Lithocharodes parallelus, 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

Lithocharodes parallelus sp. nov.

Figs 9a-d , 20C

Material examined.

Holotype: ECUADOR male; Sucumbios; Sacha Lodge ; 0.5°S, 76.5°W; 270 m elevation; malaise trap; 22 II - 4 III 1994; P. Hibbs leg.; KNHM.

Paratypes: ECUADOR 4 females, 1 male; Sucumbios; Sacha Lodge ; 0°28'14"S, 76°27'35"W; 270 m elevation; flight intercept trap; 21-24 Mar 1999; R. Brooks leg.; KNHM ECU1B99 047 ; 1 male; same data; UIC ECU1B99 047 ; 1 female; same location; 0°3'0"S, 76°3'0"W; malaise trap; 10-20 Sep 1999; P. Hibbs leg. KNHM ECU1H99 010A ; 2 males, 2 females; same location 0.5°S, 76.5°W; malaise trap; 3-13 IV 1995; 14-24 V 1994; 12-22 II 1994; 27 VIII - 10 IX 1994; P. Hibbs leg.; KNHM ; 1 male same data; 10-21 X 1994; P. Hibbs leg.; UIC ; 2 females; Napo; Yuturi Lodge ; 0°32'54"S, 76°2'18"W; Rio Napo; 270 m elevation; flight intercept trap; 20-21 Mar 1999; R. Brooks, D. Brzoska leg.; KNHM ECU1B99 010 ; COLOMBIA 1 male; Meta; PNN Tinigua Cano Nevera ; 2°11'N, 73°48'W; 390 m elevation; malaise trap; 7-16.II.2002; C. Sanchez leg.; KNHM M.2334 ; PERU 1 female; Dept. Loreto; 1.5 km N Teniente Lopez; 2°36'66"S, 76°06'92"W; 210-240 m elevation; flight intercept trap; 24 July 1993; 22 July 1993; R. Leschen leg.; KNHM #192 .

Diagnosis.

Litochocharodes parallelus , as well as the already described L. andersoni sp. nov., belongs to the L. hanagarthi -group due to the structure of the aedeagus. It has a large dorsal plate of the central lobe and a transparent endophallus. Thus, four species are actually in this group. Parameres of L. parallelus resemble those of L. boliviana Irmler, 2021 and L. hanagarthi Irmler, 2021. Within the group, L. parallelus is characterised by the markedly parallel shape of the body, in particular, of the head and the pronotum. Moreover, the structure of sternite VII of the male is unique in the Neotropical Lithocharodes species with its setose posterior margin.

Description.

Length: 5.3 mm; Colouration: completely black; legs and antennae light brown.

Head: 0.88 mm long, 0.72 mm wide; eyes slightly prominent; PS:E ratio 2.8; postocular sides parallel; posterior angles obtuse; sub-rectangular; inter-antennal furrows reaching nearly posterior edge of eyes; indistinct depression between eyes; setiferous punctures moderately deep and dense; on average, interstices between punctures nearly twice as wide as diameter of punctures; surface without microsculpture; polished; antennae with first antennomere elongate; slightly longer than half-length of head; second and third antennomere triangular; longer than wide; combined slightly longer than half-length of first antennomere; following antennomeres wider than long; apically increasing in width. Pronotum: 1.15 mm long, 0.70 mm wide; parallel; anterior and posterior part without distinct angles; anterior and posterior margins nearly semi-circular; setiferous punctation as deep as on head, but slightly denser; on average, interstices between punctures as wide as diameter of punctures; wide mid-line impunctate. Elytra: 0.95 mm long, 0.84 mm wide; humeral angles obtuse; sides parallel; posterior angles sub-rectangular; posterior margin only slightly retreated to suture; setiferous punctation deeper and denser than on pronotum; on average, interstices between punctures slightly shorter than diameter of punctures; surface without microsculpture; polished. Abdomen much finer and sparser punctate than fore-body; surface without microsculpture; polished; posterior margin of sternite VII of male semi-circular with concave emargination; posterior margin covered with long black setae grouped to tapered clusters; tergite VII of male with sinuate posterior margin forming pair of short central prominences; meso-tibia with 4, meta-tibia with 3 ctenidia. Aedeagus long oval with wide orifice at apex; endophallus transparent; parameres extremely long; as long as central lobe; lunulate; covered by numerous sensillae and setae; setae differing in length; apical setae extremely fine and short; setae at outer edge and in centre longer and thicker.

Etymology.

The species name is derived from the Latin word parallelus meaning “parallel” and refers to the parallel sides of the pronotum.

Geography.

Eastern Andean slope from northern Peru to Columbia.

Ecology.

Floor of montane forests at approximately 300 m elevation.

Figures

Figure 20. A. Fore-body of Lithocharodes lituratus; B. L. montanus; C. L. parallelus; D. L. zamorae; E. Somoleptus alajuelae; F. S. curtioculatus. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Figures 9 - 12. 9. Lithocharodes parallelus; 10. L. zamorae; 11. Somoleptus alajuelae; 12. S. curtioculatus. a. Aedeagus; b. Paramere; c. Sternite VII; d. Tergite VII. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (a, c, d); 0.1 mm (b).