reserve (ZMUC), and Hale Conservation Park SE Williamstown (FMNH). To the east the species is recorded from the following localities: A.C.T.: Black Mountain (CUIC, 8; EMEC, 1); NSW: Belmore (AMS, 1); Bogan R. (AMS, 1); " Calosoma " via Gundaroo (ANIC, 4); Federal Hwy. (ANIC, 1); Jerrawa (AMCS, 2); Mt. Wilson (CUIC, 1; FMNH, 4); Narrabeen (AMS, 1); Queanbeyan (ANIC, 1); Tuglo Wldlf. Ref. 48 km N Singleton (FMNH, 1); Weddin Mtns. N. P. (FMNH, 1); VIC: Lake Eildon N. P., Sebastopol Ck. (ZMUC, 1). Collections have been made via litter sifting along streams or in Eucalyptus ( Myrtaceae ) or mixed deciduous forest, or in rainforest on Mt. Wilson. As for M. eyrensis , even though this species occupies predominantly riparian situations, it appears to be vestigially winged.