Bolitogyrus newtoni Brunke

Brunke, Adam J. & Solodovnikov, Alexey, 2014, A revision of the Neotropical species of Bolitogyrus Chevrolat, a geographically disjunct lineage of Staphylinini (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae), ZooKeys 423, pp. 1-113 : 68-69

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Staphylinidae

Bolitogyrus newtoni Brunke sp. n. Figs 5D, 9E, 11C, 13C, 17 A–C, 23H, 25H, 31D (map)

Type locality.

MEXICO, Chiapas, Jitotol.

Type material.

Holotype ♂ (FMNH): MEXICO: Chiapas: Jitotol (6 mi N, = 21 mi N Bochil), 5500 ft., 17°08'N, 92°53'W, 18-24.VIII.1971 [white printed label] / oak-pine-Liquidamber forest, dung trap (human), A. Newton, 358Dh, FMHD #71-563 [white printed label], FIELD MUS. NAT. HIST. / Bolitogyrus det. Newton 1994 [white printed and written label] / Holotype, Bolitogyrus newtoni Brunke sp. n. [red printed label].

Paratypes (1 ♂, 1 ♀, SEMC, FMNH): MEXICO: Oaxaca-Chiapas border, Montana Manantial, W of Rodulfo Figerosa [Rodolfo Figueroa], 1550 m, ex. yellow-brown spored mushroom clusters on log, 25.VI.1979, FMHD #79-294, J. S. Ashe, 1 ♀ (FMNH). GUATEMALA: Suchitepéquez: 4 k S Vol. Atitlán, 14.54915, -91.19055 ± 200 m, 1625 m, cloud forest, ex. sifted litter, 15.VI.2009, LLAMA09 W a-B-09-1-all, SEMC0885823, 1 ♂ (SEMC).

Diagnosis.

Head without central protuberance; genital and abdominal segments not distinctly paler than previous segments; apical half of abdominal sternites with relatively coarse transverse microsculpture, interspaces wider than lines (Fig. 13C); apical antennomere not paler than previous subapical segments (Fig. 5D); disc of elytra uneven, punctures irregularly spaced (Fig. 9E) abdominal tergites III–VII with typical lateral setae not short and appressed (c.f. Fig. 12E).

Description.

Measurements ♂ (n=2): HW/HL 1.41-1.45; PW/PL 1.36-1.40; EW/EL 1.15-1.16; ESut/PL 0.84; PW/HW 1.09-1.10; forebody length 4.0 mm.

Measurements ♀ (n=1): HW/HL 1.38; PW/PL 1.39; EW/EL 1.14; ESut/PL 0.86; PW/HW 1.08; forebody length 4.5 mm.

Similar to Bolitogyrus buphthalmus and differing only in the following: head and pronotum black, glossy and with dark green metallic reflection; elytra black with bronze to dark green-bronze metallic reflection; antennomeres VI–X hardly to distinctly darker than I–V, apical antennomere not paler than preceding segments; coxa dark in both sexes, contrasting with pale femur, very apex of mesofemur with diffuse dark band (female) or without band (male), metafemur with dark apical band; all tibiae slightly (male) to distinctly (female) darkened; forebody distinctly shorter than in Bolitogyrus buphthalmus ; head slightly less transverse than in Bolitogyrus buphthalmus ; median frontal impression barely perceivable or absent; pronotum with pair of depressions but without distinct protuberance in lateral view; surface of elytra only weakly uneven; suture-to-pronotum length ratio greater than in Bolitogyrus buphthalmus ; abdominal sternites with relatively coarse transverse microsculpture, interspaces wider than lines; median lobe in lateral view sinuate and projected ventrad (Fig. 17B); apical portion of median lobe in parameral view not constricted at base (Fig. 17A); paramere only weakly divided near apex and flexed over the apex of the median lobe; peg setae in distinctive arrangement (Fig. 17C); male sternite IX narrower and with emargination shallower and wider, base distinctly less asymmetrical (Fig. 23H); female tergite X much narrower, with raised disc only weakly converging apicad, with apex slightly emarginate and not produced (Fig. 25H).

Distribution.

Figure 31D. Bolitogyrus newtoni is known from northern Chiapas in Mexico and from Suchitepéquez state in southern Guatemala.

Bionomics.

Specimens were collected from the forest floor and from a cluster of mushrooms on a log, at 1550-1676 m. The holotype was collected in a dung trap but an association of this species with the dung community is unlikely. Specimens were collected in June and August.

Etymology.

The first author would like to dedicate this species to Dr. Alfred (Al) Newton (FMNH), a friend and mentor. While collecting the holotype of Bolitogyrus newtoni , Al was sampling for Platydracus ( Staphylininae : Staphylinina ), a genus that he is currently revising and the subject of our first collaborative project.

Comments.

Bolitogyrus newtoni is most similar to and sympatric with Bolitogyrus buphthalmus and the dark individuals of Bolitogyrus salvini (morphotype III). However, it may be distinguished by the apical antennomere which is not paler than the previous segments and the sparse, microsculpture on the ventral abdomen.