Batrisodes angustelytratus Yin, Shen & Li

Yin, Zi-Wei, Shen, Jia-Wei & Li, Li-Zhen, 2015, New species and new combinations of Asian Batrisodes Reitter (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae), and synonymy of Batrisodellus Jeannel with Batrisodes, Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 62 (1), pp. 45-54 : 45

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Staphylinidae

Batrisodes angustelytratus Yin, Shen & Li sp. n. Figs 1A, 2

Type material

(3 ♂♂). Holotype: China: ♂, labeled 'China: S. Zhejiang, Longquan [龙泉], Fengyang Shan [凤阳山], creek valley nr. hotel, 27°54 ’42’’ N, 119°11 ’52’’ E, ant nest under rock, 1175 m, 28.iv.2014, X.-B. Song’ (SNUC). Paratypes:China: 2 ♂♂, same label data as holotype (SNUC).

Description.

Male (Fig. 1A). Body reddish brown, BL 2.12-2.18 mm. Head about as long as wide, HL 0.48-0.49 mm, HW 0.47-0.49 mm; with large vertexal foveae; frons flat, lacking modification, concave between moderately raised antennal tubercles; clypeus coarsely punctate, with round anterior margin; lateral vertexal carinae faintly present from frons to anterior margins of vertexal foveae, median vertexal carina distinct, extending from level of posterior margins of vertexal foveae to base; each eye composed of about 45 facets, lacking ocular canthi; postgenal area with many long erect setae visible in dorsal view. Antennal club (Fig. 2A) formed by apical three antennomeres, IX and X strongly transverse, unmodified, XI large, with distinct, apically-truncate basal denticle. Pronotum about as long as wide, PL 0.48-0.47 mm, PW 0.47-0.46 mm; disc slightly convex; median and lateral longitudinal sulci distinct; lacking median antebasal fovea; with small antebasal tubercles. Elytra much wider than long, EL 0.60-0.63 mm, EW 0.74-0.76 mm; base distinctly constricted; each elytron with three large nude basal foveae; lacking discal striae; marginal striae complete. Mesofemora (Fig. 2B) with thin but distinct ventral spine near middle, mesotibiae (Fig. 2C) with triangular preapical spur; metatibiae (Fig. 2D) with long apical tuft of setae. AL 0.56-0.59 mm, AW 0.79-0.81 mm; abdominal tergite IV (first visible tergite) with strongly oblique marginal carinae; discal carinae short. Length of aedeagus (Fig. 2 E–G) 0.44 mm, median lobe broadened in dorso-ventral view, split at apex.

Female. Unknown.

Differential diagnosis.

The new species is most similar to Batrisodes fengtingae (Yin & Nomura) [previously placed in Batrisodellus , transferred to Batrisodes due to the synonymy of these two genera, see below] by sharing similar modification on antennomeres XI and spines on the legs, and an asymmetric aedeagus. Batrisodes angustelytratus can be readily separated from Batrisodes fengtingae and all other congeners by the strongly constricted elytral base, as well as the unique form of aedeagus.

Biology.

Adults were collected from a colony of a Pachycondyla ant nesting under a rock.

Distribution.

Eastern China: Zhejiang.

Etymology.

The species epithet refers to the strongly constricted base of the elytra.