Diplotrichus acutior Jordal, 2021

Jordal, Bjarte H., 2021, An integrated taxonomic revision of Diplotrichus (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) supports a Malagasy origin and single colonisation of South Africa, Zootaxa 5047 (2), pp. 101-122 : 112-114

Diplotrichus acutior Jordal , sp. nov

( Figs 34, 37, 40, 41 )

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:F092D1B6-0488-4CBD-B993-277935D6F105

Type material. Holotype female: Madagascar, Diana region , Ankarana Nat. Park, 50 m alt. [ GIS: -12.96, 49.12], ex. liana, 29.x.2019, B. Jordal, leg. Allotype male and paratypes: same data as holotype (6); Holotype, allotype and 3 paratypes in ZMUB , 2 paratypes in NHMW .

Other material: Madagascar, Reserve Speciale d’Ambre, 3.5 km SW Sakaramy [ GIS: -12.46, 49.23], sifted litter, B. Fischer, leg. (1, CAS); Mont. des Francais, 7.2 km SE Antsiranana [ GIS: -12.35, 49.34], ex leaf litter (1, CAS).

Diagnosis. Female frons with very dense, broad, long tuft of setae from vertex to epistoma covering all of the frons; anterior margin of pronotum forming a distinct rim with teeth; elytral apex pointed, posterolateral margin coarsely serrated; interstrial setae spatulate, 3–4 × as long as broad.

Description, female. Length 1.6–1.8 mm, 2.6–2.7 × as long as wide; colour brown. Frons flattened or lightly concave, not visible under a very broad and long tuft of setae originating at vertex, extending sideways to lower inner eye margin, setae reaching epistoma which has moderate long setae that extend over most of the mandibles; tuft projecting, with distinct bend halfway directed downwards. Eyes separated above by 2.5–2.8 × their width. Antennal scapus triangular, with dense brush of soft setae as long as antennal club; the club with two clearly marked and strongly procurved sutures. Pronotum strongly asperate on anterior half, near anterior margin with a raised line of contiguous teeth; posterior half rather smooth with tiny granules; vestiture of mainly spatulate setae, mixed with hair-like setae mainly on posterior third. Elytral interstriae with closely placed spatulate setae in regular rows; strial puncture large, irregular in shape; elytral apex strongly inflated. Protibia with one lateral and two apical denticles.

Male externally identical to female except frons impressed and nearly glabrous on lower third, with rough transverse carina or series of sharp tubercles above impression, a second transverse irregular row of sharp granules near vertex, with scattered short spatulate setae between, and finer bristle-like setae above; scapus small and rounded, with tiny tuft of short setae.

Etymology. The Latin nominative adjective acutior means sharper, referring to the elytral apex which is the most acuminate in the genus.

Distribution and biology. Known from the type locality in Ankarana and two other dry lower mountain areas near the northern tip of the island. It was collected by sifting litter and also dissected from a dry hanging liana 2 cm in diameter. The broods were old with many dead specimens and the mating system was not clear. Females made longitudinal egg tunnels.

Figures

FIGURES 33–42. Dorsal, lateral, and front view of Diplotrichus ignotus male holotype (33, 36, 39), Diplotrichus acutior sp. nov. female holotype (34, 37, 40) and male allotype (41), Diplotrichus pulchellus sp. nov. female holotype (35, 38, 42).