Microdytes cameroni Miller & Wewalka

Miller, Kelly B. & Wewalka, Günther, 2010, Microdytes Balfour-Browne of India with description of three new species (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae), Zootaxa 2420, pp. 26-36 : 29-31

Microdytes cameroni Miller & Wewalka , new species

Type locality. India, Karnataka, Coorg.

Material examined. Holotype ♂ ( NHMW) “ INDIA, Karnataka, Coorg, Kakkabe env., 12°15’N 75°35’E, 900–1200 m, 23.–25.xii.1998, leg. D. Boukal (loc. 17) \ HOLOTYPE: Microdytes cameroni Miller & Wewalka 2009 [red printed label].” Paratypes, 28 ex. with same locality data as holotype ( CGWW, MSBC, NHMW, USNM); 8 ex., INDIA, Karnataka, Coorg, Madikeri env., Talakaveri, 12°23’N 75°30’E, 1300 m, 19.xii.1998, leg. D. Boukal (loc. 4) ( CGWW, NHMW). All paratypes are provided with red printed paratype labels.

Diagnosis. Microdytes cameroni resembles M. boukali and M. whitingi in the very fine to almost absent punctation on dorsal and ventral surfaces. From M. whitingi it differs by being less oblong-oval and more convex, being smaller in overall size, and having darker elytral markings. From M. boukali it can be distinguished by smaller size and the lighter coloration of the head and pronotum.

Description. Measurements. TL = 1.19–1.30 mm, GW = 0.75–0.85 mm, TL/GW = 1.51–1.61. Body moderately convex; lateral outline continuous between pronotum and elytron; lateral margin of elytron moderately curved ( Fig. 2 ).

Coloration. Head red-brown to dark brown, lighter on clypeus. Pronotum red-brown to dark-brown, yellow-brown along lateral margins. Elytron red-brown to dark brown with yellow, diffuse maculae anteriorly and posteriorly with small medial macula near suture ( Fig. 2 ). Ventral surfaces of head and prothorax yellowish; thorax, abdominal ventrites and elytral epipleuron red-brown to dark-brown; legs, antennae and palpi yellowish-brown.

Sculpture and structure. Head with very fine, inconspicuous, irregular punctation; other microsculpture indistinct; clypeus slightly truncate, without distinct subapical depression or marginal bead; eyes medium in size. Pronotum with very fine, inconspicuous, irregular punctation or with punctation almost absent; other microsculpture absent; with posterior angles not produced posteriorly; lateral bead fine and of even width throughout. Elytron with fine, irregular punctation, without distinct series of punctures, other microsculpture absent. Metaventrite, metacoxae and abdominal ventrites with very fine, irregular punctation or with punctation nearly absent; ventral side without other microsculpture.

Male genitalia. Median lobe in ventral aspect ( Fig. 6 a), in lateral aspect ( Fig. 6 b). Lateral lobes in ventral aspect fused apically ( Figs 10 a), lateral aspect ( Fig. 10 b).

Variation. This species varies somewhat in the extent of the elytral maculae and the depth of brown coloration.

Etymology. This species is named in honor of esteemed colleague, S.L. Cameron, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Habitat. This species was collected in very small and very shallow streams with silt bottomed pools with rich leaf deposits, rather shaded.

Distribution. India: Karnataka ( Fig. 13 ).

Figures

FIGURE 13. Distribution of Microdytes in India.

FIGURES 1 – 4. Dorsal habitus and variations of color patterns of Microdytes species: 1) M. svensoni; 2) M. cameroni; 3) M. whitingi; 4) M. sabitae.

FIGURES 5 – 8. Median lobe of aedeagus: a) dorsal aspect, b) right lateral aspect: 5) M. svensoni; 6) M. cameroni; 7) M. whitingi; 8) M. sabitae.

FIGURES 9 – 12. Lateral lobes of aedeagus: a) dorsal aspect, b) lateral aspect: 9) M. svensoni; 10) M. cameroni; 11) M. whitingi; 12) M. sabitae.