Meonochilus eplicatus (Broun)

Liebherr, James K., 2011, Cladistic assessment of subtribal affinities within the tribe Moriomorphini with description of Rossjoycea glacialis, gen. n. and sp. n. from the South Island, and revision of Meonochilus Liebherr and Marris from the North Island, New Zealand (Coleoptera, Carabidae), ZooKeys 147, pp. 277-335 : 312-316

5. Meonochilus eplicatus (Broun)

Tarastethus eplicatus Broun, 1923: 675.

Molopsida eplicatus , Britton, 1940: 477.

Mecyclothorax eplicatus , Larochelle and Larivière, 2001: 62.

Meonochilus eplicatus , Liebherr and Marris, 2009: 10.

Diagnosis.

Individuals of this species can be told by the broadly and moderately convex elytral intervals, and distinctly punctate striae (Fig. 10B)-though the punctures are less distinct than in Meonochilus rectus or Meonochilus spiculatus (Fig. 9B, 9C)-with the intervals covered with elongate transverse microsculpture that varies based on sex. Males exhibit glossy elytral intervals with remnants of microsculpture in the striae, whereas females exhibit more broadly distributed sculpticells over portions, or the entire surfaces of the intervals. The pronotal hind angles are denticulate with the basolateral margins on each side converging slightly immediately anterad the angles. The basolateral marginal bead is broadly convex inside the hind angles. The body is narrower than in Meonochilus placens , with the pronotal base more constricted, and the elytral humeri less expanded laterally (Fig. 10B, 10C). The male aedeagal median lobe apex is broadly rounded and slightly asym metrically expanded ventrally (Fig. 16A), but not nearly to the degree as observed in males of Meonochilus placens (Fig. 16D). As in Meonochilus amplipennis and Meonochilus placens , the male aedeagal internal sac is membranous. Standardized body length 4.9-5.9 mm.

Male Genitalia.

(n = 4). Aedeagal median lobe with variable sagittal crest, from broad and deep to shallow and short, median lobe shaft with straight ventral margin, apex slightly downturned and broadly rounded (Fig. 16A); internal sac membranous, densely covered with fine microspicules, more heavily pigmented roll of membrane situated to right of gonopore; ventral right paramere stalked, length 0.60 –0.66× distance from parameral articulation to outer face of apex, base thinner and apical half inflated, apex broadly rounded, apical half of ventral margin to tip lined with 7-15 setae, dorsal portion of tip with only several shorter setae accompanying ventral series, and dorsal edge glabrous or with 1 seta; dorsal left paramere broad, conchoid, length equal to 0.75 –0.80× distance from parameral articulation to external face of apex, rounded apex with 2-3 larger setae interspersed with 2-3 small setae (Fig. 16B).

Female Reproductive Tract.

(n = 2) Bursa copulatrix elongate, narrowed apically to rounded apex, distance from between gonocoxal bases to apex 1.55 × maximal bursal breadth (Fig. 17A); spermathecal gland duct entering bursa on left side of apex, the spermatheca not discernible among the membranous rolls of cuticle comprising bursal apex; spermathecal gland duct a short connective between stem of ductile reservoir and elongate, expanded basal tube that enters bursal wall; common oviduct ventrally joined to bursa, expanded to greatest breadth immediately distad juncture; basal gonocoxite 1 with lateroapical series of 1-2 setae, and mesal series of 8-10 setae in apical half of mesal surface (Fig. 17B); apical gonocoxite 2 broadly subtriangular, with 2 broad lateral ensiform setae and 1 dorsal ensiform seta on dorsomedial surface; apical sensory furrow bearing 2 nematiform setae at 0.80 × coxite length.

Types.

Lectotype female (BMNH), mounted on unmarked white platen, labeled: Type (round, red-bordered label) // Pakarau. / 19.5.18. // New Zealand / Broun Coll. / Brit. Mus. / 1922 - 482. // Tarastethus / eplicatus // Lectotype ♀ / Tarastethus / eplicatus / Broun, 1923 / det. J.K. Liebherr 2011 (black-bordered red label). Paralectotype female (BMNH), identically mounted and labeled, except for: Paratype (round yellow-bordered label) [first label] // Kaiangaroa / 12.5.1918 [second label] // … Paralectotype ♀ … [fifth label].

Non-type Material.

ND: Kara, Whangarei, 35°43.22'S, 174°18.01'E, ix-1942, Fairburn (NZAC, 1); Kawakawa, Whangae Stream, 35°22.64'S, 174°03.88'E, 14-xi-1994, Townsend (JITC, 1); Mangamuka Gorge Walkwy., pittrap/wet broadleaf for., 35°11'S, 173°27'E, 350 m el., 27- v– 29-vi-1999, Larivière /Larochelle (NZAC, 1); Mangawhai Gorge, under stone at night, 36°04.09'S, 174°35.02'E, 25-i-1948, Pritchard (NZAC, 2); Ngaiotonga Sce. Res., litter, 35°19.05'S, 174°15.36'E, 20-i-1972, Ramsay, (NZAC, 1); Puketi St. For., litter, 35°13.52'S, 173°44.51'E, 21-i-1972, Ramsay (NZAC, 2); Rangiahua, 35°16.03'S, 173°37.18'E, 01-xi-1966, Cumber (NZAC, 1); Waimatenui, 35°36.72'S, 173°43.42'E, 06-i-1942, Clarke (AMNZ, 1), 09-iii-1961, Cumber (NZAC, 1); Waipoua St. For., litter, 35°36.57'S, 173°32.06'E, 07-xii-1961, Townsend (NZAC, 1), sifted litter, 80/121, 35°36.57'S, 173°32.06'E, 25-xi-1980, Kuschel (NZAC, 1); Waitangi St. For., litter and decayed wood, 81/117, 35°15.19'S, 174°00.56'E, 02-xi-1981, Kuschel (NZAC, 1).

Distribution and Habitat.

Of the three Northland species, Meonochilus eplicatus as currently circumscribed exhibits the broadest geographic range (Fig. 15). Though genitalic characters do not support dismemberment of this species, the variation in elytra microsculpture should be studied further with additional material from across the range. Specimens collected to date have been from ground-level microhabitats, collected via pitfall trapping in wet broadleaf forest, from leaf litter, or under stones.