Psammoecus laetulus Grouvelle, 1914

Karner, Michael, 2014, Three new species and new records of African Psammoecus Latreille (Coleoptera, Silvanidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 89, pp. 1-18 : 12-14

Psammoecus laetulus Grouvelle, 1914

Fig. 7A–G

New records

MADAGASCAR: Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana , 26 Oct. 2001, leg. Schuh, 1 ♂ ( MKF); Toamasina, 4 km SE of Andasibe, 25 km E of Moramanga , 1 Nov. 2001, leg. Schuh, 1 ♀ ( MKF); Toamasina, road to Anosibe an’ Ala, road km 18 S of Moramanga , 31 Oct. 2001, leg. Schuh, 1 ♀ ( MKF).

RWANDA: Cyangugu, Nyakabuye , 25 Nov. 1982, leg. Mühle, 1 ♂ ( MKF).

SEYCHELLES: Silhouette , 1908, 1 ♂ ( BMNH).

SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Province: Alexandria Forest Station, 3Apr. & 6 Dec. 1987, leg. Endrödy-Younga , 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀ (2 TMSA, 1 ♂ MKF); Amatole, Pirie Forest , 8 Dec. 1987, leg. Endrödy-Younga, 1 specimen ( TMSA); Cape Amatole, Tsidenge Forest Station , 22 Nov. 1987, leg. Endrödy-Younga, 1 specimen ( TMSA); Berlin , 22 Sep. & 8 Dec. 1986, leg. Endrödy-Younga, 2 specimens ( TMSA); Dwesa Forest Reserve , 17, 26–27 Dec. 1979, leg. Endrödy-Younga, 4 ♀♀ ( TMSA). KwaZulu Natal Province: Cape Vidal , 24 Jan. 1990, leg. Klimazsewski, 1 specimen ( TMSA); Karkloof Forest , 2 Sep. & 13 Dec. 1989, leg. Endrödy & Klimaszew, 8 specimens (6 TMSA, 2 MKF); St. Lucia, Mission Rocks , 8–9, 18 Dec. 1975, leg. Endrödy-Younga, 5 specimens ( TMSA); Drakensberge, Oqalweni Forest , Oct. 1960, 2 specimens ( TMSA); Malvern , Mar. & Jun. 1897, leg. G.A.K. Marshall, 2 ♀♀ ( BMNH); Oribi Gorge , Oct. 1961, leg. Leleup, 2 specimens ( TMSA); Sodwana Bay National Park , 14–15 Nov. 1996, leg. Uhlig, 2 specimens ( ZMHB); Zululand, Dukuduku Forest Station , 4 Apr. 1974, leg. Endrödy-Younga, 1 ♂ ( MKF). Limpopo Province, Entabeni Forest Reserve , 21 Apr. 1976, leg. Endrödy-Younga, 2 ♂♂ ( TMSA); Mariepskop Forest , Aug. 1960, leg. Leleup, 1 specimen; 6 May. 1981, leg. Endrödy-Younga, 1 specimen ( TMSA); Soutpansberg, 1 ♀ ( TMSA); Soutpansberg, Hanglip, 14 Mar. 1973, leg. Endrödy-Younga , 1 specimen ( TMSA). Mpumalanga Province: Hazyview, 3 Apr. 1990, leg. Endrödy-Younga, 2 ♂♂ ( MKF, TMSA); Nelshoogte, Knuckles Rocks Forest , 4 Dec. 1986, leg. Endrödy-Younga, 1 specimen ( TMSA); Barberton, Oct. 1961, leg. Leleup, 1 specimen ( TMSA). Ostkap, Port St. John , Oct. 1923, Jul. & Jan. 1924, leg. Turner, 4 specimens.

Remarks and comparative notes

Numerous specimens from the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History (Pretoria), were, at first sight, considered to belong to one, or even several, new species. Examination of the aedeagi revealed, however, no differences sufficient for a separation of these forms from P. laetulus ( Fig. 7 E–G). Unless reliable diagnostic differences dictate otherwise, it is considered appropriate to treat P. laetulus as a species that shows significant variability. Fig. 7A–D shows the pronota of specimens from different locations to illustrate individual variations.

One of the Malvern specimens (KwaZulu Natal Province of South Africa) collected by Marshall in 1897 (BMNH) bears a type label by A. Grouvelle, with the name ‘ Psammoecus distinctus ’. Since no description of a taxon with that name is available, the name is to be considered a manuscript name.

Figures

Fig. 7. Psammoecus laetulus Grouvelle, 1914. Pronotum of specimens from A. Mahe, Seychelles. B. Cape Province, South Africa. C. KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. D. Mpumalanga, South Africa. E–F. Aedeagus of specimen from Mahe, Seychelles (E = dorsal, F = ventral view). G. Aedeagus of specimen from Mpumalanga, South Africa, dorsal view. Scale lines: A–D = 0.5 mm, E–G = 0.2 mm.