Trigonopterus australis Riedel

Riedel, Alexander & Taenzler, Rene, 2016, Revision of the Australian species of the weevil genus Trigonopterus Fauvel, ZooKeys 556, pp. 97-162 : 107-108

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Curculionidae

6. Trigonopterus australis Riedel sp. n.

Diagnostic description.

Holotype (Fig. 6a). Length 2.78 mm. Color black; antenna and legs ferruginous. Body subovate, in dorsal aspect and in profile with marked constriction between pronotum and elytron. Rostrum punctate-scabrous, in basal third with median ridge and pair of submedian ridges; in front of antennal insertion with median bifid protrusion; punctures containing upcurved narrow scales; epistome posteriorly with curved ridge bearing 4 denticles. Forehead coarsely punctate-rugose. Pronotum with sides subparallel, anteriorly abruptly rounded to indistinct subapical constriction; irregularly foveate-reticulate; each fovea containing one inconspicuous seta; interspaces forming irregular, mainly longitudinal ridges. Elytra converging from humeri to apex; base bisinuate; striae deeply impressed, with coarse punctures; intervals carinate to costate; with sparse subrecumbent scales; sutural interval prominent, near base markedly swollen. Legs. Femora punctate-rugose, with sparse suberect scales. Tibiae subbasally with dorsal angulation; metatibia subapically with suprauncal angulation. Metaventrite subglabrous except deep median furrow. Abdominal ventrite 1 concave; abdominal ventrite 2 posteriorly transversely costate. Penis (Fig. 6b) with sides of body weakly converging from base to subtruncate apex; in profile ventrally with marked subapical swelling; transfer apparatus short, dentiform; ductus ejaculatorius without bulbus. Intraspecific variation. Length 1.92-3.34 mm. Body usually covered with more or less thick soil incrustations removed in holotype. Female body slender. Female rostrum dorsally somewhat flattened, without protrusion; in basal half with median costa and pair of submedian costae; epistome simple.

Material examined.

Holotype (QMBA): ARC3895 (PCR failed), Queensland, West Claudie R., Iron Range, S12°45', E143°14', sieved litter, Berlesate No. 693, 50 m, 05-XII-1985. Paratypes (ANIC, SMNK): Queensland: 27 exx, 11 km ENE of Mt. Tozer, S12°43', E143°18', rainforest litter, Berlesate ANIC 1065, 11-16-VII-1986; 2 exx, 9 km ENE of Mt. Tozer, S12°43', E143°17', open forest litter, Berlesate ANIC 1061, 05-10-VII-1986; 1 ex, 3 km ENE of Mt. Tozer, S12°44', E143°14', flight intercept trap, rainforest, 28-VI-16-VII-1986; 1 ex, 3 km ENE of Mt. Tozer, S 12°44', E143°14', Berlesate ANIC 1052 rainforest litter, 01-04- VII-1986; 3 exx, Claudie R. nr. Iron Rg., 19-25-VII-1978; 3 exx, Iron Ra., S12°45', E143°14', Berlesate ANIC 309, rainforest, 14-VI-1971; 1 ex, Iron Ra., S12°43', E143°48', Berlesate ANIC 308, rainforest, 15-VI-1971; 3 exx, ARC4042 (PCR failed), McIlwraith Range, 8km WbyN of Bald Hill, upper Leo creek site, S13°45', E143°22', berlesate ANIC 1117, leaf litter, closed forest, 500 m, 27-VI-12-VII-1989; 6 exx, McIlwraith Range, 8km WbyN of Bald Hill, mango tree site, S13°45', E143°22', berlesate ANIC 1118, leaf litter, closed forest, 500 m, 27-VI-12-VII-1989; 14 exx, McIlwraith Range, 11km WbyN of Bald Hill, search party campsite, S13°44', E143°20', berlesate ANIC 1107, leaf litter, closed forest, 520 m, 27-VI-12-VII-1989; 1 ex, McIlwraith Range, 15km WNW of Bald Hill, interface site, S13°43', E143°19', berlesate ANIC 1122, leaf litter, monsoon forest with Casuarina & Acacia , 500 m, 27-VI-12-VII-1989.

Distribution.

Queensland: Mc Ilwraith Range, Iron Range.

Biology.

Sifted from leaf litter in primary forest.

Etymology.

This epithet is the Latin adjective australis (southern) and refers to the continent formerly known as "Terra Australis", i.e. Australia.