Plesiofornax caribica Otto, 2023

Otto, Robert L., 2023, The false click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateroidea: Eucnemidae) of the Dominican Republic. Part I: A look into the past, Insecta Mundi 2023 (973), pp. 1-23 : 15

Plesiofornax caribica Otto , new species

Fig. 17–18

Holotype. Embedded in a large, rough Dominican Republic amber piece, 50 mm × 38 mm × 39 mm. Amber piece is clear dark yellow/orange with numerous small air bubbles and micro fractures.

Diagnosis. Dark black coloration and body form will distinguish this species from any extant Caribbean Plesiofornax species.

Description. Length, 6.0 mm. Width, 2.0 mm. Habitus moderately elongate and tapering towards the elytral apex; uniformly dark black; antennae and legs dark black; head, pronotum and elytra clothed with short, recumbent setae ( Fig. 17 ). Head: Closely punctate, subspherical with convex frons. Antennae: Weakly serrate to filiform, reaching about half the length of the body. Flagellomere I elongate, slightly shorter than the combined lengths of II–III; flagellomere II shorter than III, as long as the pedicel; flagellomeres III–VII sub-equal, slightly longer than wide; flagellomere IX longer than VIII. Pronotum: Closely punctate; surface dull; slightly longer than wide, with large hind angles; lateral sides slightly convex; disc simple; lateral side with one ridge; hypomeron with medially vaguely defined, shallow, basally open lateral antennal grooves. Scutellum: Slightly punctate, oblong, and quadrate. Elytra: Faintly indicated striae present; interstices flattened, surfaces closely punctate. Legs: First tarsomere about as long as 2–5 combined on mesothoracic and metathoracic tarsi; tibiae rounded in cross section; metatarsomeres I–III simple; metatarsomeres V excavated and emarginated; metatarsomere V short with basally toothed claws. Venter ( Fig. 18 ): Closely punctate; metaepisternum parallel-sided; metacoxal plates medially 7.0 times wider than laterally.

Etymology. Specific epithet is derived from the region, Caribbean, in which the species once flourished.

Figures

Figures 15–18. Dominican amber Eucnemidae. 15) Euryptychus hispaniolus Otto sp. nov., dorsal view. 16) Euryptychus hispaniolus Otto sp. nov., ventrolateral view. 17) Plesiofornax caribbeanus Otto sp. nov., dorsolateral view. 18) Plesiofornax caribbeanus Otto sp. nov., ventrolateral view. (Scale: 15–18 = 2.0 mm).