Histeromorphus plicatus Kraatz, 1865

Purchart, Luboš, 2014, Revision of the genus Histeromorphus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from the Socotra Archipelago with descriptions of three new species *, Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 54, pp. 211-230 : 222-225

Histeromorphus plicatus Kraatz, 1865

( Figs 5 , 11, 17, 23, 25–27 , 44–47, 58, 59)

Histeromorphus plicatus Kraatz, 1865: 12 (original description); GAHAN (1903): 273 (description of variability); LESNE (1915): 228 (key to species); GRIDELLI (1931): 221 (figure); GEBIEN (1937): 547 (catalogue); KOCH (1970): 91 (description of variability); SCHAWALLER (2004): 441 (new records); LÖBL et al. (2008): 148 (catalogue).

Histeromorphus socotranus Lesne, 1915: 228 (original description); GEBIEN (1937): 547 (catalogue); KOCH (1970): 91 (synonymisation with H. plicatus ); LÖBL et al. (2008): 148 (as synonym).

Type locality. KRAATZ (1865), based on the locality label of the type specimen (see label records below), erroneously stated ‘Abyssinia’ as the type locality for H. plicatus . KOCH (1970), due to the fact that only specimens from Socotra Island were known, restricted occurrence of this species to the Island of Socotra.

Type material. Histeromorphus plicatus : LECTOTYPE (here designated): J ( SDEI): Abyssin., Deyrolle [white, handwritten] // Syntypus [red, printed] // Histeromorphus mihi B.E.Z.bh plicatus mihi, Abyssinia, Deyrolle [white, handwritten] // plicatus, Buq. [white, handwritten] // DEI Müncheberg,Col – 04293 [green, printed] // LECTOTYPE, Histeromorphus plicatus Kraatz, 1865 , desig. L. Purchart 2014 [red, printed].

Histeromorphus socotranus : SYNTYPE: 1 unsexed spec.( MNHN): Hadibu Plain, Socotra, 10-15. Dec. 98, W.R.O. Grant, 99-85. [white, printed] // Histeromorphus plicatus Kraatz [white, printed] // MUSEUM PARIS, Collection Léon Fairmaire, 1906 [blue, printed] // TYPE [white, red letters, printed] // Histeromorphus socotranus Lesne , Type, P. Lesne vid. [white, handwritten].

Additional material examined (436 spec.). YEMEN: SOCOTRA ISLAND: Shibhon, N 12°28ʹ1.5ʺ, E 53°58ʹ31.4ʺ, 680 m, 13.vi.2009, 2 spec., L. Purchart leg. ( LPCB); Noged plain, Deiqyub Cave, N12°23ʹ03ʺ E054°00ʹ56ʺ, 16.vi.2009, 3 spec., L. Purchart leg. ( LPCB); Firmihin, N 12°28ʹ27.9ʺ, E 54°0ʹ54.2ʺ, 400–500 m, 22.–25.vi.2009, 1 spec., L. Purchart leg. ( LPCB); Dixam plateau, Firmihin (Dracaena forest), 12°28ʹ36ʺN, 54°01ʹ06ʺE, 490 m, 15.–16.xi.2010, 1 spec., J. Hájek leg. ( NMPC); Dixam plateau, Firmihin area, N 12°47ʹ40ʺ, E 53°01ʹ53ʺ, 428 m, 3.xii.2003, 7 spec., J. Farkač leg. ( CULS); Firmihin, ii.1999, 1 spec., W. Wranik leg. ( SMNS); Diksam plateau, N 12°31ʹ1.4ʺ, E 53°56ʹ28.4ʺ, 980–990 m, 16.vi.2009, 2 spec., L. Purchart lgt. ( LPCB); Diksam plateau, Sirhin area, N12°31ʹ08ʺ E53°59ʹ09ʺ, 812 m, 1.–2.xii.2003, 1 spec., J. Farkač leg. ( CULS); Diksam, N12°28ʹ50.64ʺ, E053°59ʹ14.73ʺ, 29. xii. 2007, 1 spec., F. Pella leg. ( MCSC); Wadi Mathif, N 12°27ʹ2.2ʺ, E 54°18ʹ5.8ʺ, 20–30m, 20.vi.2009, 2 spec., L. Purchart leg. ( LPCB); Kesa env., N 12°39ʹ37ʺ, E 53°26ʹ42ʺ, 220–300 m, 28.–29.i.2010, 2 JJ + 1 spec., L. Purchart leg. ( LPCB); N 12°31ʹ53ʺ, E 54°10ʹ42ʺ, 300 m, 4.ii.2010, 1 spec., L. Purchart & J. Vybíral leg. ( LPCB); Di Hamri, N 12°37ʹ59ʺ, E 54°15ʹ40ʺ, 20 m, 27.i.2010, 5 spec., L. Purchart leg. ( LPCB); Aloove area, Hassan vill. env., N 12°31ʹ12ʺ, E 54°07ʹ24ʺ, 221 m, 9.–10.xi.2010, 1 J + 2 spec., P. Hlaváč leg. ( LPCB); same label data, 5 spec., J. Hájek leg ( NMPC); Dgisfu valley, N 12°28ʹ26.64ʺ, E 54°08ʹ35.76ʺ, 2.vi.2010, 1 spec., V. Hula & J. Niedobová leg. ( LPCB); Homhil protected area, N 12°34ʹ25ʺ, E 54°18ʹ53ʺ, 400–510 m, 9.–10.ii.2010, 3 JJ, L. Purchart & J. Vybíral leg. ( LPCB); N 12°29ʹ41ʺ, E 54°09ʹ30ʺ, 410 m, 3.ii.2010, 4 JJ, L. Purchart & J. Vybíral leg. ( LPCB); Homhil protected area, N12°34ʹ27ʺ E54°18ʹ32ʺ, 364 m, 28.–29.xi.2003, 12 spec., D. Král leg. ( NMPC); same label data, 7 spec., P. Kabátek leg. ( NMPC); same label data, 22 spec., J. Farkač leg. ( CULS); Hügel u. Wiese E der Ebene von Homhil, N12°34ʹ E54°19ʹ, 540 m, 9.ii.1999, 1 spec., H. Pohl leg. ( SMNS); oberer Teil Wadi Zeewef, Ebene Homhil und westlicher Gebirgszug, Kalk mit Dracena -Bestand, N12°35ʹ E54°18ʹ, 320–640 m 7.–8.ii.1999, 1. spec., H. Pohl leg. ( SMNS); Qualentiah env., slopes 5 km SE from Quaysoh, N 12°36ʹ41.46ʺ, E 53°26ʹ39.48ʺ, 4.–5.vi.2010, 4 spec. V. Hula & J. Niedobová leg. ( LPCB); Khayrha Mts., N slopes, Qalansiyah env., N 12°38ʹ50ʺ E 53°27ʹ45ʺ, 85–592 m, 9.–10.xii.2003, 4 spec., P. Kabátek leg. ( NMPC); same label data, 17 spec., D. Král leg. ( NMPC); same label data, 2 spec., J. Farkač leg. ( CULS); Qalansia, N12°41ʹ43.82ʺ, E053°31ʹ00.18ʺ, 8. xi. 2007, 4 spec., F. Pella leg. ( MCSC); same label data, N12°41ʹ43.00ʺ, E 53°31ʹ00.11ʺ, 9 spec. ( MCSC); same label data, N12°41ʹ46.66ʺ, E 53°30ʹ58.82ʺ, 10 spec. ( MCSC); Hadiboh vill. env., N 12°35ʹ10ʺ, E 54°21ʹ31ʺ, 2.vi.2012, 3 spec., V. Hula & J. Niedobová leg. ( LPCB); Hadiboh env., N12°65ʹ02ʺ E54°02ʹ04ʺ, ca 10–100 m, 21.xi.–12.xii.2003, 4 spec., D. Král leg. ( NMPC); same label data, 2 spec., J. Farkač leg. ( CULS); Hoq cave, 12°35ʹ10 ʺN 54°21ʹ31 ʺE, 340 m, 7.vi.2012, 2 spec., V. Hula & J. Niedobová leg. ( LPCB); Al Haghier Mts., wadi Madar, N 12°33ʹ12ʺ, E 54°00ʹ24ʺ, 1180–1230 m, 13.–14.xi.2010, 1 spec., P. Hlaváč leg. ( LPCB); wadi Deneghen, N12°36ʹ55ʺ E54°03ʹ49ʺ, 85 m, 27.xi.2003, 51 spec., D. Král leg. ( NMPC); same label data, 7 spec., P. Kabátek leg. ( NMPC); same label data, 3 JJ, J. Farkač leg. ( CULS); Qalansiyah env., Ditwah (lagoon), N 12°41ʹ42ʺ E 53°30ʹ08ʺ, 23 m, 9.xii.2003, 6 spec., D. Král leg. ( NMPC); Dixam plateau, wadi Esgego, N 12°28ʹ09ʺ, E54°00ʹ36ʺ, 300 m, 2.–3.xii.2003, 1 spec., D. Král leg. ( NMPC); same label data, 5 spec., J. Farkač leg. ( CULS); Lahas (pass), N 12°13ʹ46ʺ, E 54°05ʹ26ʺ, 69 m, 28.xi.2003, 1 spec., D. Král lgt. ( NMPC); Baʼa vill. env., N 12°32ʹ19ʺ, E 54°10ʹ41ʺ, 234 m, 5.xii.2003, 3 spec. D. Král lgt. ( NMPC); same label data, 7 spec., J. Farkač leg. ( CULS); Sheq vill. env, Croton socotranus + Jatropha unicostata shrubland, N 12°39ʹ42ʺ, E 54°03ʹ48ʺ, 15 m, 8.vi.2012, 2 spec., J. Hájek leg. ( NMPC); Gubbah vill. env, N 12°36ʹ35ʺ E 53°46ʹ56ʺ, 7 m, 23.xi.2003, 1 spec., P. Kabátek leg. ( NMPC); same label data, 1 spec., D. Král leg. ( NMPC); same label data, 5 spec., J. Farkač leg. ( CULS); wadi Ayhaft, N 12°36ʹ38ʺ E 53°58ʹ49ʺ, 190 m, 24.–26. xi.2003, 2 spec., D. Král leg. ( NMPC); same label data, 1 spec., J. Farkač leg. ( CULS); wadi Ayhaft, N 12°36ʹ38ʺ E 53°58ʹ49ʺ, 27.x.2007, 1 ♀, F. Pella leg. ( MCSC); Al Haghier mts., W slopes, Skant area, N 12°35ʹ52ʺ E 54°00ʹ01ʺ, 1240 m, 2.xii.2003, 2 JJ + 9 spec., D. Král leg. ( NMPC); Dixam plateau, wadi Zeeriq, N 12°31ʹ08ʺ E 53°59ʹ09ʺ, 750m, 3.xii.2003, 13 spec., D. Král leg. ( NMPC); Qaariah vill. env., N 12°38ʹ05ʺ, E5 4 °12ʹ39ʺ, 11 m, 28.xi.2003, 27 spec., J. Farkač leg. ( CULS); Noged plain, Qaareh (waterfall), N 12°20ʹ10ʺ, E 53°37ʹ56ʺ, 57 m, 5.–6.xii.2003, 1 J 1 ♀ + 5 spec., J. Farkač leg. ( CULS, 1 J 1 ♀ in LPCB); Suq, E env., sand dune, N 12°40ʹ02ʺ, E 54°03ʹ45ʺ, 20–170 m, 22.xi.2003, 1 spec., J. Farkač leg. ( CULS); wadi Egiya, N 12°38ʹ32.80ʺ, E 53°37ʹ37.11ʺ, 8.xi.2007, 10 spec., F. Pella leg. ( MCSC); same label data, N 12°38ʹ31.68ʺ, E 53°37ʹ38.49ʺ, 5.xi.2007, 41 spec. ( MCSC); without precise locality, 15.xi.1993, 1J 1♀ + 5 spec., C. Jean-Guy leg. ( MNHN); without precise locality, ii.1992, 2 ♀♀ + 31 spec. ( MNHN); without precise locality, i.1994, 1♀ + 7 spec. ( MNHN); without precise locality, xi.1997, 1 J 1 ♀ + 11 spec. ( MNHN); without precise locality, 1993–1994, 9 spec. ( MNHN); without precise locality, 6.–24. ix.1999, 2 JJ + 1 spec., V.Bejček & K.Šťastný leg. ( SMNS); without precise locality, xii.1982, 2 spec., W. Wranik leg.( SMNS); without precise locality, Küstenstrasse,Taleinschnitt mit Bach, Ficus -Aue, Adenium und Croton, Kalk / Granitkontaktzone, N12°38ʹ E54°09ʹ, 4.ii.1999, 1 spec., H. Pohl leg. ( SMNS).

Redescription. Body length 7.6–13.1 mm (lectotype: 9.6 mm), body width 5.0–9.4 mm (lectotype: 6.7 mm). Black, dull, glabrous. Body broad, oval ( Fig. 5 ).

Head smooth, sparsely and finely punctate ( Fig. 11 ). Anterior margin of clypeus strongly sinuate and therefore bidentate. Clypeus sparsely and finely punctate, frontoclypeal suture slightly indicated laterally, sometimes not visible.

Pronotum smooth, glabrous. Sides of pronotum, strongly narrowing in anterior third and rounded; in posterior half straight, subparallel or slightly narrowing towards pronotal base. Anterior corners acute. Posterior corners obtuse-angled.

Elytra broad, with broadly rounded sides. Elytral surface glabrous, usually smooth but with surface modification – e.g. irregularly plicate or with slightly indicated transverse lines laterally ( Figs 25–27 ). Pseudopleura separated from elytra by incomplete pseudopleural margin which is obliterated between anterior half and apex of elytra ( Fig. 23 ); sometimes pseudopleural margin complete but in this case it is only slightly indicated. In both forms pseudopleural margin runs from humeral angles obliquely downwards towards apex of elytra below rounded elytral edge (when viewed from behind).

Ventral part. Prosternum glabrous, smooth, impunctate. Prosternal apophysis as broad as procoxae, widened apically. Mesoventrite glabrous, smooth, approx. as long (in ventral view) as coxae. Metaventrite glabrous, smooth, as long (in ventral view) as coxae. Abdominal ventrites glabrous, smooth.

Legs. Profemur distinctly claviform ( Fig. 17 ), dorsal side sparsely covered with short erected yellowish setae. Ventral side of profemur sometimes with short shallow impression running from apical part of protibia along its anterior margin; this impression never continues behind middle part of protibia.

Male genitalia. Aedeagus simple (Figs 44–47). Apical piece of tegmen subparallel, rapidly narrowing at apex, with long opening on ventral side; base of apical piece straight, with distinct teeth. Basal piece widened towards base. Median lobe almost straight in basal 2/3 and moderately curved up (in lateral view) in apical third.

Female genitalia. See Figs 58, 59.

Differential diagnosis. Histeromorphus plicatus differs from H. plicatipennis , H. convexicostatus sp. nov. and H. undatus mainly in the smooth, irregularly plicate elytral surface that can also have slightly indicated short transverse lines laterally (longitudinally regularly plicate interstriae with four zigzag striae in H. plicatipennis , straight strongly convex interstriae in H. convexicostatus sp. nov. and long transverse wavy lines in H. undatus ). From H. carinatus sp. nov. and H. nogedensis sp. nov. it can be distinguished by the different shape of profemur which is not distinctly keeled on its anterior margin on ventral part and which does not possess a row of long yellow erected setae along the entire posterior dorsal margin. If some setae are present, then they are short and not distributed along the entire length of posterior margin. It also differs from the two mentioned species in the shape of median lobe, which is only slightly curved upwards (strongly curved in H. carinatus sp. nov. and H. nogedensis sp. nov.).

Remarks. LESNE (1915) described H. socotranus based on the complete pseudopleural margin and also on the presence of the short transverse slightly indicated lines on the elytra situated along elytral sides. These two characters, however, are somewhat variable in H. plicatus and therefore synonymy of H. socotranus is justified.

Specimens from high altitudes (Hagher Mts.) are usually considerably smaller than specimens from lower altitudes.

According to SCHAWALLER (2004), there are no differences in structure of the aedeagus between H. plicatus populations from Socotra, Darsa and Samha Islands, and the population of H. undatus Gahan, 1900 from Abd el Kuri. I had the opportunity to dissect males of H. undatus and found distinct differences in the structure of tegmen and lobe. In addition, specimens previously identified as H. plicatus from Samha Island also showed distinct differences in the structure of aedeagus, and they are now identified as H. nogedensis sp. nov.

Distribution. Widely distributed on Socotra Island.

Figures

Figs 1–6. Habitus of Histeromorphus in dorsal view. 1 – H. carinatus sp. nov., holotype; 2 – H. convexicostatus sp. nov., holotype; 3 – H. nogedensis sp. nov., holotype; 4 – H. plicatipennis Waterhouse, 1881; 5 – H. plicatus Kraatz, 1865; 6 – H. undatus Gahan, 1900. Scale bar = 5 mm.

Figs 7–27. 7–12 – head in dorsal view. 13–18 – profemur in ventral view; white arrows indicate keeled anterior margin. 19–24 – pseudopleural margin in lateral view; ee – edge of elytra; pem – pseudopleural margin. 25–27 – elytral surface variability. 7, 13, 19 – Histeromorphus carinatus sp. nov., holotype; 8, 14, 20 – H. convexicostatus sp. nov., holotype; 9, 15, 21 – H. nogedensis sp. nov., holotype; 10, 16, 22 – H. plicatipennis Waterhouse, 1881; 11, 17, 23, 25–27 – H. plicatus Kraatz, 1865; 12, 18, 24 – H. undatus Gahan, 1900.