Mecyclothorax paraltiusculus Perrault, 1988: 235

Liebherr, James K., 2013, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Tahiti, Society Islands, ZooKeys 322, pp. 1-170 : 35-36

19. Mecyclothorax paraltiusculus Perrault, 1988: 235

Identification.

This species is best diagnosed by the pronotal lateral depressions that are narrowly reflexed anterad the lateral seta, and the narrowly incised, distinctly punctate discal elytral striae (Fig. 17B). The lateral elytral depressions are only moderately broad, such that the distance between the first three lateral elytral setae of the anterior series and the elytral margin is less than the breadth of elytral interval 9 at the posterior end of that series. The eighth interval is finely carinate dorsad the middle of the posterior series of lateral elytral setae and more upraised and broadly rounded dorsad the subapical sinuation. The vertex of the head is covered with isodiametric-mesh microsculpture arranged in transverse rows. The pronotal disc is glossy medially, with an indistinct transverse mesh laterally and basally, the sculpticells 2 –3× broad as long. The discal elytral intervals are lined with a distinct transverse mesh, sculpticell breadth 2 –4× length, the microsculpture producing an iridescent silvery sheen. The male aedeagal median lobe is gracile, with a slightly expanded, angular apex (Fig. 18F). The ostial canal curves dorsally only slightly near its apical terminus. Setal formula 2122; standardized body length 7.0-7.2 mm.

Distribution and habitat.

This species is recorded from Mont Teatara, Tahiti Iti, between 900 and 1100 m elevation. Two male specimens collected in 2006 have associated ecological data; one was found in association with dead, fermenting Freycinetia , and the second was collected from the wet decayed cambial layer of a dead Reynoldsia plant. The dead Reynoldsia also housed numerous cillaeine Nitidulidae adults and larvae (C.P. Ewing pers. comm.).