Theprisa convexa (Sloane)

Liebherr, James K., Porch, Nick, Shaw, Matthew, Sinclair, Bronte E. & Maddison, David R., 2021, Systematic revision of the trans-Bassian moriomorphine genus Theprisa Moore (Coleoptera, Carabidae), ZooKeys 1044, pp. 339-373 : 339

Theprisa convexa (Sloane) Figures 1B , 3B , 4B , 5B , 6B , 7B , 8B , 9

Phersita convexa Sloane, 1920: 158.

Theprisa convexa Moore, 1963b: 285.

Types.

Lectotype male (SAMA) labelled by P. J. Darlington, Jr. hereby designated: card-mounted specimen with right antenna broken off distad pedicel, left mesoleg absent // Type // T. / Zeehan // Phersita / convexa Sl. / Id. by T. G. Sloane // Lectoholo. / P. convexa / PJD Sl. [red paper label] // Phersita 9.11564 / convexa Sl. / Tasmania / TYPE [red ink vertically at right end of label] // SAMA Database No. 25-035536 // LECTOTYPE ♂ / Phersita / convexa / Sloane / M. Shaw & J. K. Liebherr 2020 [black-margined red label]. By this action Zeehan, Tasmania is designated type locality.

Sloane stated that this species was described from specimens inhabiting "Zeehan (Simson, No. 2123); Strahan and Waratah (Carter and Lea). Eleven specimens have been examined. ( Sloane 1920: 158)." We account below for the 10 paralectotypes to accompany the lectotype in the type series to ensure that this species did not include a specimen of the Tasmanian T. darlingtoni , sp. nov., described below. Paralectotypes are numbered to correspond with a gallery of images of the specimens and labels (Suppl. material 1). The first three paralectotypes are deposited in the Sloane Collection (ANIC): 1 and 2, male (left) and female (right) mounted on single card] // Strahan / Tas: Lea / & Carter // Phersita / convexa Sl. / Id. by T. G. Sloane. // Co-type // Paratype [blue label of no significance as specimen is part of syntype series] // red rectangle with three holes // Paralectotype ♀, ♂ / Phersita / convexa Sloane / B. Sinclair & J. K. / Liebherr 2020 [black-bordered red label]; 3, female: Zeehan / 12/91 [on reverse] // Phersita / convexa Sl. / Id. by T. G. Sloane. // Co-type // Paratype // Paralectotype ♀ [as above]. The other seven paralectotypes that accompany the lectotype (SAMA) include: 4, male card mounted // Zeehan // Phersita / convexa Sl. / Id. by T. G. Sloane // SAMA Database / No. 25-039812; 5 and 6, two teneral females separately card mounted, on single pin // 3123 [blue paper label] // Tasmania / A. Simson (2 labels) // Phersita / convexa Sl. / Id. by T. G. Sloane // SAMA Database / No. 25-039813 // SAMA Database / No. 25-039814; 7 and 8, two specimens, gender not determined, separately card mounted, on single pin // Tasmania / A. Simson (2 labels) // 3123 [blue paper label] // Phersita 19594 / convexa Sl. / Id. by T. G. Sloane / Cotype [red ink vertically on right end of label] // SAMA Database / No. 25-039819 // SAMA Database / No. 25-039820; 9 and 10, two specimens mounted on one card, gender not determined // Waratah / Tas: Lea / & Carter (2 labels) // Phersita / convexa Sl. / Id. by T. G. Sloane // Co-type // // SAMA Database / No. 25-039821 // SAMA Database / No. 25-039822. All paralectotypes in SAMA also bear a bottom label, one per pin: Paralectotype (s) / Phersita / convexa Sloane / M. Shaw & J. K. Liebherr 2020 [black margined red label]. The discrepancy in recorded lot numbers 2123 in the published description versus 3123 on the specimen labels is adjudicated in favor of the specimen labels. Looking through registers at SAMA, we have not been able to locate this number, nor several similar missing numbers that also relate to various Tasmanian beetles from Simson.

Extended diagnosis

(n = 5). This species is aptly named due to the convex, domed elytra with depressed scutellar area (Fig. 1B ). The elytra are narrowed basally, with the angulate humeri constricted laterally; HuW/MEW = 0.61. In keeping with the basally constricted elytra, the pronotum is more cordate than in the other species (MPW/BPW = 1.23-1.31) and the lateral margins are sinuate anterad the pronotal basal seta articulatory socket. The pronotal base is also unique in the genus, with the marginal bead continuously marked across its breadth, and the lateral portions of the basal margin posterad the laterobasal depressions angled anteriorly relative to the extended median base. The laterobasal depression is broadly quadrate, with a moderately upraised, punctate tubercle bordered medially by a deep impression laterad the median base, and laterally by a narrow longitudinal depression inside the broadly elevated lateral margin. The body surface is glossy, with the vertex covered with indistinct transverse lines joined into an elongate transverse mesh in parts, the pronotal disc glossy with micropunctures visible across the disc, and the elytral disc and apex subiridescent due to indistinct transverse line microsculpture. Apical abdominal ventrite of male with two setae each side along margin plus two widely spaced medial subapical setae nearly in line with the outer four apical setae, female apical ventrite with two setae each side plus a transverse line of three or four medial subapical setae. Standardized body length is 6.2-7.2 mm.

Male genitalia (n = 6). Aedeagal median lobe robust, base broadly open on right side, basal margin extended as a sagittal crest dorsad basal opening (Fig. 3B ); median lobe apex broadly and evenly rounded, extended only slightly beyond ostium, lateral surfaces of apex densely covered with large pits; internal sac bearing an apically narrowed lanceolate flagellum (Fig. 4B ), its broadly sclerotized base extremely evident in uneverted specimens (Fig. 3B ); right paramere elongate, evenly curved along length, gradually narrowed in apical half to tightly rounded tip (Fig. 5B ), bearing 19-29 short setae along ventral margin in apical half, 2-9 setae on dorsal surface near apex, and with apex bearing 0-2 setae; left paramere slightly broader near midlength, apex slightly constricted before rounded apex, ventral margin usually glabrous (one individual with a single short ventral seta, a second with nine short setae), dorsal surface with 0-5 setae near apex, and apex with 0-2 setae present; antecostal apodeme of abdominal segment IX rounded distally, the apical juncture of lateral arms broad (Fig. 6B ).

Female reproductive tract (n = 1). Bursa copulatrix of vase-like configuration, vaginal area constricted relative to broader distal portion of bursa, length 1.25 × maximum breadth compressed under microslide (Fig. 7B ); helminthoid sclerite present, rounded apically, not extended beyond juncture with spermathecal duct; spermathecal duct stout, sinuously recurved to meet spermatheca, length twice that of annulated spermathecal reservoir; spermathecal gland duct very thin, length half that of spermathecal reservoir which it joins at reservoir base; spermathecal gland comprising sclerotized stem plus membranous reservoir bearing numerous ductules; gonocoxa bipartite, basal gonocoxite 1 with single apical fringe seta, median surface glabrous, membranous ramus present (Fig. 8B ); apical gonocoxite 2 with base narrow, lateral margin arcuate, apex acuminate; two narrow lateral ensiform setae and one dorsal ensiform present; two apical nematiform setae set in fossa at apical 1/4 of apical gonocoxite length.

Distribution and habitat.

Theprisa convexa is known from the mountainous western portions of Tasmania (Fig. 9 ), within the West, King, Central Highlands, and Northern Slopes biogeographic regions ( IBRA 2012). The beetles are terrestrial, with specimens recorded from under decaying logs, in leaf litter associated with Nothofagus cunninghamii (Hooker) ( Nothofagaceae ), and from riverine forest with Eucryphia ( Cunoniaceae ), Richea ( Ericaceae ), N. cunninghamii , and tree ferns. Recorded habitats range 80-1200 m elevation. We have not had the opportunity to examine specimens reported by Eberhard and Giachino (2011), however the geographical expanse of collecting sites they reported agrees totally with our data, with the exception of additional outlying records herein from Christmas Hills, 35 km SW Smithton (Kethley, FMNH), and Trowutta (Madden, TMAG), northwest Tasmania (Fig. 9 ).

Figures

Figure 1. Dorsal habitus illustrations of Theprisa spp.; range of standardized body lengths indicated A T. otway female B T. convexa female C T. montana female.

Figure 3. Male aedeagus including parameres of Theprisa spp., right, or anatomically ventral view A T. otway B T. convexa C T. montana D T. australis E T. darlingtoni. Abbreviations: ad, apical divot; af, apical face; fl, flagellum; lp, left paramere; mf, microtrichial field; rp, right paramere.

Figure 4. Male aedeagus internal sac in everted condition for Theprisa spp. A T. otway, right view B T. convexa C T. montana D T. australis E T. darlingtoni. Abbreviations: fl, flagellum; mf, microtrichial field; rp, right paramere. Scale bars: 0.5 mm

Figure 5. Parameres of male aedeagus for Theprisa spp., outside lateral view. Right paramere shown above left paramere A T. otway B T. convexa C T. montana D T. australis E T. darlingtoni. Abbreviations: lp, left paramere; rp, right paramere.

Figure 6. Structures associated with abdominal segments VIII and IX for Theprisa spp., dorsal view A T. otway B T. convexa C T. montana D T. australis E T. darlingtoni. Abbreviations: VIII, antecostal apodeme of abdominal segment VIII; IX, antecostal apodeme of abdominal segment IX; sp, spiracle of segment VIII; t, tergite of segment IX. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Figure 7. Female reproductive tract of Theprisa spp., ventral view A T. otway B T. convexa C T. montana D T. australis. Abbreviations: bc, bursa copulatrix; co, common oviduct; dgd, defensive gland efferent duct; gc, gonocoxa; hg, hindgut; hs, helminthoid sclerite; sd, spermathecal duct; sg, spermathecal gland; sgd, spermathecal gland duct; sgs, spermathecal gland stem; sp, spermatheca; v, vagina. Scale bars: 0.50 mm.

Figure 8. Left gonocoxa, ventral view of Theprisa spp., ventral view A T. otway B T. convexa C T. montana D T. australis E T. darlingtoni. Abbreviations: afs, apical fringe seta (e) of gonocoxite 1; ans, apical nematiform setae; des, dorsal ensiform seta; gc 1, basal gonocoxite 1; gc 2, apical gonocoxite 2; les, lateral ensiform setae; r, ramus.

Figure 9. Distributional records for Theprisa spp.: T. otway (black circle); T. convexa (black square); T. montana (white circle).