Geocharidius andersoni, Sokolov, Igor M. & Kavanaugh, David H., 2014

Sokolov, Igor M. & Kavanaugh, David H., 2014, The integripennis species group of Geocharidius Jeannel, 1963 (Carabidae, Bembidiini, Anillina) from Nuclear Central America: a taxonomic review with notes about biogeography and speciation, ZooKeys 443, pp. 61-118 : 73

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Carabidae

Geocharidius andersoni sp. n. Figs 1C, F, I, 6F, 8C, 9 H–J, 10C, 11C, 22, 23

Type material.

HOLOTYPE, a male, in CMNH, point-mounted, dissected, labeled: \ MEXICO: Chiapas, Cerro Huitepec (Pico), ca. 5km W San Cristobal, 2750m, 15 IX 1991, R. Anderson,#91-101, ex: cloud forest litter \ CMNH \ HOLOTYPE Geocharidius andersoni Sokolov and Kavanaugh 2014 [red label] \. PARATYPES: A total of 4 specimens (1 male and 1 female were dissected), deposited in CAS and CMNH, labeled same as holotype except for one female, which has an additional label \ Anillinus sp. det. D. Shpeley 1997 \.

Type locality.

Mexico, Chiapas, Chiapas Highlands, Cerro Huitepec.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a Latinized eponym in the genitive case, and is based on the surname of Robert S. Anderson, Curator of Entomology at the Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada, the collector of the type series of this species.

Recognition.

Adults of this new species are distinguished from those of other members of the integripennis species group by the following combination of external characters: size large, elytra wide and smooth (without microsculpture); and males are further distinguished by the size and structure of the median lobe (Figs 9 H–J, 10) and the form of the ring sclerite (Fig. 10C).

Description.

Size. Large for genus (SBL range 1.40-1.61 mm, mean 1.51 ± 0.077 mm, n=5).

Habitus. Body form (Fig. 8C) moderately convex, elongate ovoid, general proportions (WE/SBL 0.42 ± 0.015) wide, head narrow relative to pronotum (WH/WPm 0.69 ± 0.017), pronotum narrow in comparison with elytra (WPm/WE 0.73 ± 0.028).

Color. Body rufotestaceous, appendages testaceous.

Microsculpture. Mesh pattern of irregularly isodiametric sculpticells distinctly present over dorsal surface of head only. Pronotum, elytra and proepisternum smooth (without evident microsculpture).

Head, dorsal aspect (Fig. 1C).

Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 1F) moderately transverse (WPm/LP 1.29 ± 0.007), with lateral margins slightly constricted posteriorly (WPm/WPp 1.29 ± 0.020). Posterior angles slightly obtuse (100-110°). Width between posterior angles greater than between anterior angles (WPa/WPp 0.94 ± 0.019).

Elytra (Fig. 8C). Moderately convex, slightly depressed along suture, widest in this species group (WE/LE 0.70 ± 0.025), without traces of striae. Humeri distinct, rounded, in outline forming right angle with longitudinal axis of body. Lateral margins subparallel, slightly divergent at basal fifth, evenly rounded to apex in apical third.

Legs. Protibia (Fig. 6F).

Male genitalia. Median lobe (Fig. 9H) with very long subparallel shaft, and moderately enlarged apex, broadly rounded at tip. Ventral margin slightly convex medially. Dorsal sclerite of internal sac in form of a long fig, apically tapered into a short flagellum, and gradually widened basally with basal margin bent ventrally. Membranous field near ostium flag with numerous small scales. Right paramere with long and narrow apical constriction (Fig. 9J). Left paramere with very long and narrow apical constriction (Fig. 9I). Ring sclerite with handle triangular, rounded apically (Fig. 10C).

Female internal genitalia. Spermatheca unsclerotized, fusiform, arcuate, with cornu long and subparallel and nodulus short and tapered basally (Fig. 11C). Length of spermathecal gland less than length of spermatheca. Spermathecal duct loosely wavy, but not coiled.

Geographical distribution.

This species is known only from the type locality in the mountains of the Cerro Huitepec, part of the Chiapas Highlands, State of Chiapas, Mexico (Fig. 22, white diamond).

Way of life.

Specimens were extracted from cloud forest litter at an elevation of 2750 m.

Relationships.

The shape of the spermatheca of females (Fig. 11C) suggests that this species is closely related to the sympatric Geocharidius zullinii Fig. 11A). Dorsal sclerites in the internal sac of Geocharidius andersoni males (Fig. 9H) resemble a shortened version of the dorsal sclerites of males of Geocharidius gimlii (Fig. 13A), which can be considered as a remote relative.