Rondoniella Kaszab, 1970

Maruyama, Munetoshi & Ando, Kiyoshi, 2022, Review of the genera Rondoniella Kaszab, 1970 and Durandius Kaszab, 1970 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), with description of R. hosoishii sp. nov. from an ant nest in Cambodia, Zootaxa 5209 (2), pp. 293-300 : 294

Genus Rondoniella Kaszab, 1970

Rondoniella Kaszab, 1970: 112 (original description).

Diagnosis. In R. costata and R. hosoishii sp. nov. the abdomen has no membranes between the ventrites 3 to 5, and the procoxal cavities externally closed behind, these characters are common with the other genera of the tribe Cnemeplatiini . The head is triangularly flabellate in form, and covered with scale-like setae, with a sulcus on the gular plate for receiving the antenna, and also the pronotum (venter) with a shallow excavation for receiving the antennal club; these characteristics are unique.

Additional description. Mouthparts. Labrum ( Fig. 8 ) elongate, longer than wide, sparsely setiferous anteriorly, with some imbricate villi along apical margin, without epitorma at middle; tormal arms long, without posterior extension. Mandibles ( Figs 9, 10 ) much reduced, apices pointed, apices to inner margin weakly sclerotized, mola rudimental and very small in the basalmost portion, without transverse ridges for grinding, entirely covered with prostheca, which bears dense and microscopic setulae; scissorial lobe with apex fringed with filmy margin, neither toothed nor incurved. Ligula ( Fig. 11 ) simple and reduced, transverse, slightly emarginate at apex. In maxilla ( Fig. 12 ), lacinia divided, densely pubescent over all, without uncus; apical pubescence of galea long and dense; ultimate maxillary palpomere enlarged, elongate oval.

Hind wings ( Fig. 13 ) short, apical flecks present, lacking medial fleck; venation is rather thick, without Anal Lobe (AP 1+2 & AP 3+4) in anal field (as modified from Lawrence & Britton, 1991); vein CuA 1+2 is linked; Radiomedical Loop very broadened; RP is short, lost in basal part.

Ovipositor and cuticular parts of representative female genital tubes ( Figs 16, 17 ) are very primitive in the Tenebrionidae ; gonostyle rudimental and apical; oviduct ventrally basal; primary bursa copulatrix short and large; spermathecal gland apical, very short; coxite reduced, with lobes 3 and 4 fused; paraproct slightly longer than coxite; protigeral baculus clear, baculi-1 and baculi-2 distinctively sclerotized. Defensive glands lost, bearing only short thin membrane.

Comments. The additional description of the genus is based on the specimens of Rondoniella hosoishii sp. nov. but these characteristics are most probably also shared by the other congeners because of their obvious close relationship.

Figures

FIGURES 8–17. Rondoniella hosoishii Maruyama & Ando sp. nov.: 8, labrum, dorsal view; 9, left mandible, dorsal view; 10, right mandible, dorsal view; 11, mentum and labium, adoral view; 12, left maxilla (cardo removed), ventral view; 13, left hindwing; 14, aedeagus (holotype), dorsal view; 15, ditto, lateral view; 16, 17, female genitalia.