Oropodes serrano Chandler & Caterino

Chandler, Donald S. & Caterino, Michael S., 2011, A taxonomic revision of the New World genus Oropodes Casey (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae), ZooKeys 147, pp. 425-477 : 440-441

6 Oropodes serrano Chandler & Caterino sp. n. Fig. 7Map 2

Specimens examined.

3: HOLOTYPE male, California, San Bernardino County, UC Burns [ Piñon Ridge] Reserve, Railroad Canyon, 34.1405°N, 116.4541°W, IV-1-2008, M. Caterino & R. Leschen (SBMN, CBP0076208) PARATYPE, 1: eutopotypical (1M, DSC). Additional specimen: Riverside County: 1 mi S Bundy Canyon, nr. Menifee Valley, XI-28-1972, J.D. Pinto, UCRC ENT 00039640 (1M, UCRC).

Description.

(only males known): Length 1.68-1.84. Body light orange-brown. Eyes with about 45 facets. Antennomeres V and VII slightly larger than those adjacent, V-VIII obconical, IX smaller than X. Abdomen with carinae of first ventrite extending from posteromesal margins of metacoxal cavities to ventrite apex.

Males: Metasternum with broad shallow median longitudinal sulcus. Legs (Fig. 7B): profemora with blunt tooth near base on ventral margin; protibiae slightly swollen to point past middle, smooth on mesal margin; mesotibiae thickened and somewhat short, with two close rounded tubercles near apex on mesal maragin; metatibiae with curved apical spur on mesal margin. Abdomen (Fig. 7C) with second ventrite shallowly impressed in middle fourth to base; third ventrite 0.53 wide, with transverse impression in middle third anterior to recurved lamina, impression with irregular row of thickened setae, with row of setae posterior to lamina, lamina 0.15 wide, arising at point about two-thirds length of ventrite, apex nearly straight with lateral margins marked by small acute denticles, lamina angled at about 45°; fourth-fifth ventrites slightly impressed in middle third; sixth ventrite (Fig. 7D) flattened in middle third, setose area with posterior margin constricted toward middle. Aedeagus (Fig. 7A) 0.32 long; left paramere large, broadly rounded and with small indentation at apex; left paramere shorter and obscure; internal sac forming large tubular structure that is apically complex, with one large sinuate spine visible in lateral view.

Collection notes.

The two specimens from the U.C. Burns Reserve were taken in April by sifting clumps of grass roots alongside a small ephemeral stream.

Geographical distribution.

(Map 2): Found at the eastern end of the Transverse Ranges on the northeast side of the San Bernardino Mountains north of Yucca Valley, and ranging south to the Santa Ana Mountains near Elsinore.

Comparisons and diagnostic notes.

Placed in the orbiceps-group. Both Oropodes serrano and Oropodes tipai are most similar in the male protibiae being smooth on the mesal margins, and in placement of the lamina of the third ventrite at about the two-thirds point of the ventrite length. They may be separated by the lamina being angled at about 45° and the mesotibiae bearing two close preapical tubercles on the mesal margin in Oropodes serrano , while in Oropodes tipai the apical portion of the lamina is horizontal, and there is only one preapical tubercle on the mesotibiae. The females for both species are unknown. The specimen from Riverside County is larger (1.84 mm) than the other two (1.68-1.7 mm), with the lamina of the third ventrite appearing broader. However, the distinctive male genitalia and other male characters are similar.

Etymology.

The specific epithet, treated as a Latin singular noun in apposition, nominative case, is based on the tribal name of the Serrano Indians, who originally lived in the area where the holotype was taken.