Mecodema tenaki, Seldon, David S. & Leschen, Richard A. B., 2011

Seldon, David S. & Leschen, Richard A. B., 2011, Revision of the Mecodema curvidens species group (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Broscini), Zootaxa 2829, pp. 1-45 : 40

Mecodema tenaki , sp. n.

Figures: 5, 10d, 18d, 20b, 25a.

Diagnosis. Head and body broad. Clypeus with 2 setose punctures on each side, anterior with single seta, posterior with 2 setae. Prothoracic carina broad, heavily crenulated, and extended to anterior angle, pronotum fovea deep and narrow. Elytral striae with regularly distributed, small asetose punctures. Setose punctures absent on 3rd ventrite, present on 4th and 5th ventrites. Apical portion of aedeagus symmetrically rounded with a moderate twist to right of vertical. Dorso-apical portion of central spicule, not greatly expanded. Basal lobe of left paramere rectangular, arm and apical lobe relatively small, and with setation along apical ½ of ventral edge.

Description. Length 25–27 mm. Colour black. Head broad and flattened. Microsculpture of frons and vertex absent. Vertexal groove narrow, defined entire length with V-shape at midpoint. Form of microsculpture on anterior area of clypeus, poorly defined. Clypeus with 2 setose punctures on each side, anterior with single seta, posterior with 2 setae. Form of lobes of the mentum, square. Submentum constriction broad, with greater than 6 setae. Prothoracic carina broad, heavily crenulated and extended to anterior angle. Pronotum broad and flattened, posterior lateral sinuation angled slightly inward, pronotal fovea deep and narrow. Elytra broad and flattened, striae with small regularly distributed asetose punctures, intervals slightly convex. One setose puncture present on mesocoxa and metacoxa. Setose punctures absent on 3rd ventrite, present on 4th and 5th ventrites. Apical portion of aedeagus symmetrically rounded with a moderate twist to right of vertical axis. Dorso-apical portion of central spicule, not greatly expanded. Left paramere basal lobe rectangular, arm and apical lobe relatively small, and with setation along apical ½ of ventral edge.

Comments. The presence of the ‘V-shape’ at the midpoint of the vertexal groove and the shape of the pronotum indicates that M. tenaki is closely related to M. regulus (Three Kings Islands). However, the presence of setose punctures on the 4th and 5th ventrites, crenulation of the prothoracic carina and pronotal posterior sinuation, and the anterior extention beyond the anterior angle show M. tenaki also shares similarities with M. manaia (Whangarei area). Presently, no specimens of either species have been collected from any of the eastern coastal native forests between the two localities, Cape Reinga and Whangarei area.

Distribution. New Zealand, Northland (ND), restricted to the Cape Reinga / North Cape area.

Holotype: Male labelled ( NZAC) NEW ZEALAND ND Cape Reinga Te Paki RBB-7 13 Nov 2006 O. Ball / HOLOTYPE Mecodema tenaki n. sp. design. by Seldon & Leschen 2010 [red label].

Paratype material examined: ND: 1 (card mounted) Unuwhau Spirits Bay 11/1957 R.A.C. / Mecodema of REGULUS pronotal margin less defined near hind angles 2 setiferous punctures on penultimate ventrite / J.I. Townsend Collection / PARATYPE Mecodema tenaki design. by Seldon & Leschen 2010 ( NZAC); 1, Rd to Tom Bowling Bay / Spirits Bay 17-1-1956 A.K. Walker / Mecodema of Regulus / pronotal margin less defined near hind angles 2 setiferous punctures on penultimate ventrite. / J.I. Townsend Collection / PARATYPE Mecodema tenaki design. by Seldon & Leschen 2010 ( NZAC); 1, NEW ZEALAND ND Cape Reinga Te Paki Aug 2007 pit trap O. Ball / PARATYPE Mecodema tenaki design. by Seldon & Leschen 2010 ( NZAC); 1, NEW ZEALAND ND Unuwhau 1986 / PARATYPE Mecodema tenaki design. by Seldon & Leschen 2010 ( NZAC); 1, In leaf litter / Forest remnant Whareana North Cape 6.XII.1967 K.A.J. Wise / AMNZ 27690 Auckland Museum New Zealand; 1, Forest remnant Whareana North Cape 6.XII.1967 K.A.J. Wise / AMNZ 27689 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARA- TYPE Mecodema tenaki design. by Seldon & Leschen 2010.

Etymology. This species tenaki is named in honour of the first Māori tribe (Te Naki) to settle in the North Cape area. The name was provided by Saana Murray of Ngati Kuri.