Calotheca prinslooi, D’Alessandro & Iannella & Grobbelaar & Biondi, 2021

D'Alessandro, Paola, Iannella, Mattia, Grobbelaar, Elizabeth & Biondi, Maurizio, 2021, Taxonomic revision of the Calotheca parvula species group from southern Africa, with descriptions of three new species (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae), African Invertebrates 62 (1), pp. 315-337 : 315

Calotheca prinslooi sp. nov. Figs 5A-D , 6

Calotheca parvula (Weise): Biondi et al. 2017: 124 (pars)

Calotheca pallida (Bryant): Biondi et al. 2017: 123 (pars)

Type material.

Holotype ♂: South Africa [RSA], Western Cape, Swellendam (N env.), 150 m, near Marloth Nat. Res., 34°00.607'S, 20°25.874'E [34°00'35"S, 20°25'57"E], 3-11.xii.2007, Martin Řiha leg. (SANC). Paratypes: Republic of South Africa: CP [ECape], Groendal Dam nr Uitenhage, 33°42'S, 25°15'E, 10.iii.1983, W. Breytenbach leg., 2♂ and 1♀ (SANC); ECape, Willow River Farm, 33°32'S, 24°49'E, collected from Rhus pallens ( Anacardiaceae ), 29.xi.1988, E. Grobbelaar leg., 10♂ and 10♀ (SANC); (S), ECape, 175 m, -33.0659, 27.2098 [33°03'57"S, 27°12'35"E], N2 Rd side 20 km N of Peddie, karoo vegetation, 18.xi.2013, M. Wanat leg., 1♀ (UWCP); C.P. [ECape], Grahamstown [33°19'24"S, 26°31'48"E], i.1979, C. Kok & S.J. van Tonder leg., 1♀ (SANC); [ECape], 10 km South of Addo, 100 m, 35°46'S, 25°45'E [33°36'58"S, 25°42'41"E], xi.1988, E. Colonnelli leg., 1♀ (BAQ); [ECape], 16 m North Steytlerville [33°17'40"S, 24°22'20"E], 24.x.[19]64, A.L. Capener leg., 2♀ (SANC); ECape, Hankey, 33°50'S, 24°53'E, R. Stals leg., 2♀ (SANC); C.P. [ECape], Jeffreys Bay, 34°02'S, 24°50'E, 22.xi.1983, G.L. Prinsloo & N.C. Grobbelaar leg., 1♀ (SANC); ECape, Mondhoek, 12 km NNE of Jeffreys Bay, 33°56.5'S, 24°59'E, 02.i.1997, R. Stals leg., 1♀ (SANC); [ECape], road Grahamstown to Alexandria, 350 m, 33°23.97S, 26°28.43E [33°23'58"S, 26°28'26"E], 3.v.2005, P. Audisio & E. Colonnelli leg., 1♀ (BAQ); ECape, Zuurberg Nature Reserve, 900 m, 33°16'S, 25°45'E, 28.xi.1988, adults collected from Rhus dentata ( Anacardiaceae ), E. Grobbelaar leg., 1♀ (SANC); [WCape], same data as the holotype, 2♂ and 1♀ (BAQ); S. Cape [WCape], Uniondale, 33°39'S, 23°07'E, 19.i.1979, S.J. van Tonder & C. Kok leg., 1♂ (SANC); [WCape], Agulhas [34°48'59"S, 20°00'55"E], 8.i.[19]71, A. Prinsloo leg., 1♂ and 2♀ (SANC); ditto, D. Wessels leg., 2♂ and 1♀ (SANC); Western Cape, W of Calitzdorp-Huisrivierspas [33°30'50"S, 21°35'38"E], m 662, 19.iv.1998, S. Zoia & F. Polese leg., 1♀ (BAQ); [WCape], Malagas [34°18'S, 20°34'59"E], 29.ii.1932, R.E. Turner leg., 1♀ (NHMUK); [WCape], Bontebok National Park, 34°04'S, 20°27'E, 20.iv.1995, U. Göllner leg., 3♀ (BAQ); W Cape, 530 m, -33.7127, 22.2981 [33°42'54"S, 22°17'45"E], Klein Karoo, N12 Rd, 15 km S Oudtshoorn, roadside karoo vegetation, 30.xi.2013, M. Wanat leg., 2♀ (UWCP).

Diagnosis.

Calotheca prinslooi sp. nov. is very similar in shape, size, sculpture and colour to C. oberprieleri sp. nov. and C. pallida . Males are easily distinguishable by: the first pro- and mesotarsomeres which are distinctly enlarged and rounded (less enlarged and/or subtriangular in C. oberprieleri sp. nov. and C. pallida ) (Figs 2A , 3A , 5A ); the aedeagus in ventral view, distinctly wider medially, wider basally than apically, and tapering slightly towards the bluntly rounded apex (sinuate, narrow in the apical third, wider basally than apically in C. oberprieleri sp. nov.; sinuate, narrowing medially, as wide basally as apically in C. pallida ), and ventral surface with two basally divergent carinae (ventral surface flat in C. oberprieleri sp. nov.; ventral carinae subparallel in C. pallida ) (Figs 2C , 3C , 5C ). Females can be distinguished from C. oberprieleri sp. nov. and C. pallida mainly by the shape of the spermatheca, which is quite variable, but never reniform basally as in C. oberprieleri sp. nov., nor with apical part abruptly bent and curved to the apex as in C. pallida (Figs 2D , 3D , 5D ).

Description of the holotype

(♂). Body elongate-elliptical in dorsal view (Fig. 5A ), moderately convex in lateral view; total length of body (LB = 5.50 mm); maximum pronotal width near base (WP = 2.25 mm); maximum width of elytra at basal third (WE = 2.80 mm). Head, apical antennomeres and legs pale brown; frons, labrum, and first antennomeres slightly paler brown; hind femora, hind and middle tibiae distinctly darker; pronotum yellow, punctate lateral striae and basal furrows distinctly darkened; elytra yellow, with darkened punctures, and small, irregular, sparse reddish-brown patches, larger on the last interstria. Head (cf. Fig. 5B ) with wrinkled and micropunctate surface, with some punctures on frons; several setiferous punctures between medial ocular margin and frontal grooves, and near the dorsal part of frontal grooves; frontal grooves very deeply impressed more so anteriorly, sinuate, extending from dorsal ocular margin to interantennal space; interantennal space wide, about 1.5 times the length of the first antennomere; eyes elongate-ovate; dorsal interocular space wider than 1.5 times the transversal width of eye; antennae slightly shorter than half the body length (LAN = 2.50 mm; LAN/LB = 0.45; LA: 100:50:71:79:86:86:86:86:82:79:100). Pronotum (cf. Fig. 5B ) barely convex, slightly sub-trapezoidal, distinctly transverse (LP = 1.20 mm; WP/LP = 1.88), with distinctly rounded sides; surface almost smooth, finely microreticulate and sparsely micropunctate, with additional small sparse punctation; pronotal lateral striae C-shaped, with large, deeply impressed punctures; basal furrows of pronotum deeply impressed; basal and apical margins distinctly bordered but not raised; lateral margins barely expanded but visible in dorsal view; anterior angles moderately prominent and pointed; posterior angles widely obtuse. Scutellum sub-triangular, apically rounded. Elytra (Fig. 5A , cf. 5B) moderately elongate and convex (LE = 4.08 mm; WE/LE = 0.69; LE/LP = 3.40), slightly sinuate laterally, jointly rounded apically; lateral margin narrow, barely visible in dorsal view; elytral punctation arranged in single regular rows, punctures deeply impressed; interstriae with finely microreticulate and micropunctate surface; last interstria carinate; humeral calli barely raised. Macropterous. Legs with basal pro- and mesotarsomeres distinctly enlarged, sub-rounded (Fig. 5A ). Tarsal claws simple. Underside brown; apical abdominal ventrite without preapical sculpture or impressions. Median lobe of aedeagus (cf. Fig. 5C ) (LAED = 2.05 mm; LE/LAED = 1.99) with greatest width medially, wider basally than apically, and tapering towards the apex; apex bluntly rounded with small ventrolateral bulges; ventral surface with two basally divergent carinae delimiting a wide sulcus, which becomes narrower and shallower distally; narrow distal sulcus in the apical third; ventrolateral surface widely wrinkled; dorsal ligula short, formed by two subtruncate basal lobes and two shorter apical lobes; in lateral view, median lobe distinctly bent down to the apex, and distinctly sinuate on the ventral apical surface.

Variability.

Males (n = 10; mean ± standard deviation, range): LE = 4.03 ± 0.20 mm (3.50 ≤ LE ≤ 4.25 mm); WE = 2.89 ± 0.17 mm (2.80 ≤ WE ≤ 3.15 mm); LP = 1.23 ± 0.06 mm (1.10 ≤ LP ≤ 1.30 mm); WP = 2.33 ± 0.12 mm (2.05 ≤ WP ≤ 2.45 mm); LAN = 2.49 ± 0.11 mm (2.25 ≤ LAN ≤ 2.65 mm); LAED = 2.10 ± 0.07 mm (1.98 ≤ LAED ≤ 2.25 mm); LB = 5.52 ± 0.32 mm (4.85 ≤ LB ≤ 6.00 mm); LE/LP = 3.27 ± 0.09 (3.10 ≤ LE/LP ≤ 3.40); WE/WP = 1.24 ± 0.03 (1.21 ≤ WE/WP ≤ 1.29); WP/LP = 1.89 ± 0.03 (1.84 ≤ WP/LP ≤ 1.92); WE/LE = 0.72 ± 0.02 (0.69 ≤ WE/LE ≤ 0.75); LAN/LB = 0.45 ± 0.02 (0.42 ≤ LAN/LB ≤ 0.47); LE/LAED = 1.92 ± 0.06 (1.77 ≤ LE/LAED ≤ 1.98). Females (n = 10; mean ± standard deviation; range): LE = 4.11 ± 0.15 mm (3.90 ≤ LE ≤ 4.30 mm); WE = 3.02 ± 0.10 mm (2.90 ≤ WE ≤ 3.28 mm); LP = 1.15 ± 0.04 mm (1.10 ≤ LP ≤ 1.23 mm); WP = 2.36 ± 0.08 mm (2.20 ≤ WP ≤ 2.45 mm); LAN = 2.20 ± 0.08 mm (2.05 ≤ LAN ≤ 2.35 mm); LSP = 0.76 ± 0.04 mm (0.70 ≤ LSP ≤ 0.80 mm); LB = 5.53 ± 0.24 mm (5.25 ≤ LB ≤ 5.95 mm); LE/LP = 3.57 ± 0.15 (3.27 ≤ LE/LP ≤ 3.74); WE/WP = 1.28 ± 0.03 (1.25 ≤ WE/WP ≤ 1.34); WP/LP = 2.04 ± 0.05 (1.98 ≤ WP/LP ≤ 2.13); WE/LE = 0.74 ± 0.02 (0.70 ≤ WE/LE ≤ 0.77); LAN/LB = 0.40 ± 0.01 (0.38 ≤ LAN/LB ≤ 0.42); LE/LSP = 5.44 ± 0.28 (4.88 ≤ LE/LSP ≤ 5.79).

Paratypes similar in shape, sculpture and colour to the holotype. Some specimens either slightly paler or darker, and/or with surface sculpture on head slightly variable. Female with basal pro- and mesotarsomeres less enlarged than in male. Spermatheca (Fig. 5D ) quite variable, basal part broadly subcylindrical or subconical, slightly thickset to slender, straight or barely curved; distal part generally softly bent, distinctly narrower and often externally oriented apically, with a very short appendix; distal part shorter than half the length of the basal part; ductus basally inserted, short to moderately elongate, generally with a single coil, or with a pair of irregular loops at most.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a noun in the genitive case after Godfried L. Prinsloo (Republic of South Africa, Pretoria), one of its collectors.

Distribution.

Republic of South Africa (ECape, WCape) (Fig. 6 ). Chorotype: Southern-Western Afrotropical (SWA).

Ecological notes.

Collected from 100-900 m a.s.l., in karoo vegetation, on Searsia pallens and S. dentata [= Rhus pars, cf. Moffett (2007)] ( Anacardiaceae ). Adults active in January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December.

Figures

Figure 2. Calotheca oberprieleri sp. nov. A habitus, ♂ (holotype) B head, pronotum, and basal part of elytra, ♂ (RSA: ECape, between Grahamstown and Southwell) C median lobe of aedeagus, from left to right in ventral, dorsal, and lateral view (RSA: ECape, between Grahamstown and Southwell) D spermatheca (RSA: ECape, Umtiza). Abbreviations: bf = basal furrow; bl = basal lobe of dorsa ligula; dl = distal lobe of dorsa ligula; ds = distal sulcus; fg = frontal groove; pls = punctate lateral stria; ws = wrinkled surface. Scale bars: 2 mm (A); 1 mm (B, C); 0.5 mm (D).

Figure 3. Calotheca pallida (Bryant, 1945) A habitus, ♂ (RSA: WCape, Stilbaai Nature Reserve) B head, pronotum, and basal part of elytra, ♂ (RSA: WCape, Stilbaai Nature Reserve) C median lobe of aedeagus, from left to right in ventral, dorsal, and lateral view (RSA: WCape, Mossel Bay) D spermatheca (RSA: WCape, Stilbaai Nature Reserve). Abbreviations: bf = basal furrow; bl = basal lobe of dorsa ligula; dl = distal lobe of dorsa ligula; ds = distal sulcus; fg = frontal groove; pls = punctate lateral stria; vc = ventral carina; vs = ventral sulcus; ws = wrinkled surface. Scale bars: 2 mm (A); 1 mm (B, C); 0.5 mm (D).

Figure 5. Calotheca prinslooi sp. nov. A habitus, ♂ (holotype) B head, pronotum, and basal part of elytra, ♂ (RSA: ECape, Willow River Farm) C median lobe of aedeagus, from left to right in ventral, dorsal, and lateral view (RSA: WCape, Swellendam) D spermatheca (ECape, Willow River Farm). Abbreviations: bf = basal furrow; bl = basal lobe of dorsa ligula; dl = distal lobe of dorsa ligula; ds = distal sulcus; fg = frontal groove; pls = punctate lateral stria; vc = ventral carina; vs = ventral sulcus; ws = wrinkled surface. Scale bars: 2 mm (A); 1 mm (C, B); 0.5 mm (D).

Figure 6. Distribution of Calotheca parvula species group.