Mecyclothorax villiersi Perrault, 1986: 451

Liebherr, James K., 2013, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Tahiti, Society Islands, ZooKeys 322, pp. 1-170 : 55

44. Mecyclothorax villiersi Perrault, 1986: 451

Identification.

This member of the Mecyclothorax dannieae species group quartet with setal formula 2222 can be diagnosed by the transvere pronotum with trisinuate basal margin, the margin convexly curved behind the pronotal laterobasal depression toward the obtuse-rounded hind angle defined by the articulatory socket of the basal pronotal seta (Fig. 26C). The rufoflavous femora and tibiae contrast with the rufobrunneous to rufopiceous dorsal body color. The male aedeagal median lobe is sinuously curved apically, with the apex expanded both dorsally and moreso ventrally (Figs 3E, 27E). The ostial canal runs along the dorsal margin of the apex. The right paramere is expanded apically as a setose lamellate structure. The internal sac is tubular, with a variously developed dorsal ostial microtrichial patch, broad ventral ostial microtrichial patch and a small flagellar plate, the plate length 0.22 × the distance from the parameral articulations to the apical face (Fig. 27E). The head bears shallow to evident microsculpture consisting of isodiametric and transverse sculpticells in transverse rows. The pronotal disc is covered with distinct transverse mesh microsculpture, the sculpticells isodiametric to 3 × broad as long, and the discal elytral intervals are lined with upraised transverse sculpticells, the surface rough on the inner four intervals. Standardized body length 5.0-6.0 mm.

Distribution and habitat.

This species is known from Mont Marau at elevations between 1000 and 1400 m. All individuals with ecological data have been associated with arboreal microhabitats on a variety of plant substrates: Melicope , Myrsine , and Weinmannia , as well as ferns. Specimens have been obtained by beating such vegetation, and through the use of pyrethrin insecticide fog on moss-covered vegetation and dense fern banks.