Liogluta ursi ( Sawada, 1972 )

Lee, Seung-Gyu & Ahn, Kee-Jeong, 2016, A taxonomic review of Korean Liogluta Thomson (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae) with descriptions of three new species, Zootaxa 4193 (2), pp. 285-303 : 301-303

Liogluta ursi ( Sawada, 1972)

( Figs. 1 H, 9)

Atheta ursi Sawada, 1972: 53 .

Liogluta ursi ; Yosii & Sawada, 1976: 97; Smetana, 2004: 411; Schülke & Smetana, 2015: 567.

Description. Length 2.8–3.4 mm. Body fusiform; surface fairly glossy and densely pubescent, with fine microsculpture. Body ( Fig. 1 H) reddish brown to dark brown; head darker than other parts; elytra and legs paler brown. Head. More or less circular, approximately 1.0–1.1 times as wide as long, widest across eyes, distinctly narrower than pronotum; eyes relatively small, about 0.8–1.0 times as long as temples; gular sutures moderately separated, diverged basally; infraorbital carina complete; cervical carina absent. Antennae ( Fig. 9 A) long and slender; antennomeres 1–3 elongate, 2 slightly longer than 3, 4 about as long as wide, 5–10 subquadrate to slightly transverse, 11 longest, about as long as preceding two combined. Mouthparts. Labrum transverse, slightly emarginate in anterior margin, with ε-sensillum and about 8 macrosetae on each side of midline; epipharynx with several sensilla, including 2 lateral sensory rows on each side of midline; α-sensillum setaceous, slightly longer than ε-sensillum, β- and γ-sensilla very short, convergent at apex. Mandibles asymmetrical, subtriangular, decurved and pointed apically, about 1.6 times as long as basal width; right one with small internal tooth, internal margin slightly serrulate; prostheca developed, composited three portions, second portion longer. Galea and lacinia of maxilla long and slender; lacinia having seven spines in distal comb region, two isolated spines present; maxillary palpus elongate with pubescence and long setae; palpomere 1 smallest, 2 about 2.8–3.0 times as long as wide, 3 slightly longer than 2, about 3.0 times as long as wide, 4 digitiform, filamentous sensilla not reaching to basal half. Labium with ligula long and slender, divided into 2 lobes in basal third; prementum with two medial setae widely separated; two basal pores narrowly separated, about 1.0 times width of basal pore; several medial pseudopores, 1 setal pore and 2 real pores present on each side of midline; labial palpus very elongate, with many setulae; palpomere 1 largest, about 2.0–2.4 times as long as wide, γ-setula contiguous with b-seta, 2 shortest, about 1.3–1.5 times as long as wide, 3 parallel-sided and shorter than 1, about 3.5 times as long as wide. Mentum trapezoidal, anterior margin truncate; v-seta relatively long, close to u-seta. Thorax. Pronotum approximately 1.4 times as wide as long, widest at middle. Metanotal scutum with 1 long seta and about 5–7 relatively short setae on each side of midline. Mesocoxal cavities narrowly separated; mesoventral process pointed at apex; length ratio of mesoventral process, isthmus and metaventral process 6:4:1. Elytra slightly longer and slightly wider than pronotum; elytron approximately 1.4–1.5 times as long as wide, postero-lateral margin almost straight; pubescence directed posterior and postero-laterally; hind wings fully developed, flabellum composed of about 9–10 setose lobes. Legs. Slender and long, with pubescence and macrosetae; tibiae with different length of two spurs at apex; tarsal formula 4-5-5, length ratio of tarsomeres 32:36:40:90 (protarsus); 42:51:52:48:90 (mesotarsus); 75:71:57:57:110 (metatarsus); one empodial seta present, shorter than claw. Abdomen. Narrow apically; surface fairly glossy and densely pubescent, fine and transverse microsculpture; conspicuous macrosetae present in lateral regions; macrochaetal arrangement of tergites II–VI 01-12-13 -13-13 (or 23); tergite VII subquadrate; male tergite VIII ( Fig. 9 B) with 5 or 6 macrosetae on each side of midline, posterior margin truncate; male sternite VIII ( Fig. 9 C) with 7 macrosetae on each side of midline, posterior margin subtruncate; posterior margin of female tergite VIII ( Fig. 9 D) similar to male; female sternite VIII ( Fig. 9 E) with 6 macrosetae on each side of midline, posterior margin subtruncate, with long marginal setae and minute setae in median region. Aedeagus. Median lobe ( Figs. 9 F–G) narrowly ovate and widest in basal third, apical process short and convergent at apex in ventral aspect. Paramerite not pointed apically. Apical lobe of paramerites ( Fig. 9 H) recurved and pointed apically, with four setae; a-seta longest, other setae subequal in length. Spermatheca. Bursa elongate, with conical shaped umbilicus; duct long and slender, entirely coiled and apex twisted ( Fig. 9 I).

Material examined. SOUTH KOREA: Gangwon Prov.: 9 exx. (four on slide), Pyeongchang-gun, Jinbumyeon , Mt. Odaesan , N 37˚47'03" E128˚33'55", 18 vi 2004, SJ Park, sifting.

Distribution. Korea (South) and Japan.

Remarks. Liogluta ursi can be distinguished from other Liogluta species by the fusiform body; the macrochaetal arrangement of abdominal tergites; and the different shape and structure of the aedeagus and spermatheca. This species was described by Sawada (1972) and transferred to the genus Liogluta based on their character systems in Yosii & Sawada (1976).

The systematic position of L. ursi is doubtful, considering the fusiform body that distinguishes it from other Liogluta species, including the type species. However, the species has most diagnostic characters of Liogluta except for the body form. Therefore, its generic assignment to the Liogluta is maintained here, pending further comprehensive research of this species.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Habitus of Liogluta. A, L. changwhani sp. nov.; B, L. distans; C, L. granigera; D, L. infans. E, L. jinilli sp. nov.; F, L. pyonganica; G, L. rufescens sp. nov.; H, L. ursi.

FIGURE 9. Liogluta ursi. A, antenna; B, male abdominal tergite VIII (dorsal aspect); C, male abdominal sternite VIII (ventral aspect); D, female abdominal tergite VIII (dorsal aspect); E, female abdominal sternite VIII (ventral aspect); F, median lobe of aedeagus (lateral aspect); G, median lobe of aedeagus (ventral aspect); H, paramere (lateral aspect); I: spermatheca. Scales = 0.1 mm.