Pselaphodes pseudowalkeri Yin

Yin, Zi-Wei & Li, Li-Zhen, 2013, On the identity of Pselaphodes walkeri (Sharp, 1892) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae), with description of a new related species, Zootaxa 3609 (3), pp. 327-334 : 330-333

Pselaphodes pseudowalkeri Yin and Li, new species

( Figs. 1 B, 3)

Type material (15 33, 9 ƤƤ). Holotype: CHINA: 3, labeled ‘ CHINA: Fujian, Wuyishan City / Wuyishan N. R., alt. 800 m / 27°44ʹ0 9ʺN 117°40ʹ0 5ʺE / (leaf litter, sifted) 2002. vii.28, / N. Qi & Z.W. Yin leg. // HOLOTYPE [red] / Pselaphodes / pseudowalkeri / sp. n., Yin & Li / det., 2012, SNUC’. Paratypes: CHINA: 2 33, 3 ƤƤ, labeled ‘ CHINA: FUJIAN prov. / Wuyi Shan Nat. Res. / Sangan env. (900 m) / 30.v.-12.vi. 2001 / Hlaváč & Cooter lgt.

(cPH, SNUC); CHINA: 2 33, labeled ‘ CHINA: Fujian province, / Wuyi Shan, ca 850 m. / ca 2 km NW Tongmu vill. / N27°75ʹ E117°66ʹ // Sieved mixed litter / 7.vi.2001 / Leg. J. Cooter + P. Hlaváč (cPH, SNUC); CHINA: 5 33, labeled ‘ CHINA: Jiangxi, Yanshan Count. / Wuyishan N. R., alt. 950 m / 27°50ʹ19ʺN 117°43ʹ26ʺE / (leaf litter, sifted) 2002. x.05, / J.Y. Hu & L. Tang leg.’ (SNUC); CHINA: 1 3, 4 ƤƤ, labeled ‘ CHINA: Zhejinag, Qingyuan Count. / Baishanzu N. R., alt. 1050 m / 27°45ʹN 119°11ʹE / (leaf litter, sifted) 2004. v.07, / J.Y. Hu, L. Tang & L.L. Zhu leg.’ (SNUC); CHINA: 1 3, 3 ƤƤ, labeled ‘ CHINA: Zhejinag, Changhua Count. / West Tianmh Shan Mt., alt. 300 m / 30°18ʹ58ʺN 119°26ʹ38ʺE / (leaf litter, sifted) 2006. v.17, / J.Y. Hu & L. Tang leg.’ (SNUC); CHINA: 1 3, labeled ‘ CHINA: Zhejiang [ CH 07-37], Tianmu / Shan, pass 25 km NNW Linan, 620-820 / m, 30°25ʹ40ʺN 119°33ʹ30ʺE, creek / valley with bamboo and mixed forest / litter, sifted, 16.VI.2007, M. Schülke’. (cSch); CHINA: 1 3, labeled ‘ CHINA: Zhejiang Prov., / W. Tianmu Shan, ca. 500 m / Sieved litter under Ginkgo / trees # 225-230. / 22.vi.2008, Leg., J. Cooter’. (cPH); 1 3, labeled ‘ CHINA: Zhejiang Prov. / Changhua County / Qingliangfeng Mt. / 3.v.2007, 1,200 m / Min Jin leg.’ (SNUC).

Diagnosis. Reddish brown; length 2.63–2.82 mm; postgenae rounded; antennomeres IX–XI enlarged, IX–X modified in the male; pronotum rounded at lateral margins; metaventrite with short blunt processes; metacoxae simple; aedeagus with asymmetric median lobe.

Description. Male ( Fig. 1 B). Length 2.63–2.74 mm. Head about as long as wide, HL 0.56–0.61 mm, HW 0.56–0.58; eyes each composed of about 45 facets. Antennal clubs as in Fig. 3 A. Pronotum ( Fig. 3 B) as long as wide, PL 0.56–0.57 mm, PW 0.56–0.58 mm, with lateral margins broadly rounded. Elytra wider than long, EL 0.75–0.78 mm, EW 1.05–1.11 mm. Metaventrite with short processes truncate apically ( Fig. 3 C). Protrochanters and profemora with tiny ventral spine ( Fig. 3 D), protibiae with small apical tubercle ( Fig. 3 E); mesotrochanters ( Fig. 3 F) with two small ventral spines; metatrochanters and metafemora ( Fig. 3 G) simple. Abdomen broad at base and narrowed apically, AL 0.76–0.78 mm, AW 1.08–1.12 mm. Sternite IX as in Fig. 3 H. Aedeagus length 0.54 mm, with asymmetric median lobe ( Figs 3 I–K).

Female. Similar to male in general; BL 2.71–2.82 mm, HL 0.61–0.62 mm, HW 0.57–0.59 mm, PL 0.57–0.60 mm, PW 0.57–0.59 mm, EL 0.71–0.72 mm, EW 1.08–1.11 mm, AL 0.82–0.88 mm, AW 1.22–1.23 mm. Eyes each composed of about 40 facets. Antennae lacking modification; metaventrite without processes.

Comparative notes. This new species is closely related to P. walkeri as discussed under that species. Pselaphodes pseudowalkeri shares with P. w a l k e r i a similar form of the antennal clubs and a number of external features, but the lack of a large cavity on the upper surface of antennomere X, the tiny spines on protrochanters and profemora, and the aedeagal form serve to separate the new species from P. walkeri .

Distribution. This species is provisionally known from the eastern Chinese provinces of Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangxi.

Ecology. Individuals were collected from moist broad-leaved leaf litter in various kinds of forests.

Etymology. The species name indicates a close relationship of the new species to P. walkeri .

Acknowledgments

Authors’ thanks go to M. Barclay, R. Booth (both BMNH) and Y.-K. Zhang (Westminster School, London) for their help with the holotype photos of P. walkeri . Xiao-Bin Song (Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai) is acknowledged for the collection of specimens and pleasant company during the trip to Zhoushan. We also thank Guo-Yuan Song (Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai) for the identification of Cunninghamia lanceolata . An anonymous reviewer critically commented on an earlier draft and provided helpful advice. The present study is supported by the National Science Foundation of China (31172134) and Shanghai Normal University (Sk 201242).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Dorsal habitus of P. walkeri (A) and P. pseudowalkeri (B). Scales (mm): 1.0.

FIGURE 3. Diagnostic features of P. pseudowalkeri. A. Antennal club. B. Pronotum. C. Metaventral process, in lateral view. D. Protrochanter and profemur. E. Apical portion of protibia. F. Mesotrochanter and mesofemur. G. Metatrochanter and metafemur. H. Sternite IX. I. Aedeagus, in dorsal view. J. Same, in lateral view. K. Same, in ventral view. Scales (mm): A, B, C, D, F, G, I, J, K = 0.2; H = 0.1; E = 0.05.