Mecyclothorax hoeahiti, Liebherr, James K., 2013

Liebherr, James K., 2013, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Tahiti, Society Islands, ZooKeys 322, pp. 1-170 : 62-63

52. Mecyclothorax hoeahiti sp. n.

Diagnosis.

This species can be diagnosed from Mecyclothorax marginatus by the narrower, more elongate pronotum - MPW/PL = 1.13-1.22 (n = 5) (Figs 29B, C) - and the more uniform coloration; rufobrunneous head and pronotum, and dark rufobrunneous elytra. On the elytra, only the moderately explanate elytral lateral marginal depressions are flavous. The male aedeagal median lobe is also diagnostic, with the apex broadly rounded as in males of Mecyclothorax marginatus , but not downturned (Figs 30A, B). Setal formula 2201; standardized body length 3.7-4.3 mm. Head with broadly convex frons, the frontal grooves posteriorly only a shallow, sinuous depression mesad fine carina inside eye, anteriorly a broad shallow triangular depression at frontoclypeal suture; eyes convex, ocular ratio 1.47-1.61, on ocular lobes that are distinctly protruded behind, ocular lobe ratio 0.84-0.87 (n = 5); antennae filiform, antennal segment 8 length 2.25 × maximal breadth. Pronotum cordate, MPW/BPW = 1.50-1.60; lateral margins distinctly sinuate anterad distinct right to slightly obtuse hind angles, the lateral margins subparallel to convergent for short distance anterad angles; median base with 9-10 distinct, isolated punctures each side; median longitudinal impression moderately deep, crossed by 7-8 indistinct longitudinal wrinkles in median half of each side; lateral marginal depression narrowly upturned, the upturned area translucent, twice as broad and upraised basally laterad laterobasal depression; laterobasal depression a quadrate flat expanse inside hind angle. Elytra narrowly obovate, convex, sides sloped to nearly perpendicular with narrowly upturned lateral marginal depression; humeri proximate, angulate, a distinct hitch at the juncture of the basal groove and lateral marginal depression, MEW/HuW = 2.23-2.54; discal elytral striae shallow, with shallow punctures that expand the strial breadth but not depth, discal intervals only slightly convex; eighth interval broadly convex laterad stria 7 apicad subapical sinuation, not raised much above stria 7; lateral elytral setae 7 + 6. Microsculpture of head a distinct transverse mesh composed of isodiametric and transverse sculpticells; pronotal disc with evident transverse mesh, sculpticell breadth 2 –3× length; discal elytral intervals covered with a distinct transverse mesh, sculpticells 2 –3× length, mixed with areas of transverse lines. Coloration of head and pronotal disc rufobrunneous, pronotal margins narrowly rufoflavous; elytra rufobrunneous, the sutural interval rufous basally and rufoflavous apically, and the apex gradually more flavous apicad the subapical sinuation.

Male genitalia. Aedeagal median lobe bowed dorsally with straight ventral margin apicad parameral articulations (Fig. 30B), as in males of Mecyclothorax marginatus (Fig. 30A), but apex not downturned.

Female reproductive tract. Bursa copulatrix narrowly extended from broader vagina, the bursal extension twice as long as broad (Fig. 14D); basal gonocoxite 1 broad, squat, with apical fringe of four setae, three more laterally and a shorter one more medially (Fig. 8F), and 5-6 short setae in apical portion of median margin; apical gonocoxite 2 broadly extended laterally, with arcuate lateral margin and narrow, finely rounded apex; apical gonocoxite with two narrow lateral ensiform setae and one narrow dorsal ensiform seta; apical sensory furrow with two nematiform setae and two furrow pegs.

Holotype male (MNHN) labeled: French Polynesia: Tahiti Nui / Pito Hito el. 2000 m 2-VI- / 2006 lot 02 pyrethrin fog / 17°36.790'S, 149°27.842'W / E.M. Claridge // HOLOTYPE / Mecyclothorax / hoeahiti / J.K. Liebherr 2013 (black-bordered red label).

Allotype female (MNHN) labeled as holotype.

Paratypes: labeled as holotype (EMEC, 1); Tahiti Nui, Pito Hiti, 2070 m el., 17°36.813'S, 149°27.842'W, 2-vi-2006 lot 01, Claridge, pyrethrin fog (EMEC, 1), 2080 m el., 17°36.806'S, 149°27.842'W, 2-vi-2006 lot 03, Claridge, pyrethrin fog (CUIC, 2; EMEC, 1).

Etymology.

The species epithet compounds the Tahitian word for same, hō’ēā with the word for edge, hiti, signifying the similar coloration of pronotal and elytral margins in beetles of this species; Mecyclothorax hoeahiti .

Distribution and habitat.

This species is known from pyrethrin fogging of moss-covered vegetation from 2000-2080 m elevation on Pito Hiti.