Somoleptus umicola, Irmler, 2024

Irmler, Ulrich, 2024, Additions to Neotropical species of the genera Lithocharodes Sharp, 1881 and Somoleptus Sharp, 1881 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae), Contributions to Entomology 74 (1), pp. 13-34 : 13

Somoleptus umicola sp. nov.

Figs 18a-d , 21F

Material examined.

Holotype: COSTA RICA male; Puntarenas Prov.; Altamira Biol. Stat.; 09°01'76"N, 83°00'49"W; 1510-1600 m elevation; pyrethrum fogging moss-covered clay bank; 7 VI 2004; J. Ashe, Z. Falin, I. Hinojosa leg.; KNHM CR1AFH04 151.

Paratype: COSTA RICA 1 female; same data as holotype KNHM .

Diagnosis.

The taxonomic position of the species is unclear. It has a large dorsal plate of the central lobe and a triangular prominence at posterior margin of sternite VII of male. These characters fit to the S. longicollis -subgroup. On the other hand, the endophallus is not sclerotised similar to the species of the S. admirabilis -subgroup. The cones at the apex of the central lobe resemble those of several species of the S. alticola -subgroup. According to the small size, shape of head and the proportion of the elytra, Somoleptus umicola best resembles to Somoleptus obsoletus Sharp, 1885. Somoleptus umicola is still smaller, such as S. parvulus Sharp, 1885. In contrast to S. parvulus with light brown pronotum and sclerotised endophallus, S. umicola is totally black and the endophallus is transparent.

Description.

Length: 3.28 mm; Colouration: completely black; legs and antennae lighter brown.

Head: 0.62 mm long, 0.49 mm wide; eyes slightly prominent; moderately large; PS:E ratio 3.1; sides nearly parallel; posterior angles sub-rectangular; posterior sides combined with posterior edge semi-circular; inter-antennal furrows distinct and long; reaching to mid-length of eyes; setiferous punctation deep and dense; on average, interstices between punctures shorter than diameter of punctures; on anterior head denser than on posterior head; surface without microsculpture; shiny; antennae with first antennomere elongate; half as long as head-length; second and third antennomere conical; longer than wide; combined half as long as first antennomere; following antennomeres wider than long; anteriad increasing in width. Pronotum: 0.71 mm long, 0.44 mm wide; widest at anterior third; conically narrowed to neck; posteriad, sides nearly parallel; posterior angles sub-rectangular; posterior margin slightly convex; setiferous punctation moderately deep and dense; on average, interstices as wide as diameter of punctures; small mid-line impunctate; adjacent to mid-line with irregular line of 22-24 punctures; surface without microsculpture; polished. Elytra: 0.69 mm long, 0.65 mm wide; humeral angles obtuse; sides nearly parallel; posterior margin convex; retreated to suture; setiferous punctation deep and dense; on average, interstices between punctures shorter than diameter of punctures; surface without microsculpture; polished. Abdomen with finer punctation than on elytra, but as dense; surface without microsculpture; polished; meso-tibia with three, meta-tibia with two ctenidia. Aedeagus egg-shaped; more acute at base and more oval at apex; dorsal plate nearly totally covering central lobe; endophallus transparent; apical orifice prominent; laterad to upper edge of orifice with two elongate slender cones; parameres bilobed; projecting apical cones; inner lobe broad at base; in middle, abruptly narrowed to acute apex; at outer edge, centrad with several setae; outer lobe slender; as long as inner lobe.

Etymology.

The species name is a combination of the Latin words umidus meaning “wet” and colo meaning “dwelling” and refers to the wet habitat, where it was found.

Geography.

Northern Costa Rica.

Ecology.

Under moss of river bank.

Figures

Figure 21. A. Fore-body of Somoleptus densiceps; B. S. guianensis; C. S. luteicornis; D. S. paramocola; E. S. puntarenae; F. S. umicola. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Figures 17, 18. 17. Somoleptus puntarenae; 18. S. umicola. a. Aedeagus; b. Paramere; c. Sternite VII; d. Tergite VII. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (a, c, d); 0.1 mm (b).