Operclipygus setiventris, Caterino, Michael S. & Tishechkin, Alexey K., 2013

Caterino, Michael S. & Tishechkin, Alexey K., 2013, A systematic revision of Operclipygus Marseul (Coleoptera, Histeridae, Exosternini), ZooKeys 271, pp. 1-401 : 81-84

Operclipygus setiventris sp. n. Figs 19G21Map 7

Type locality.

FRENCH GUIANA: Itoupé Table Mountain [3°1.38'N, 53°5.73'W].

Type material.

Holotype male: "GUYANE FR., Mont Tabulaire, Itoupé. 3°1.38'N, 53° 5.73W. 570m. Piège d’interception 31 Mar 2010. SEAG leg." / "Caterino/ Tishechkin Exosternini Voucher EXO-00272" (MNHN). Paratypes (2): same data as type, except as noted: 1: 17.iii.2010 (CHND); 1: FRENCH GUIANA: Montagne des Chevaux, 4°43'N, 52°24'W, 14.iv.2010, FIT, SEAG (FMNH).

Other material

(4 females): same data as type, except as noted: 1: 17.iii.2010 (CHND), 1: 24.iii.2010, FIT, SEAG (FMNH); FRENCH GUIANA: 1: Montagne des Chevaux, 4°43'N, 52°24'W, 21.ix.2008, FIT, SEAG (MSCC); 1: Rés. Natur. des Nouragues, Camp Inselberg, 4°05'N, 52°41'W, 25.i.2011, Window trap, SEAG (MNHN).

Diagnostic description.

This species is extremely similar to Operclipygus depressus , differing most significantly in showing quite pronounced sexual dimorphism; length: 2.37-2.71 mm, width: 1.97-2.31 mm; body rufescent, broadly rounded, more subdepressed than typical in this group, with relatively long legs and narrow tibiae; pronotal disk with relatively small but numerous (~22) lateral discal punctures; lateral submarginal pronotal stria increasingly distant from margin anterad (as in Operclipygus depressus ); elytral striae as in Operclipygus sejunctus but with stria 4 finely impressed and fragmented anteriorly in some individuals; coarser elytral punctures densest at apex, but with few coarse punctures extending up the apical third of interstriae; sterna of female as in Operclipygus depressus , meso- and metaventral disks of male broadly depressed and setose, most of the punctures being strong ground punctures bearing setae, with only a few coarser punctures near metacoxae; outer lateral metaventral stria long, extending from mesometaventral suture along at least half of inner stria; propygidium and pygidium as in Operclipygus sejunctus .Male genitalia (Fig. 21) highly autapomorphic: accessory sclerites present; T8 elongate, parallel-sided in apical two-thirds, widened at base, with basal membrane attachment line distad basal emargination by about half its depth, apical emargination narrow, ventrolateral apodemes well-developed, meeting at midline about one-third from base, diverging to apex; S8 with halves separate, sides parallel and apical guides narrow over basal 3/4, then abruptly divergent and downturned at apex; S9 narrowest near apex, weakly widened then narrowed to base, apex more or less truncate, with shallow apical emargination, apical flanges small, midline sclerotized; tegmen short, only slightly longer than basal piece, widest just basad midpoint, weakly narrowed to base, more strongly narrowed to narrow apex, medioventral process wide, short, thin, with a blunt apex about one-third from base, strongly produced beneath; median lobe about one-half tegmen length.

Remarks.

The distinctly depressed and setose male metaventrite (Fig. 19G), as well as the unusual male genitalia (Fig. 21), are the best characters for recognizing this species. Females are difficult to separate from either Operclipygus depressus or from Operclipygus itoupe . The apparent females of Operclipygus setiventris are relatively broad bodied and long-legged, like the males, but there is variation in these characters even among the few available specimens. The well-developed lateral metaventral stria will generally separate them from Operclipygus depressus . The complete 4th dorsal stria will separate them from most Operclipygus itoupe . We restrict the type series to known males.

Etymology.

The name of this species refers to the setose meso- and metaventrites of the males.