Afrocyrona Kolibac , 2007

Kolibac, Jiri, 2013, Trogossitidae: A review of the beetle family, with a catalogue and keys, ZooKeys 366, pp. 1-194 : 109

Genus Afrocyrona Kolibac, 2007 Fig. 10 ; Map 12

Afrocyrona Kolibáč, J. 2007b: 60.

Type species.

Afrocyrona dwesae Kolibáč, 2007 [designated by Kolibáč 2007b]

Description.

Body size: 2.9-5.0 mm. Body shape flat. Gular sutures narrow, subparallel at apex. Frontoclypeal suture present. Frons: longitudinal groove or depression absent. Cranium ventrally: tufts of long setae at sides present. Submentum: ctenidium absent. Antennal groove present. Eyes: size large, lateral. Eyes number: two. Epicranial acumination absent. Lacinial hooks: two. Galea: shape sub-clavate. Galea: ciliate setae absent. Mediostipes-Lacinia partially fused. Palpifer: outer edge even. Mandibular apical teeth number: two, horizontally situated. Mola absent. Penicillus (at base) long setae. Pubescence above mola or cutting edge absent. Ventral furrow absent. Basal notch shallow or absent. Labrum-Cranium not fused. Epipharyngial sclerite absent. Lateral tormal process: projection projection not developed (all remaining). Ligula: ciliate setae absent. Ligula membranous, not retroflexed, weakly emarginate. Hypopharyngeal sclerite H-shaped. Antenna 11-segmented or 10-segmented. Antennal club weakly asymmetrical, sensorial fields absent. Front coxal cavities externally open, internally open. Pronotum transverse. Prepectus present. Middle coxal cavities open. Elytra: long hairs absent. Epipleuron moderate. Elytral interlocking mechanism absent, carinae conspicuous. Elytral punctation regular, scales present. Wing: radial cell oblong (or reduced) or cell moved down, often small, wedge cell absent, cross vein MP3-4 present, cross vein AA1+2-3+4 absent. Front tibiae: spines along side moderate. Hooked spur present. Tarsal pattern 4-4-4 or 5-5-5. Claws: denticle absent. Parasternites number along ventrites III-VII: one. Spiculum gastrale absent. Tegmen composed of two parts. Coxitae divided.

Biology.

The species were collected by beating branches and sifting rotten wood and litter. Detritus and some insect remnants were found in the gut of Afrocyrona dwesae , whereas only insect fragments were found in the gut of Afrocyrona ciskeiensis . The species are probably predatory and partly or occasionally fungivorous. Afrocyrona dwesae may be unable to fly.

Distribution.

Three described species are known from South Africa: Eastern Cape and Transvaal. One or two more species have been recently found in the island of Sokotra.

Species:

Afrocyrona ciskeiensis Kolibáč, 2007; South Africa (JK)

Kolibáč, J. 2007b: 61

Afrocyrona dwesae Kolibáč, 2007; South Africa (JK)

Kolibáč, J. 2007b: 63

Afrocyrona gussmannae Kolibáč, 2007; South Africa (JK)

Kolibáč, J. 2007b: 64

Figures

Figure 10. A Thymalus limbatus B Phloiophilus edwardsi C Eronyxa marginicollis D Decamerus haemorhoidalis E Diontolobus punctatipennis F Afrocyrona ciskeiensis G Afrocyrona dwesae H Grynoma sp., New Zealand I Grynoma diluta.

Map 12. A distribution of the tribe Ancyronini.