Mecyclothorax obtusus Perrault, 1984: 30

Liebherr, James K., 2013, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Tahiti, Society Islands, ZooKeys 322, pp. 1-170 : 21

5. Mecyclothorax obtusus Perrault, 1984: 30

Identification.

Of the Mecyclothorax muriauxi group species with setal formula 2101 - the others include Mecyclothorax brevipennis and Mecyclothorax quadraticollis (Figs 12B, C) - this species exhibits sinuate pronotal lateral margins and a basal width less than the maximal width; MPW/BPW = 1.12 (Fig. 11A). The pronotum is moderately transverse; MPW/PL = 1.26, and the eyes do not protrude much from the ocular lobe; ocular ratio 1.38. This species is also among the smallest bodied species in the group; standardized body length 5.0 mm. The frons and vertex are covered with a distinct mesh of isodiametric and transverse sculpticells. The pronotal disc bears transverse mesh microsculpture, most visible outside the area of reflected light, and the discal elytral intervals are covered with an elongate transverse mesh, sculpticell breadth 2 –3× length.

Distribution and habitat.

This species has been collected at l100-1400 m elevation along the Mont Aorai ridge. It is a terricolous species, with one specimen collected in moss, and a second captured in a vinegar pitfall trap.