Blaiseus chiapasensis Douglas

Douglas, Hume, 2009, Revision of Blaiseus Fleutiaux, a Genus Now Known from Asia, Africa and North America (Coleoptera, Elateridae, Cardiophorinae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 63 (1), pp. 86-100 : 92-93

Blaiseus chiapasensis Douglas , new species

( Figs. 9 , 18 )

Material examined. Three males.

Etymology. The name of this and of all new species in this article refers to the type locality of the species.

Type material. Holotype: Male labeled: ‘‘Ocozocoautla, Chis./ MEX.2.VIII.69/ L.A. Kelton’ ’; [red] ‘‘ HOLOTYPE / Blaiseus / chiapasensis/ Douglas 2006,’’ with genitalia in microvial attached to pin ( CNCI) . Paratypes: 2 males labeled: ‘‘ MEXICO: Chiapas,/ 12 mi. n. Ocozocoautla / July 8, 1971 / Clark, Murray,/ Hart, Schaffner’’ and ‘‘ MEXICO: Chiapas / 11 mi. n. Ocozocoautla/ July 19, 1973 / Mastro & Schaffner,’’ both with the following paratype designation labels [yellow] ‘‘ PARATYPE / Blaiseus / chiapasensis/ Douglas 2007’’ ( TAMU) .

Type locality: Mexico, Chiapas, Ocozocoautla , approximately (16.92 ° N, 93.37 ° W) .

Diagnosis. Pterothorax: Elytra with apex upturned (including suture). Legs: Protibiae without posterior tooth at midlength (Fig. 6). Aedeagus: Median lobe broadest at junction with parameres ( Fig. 18 ).

Description. Male: Length 7.0–8.0 mm. Integument without lighter coloured patches on elytra ( Fig. 9 ). Head: Antennae reaching metacoxae; labrum concave in lateral view; nasale with circular pits antero-mesad of antennal fossae.

Prothorax: Hypomeron with hind edge sinuate immediately meso-ventrad of hind angles. Prosternum with ventral surface of prosternal process surface not carinate laterally. Pterothorax: Scutellum with posterior apex rounded. Elytra with apex upturned (including suture), posterior surface flattened ( Fig. 16 ); interval 5 costate; epipleurae with globular serrations posteriorly. Legs: Protibiae without teeth at midlength or apex (Fig. 6), (fossorial); tarsomere 4 with small ventral lobe. Male genitalia: Aedeagus with median lobe broadest near base, weakly concave at apex; parameres with free part of dorsal (setose) apices 1/4 length of ventral apices ( Fig. 18 ), ventral apices curved laterad; inner apices present but unsclerotized. Female: Unknown.

Comments. Males of this species most resemble B. guatemalensis new species. They differ from that species in that the median lobe of the aedeagus is broadest at the base and not the apex and in the length of the ventral lobes of the parameres, which are longer and curved laterad.

Known from only the type locality and a site about 1 km to the south, elevation 750–1,000 m. This is the only Blaiseus species known from southern Mexico .

Figures

Figs. 8–16. Dorsal habitus of Blaiseus spp. 8) B. bedeli Fleutiaux; 9) B. chiapasensis new species; 10) B. daklakensis new species; 11) B. daklakensis new species, side view; 12) B. malayensis new species; 13) B. mexicanus new species; 14) B. nothoafricanus new species; 15) B. zamoranoensis new species female; 16) B. zamoranoensis new species female, side view. Scale bar 5 1.0 mm. All photos are dorsal view of male specimens unless specified otherwise.

Figs. 17–26. Dorsal view of aedeagi of Blaiseus spp. 17) B. bedeli Fleutiaux; 18) B. chiapasensis new species; 19) B. daklakensis new species; 20) B. fujianus new species; 21) B. guatemalensis new species; 22) B. laoensis new species; 23) B. malayensis new species; 24) B. mexicanus new species; 25) B. nothoafricanus new species; 26) B. zamoranoensis new species. d 5 dorsal apex of parameres; i 5 inner apex; v 5 ventral apex. Scale bar 5 1.0 mm.