Limnebius acupunctus, Perkins, Philip D., 2004

Perkins, Philip D., 2004, Limnebius acupunctus, a new species of water beetle from Australia and Papua New Guinea (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae), Zootaxa 749, pp. 1-12 : 3-8

Limnebius acupunctus new species

( Figures 1–5 )

Type Material. Holotype (male): Australia, South Australia, Cudlee Creek, River Torrens, 34° 50' S, 138° 49' E, 15 December 2001, C. Watts; deposited in the SAMA. Paratypes listed below.

Description. Size (length/width, mm) holotype: body (length to elytral apices) 1.04/ 0.52, head 0.18/0.36, pronotum 0.25/0.51, elytra 0.60/0.52. Form elongate oval, moderately convex, sides gradually arcuate, broadest near posterior angles of pronotum. Dorsum dark brown to piceous, legs and maxillary palpi slightly lighter. Head and pronotum shining, very finely very sparsely punctate. Elytral punctation slightly stronger, over ground sculpture of very weak fine microreticulation; apices conjointly truncate in both sexes, posterior angles more markedly angulate in male. Prosternum with midlongitudinal carina extended to form prominent apicomedian spine. Mesosternum with intercoxal process concave. Metasternum entirely hydrofuge pubescent, setae longer on disc than laterally. Abdomen with first five ventrites hydrofuge pubescent. Protarsomeres 1–3 slightly wider in males than females, and bearing suction setae.

Etymology. Named in reference to the needle­like tube of the aedeagus, and the size of the body.

Distribution. Widely distributed in Australia and Papua New Guinea ( Fig. 5 ).

Specimens examined (2,013 specimens, including 413 paratypes): Australia: Australian Capital Territory, Angle Crossing, Murrumbidgee River, quartz gravel at edge of steep gravel bank by river, elev. 595 m, 35° 35', 149° 7', 22 July 2000, N. Porch (57) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); same locality, elev. 595 m, 35° 35', 149° 7', 15 October 2000, N. Porch (15) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Angle Crossing, Murrumbidgee River, sandy mudflats at edge of river, elev. 595 m, 35° 34' S, 149° 6' E, 15 October 2000, N. Porch (NP 13) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Black Mtn., light trap, 35° 16' S, 149° 6' E, 27 March 1968, M. S. Upton — (paratypes) (4 ANIC); Casuarina Sands on Murrumbidgee River, coarse sand, gravel and roots (Casuarina) at edge of riffle zone of large river; Casuarina riparian forest, elev. 475 m, 35° 19' S, 148° 57' E, 21 July 2000, N. Porch (NP 69) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Gudgenby River, at Glendale, quartz gravel at edge of small river in pasture, elev. 875 m, 35° 41', 149° 0', 5 April 2001, N. Porch (29) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Kambah Pool, 35° 24' S, 149° 1' E, 26 November 1998, C. Watts — (paratypes) (22 SAMA); Lake Burley Griffin, edge of water, 35° 18' S, 149° 7' E, 1 April 1969, Britton & Misko — (paratype) (ANIC); nr. Canberra, 35° 22' S, 149° 5' E, 28 March 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 219) — (paratypes) (46 BMNH); Paddy's River, nr. Murray's Corner, 35° 25' S, 148° 57' E, 3 April 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 231) — (BMNH); Paddy's River, river, 35° 29' S, 148° 59' E, 23 April 1968, E. B. Britton — (paratypes) (6 ANIC); same locality, 35° 29' S, 148° 59' E, 16 January 1969, J. Balfour­Browne — (BMNH); Uriarra Crossing on Murrumbidgee River, quartz gravel and 'micro' mudflats at receding edge of large flowing river, elev. 445 m, 35° 14' S, 148° 57' E, 14 October 2000, N. Porch (NP 18) — (ANIC, NPC); New South Wales, Araluen, Moruya River, river, 35° 54' S, 150° 7' E, 27 December 1965, E. Britton — (paratypes) (17 ANIC); Ballalaba Bridge, Shoalhaven River, waters edge of gravel bar at margin of flowing river, elev. 690 m, 35° 24' S, 147° 37' E, 22 July 2000, N. Porch (NP 65) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Bathurst, 8 km W, in sand/gravel at edge of creek, 33° 24' S, 149° 29' E, 16 November 1991, T. Gush — (1 ANIC); Bemboka River at Greens Crossing, 1km N. of Bemboka, gravel and sand of small sandbank at edge of river, elev. 195 m, 36° 37' S, 149° 34' E, 9 April 2000, N. Porch (NP 28) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Bombala River, on Cambalong Road, vegetated gravel bar at edge of river; pasture, elev. 665 m, 36° 53', 149° 7', 7 November 2000, N. Porch & N. Krause (11) — (ANIC, NPC); Cabbage Tree Creek, Canberra­Coast Road, 33° 24' S, 150° 38' E, 5 May 1965, E. Britton — (paratypes) (5 ANIC); same locality, 33° 24' S, 150° 38' E, 18 April 1967, E. Britton & S. Misko — (paratypes) (10 ANIC); same locality, 33° 24' S, 150° 38' E, 21 February 1969, E. Britton & S. Misko — (paratype) (1 ANIC); Cascades Campsite, on Tuross River, sandbank in backwater of river; dry sclerophyll forest, elev. 780 m, 36° 13', 149° 32', 9 April 2001, N. Porch (34) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Gilgandra, 31° 42' S, 148° 40' E, 19 March 1963, C. Watts — (SAMA); same locality, 31° 42' S, 148° 40' E, 19 November 1992, C. Watts — (paratypes) (54 SAMA); Jugiong Creek at old Hume Highway crossing, gravel and sand of small sandbank at edge of river, elev. 240 m, 34° 48', 148° 22', 16 July 2000, N. Porch (46) — (ANIC, NPC); Khancoban Creek, Khancoban, elev. 304.8 m, 36° 9' S, 148° 12' E, 1 April 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 230) — (paratypes) (29 BMNH); Manar Creek, Canberra­Coast Road, creek, 35° 17' S, 149° 39' E, 18 May 1967, E. Britton & S. Misko — (paratypes) (4 ANIC); Murrumbidgee River, at Colyers Road crossing, gravelly cobble­bank at edge of riffle of large river, elev. 675 m, 35° 52', 149° 8', 8 April 2000, N. Porch (27) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Numeralla River at Numeralla, waters edge of gravel bar at margin of flowing river, elev. 730 m, 36° 10' S, 149° 20' E, 9 April 2000, N. Porch (NP 26) — (ANIC, NPC); Oberon, 27.5 km NW, from creek bank, 33° 31' S, 149° 43' E, 17 November 1991, T. Gush — (1 ANIC); Shoalhaven R., Bullalaba Bridge, 35° 34' S, 149° 37' E, 2 February 1991, P. M. Hammond — (6 ANIC); Tamworth, 31° 5' S, 150° 55' E, 12 September 1892, Lea — (SAMA); Northern Territory, Adelaide River, at Daly River road crossing, river, 13° 29' S, 131° 6' E, 9 November 1972, E. B. Britton — (4 ANIC); Ellery Ck., Big Hole, creek, 23° 50' S, 132° 58' E, 16 March 1998, C. H. S. Watts — (33 SAMA); Ellery Gorge, 85 km. W. of Alice Springs, 23° 46' S, 133° 4' E, 5 November 1979, T. Weir — (paratypes) (20 ANIC); Finke Gorge NP (Boggy Hole), large permanent pool in river bed, grassed and bulrushes at edge, algal growth, 24° 9' S, 132° 52' E, 15 March 1995, T. Weir — (6 ANIC); Ormiston Gorge, 23° 37' S, 132° 43' E, 16 March 1998, C. Watts — (3 SAMA); Palm Valley, 24° 4' S, 132° 45' E, 1–30 April 1968, C. Watts — (SAMA); Simpsons Gap, 23° 41' S, 133° 43' E, 16 March 1998, C. Watts — (6 SAMA); Queensland, 12k. N. Laura, 15° 28' S, 144° 27' E, 2 August 1974, C. Watts — (19 SAMA); Archer River, river, 13° 28' S, 142° 12' E, 28 October 1984, C. Watts — (7 SAMA); Biloela, 24° 24' S, 150° 30' E, 7 September 1972, H. E. Hinton — (1 BMNH); Boulia, 22° 54' S, 139° 54' E, 1–30 July 1972, C. Watts — (SAMA); Broken River, 50 miles W. of Mackay, river, 19° 32' S, 144° 54' E, 30 November 1968, S. Misko — (paratypes) (6 ANIC); Burdekin R., 19° 41' S, 147° 36' E, 1 November 1995, C. Watts — (paratypes) (8 SAMA); Burdekin R., E of Charters Towers, 20° 0' S, 146° 26' E, 4 May 1998, C. Watts — (paratypes) (34 SAMA); Cape River, 100km S Charters Towers, river, 21° 0' S, 146° 25' E, 12 December 2002, C. H. S. Watts — (7 SAMA); Clermont, 22° 44' S, 147° 26' E, 1–30 December 1929, K. K. Spence — (6 AMSA); Goolagan Crk., Palmerston Híway, 18 mi. SW Inisfail, 17° 37' S, 145° 43' E, 1 January — 30 December 1987, J. Balfour­Browne — (11 BMNH); Helenvale, 15° 42' S, 145° 13' E, 29 July 1982, C. Watts — (SAMA); Leichart Creek, 8k N Bluewater, creek, 19° 10' S, 146° 32' E, 18 December 2002, A. J. & C. H. S. Watts — 1 female (SAMA); Magnetic Island, 19° 8' S, 146° 50' E ,, A. M. Lea — 1 male (SAMA); N.Q., 40 Mile Scrub N.P. via Mt. Garnet, MDPI intercept trap site No. 13, flight intercept trap, 17° 40' S, 145° 7' E, 23 October – 22 November 1985, Storey & Heiner — 1 male (paratype) (QPIM); N.Q., Bushy Creek, Julatten, from gravel at water's edge, 16° 37' S, 145° 21' E, 3 December 1968, E. Britton — (paratypes) (6 ANIC); N.Q., Bushy Creek, Mossman ­ Mt. Lewis Rd., creek, elev. 365.76 m, 16° 37' S, 145° 21' E, 30–31 October 1966, E. Britton — (paratypes) (17 ANIC); N.Q., Cairns, 16° 55' S, 145° 46' E ,, E. W. Ferguson — (ANIC); N.Q., nr. Julatten, Mossman ­ Mt. Lewis Rd., elev. 365.76 m, 16° 37' S, 145° 21' E, 30 October 1966, E. Britton — (1 ANIC); N.Q., Townsville, light trap, 19° 15' S, 146° 48' E, 31 May – 16 June 1968, P. Ferrar — 1 female (paratype) (ANIC); Parmentier Crk., 7 mis. SW Kuranda, 16° 49' S, 145° 38' E, 21 March 1969, J. Balfour­Browne — (5 BMNH); Pioneer R. nr. Mirani, 21° 9' S, 149° 13' E, 4 September 1972, H. E. Hinton — (4 BMNH); Rocky Creek, Kennedy Hwy., creek, 17° 11' S, 145° 27' E, 27 May 1976, E. B. Britton — 1 female (paratype) (ANIC); South Australia, Cudlee Creek, creek, 34° 50' S, 138° 49' E, 1 February 1989, C. Watts — (paratypes) (20 SAMA); Cudlee Creek, River Torrens, creek, 34° 50' S, 138° 49' E, 15 December 2001, C. Watts — (paratypes) (7 SAMA); Torrens Gorge, 34° 52' S, 138° 52' E, 1–30 April 1961, C. Watts — (1 SAMA); Victoria, Avon River, at Princes Hwy. bridge, Stratford, gravelly cobble­bank at edge of riffle of river, elev. 10 m, 37° 58' S, 147° 4' E, 19 September 1999, N. Porch (56) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Boggy Creek at Princes Hwy. bridge, Nowa Nowa, cobbles and muddy gravel at edge of small river; dry sclerophyll forest, pasture, elev. 5 m, 37° 43', 148° 5', 19 September 1999, N. Porch (59) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Cann River, 12.5km NNE. of Cann River, gravelly cobble­bank of moderately large river, elev. 120 m, 37° 28' S, 149° 10' E, 10 April 2001, N. Porch (NP 24) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Cann River, 12.5km NNE. of Cann River, wet gravel at edge of river flowing through pasture, elev. 120 m, 37° 28' S, 149° 10' E, 8 September 1999, N. Porch (NP 67) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Cann River, at crossing of WB Line, littery sand and gravel at edge of small river; dry sclerophyll forest, elev. 215 m, 37° 20', 149° 12', 10 April 2000, N. Porch (30) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Den of Nargun Creek at Mitchell River, Mitchell River National Park, muddy sand and gravel at edge of small creek pools in riparian rainforest/ dry sclerophyll forest, elev. 55 m, 38° 42' S, 147° 21' E, 7 November 2000, N. Porch (NP 21) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Genoa River at Genoa, u/s of old highway bridge, gravel at edge of small river flowing through pasture, elev. 10 m, 37° 28' S, 149° 35' E, 10 April 2000, N. Porch (NP 25) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Kangaroo Ck. on Springhill Rd., 5.8 km E. Glenlyon, amongst weeds in shallow water at edge of creek (perennial) pools, dry sclerophyll forest, elev. 510 m, 37° 18' S, 144° 18' E, 31 January 1999, N. Porch (NP 24a) — (paratypes) (2 ANIC); Lerderderg River, 6.8 km N. Bacchus Marsh, wet gravel and cobbles at edge of small river; dry sclerophyll forest, elev. 135 m, 37° 37' S, 144° 25' E, 20 September 1999, N. Porch (64) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Loddon Falls, base of, NE. of Glenlyon, sandy gravel at edge of waterfall splashpool in scrubby gorge, elev. 470 m, 37° 16' S, 144° 14' E, 16 March 2001, N. Porch & K. Sniderman (19) — (10 ANIC, NPC); Loddon River at Guildford, sand and sandy mud at edge of small stream in pastureland, elev. 235 m, 37° 9' S, 144° 9' E, 17 February 2002, N. Porch (86) — (3 ANIC, NPC); Loddon River at Newstead, gravel at edge of small river flowing through pasture, elev. 210 m, 37° 6' S, 144° 3' E, 27 November 1999, N. Porch (47) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); McKillops Bridge, Snowy River, gravel at edge of large and rising river; dry sclerophyll forest, elev. 185 m, 37° 5' S, 148° 23' E, 6 November 2000, N. Porch (NP 16) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Porepunkah, Ovens R., mixed dry sclerophyll and exotic trees; at UV light near river; FMHD #87­273, elev. 300 m, 36° 42' S, 146° 55' E, 12 February 1987, A. Newton & M. Thayer (837) — (paratype) (FMNH); Tambo River at Miller Access Road, S. of Ensay, sandy mud of small backwater pool of river flowing through pasture, elev. 210 m, 37° 23' S, 147° 50' E, 16 December 2001, N. Porch (NP 82) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Yellow Creek, at crossing of Ovens Highway, Wangaratta, coarse sand and gravel at wet margins of gravel bar of red gum lined creek in pasture, elev. 145 m, 36° 21' S, 146° 20' E, 15 December 2001, N. Porch (88) — 1 male (paratype) (ANIC); Western Australia, 0.5 km. WNW of Millstream HS, 21° 35' S, 117° 4' E, 14 April 1970, Upton & Mitchell — (paratype) (ANIC); 10k NW Eerala Stn., 21° 19' S, 117° 2' E, 23 May 2001, C. H. S. Watts — (7 SAMA); 12km S of Kalumbru Mission, CALM Site 13/4, at light, closed forest, 14° 25' S, 126° 38' E, 7–11 June 1988, T. A. Weir — (1 ANIC); 14km SbyE Kalumburu Mission, CALM Site 4/3, at light, closed forest, 14° 25' S, 126° 40' E, 3–6 June 1988, T. A. Weir — (1 ANIC); 2 km W Carey Downs, 25° 37' S, 115° 26' E, 19 May 2001, C. H. S. Watts — (2 SAMA); Gascoyne River, Gascoyne Junction, river, 25° 3' S, 115° 12' E, 21 May 2001, C. H. S. Watts — (5 SAMA); Kunaguarrina, pool on Turner River, 22.4 km. S. of Abydos, pool on Turner River, 21° 24' S, 118° 55' E, 30 October 1976, J. Kethley (49) — (paratypes) (18 FMNH); Millstream, Crossing pool, 21° 35' S, 117° 4' E, 24 May 2001, C. H. S. Watts — (32 SAMA); Millstream, Crystal Pool, 21° 35' S, 117° 4' E, 28 October 1970, E. B. Britton — (paratypes) (3 ANIC); Millstream, Crystal Pool, shallow stream, 21° 35' S, 117° 4' E, 31 October 1970, E. Britton — (paratypes) (4 ANIC); Millstream, shallow stream, 21° 35' S, 117° 4' E, 29 October 1970, Britton & Feehan — (paratypes) (20 ANIC); Millstream, shallow stream, from gravel at edge of pool at pipe crossing, 21° 35' S, 117° 4' E, 2 November 1970, E. Britton — (paratypes) (19 ANIC); same locality, 21° 35' S, 117° 4' E, 5 November 1970, E. Britton — (4 ANIC); Millstream, shallow stream, gravel margins of Crossing Pool, 21° 35' S, 117° 4' E, 1 November 1970, E. Britton — (paratypes) (4 ANIC); Synnot Ck., CALM Site 25/1, at light, closed forest margin, 16° 31' S, 125° 16' E, 17–20 June 1988, T. A. Weir — (8 ANIC); Wooramel River, Callytharra Springs Stn, river, 25° 49' S, 115° 22' E, 20 May 2001, C. H. S. Watts — (10 SAMA).

Papua New Guinea: Summit of Kassem Pass at forest level, clear stream, 27 July 1975, R. W. Hornabrook — (2 NMNZ); Central District, Moitaka, 7 miles N. of Port Moresby, ex. dead leaves in gravelly shallow of small pond, 17 March 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 207) — (1 BMNH); Moitaka, 7 miles N. of Port Moresby, ex. shallow muddy margin of swamp, little weed, 17 March 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 203) — (1 BMNH); Port Moresby ­ Brown River Road, ex. grassy shallows of large muddy pond, 15 March 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 195) — (1 BMNH); Port Moresby ­ Brown River Road, ex. gravel banks of large slow muddy river, 15 March 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 198) — (4 BMNH); Port Moresby ­ Brown River Road, ex. gravel banks of small fast running stream, 15 March 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 199a) — (1 BMNH); Port Moresby ­ Brown River Road, ex. small pool in dry gravelly stream bed, 15 March 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 196) — (3 BMNH); East Highland District, Okapa, ex. muddy gravel banks of fast, clear stream, elev. 1524 m, 9 February 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 183) — (3 BMNH); Okapa, gravel banks of deep fast river, elev. 1524 m, 10 February 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 189a) — (1 BMNH); Okapa, under wet leaves left by receding pond, elev. 1524 m, 10 February 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 190) — (2 BMNH); Madang District, Finisterre Mts., Naho R. Valley, Damanti, ex. gravel banks of very fast­running clear stream, elev. 914 m, 11 October 1964, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 47) — (2 BMNH); Morobe District, 3 miles Bulolo ­ Lae Road, ex mud banks of small stream, 29 December 1964, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 128) — (3 BMNH); 4 miles N. of Lae, ex gravel banks of small swift river, 21 January 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 155a) — (2 BMNH); c. 7m. Lae ­ Bulolo Road, ex. gravel and grass roots on bank of small stream, 30 December 1964, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 120) — (28 BMNH); Lae, Buins Creek, muddy gravel banks of large slow river, 27 December 1964, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 122) — (1 BMNH); Lae ­ Bulolo Road, ex. dead leaves on mud bank, 28 December 1964, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 123) — (1 BMNH); Lae ­ Bulolo Road, ex. mud and muddy gravel by small shaded creek, 30 December 1964, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 135) — (1 BMNH); Lae ­ Bulolo Road, ex. muddy gravel bank of small shaded stream, 28 December 1964, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 125) — (6 BMNH); Lae ­ Bulolo Road, Patep Creek, ex gravel bank of large fast river, 28 December 1964, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 126) — (2 BMNH); Lae ­ Bulolo Road, Peracles Creek, ex. gravel banks of small steam, 30 December 1964, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 132) — (1 BMNH); Markham Valley, Gusap, 90 mi. N.W. of Lae, ex. small muddy pools in almost dry stream bed, much algae, elev. 304 m, 27–30 January 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 158) — (5 BMNH); Markham Valley, Gusap, c. 90 mi. W. of Lae, elev. 304 m, 27–30 January 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 166) — (1 BMNH); Markham Valley, Gusap, c. 90 mi. W. of Lae, ex cattle water troughs, elev. 304 m, 3 December 1964, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 114) — (2 BMNH); Markham Valley, Lae­Kainantu Rd., Erap R., ex. gravel, 26 January 1965, M. E. Bacchus (MEB 156) — (3 BMNH); Northern District, Northern Dist., trib. Musa, in open river bed backwater, 21 August 1975, R. W. Hornabrook — (2 NMNZ).

Representative specimens deposited in AMSA,, CMNH, MCZ, MVMA, QMBA, QPIM, TMSA, UQIC, USNM, and WAMP.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Limnebius acupunctus holotype. Dorsal and lateral habitus.

FIGURES 2 – 3. Limnebius acupunctus. — 2. Aedeagus of holotype. — 3. Aedeagus of specimen from Northern Territory, Adelaide River at Daly River Road crossing.

FIGURE 4. Limnebius acupunctus aedeagal variants.

FIGURE 5. Limnebius acupunctus. Geographical distribution and aedeagal variation. Locality data (clockwise from top): Papua New Guinea, Morobe District, Lao­Buolo road; N. Qld., Bushy Creek, Mossman­Mt. Lewis road; N. S. W., Cabbage Tree Creek; Victoria, Cann River, 12.5 km NNE Cann River; S. A., Cudlee Creek, River Torrens (holotype); N. T., Ellery Gorge, 85 km. W. of Alice Springs; W. A. Kunaguarrina, pool on Turner River; N. T., Adelaide River, at Daly River road crossing.