Nesiotus nocitus Gimmel, 2013

Gimmel, Matthew L., 2013, Revision of the Malagasy genusNesiotusGuillebeau (Coleoptera: Phalacridae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 67 (2), pp. 123-132 : 123-132

Nesiotus nocitus Gimmel , new species

Diagnosis. This species may be distinguished from other members of the genus by the moderately elongated antennomere XI in the male, the size of the eye in frontal view (separated by about 2.0 times width of one eye), the elytral interval microsetae in one row, the penis gradually narrowing apically from mid-length and with acutely pointed apex, and by the fused parameres of the tegmen broadly pentagonal.

Holotype. Male , genitalia dissected and mounted in DMHF on card with specimen, with label data “ MADAGASCAR: Fianarant- \ soa: Ranomafana National \ Park, Talatakely, Trail A550 \ 4 November 1998; el. 1030m \ V. F. Lee, K. J. Ribardo, leg. \ Calif. Acad. Sci. Collection // CASENT \ 8015584 // HOLOTYPE \ Nesiotus \ nocitus Gimmel \ des. M.L. Gimmel [red label]”, deposited in CAS.

Description. Length 1.8 mm. Dorsal coloration ( Fig. 23 ) uniformly reddish piceous. Ventral coloration somewhat lighter. Appendages reddish testaceous. Head: Eyes separated by about 2.0 times width of a single eye in frontal view ( Fig. 31). Male antennomere XI about as long as IX–X combined ( Fig. 3 ). Female unknown. Thorax: Pronotum with anterior bead not narrowed medially; posterolateral angles sharp, about right; posterior border unmargined. Prosternal process with 1 pair of apical setae, setae located at posterolateral corners. Elytral interval microsetae in a single irregular row. Metaventral lines extending about one-third distance from mesocoxa to metacoxa. Genitalia: Penis ( Fig. 9 ) with apex acutely pointed, widest at about mid-length, gradually narrowing apically, more abruptly narrowing proximally; internal sac sclerites more reduced than other members of the genus. Tegmen ( Fig. 16 ) with fused parameres broadly pentagonal, with distinct but short cleft at apex, with 2 pairs of subapical setae, setae positioned about equidistant from lateroapical edge of parameres; basal piece very short, slightly narrower apically than at mid-length; with 3 acuminate basal struts, struts about equal in length and slightly exceeding basal ring anteriorly, middle strut much wider than lateral struts.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a Latin past participle meaning “harmed” or “injured,” used in reference to the damaged holotype (and only known specimen) of this species, which was discovered lacking the right antenna, apical segments of the mesotarsi, and the metatarsi. However, the aedeagus is intact and obviously places this specimen as a new species.

Distribution. This species is known only from the holotype collected in Ranomafana National Park, Fianaranstoa Province, Madagascar.

Figures

Figs. 20–27. Dorsal habitus and type labels of Nesiotus species. Dorsal habitus: 20) N. basalis; 21) N. fisheri; 22) N. joebranhami; 23) N. nocitus; 24) N. ocularis; 25) N. steineri; 26) N. olibroides, lectotype. All habitus images to same scale. Labels: 27) N. olibroides, lectotype.

Figs. 1–5. Characters of Nesiotus species. Meso- and metaventrite: 1) N. basalis. Antenna: 2) N. basalis; 3) N. nocitus;

Figs. 6–19. Aedeagal sclerites of Nesiotus species. Penis: 6) N. basalis; 7) N. fisheri; 8) N. joebranhami; 9) N. nocitus; 10) N. ocularis; 11) N. olibroides; 12) N. steineri. Tegmen:13) N. basalis; 14) N. fisheri; 15) N. joebranhami; 16) N. nocitus; 17) N. ocularis; 18) N. olibroides; 19) N. steineri. Scale bar = 0.1 mm.