Stilicoderus aerosoides, Rougemont, 2015

Rougemont, Guillaume De, 2015, Studies on Stiliderus Motschulsky and Stilicoderus Sharp: biogeographical notes and descriptions of new species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae), Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde A, Neue Serie 8, pp. 113-130 : 118

a e r o s u s group

In contrast to the hieroglyphicus group, the appendages of the aedoeagi of members of this group are very similar, rather variable within species according to the position in which the ventral blade and parameroid lobes lie in relation to the median lobe, and do not always provide clear diagnostic characters; also the colour of elytra and legs is variable in some species, whereas the size, proportions and pubescence differ markedly between allopatric series which probably represent distinct species. For these reasons it has proven difficult to decide on the taxonomic status of these forms.

Key to the known species of the aerosus group from New Guinea Stilicoderus caprarius Assing 2013 and S. acutissimus Assing 2013 , which are recorded as belonging to this group, are not included in the key because they were not seen; in any case the figures the author gives of the aedoeaegi (which, with their symmetrical median- and parameroid lobes look like those of the hieroglyphicus group) clearly show that they do not belong to any of the species listed below.

5 Elytra shiny, devoid of granules, the puncturation coarse and irregular, the large punctures grouped here and there in twos or threes in longitudinal pit-like depressions, the surface of disc almost glabrous, with sparse pubescence only evident on sides. – Aedoeagus see Fig. 13 . .............. aerosoides n. sp.

– Elytra less shiny, with granules evident at least in anterior and posterior angles, the puncturation less coarse and more regular................................................................................... 6

6 Elytra entirely covered in small granules; fore-body, and especially elytra clothed in very evident pale recumbent pubescence. – Aedoeagus see ROUGEMONT 1986a: figs. 3A, 3a. ...................................................................... aerosus Last

– Granules obsolescent on disc of elytra, only clearly evident in anterior and posterior areas; pubescence much less evident on elytra........................................................................ 7

7 Larger species, ca. 6.2 mm long (see proportions in description, below) [male unknown]. ........................................ sp. X

– Smaller species, ca. 5 mm long (see proportions, below). – Aedoeagus see Fig. 12 . .............................. baliemensis n. sp.

Figures

Figs. 11–21. Stilicoderus and Stiliderus spp., aedoeagi in lateral (a) and ventral (b) views. – 11. Stilicoderus lastianus n. sp. 12. Stilicoderus baliemensis n.sp. 13. Stilicoderus aerosoides n.sp. 14. Stilicoderus papuanus n.sp. 15. Stilicoderus continentalis n. sp. 16. Stilicoderus sarahae n.sp. 17. Stiliderus tengah n. sp. 18. Stiliderus germanus n.sp. 19. Stiliderus rugulosicollis n. sp. 20. Stiliderus brendellianus n.sp. 21. Stiliderus agostii n.sp. – Scales: 0.5 mm.