Quedius (Raphirus) muscicola Cameron , 1932

Smetana, Aleš, 2012, Contributions to the knowledge of the Quediina (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Staphylinini) of China. Part 42. Genus Quedius Stephens, 1829. Subgenus Raphirus Stephens, 1829. Section 10, Zootaxa 3156, pp. 43-68 : 44-47

Quedius (Raphirus) muscicola Cameron, 1932

( Figs 1–9 )

muscicola Cameron 1932: 295 . ( Quedius ; subgenus Raphirus ). Scheerpeltz 1933: 1450 ( Quedius ); Scheerpeltz 1965: 112 ( Quedius ; subg. Raphirus ); Smetana 1988: 253 ( Quedius ; subg. Raphirus , lectotype designation); Smetana 1992: 5 ( Quedius ; subg. Raphirus ); Smetana 1997b: 131 ( Quedius ; subg. Raphirus ).

dohertyi Cameron 1932: 297 ( Quedius ; subg. Raphirus ;

type locality: Myanmar: Birmah Ruby Mines) .

Scheerpeltz 1933: 1450 ( Quedius ); Smetana 1988: 253 ( Quedius ; subgenus Raphirus ; synonym of muscicola ); Smetana 1997b:131 ( Quedius ; subgenus Raphirus ; synonym of muscicola ).

heterogaster Cameron 1944: 14 ( Quedius ; subgenus Raphirus ;

type locality: India: Chakrata Dist. Kanasar 7050)

Smetana 1988: 253 ( Quedius ; subg. Raphirus ; lectotype designation; synonym of muscicola ); Smetana 1997b: 131 ( Quedius ; subgenus Raphirus ; synonym of muscicola ).

Type locality of Q. muscicola . India: Ghum distr.

Type material. Type material of Q. muscicola , Q. dohertyi , and Q. heterogaster was studied by Smetana, 1988: 253–254, who designated lectotypes for Q. muscicola and Q. heterogaster . Quedius dohertyi was described from one male (holotype).

Material studied: China: Guizhou: Leishan Co. SE Kaili, NE Leishan, Leigong Shan E-slope 26°22.56ʹN 108°13.40ʹE/ ca. 300m S of pass, ca. 1700m, 14./ 16. 6. 2001, leg. Schillhammer (5), [4] ( ASC, NMW) . Hubei: W-Hubei (Daba Shan) pass E of Mt. Da Shennongjia, 12km NW Muyuping, 31°30ʹN 110°21ʹE, 22.VII.2001 leg. M. Schülke, 1950–2050m [1] ( MSC) . Shaanxi: border Shaanxi-Sichuan Daba Shan pass 20 km SSE Zhenping/ 1700– 1800 m 31°44ʹN 109°35ʹE, 9.VII.2001 A. Smetana [C96a and b], [14] ( ASC) ; same, but 12.VII.2001, A. Smetana [C101], [10] ( ASC) ; same, but 9.–12.VII.2001, Wrase [07], [8] ( MSC) ; same, but 12.VII.2001, leg. M. Schülke [C01-07C], [2] ( MSC) . Sichuan: Sichuan (17) Qingcheng-Shan NW Chengdu, 650–700 m 30° 53.57N 103° 32.23E, 3-4.06.1997, M. Schülke [2] ( MSC) ; same, but 3054ʹN 10333ʹE 18.V.1997, Wrase [2] ( MSC) ; same, but 800–1000 m, 8 km W Tarping, 18.V. / 3–4.VI.1997, leg. A. Pütz [2] (APC, ASC) ; SE Sichuan Jinfo Shan 29°01ʹN 107°14ʹE, 1750 m 27.VI. 1998, A. Smetana [C71], [3] ( ASC) ; CHINA, pr. Sichuan EMEI Mt. 1000 m, 4.– 20.5.1989, Vít Kubáň leg. [1] ( NMB) ; Ya’an Prefecture, Fulin Co., Daxiang Ling, Rd. Zw. Hanyuanjie u. Siping, 51 km NNE Shimian, 2300 m, 29°39ʹN 102°37ʹE, 10.VII.1999, leg. M. Schülke [1] ( MSC) ; Ya’an Pref., Shimian Co., Daxue Shan, Road betw. Anshunchang-Wanba, 20 km WSW Shimian, 1500 m, 9.VII. 1999, leg. A. Pütz [1] (APC) ; Ya’an Pref., Tianquan Co., Jiajin Shan, valley above Labahe / N. R. Station 57 km W Ya’an, 1800 m, 30.06.63 N 102.25.18E, 12.VII.1999, leg. A. Pütz [1] (APC) ; Ya’an Pref., Shimian Co. Xiaoxiang Ling, Rd. Shimian-Ganluo, 20 km SE Shimian, 1850 m, 29.05N 102.29E, 8.VII. 1999, leg. A. Pütz [1] (APC) ; Daxue Shan Gongga Shan Mt., Hailuogou glacier park, river valley ca. 1 km above Camp 1, 2100 m, 102.04E 29.36N, 28/ 31.V. 1997, leg. A. Pütz [1] (APC) ; W-Sichuan (15) Daxue Shan, Hailuogou Glacier Park, Camp 2, 2550– 2700 m, 29.35.16N 102.01.53E, 30./ 31.05.1997, M. Schülke [1] ( MSC) . Yunnan: Pu’er Pref., Ailao Shan, 35 km NW Jingdong, 2300 m, 24°45ʹ12ʺE 100°41ʹ24.5ʺN, 13.IX. 2009, D.W. Wrase [48], [9] (APC, ASC); same, but leg. M. Schülke [ CH 09-48], [4] ( ASC, MSC); Baoshan Pref., Gaoligong Shan, W pass 35 km SE Tengchong, 2100 m, 24°50ʹ18"N 98°45ʹ43ʺE, 25.VIII. 2009, leg. M. Schülke [ CH 09-06], [6] ( ASC, MSC); Yunnan [ CH 07-11] Baoshan Pref., Gaoligong Shan, nr. Xiaoheishan N.R., 35 km SE Tengchong, 2110 m 24°50ʹ16ʺN 98°45ʹ43ʺE, 30.V. 2007, M. Schülke [3] ( ASC, MSC); same, but 30.V. / 4.VI. 2007, D. W. Wrase [11], [8] ( ASC, MSC); Yunnan [ CH 07-13], Baoshan Pref., Gaoligong Shan, E pass 36 km SE Tengchong 2200 m, 24°49ʹ32ʺN 98°46ʹ0 6ʺE, 31.V. or 4.VI. 2007, M. Schülke [7] ( ASC, MSC); Yunnan [ CH 07-16A], Baoshan Pref. Mountain range 14 km E Tengchong, 1850 m, 2500ʹ28ʺN 98°38ʹ0 7ʺ, 1.VI. 2007, M. Schülke [2] ( MSC); same, but D. W. Wrase [16], [1] ( MSC); Baoshan Pref., Gaoligong Shan, 65 km NNE Tengchong, 1750 m, 25°35ʹ20ʺN 98°40ʹ21ʺE, 2.VIII. 2009, D.W. Wrase [10], [4] ( ASC, MSC); Baoshan Pref., Gaoligong Shan, 33 km SE Tengchong, 24°51ʹ22ʺN 98°45ʹ36ʺE, 2100–2200 m, 31.V. 2007, D.W.Wrase [14B], [5] ( ASC, MSC); Baoshan Pref., mount. range 25 km S Tengchong, 1900 m, 24°48ʹ21ʺN 98°32ʹ0 5ʺE, 30.VIII.2009, M. Schülke [ CH 09-18], [1] ( MSC); Lincang Pref., Xue Shan, 45 km N Lincang, 2070 m, 24°19ʹ0 3ʺN 100°07ʹ13ʺE, 12.IX.2009, M. Schülke [ CH 09-45], [3] ( ASC, MSC); Lincang/Dali Pref., Wuliang Shan, old pass road, N pass, 2350 m, 24°45ʹ16.4ʺN 100°29ʹ50.3ʺE, 16.IX. 2009, leg. M. Schülke [ CH 09-55], [2] ( MSC); Lincang Pref., Laobie Shan, Wei Bo Shan pass, 2375 m, 24°08ʹ16ʺN 99°42ʹ53ʺE, 8.IX. 2009, leg. M. Schülke [ CH 09-35], [1] ( MSC); Lincang Pref., Bangma Shan, 20 km NW Lincang, 2210 m, 23°58ʹ25ʺN 99°54ʹ36ʺE, 9.IX. 2009, leg. M. Schülke [ CH 09-37], [1] ( MSC); Ruili, 4.II. 1993, G. De Rougemont [2] ( ASC, GRC); Nujiang Lisu Aut. Pr., Gongshan Co., Gaoligong Shan, above ranger station, 27°47ʹ65ʺN 98°35ʹ41ʺE, 2000 m, 19.VI. 1005, A. Smetana [C166] (4) ( ASC); same, but M. Schülke [C 2005- 13], [4] ( MSC); N-Yunnan, Diqing Tibet. Aut. Pr., Deqin Co., Meili Xue Shan E-side 12 km SW Deqin, 28°25ʹ30ʺN 98°48ʹ47ʺE, 2890 m, 13.VI.2005, A. Smetana [C 160], [6] ( ASC); same, but leg. M. Schülke [C 2005- 07 A], [3] ( MSC); same, but 9./ 13.VI. 2005, D. W. Wrase [07], [1] ( MSC) .

Redescription. Piceous-black, elytra usually more or less paler, dark brunneous to brunneopiceous; head, pronotum and elytra with faint to slight metallic bronze lustre, abdomen iridescent; both maxillary and labial palpi, antennae and legs uniformly testaceous. Head rounded, wider than long (ratio 1.25); eyes very large and convex, tempora very short, considerably shorter than length of eyes seen from above (ratio 0.20); no additional setiferous punctures between anterior frontal punctures; posterior frontal puncture touching posteriomedian margin of eye, one puncture between it and posterior margin of head; temporal puncture small, touching posterior margin of eye; surface of head with fine, dense microsculpture of transverse and oblique waves gradually changing into meshes on middle of clypeus. Antenna moderately long, segments 2 and 3 subequal in length, segments 4–7 longer than wide, gradually becoming shorter, segments 8–10 about as long as wide, segment 11 as long as two preceding segments combined. Pronotum about as long as wide, widely rounded basally, no more than moderately narrowed anteriad, evenly transversely convex; dorsal rows each with three punctures; sublateral rows each with two punctures, posterior puncture situated slightly before level of large lateral puncture; surface of pronotum with microsculpture of transverse waves similar to those on head. Scutellum with numerous punctures (range 9–15), surface without appreciable microsculpture. Elytra relatively long, at suture about as long as, at sides slightly longer (ratio 1.16) than pronotum at midline; punctation fine and dense; transverse interspaces between punctures about as large as diameters of punctures; pubescence dense, golden yellowish; surface between punctures without microsculpture. Wings fully developed. Abdomen with tergite 7 (fifth visible) with whitish apical seam of palisade setae; tergite 2 (in front of first fully visible tergite) impunctate. Visible tergites 1–4 each with inconspicuous impression at each side, mostly best observable on first three visible tergites, with punctation more or less denser than on rest of tergites. General punctation of abdominal tergites finer than that on elytra, moderately dense on bases of tergites, but becoming sparse to very sparse toward apical margin of each tergite, with tendency to become in general even sparser toward apex of abdomen; pubescence golden-yellowish, forming distinct patch of denser hairs on either lateral portion of each tergite; surface between punctures with excessively fine microsculpture of transverse striae, or almost without appreciable microsculpture.

M a l e. First four segments of front tarsus slightly dilated, hardly subbilobed, each with tenent setae ventrally, segment two distinctly narrower than apex of tibia (ratio 0.80); segment 4 narrower than preceding segments. Sternite 8 with two long setae on each side, apical margin with moderately wide, not deep, obtusely triangular medioapical emargination, small triangular area before emargination depressed and smooth ( Fig. 1 ). Genital segment with tergite 10 markedly narrowed toward narrowly arcuate apex, with four long setae at apical margin, otherwise only sparsely setose ( Fig. 2 ). Sternite 9 narrow, basal portion narrow, apical portion emarginate apically, with two differentiated apical setae ( Fig. 3 ). Aedoeagus ( Figs. 4–8 ) moderately large, median lobe variably but at least slightly dilated anteriorly ( Figs. 4–6 ) into apical portion with arcuate to variably rounded apex, on face adjacent to paramere, when paramere removed, with short median carina ( Figs 5, 6 ) forming a fine hook in lateral view. Paramere ( Figs. 4, 7, 8 ) not quite, or about, reaching apex of median lobe, elongate, usually more or less narrowed anteriad into subacute apex; four minute setae at apical margin, median setae usually somewhat longer than lateral ones, two similar, slightly longer, setae at each lateral margin below apex; sensory peg setae on underside of paramere numerous, forming two irregular, moderately long lateral rows ( Figs. 7, 8 ).

F e m a l e. First four segments of front tarsus simple, not dilated. Tergite 10 of genital segment relatively narrow, markedly narrowed toward arcuate apex, with numerous long setae at and near apex, rather densely setose on medial portion in front of them ( Fig. 9 ).

Length. 4.8–6.0 mm.

Geographical distribution. Quedius muscicola is widely distributed throughout the Himalayan range, eastward to Myanmar (see Smetana, 1988: 251–252 for details) and to mainland China, where it is so far known from the following provinces: Guizhou, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Yunnan.

Bionomics. Quedius muscicola typically occurs at lower mountain elevations (up to 2500m, rarely higher but always below 3000m). Specimens were collected by sifting moist decidous leaf litter and other debris, rotting wood, moss, grass and grass roots, compost and other debris at the edge of a field, tea plantation litter, etc.

Recognition and comments. Quedius muscicola may be fairly easily recognized among the fully winged Chinese congeners by the uniformly testaceous appendages, the relatively long elytra with golden-yellowish pubescence, and by the sparse punctation of abdominal tergites, usually with golden-yellowish pubescence forming appreciable lateral patches of denser hairs on each tergite.

Quedius muscicola shows, within its entire distributional range, distinct variability in many characters, including the shape of the aedoeagus (see Smetana, 1988:412–413, Figs. 124–132). The variability was discussed in detail by Smetana (1988: 255–256). The specimens from mainland China are more uniform in external characters, as well as in the shape of the aedoeagus. The above description, especially that of male sexual characters, is based on Chinese specimens.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 10. 1 – 9. Quedius muscicola: 1, apical portion of male sternite 8; 2, tergite 10 of male genital segment; 3, sternite 9 of male genital segment; 4, aedoeagus, ventral view; 5 and 6, apical portions of median lobe, ventral view, paramere removed; 7 and 8, apical portions of ventral side of paramere with sensory peg setae; 9, tergite 10 of female genital segment. 10. Quedius filiolus: apical portion of male sternite 8.