Tropopterus minimucro, Liebherr, James K., 2019

Liebherr, James K., 2019, Revision of Tropopterus Solier: A disjunct South American component of the Australo-Pacific Moriomorphini (Coleoptera, Carabidae), Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 66 (2), pp. 147-177 : 147

8. Tropopterus minimucro sp. nov. Figures 2B , 5 A–D , 6 J–K , 7F , 8F , 9H , 10

Diagnosis

(n = 5). These larger sized beetles - standardized body length = 7.2-7.9 mm - can be distinguished by the closely punctate sutural stria which becomes a fine, narrow impression on the elytral apex, and the broadly impressed and smooth stria 2 which is obsolete apically ( Fig. 2B ). The basal elytral groove is absent across most of the elytral base, though it extends for a short distance medially from the elevated humeral tooth at the base of the elytral lateral marginal depression. The pronotum is moderately transverse (MPW/PL = 1.27-1.37) and the pronotal base is smooth except for 5-8 shallow punctures mesad the laterobasal depression. The parascutellar striole is present as a broad smooth groove mesad the parascutellar seta, the groove not continuous with the base of the sutural stria. Ventrally the prosternum is broadly and deeply depressed medially from the prosternal process ventral face anterad 2/3 toward the prothoracic anterior margin, and the mesepisternum is irregularly punctate with 8-9 punctures in 2 or 3 vertical rows. The dorsal body surface bears well-developed microsculpture: 1, the vertex with an evident isodiametric mesh in transverse rows; 2, the pronotum with a dense transverse mesh, sculpticell breadth 2 –3× length, accompanied by transverse lines over portions of the surface; and 3, the elytra with dense transverse lines resulting in iridescence.

Description.

Head capsule broad with moderately convex eyes, ocular ratio = 1.41-1.45, 25 ommatidia crossed by a horizontal diameter of eye; ocular lobes slightly protruded, their posterior margin obtusely meeting gena, ocular lobe ratio 0.85-0.89; antennae elongate, antennomere 9 length 2.30 × maximal diameter; mandibles moderately elongate, distance from anterior condyle to apex of left mandible 1.76 × distance from condyle to lateroapical margin of labrum; mentum basal breadth 2.8 × length from lateral apex to base, very deep paramedial pits laterad base of mentum tooth; ligular apex broad, truncate, two setae separated by 4 setal diameters; paraglossae extended beyond ligular margin slightly more than distance from their base to ligular margin. Transverse pronotum with sides sinuate before acute, projected and denticulate hind angles; median base completely margined, base smooth medially anterad marginal bead, with ~8 minute punctures each side mesad laterobasal depressions; median longitudinal impression with deep, lenticular depression on median base, finely engraved on disc; anterior transverse impression broad and shallow medially, deeper laterally toward front angles; anterior margin smooth medially, margined in outer half of breadth each side; front angles only slightly protruded, rounded; lateral marginal depression very narrow in anterior 2/3 of length, gradually widened to hind angle; lateral setae separated from lateral marginal depression by diameter of articulatory socket; laterobasal depression subquadrate, a smooth tubercle upraised in middle of depression. Elytra broader in apical half, humeri narrowly rounded; lateral marginal depression ended blindly at humerus; parascutellar striole absent, sutural stria indicated by series of isolated punctures, those punctures more closely spaced in apical half, the stria smooth, narrow and deep on apex; subapical and apical setae together in depressed remnant of stria 7; stria 8 greatly reduced, broad and shallow among anterior lateral elytral setae, absent to shallow medially, and shallow, interrupted to deeper and continuous between setae of posterior series; lateral marginal depression moderately broad, lined with transverse sculpticells; subapical sinuation broad and shallow, elytral plica evident in lateral view. Metepisternum slightly elongate, maximal width 0.83 × lateral length. Abdomen with ventrites 3-6 broadly depressed laterally; suture between ventrites 1 and 2 slightly sinuate, ventrite 2 depressed within sinuation; base of ventrites 4-6 depressed, no evidence of punctures associated with the intersegmental membranes; female apical ventrite with two long setae each side and four shorter setae in a more basally situated transverse row medially. Coloration of dorsal body dark rufous, antennae, mouthparts and legs rufobrunneous; ventral body surface also dark rufous, proepipleuron and elytral epipleuron concolorous to paler, rufobrunneous, apex of abdomen not paler.

Male genitalia (n = 10). Aedeagal median lobe broad dorsoventrally, the ostial opening narrowed to a rounded apex that bears a very small mucro on the ventrobasal surface ( Fig. 5A, C ); a large, distally serrate ventrobasal spicular sclerite present ( Fig. 5C ); flagellum elongate, associated with membranous flagellar sheath. Antecostal apodeme of abdominal IX broadly rounded distally, juncture of two lateral arms asymmetrically offset toward left side, the distal extension short. Right paramere elongate with narrow apical extension ( Fig. 6J, K ), ventral surface lined with 10-14 small setae, one or two larger setae at apex, and from one to several small setae on dorsoapical surface; left paramere broad basally, the apex ranging from a gradually narrow apex ( Fig. 6J ) to a very narrow, digitiform extension ( Fig. 6K ), two longer apical setae accompanied by several short setae.

Female reproductive tract (n = 1). Bursa copulatrix ovoid, expanded apically, length about 1.6 × greatest breadth, compressed under microslide cover slip ( Fig. 7F ); spermatheca globose; spermathecal gland large, ovoid; spermathecal gland duct entering spermathecal duct basad spermathecal reservoir; basal gonocoxite 1 with apical fringe of one larger seta and one smaller seta ( Fig. 8F ); apical gonocoxite 2 broadly triangular, base moderately extended laterally, with two lateral ensiform setae, one dorsal ensiform seta, and two apical nematiform setae.

Holotype male, dissected (MCZ): PucaTrihue / Orsono Prov. / III-23-62 / CHILE Pena // dissection vial // Tropopterus / minimucro / Liebherr ♂2 / det. J.K. Liebherr 2019 // HOLOTYPE / Tropopterus / minimucro / J.K. Liebherr 2019 (black-margined red label). The geographic coordinates for the type locality are 40°32.10'S, 73°41.53'W.

Paratypes: Chile: Cautín Prov., Bellavista, Lago Villarrica, 39 12.55'S, 72 08.14'W, 250 m el., 8-i-2006, Will (EMEC, 4). Chiloé Prov., Degán, 10.3 km E, rte. W33, lot CH2006.18.1.1, 42°10.37'S, 73°36.72'W, 166 m el., 18-i-2006, Will (EMEC etoh, 1), Huillinco, 5.4 km S, Rio Terahuin, 42°43.12'S, 73°53.87'W, 36 m el., 22-i-2006, Will (EMEC, 2), P. N. Chiloé, Cucao, lot CH2002/3.53, 42°38.47'S, 74°07.00'W, 23 m el., 20-i-2003, Will (EMEC etoh, 3). Llanquihue Prov., Lago Chapo, near SE end, km 9.9 on road to Rollizo, Valdivian rainforest on steep slope, lot 989; pyr.-fogging old logs, 41°30.63'S, 72°23.98'W, 385 m el., 26-i-1997, Newton & Thayer (FMNH etoh, 1), P. N. Vicente Pérez Rosales, Volcán Osorno, SW slope ca. km 11 to La Burbuja, low Nothofagus dombeyi w/ mixed understory, lot 1005, FMHD #97-35, Berlese leaf and log litter, 41°07.91'S, 72°32.16'W, 1065 m el., 27-i-1997, Newton & Thayer (FMNH, 1), Ensenada, 9.2 km NE, on road to Petrohué, Valdivian rainforest with Nothofagus spp., lot 987, pyr.-fogging old logs, 41°10.20'S, 72°27.10'W, 125 m el., 28-i-1997, Newton & Thayer (FMNH etoh, 1), Volcán Osorno, SW slope c. km 11 to La Burbuja, low Nothofagus dombeyi w/bamboo & shrub understory, lot 1065, pyr.-fogging old mossy logs, 41°07.9'S, 72°32'W, 1090 m el., 15-xii-2002, Newton & Thayer (FMNH, 1). Osorno Prov., P. N. Puyehue, lot CH2002/3.192, 40°40.22'S, 72°10.07'W, 300 m el., 23-i-2003, Will (EMEC etoh, 1), lot CH2002/3.187, 40°40.22'S, 72°10.07'W, 300 m el. 23-i-2003, Will (EMEC etoh, 2), P. N. Puyehue, Anticura, Repucura Tr., lot P#85-113, FMHD #85-996, Berlese forest litter, 40°39.97'S, 72°10.47'W, 500 m el., 6-ii-1985, S. & J. Peck (FMNH, 2), Volcán Casablanca, E shore Lago Puyehue, Site 36, tundra-forest transition, 40°44'S, 72°10'W, 1270 m el., 18-xii-1977, Ashworth, Hoganson & Mooers (NDSU, 1), Osorno, 40°34.50'S, 73°07.00'W, xii-1977 (NMNH, 2). Valdivia Prov., Curiñanco, road to, 39°42.90'S, 73°23.77'W, 112 m el., 9-xi-2008, Will (EMEC, 1), La Union, 34 km WNW, lot P#85-36, FMHD #85-921, Berlese mixed forest litter, 40°15.00'S, 73°23.75'W, 700 m el., 17-xii-1984, S. & J. Peck (FMNH, 1), P. N. Oncol, Cerro Oncol trail, lot DRM 06-044, 39°41.89'S, 73°18.07'W, 525 m el., 10-i-2006, Maddison & Will (OSAC, 1; OSAC etoh, 1), lot DRM 06.045, 39°41.89'S, 73°18.07'W, 500 m, 11-i-2006, Maddison & Seago (OSAC etoh, 1), Sendero Oncol, 39°41.50'S, 73°18.25'W, 600 m el., 10-i-2006, Will (EMEC, 1), lot CH2006.10.i.2, 39°41.50'S, 73°18.25'W, 600 m el., 10-i-2006 (EMEC etoh, 2), 39°41.65'S, 73°18.86'W, 715 m el., 12-i-2006, Will (EMEC, 8), pitfall trap, 39°41.55'S, 73°18.86'W, 690 m el., 10-23-i-2006, Will et al. (EMEC, 2), 39°41.67'S, 73°18.25'W, 513 m el., 9-xi-2008, Will (EMEC, 2), 600 m el., 8-xi-2008, Will (EMEC, 1), Puerto Fui [sic Fuy], 14 km SE, Lago Pirehueico, Site G, Lenga Forest, Nothofagus pumilio , standard pitfall trap, 39 58'S, 71 48'W, 1230 m el., 5-xii-1987, Ashworth, Fugiseth & Maliscke (NDSU, 1), leaf litter, photoeclector, 39°58'S, 71°48'W, 1230 m el., 11-i-1988, Ashworth, Fugiseth & Maliscke (NDSU, 1), window/pitfall trap, 39°58'S, 71°48'W, 1230 m el., 11-i-1988, Ashworth, Fugiseth & Maliscke (NDSU, 1), standard pitfall trap, 39°58'S, 71°48'W, 1230 m el., 15-i-1988, Ashworth, Fugiseth & Maliscke (NDSU, 1).

Etymology.

The species epithet minimucro describes the very small mucro on the apex of the male aedeagal median lobe, that character amply diagnosing this species. The name is to be treated as a noun.

Distribution and habitat.

All records for this species are clustered from 39°13' S– 42°39'S ( Fig. 9H ), straddling the transition between the Northern and Southern Valdivian entomofaunal provinces ( O’Brien 1971). Collecting sites range from 23 m elevation on Isla Chiloé to 1270 m elevation in the forest-tundra transition zone on Volcán Casablanca ( Ashworth and Hoganson 1987). Beetles have been found in Berlese siftate of mixed forest litter, leaf and log litter, and via pyrethrin fogging of old logs with or without moss. The species is broadly sympatric with the southern portion of the range of T. giraudyi . Moreover, both T. minimucro and T. giraudyi have been collected during the same collecting events four different times, suggesting intense sympatry at both macro- and microsympatric scales. The four identical collecting series include: Cautín Prov., Bellavista, Lago Villarrica, 39°12.55'S, 72°08.14'W, 250 m el., 8-i-2006, Will (EMEC); Valdivia Prov., P. N. Oncol, Mirador Pilocura, Sendero, 39°41.65'S, 73°18.86'W, 715 m el., 12-i-2006, Will (EMEC); Llanquihue Prov., P. N. Vicente Pérez Rosales, Volcán Osorno, SW slope c. km 11 to La Burbuja, low Nothofagus dombeyi w/bamboo & shrub understory, lot 1065, pyr.-fogging old mossy logs, 41°07.9'S, 72°32'W, 1090 m el., 15-xii-2002, Newton and Thayer (FMNH); and Llanquihue Prov., P. N. Vicente Pérez Rosales, Ensenada, 9.2 km NE on road to Petrohué, Valdivian rainforest with Nothofagus spp., lot 987, pyr.-fogging old logs, 41°10.20'S, 72°27.10'W, 125 m el., 28-i-1997, Newton and Thayer (FMNH). Tropopterus minimucro has been collected alongside the leiodid Anaballetus chilensis two times ( Newton et al. 2017; Chile: Cautín Prov., Bellavista, N shore Lago Villarrica, FMNH; and Chile: Valdivia Prov., La Union, 34 km WNW, FMNH).

Figures

Figure 2. Tropopterus spp., dorsal view; range of standardized body lengths in mm. A. T. trisinuatus female; Cautin Prov., Villarrica (CAS). B. T. minimucro female; Valdivia Prov., P. N. Oncol (OSAC). C. T. fieldianus male; Osorno Prov., Maicolpue (FMNH).

Figure 5. Male aedeagal median lobe, left view, and antecostal apodeme and tergite of abdominal IX, dorsal view. A-D. T. minimucro. A, B. Cautin Prov., Bellavista (EMEC). C, D. Llanguihue Prov., P. N. Vicente Perez Rosales (FMNH). E, F. T fieldianus. E. Osorno Prov., Maicolpue (FMNH). F. Valdivia Prov. La Union (FSCA). For abbreviations used to label structures see Table 1.

Figure 6. Paired sets of left parameres (above) and right parmeres (below), ectal view, for male specimens of Tropopterus spp. Parameres are in anatomically correct orientation with ventral surface toward bottom of drawing. A, B. T. giraudyi. A. Malleco Prov., P. N. Nahuelbuta (FMNH). B. Chili, " Tropopterus nitidus Sol. " [sic], Chaudoir Coll. (MNHN). C. T. peckorum; Quillota Prov., P. N. La Campana (FMNH). D, E. T. robustus. D. Malleco Prov., P. N. Contulmo (CMNH). E. Cautin Prov., Bellavista (CAS). F, G. T. canaliculus. F. Malleco Prov., P. N. Nahuelbuta (FMNH). G. Arauco Prov., Caramavida (NMNH). H-I. T. duponchelii. H. Talca Prov., Altos de Vilches (MNHN). I. Arauco Prov., Caramavida (MCZ). J, K. T. minimucro. J. Cautin Prov., Bellavista (EMEC). K. Llanquihue Prov. P. N. Vicente Perez Rosales (FMNH). L. T. fieldianus; Valdivia, La Union (FSCA).

Figure 7. Female reproductive tract and gonocoxae of abdominal segment IX, ventral view. A. T. montagnei; Petorca Prov., Q. Tigre Zapallar, Catapilco (MNHN). Spermatheca disassociated from bursal assemblage. B. T. giraudyi; Llanquihue Prov., P. N. Vicente Perez Rosales (FMNH). C. T. robustus; Malleco Prov., M. N. Contulmo (FMNH). D. T. canaliculus; Malleco Prov., P. N. Nahuelbuta (FMNH). E. T. duponchelii; Arauco Prov., Caramavida (MCZ). F. T. minimucro; Valdivia Prov., P. N. Oncol (EMEC). For abbreviations used to label structures see Table 1. Vertical scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Figure 8. Left gonocoxa (except where noted), ventral view, for Tropopterus spp. Specimen information is parallel to that in Figure 7 A-F. For abbreviations used to label structures see Table 1. A. T. montagnei. B. T. giraudyi. C. T. robustus. D. T. canaliculus. E. T. duponchelii. F. T. minimucro (right gonocoxa).

Figure 9. A-I. Geographic distributions of Tropopterus spp. A. T. montagnei. B. T. giraudyi. C. T. peckorum. D. T. robustus. E. T. canaliculus. F. T. duponchelii. G. T. trisinuatus. H. T. minimucro. I. T. fieldianus. J. Geographical distributions of Tropopterus spp., labeled as per figures above, hierarchically arranged by phylogenetic relationships of the taxon cladogram, Fig. 10.

Figure 10. Cladogram returned under all cladistic protocols described in text; tree length = 97, CI = 57, RI = 47, fast character optimization shown. Outgroup choice of Pharetis thayerae based on results in Liebherr (2020). Geographic region abbreviations after taxon name include: eastern Australia (EOZ); Santiagan entomofaunal province (San); Northern Valdivian entomofaunal province (NV); Southern Valdivian Entomofaunal province (SV).