Mecyclothorax vaifaufa Perrault, 1989: 64

Liebherr, James K., 2013, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Tahiti, Society Islands, ZooKeys 322, pp. 1-170 : 92

74. Mecyclothorax vaifaufa Perrault, 1989: 64

Identification.

This and Mecyclothorax profondestriatus (Figs 38B, C) are the only two species of the Mecyclothorax globosus group with individuals possessing only the posterior supraorbital seta in combination with two dorsal elytral setae, resulting in a setal formula of 1121. Mecyclothorax vaifaufa can be distinguished by the dense, well-developed transverse microsculpture lining the elytral intervals, the microsculpture predominantly consisting of transverse lines surrounding areas of transverse mesh, sculpticell breadth 2 –4× length in areas with mesh. All elytral striae are deeply impressed, striae 1-5 with elongate punctures that do not expand striae, and all intervals 1-9 are equally convex. The frons is glossy, the surface covered with elongate transverse sculpticells and larger transverse wrinkles. The pronotal disc is also glossy, with only the vaguest suggestion of transverse microsculpture, the micropunctures distributed across the cuticle more visible than any sculpticells. The male aedeagal median lobe is distinctly curved dorsally, broader at midlength than at basal bulb, and the apex is broadly expanded into an asymmetrical spatulate tip, with tightly rounded dorsal projection and broad apical face (Fig. 40E). The ostial canal is extended parallel to the dorsal margin from the ostium to the base of the dorsal expansion. Standardized body length 3.8 mm.

Distribution and habitat.

The unique type specimen was collected at 1000 m elevation at a location labeled Parc Vaifaufa, Tahiti Iti ( Perrault 1989). The specimen was found in moss. At 1000 m elevation, Parc Vaifaufa lies on the northwest approach to Mont Teatara, 500 m elevation above the Belvedere de Taravao that overlooks Lac du Vaiufaufa ( IGN 1994). Thus we should expect this species to occupy similarly elevated habitats on other flanks of Teatara.