Peitawopsis Smetana, 1992

HERMAN, LEE H., 2004, Revision of the Asian Tribe Megarthropsini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Tachyporinae), American Museum Novitates 3430, pp. 1-72 : 30-39

Peitawopsis Smetana

Figures 93–120 , 188–193

Peitawopsis Smetana, 1992: 199 . Type species: Peitawopsis monticola Smetana , fixed by original designation and monotypy.

— Herman, 2001a: 679 (catalog).— Herman and Smetana, 2002: 198 (diagnosis; key to species).

DIAGNOSIS: The broadly rounded posterior pronotal angle will separate Peitawopsis (figs. 96, 188) from Nepaliodes (fig. 79) and Megarthropsis (fig. 66) which have strongly angulate posterior angles. The lateral third of the elytra of Peitawopsis is concave (fig. 188), the elytra of Megarthropsis (fig. 171) and Lacvietina (fig. 1) are convex to the narrowly reflexed epipleural ridge, and the elytra of Nepaliodes (fig. 183) are convex to about the lateral third or fourth, which is concave, explanate, and sparsely punctate. The posterior margin of the elytra of Peitawopsis is broadly and evenly emarginate from the lateroapical angle to the elytral suture, but is emarginate laterally in the other genera. The distinct postocular cephalic carina of Nepaliodes (fig. 184) and Megarthropsis (fig. 172) is modified to a rounded ridge in Peitawopsis (fig. 189). The antennal scape of Peitawopsis (fig. 189) is nearly parallel­sided from near the base to the apex, whereas the scape of Nepaliodes (fig. 184) is tapered apically from the base.

DESCRIPTION: Length 3.3–4.6 mm; width 1.3–1.7 mm.

Color pale to dark reddish brown; head dark reddish brown, nearly black; anterior and lateral margins of pronotum and elytra pale reddish brown to yellowish brown.

Head (fig. 189) with dorsum moderately densely and moderately coarsely punctate. Clypeal punctation fine and sparse or absent. Head with lateral margin moderately strongly reflexed from antenna to anterior margin of clypeus (fig. 189); anterior margin of clypeus not reflexed and with fine transverse microsculpturing. Epistomal suture (fig. 189) present, complete, and angulate at middle; midcranial suture short (fig. 189). Dorsum of head with midlongitudinal groove extending posteriorly from epistomal suture to near neck and well­developed (fig. 189) to feeble. Postocular lateral margin of head with round­ ed ridge extending medially from eye (fig. 189); postocular vertical carina absent. Gular sutures widely separated. Submentum moderately coarsely punctate. Antenna short, reaching to near middle of elytra; scape (fig. 189) more or less parallel­sided from near base to apex, and with scattered setae dorsally and ventrally.

Pronotum (figs. 96, 188) with anterior and posterior angles broadly rounded; anterior angles produced beyond median portion of anterior margin; lateral margin broadly and evenly curved; median and lateral surfaces densely and coarsely punctate and with some anastomosing punctures; punctation slightly denser anteriorly and laterally than medially and posteriorly.

Elytra (fig. 188) reduced, combined width greater than length as measured from scutellar apex to line across lateroapical angles of elytra; surface with dense punctation. Elytra (fig. 188) with median two­thirds of dorsal surface shallowly convex and lateral third shallowly concave; surface evenly, densely, and moderately strongly punctate; lateral margin explanate and moderately reflexed; lateral margin with spinelike setae restricted to humeral angle; posterior margin with broad emargination; posterolateral angle strongly produced. Mesosternum without midlongitudinal basal ridge or carina; paramedial carina present basally and moderately long. Metasternum without depression or pit adjacent to apex of mesosternal process; circum­mesocoxal ridge moderately developed medially.

Procoxa with carina on median surface.

MALE: Sternite VII (figs. 95, 108, 110) with broad emargination of posterior margin; surface with peg setae and broad depression medially. Sternum VIII (figs. 100, 101, 111) with deep anteriorly tapered emargination. Tergum VIII with three apical lobes; median lobe with broad, shallow apical emargination. Aedeagus (figs. 93, 103, 112) with parameres tapered apically, straight, and of about equal length and width; median lobe with shallow groove (or depression) near middle of ventral surface of base (fig. 97).

FEMALE: Sternum VIII (fig. 104) with three pairs of lobes on posterior margin; median pair of lobes with fanlike cluster of setae on each lobe. Tergum VIII (figs. 117, 120) with four apical lobes; lateral lobe without secondary lobe on lateral edge.

Spermathecal capsule enlarged at apex and strongly constricted then tapered proximally (figs. 105, 116) or gradually tapered from apex to spermathecal duct (figs. 98, 99); juncture of capsule with spermathecal duct not enlarged; spermathecal duct with one or more loops near capsule.

DISCUSSION: Peitawopsis , with three species, is known only from the Chung­Yang Shan of Taiwan. The species have reduced elytra and wings, are flightless, and are found at elevations of 1500–2900 m. Two species, P. monticola and P. watanabei , live on Peitawushan where both were collected from moist litter on the forest floor. The two species were collected at one locality where P. watanabei was found in litter in depressions and gullies of the forest floor, and P. monticola was found in litter and debris along a trail. Although the two species overlap in their elevational distribution, P. watanabei is found at higher elevations to about 2900 m. The third species ( P. inexspectata ) is from Kuanshan and Peinantashan where it also was collected from moist, forest floor litter.

KEY TO SPECIES OF Peitawopsis

1. Abdominal sternite VII (figs. 95, 110) with emarginate posterior margin (males).... 2

— Abdominal sternite VII with rounded posterior margin (females)................... 4

2(1). Sternite VII (fig. 110) with uninterrupted row of peg setae near posterior margin... P. watanabei Herman and Smetana

— Sternite VII (figs. 95, 108) with two medially separated rows of peg setae near posterior margin.................... 3

3(2). Sternite VII (fig. 95) with two rows of peg setae along posterior margin and with two small groups of peg setae on disc................... P. monticola Smetana

— Sternite VII (fig. 108) with two rows of peg setae beginning at posterior margin and extending onto disc and without separate small group of peg setae on disc.................. P. inexspectata Smetana

4(1). Spermathecal capsule (fig. 99) gradually enlarged at one end; spermathecal duct with multiple loops near capsule...................... P. monticola Smetana

— Spermathecal capsule (figs. 105, 116) abruptly expanded at one end; spermathecal duct with a few loops near capule.. ............................... 5

5(4). Present on Peitawushan and its foothills..... P. watanabei Herman and Smetana

— Present on Kuanshan and Peinantashan............... P. inexspectata Smetana

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIES

Peitawopsis monticola Smetana

Figures 93–100 , 188–193

Peitawopsis monticola Smetana, 1992: 204 . Type locality: Taiwan: Pingtung Hsien, Peitawushan Trail at 2000 m. Holotype in the Smetana Collection (ASC), to be deposited in the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle , Genève, Switzerland; examined.

— Herman and Smetana, 2002: 199 (characters; distribution).

DIAGNOSIS: The posterior margin of sternite VII of the males of P. monticola has a medially separated row of peg setae and the disc has a small cluster of peg setae on each side of the midline (fig. 95); this configuration of peg setae will separate P. monticola from the other two species. The parameres of P. monticola are about as long as the median lobe (fig. 93) in contrast to the longer parameres of P. inexspectata (fig. 103).

The spermatheca of the females of P. monticola has the apical end gradually enlarged (figs. 98, 99) in contrast to the abruptly enlarged apical end of the other two species (figs. 106, 115). The spermathecal duct is densely coiled near the spermathecal capsule in P. monticola (fig. 99), but is only slightly coiled in P. inexspectata (fig. 106) and P. watanabei (fig. 116).

DESCRIPTION: Length 3.4–4.6 mm; width 1.4–1.6 mm.

Color pale to dark reddish brown, head usually dark reddish brown to nearly black. Pronotum with central region reddish brown to dark reddish brown to nearly black and with lateral, anterior, and posterior margins pale reddish brown to yellowish brown. Elytra with central region reddish brown to dark reddish brown to nearly black and with lateral and anterior margins pale reddish brown to yellowish brown. Antennae reddish brown to pale reddish brown. Legs pale reddish brown.

Wings reduced to minute pads.

Tergite VII with minute, irregularly interrupted palisade fringe on posterior margin.

MALE: Sternite V with feeble, median impression on apical half; impression without pubescence near apical margin, but present on remainder.

Sternite VI with shallow, median depression extending for most of length of segment; depression without pubescence on apical fifth, remainder sparsely pubescent.

Sternite VII (fig. 95) with moderately broad, moderately deep, arcuate median emargination of posterior margin; sternite with medially separated row of peg setae on posterior margin and with two, small, medially separated clusters of peg setae on disc near apical half; row of peg setae with longer spinelike seta near lateral end; sternite with 14–19 peg setae; posterior row with 10–14 peg setae and discal clusters each with one to three, but usually with two peg setae; disc with broad, shallow, slightly tapered depression from posterior margin for most of length; depression without punctation or pubescence on most of surface, but with fine punctation and fine setae on basal third and along lateral margin.

Sternum VIII (fig. 100) with broad, deep, median emargination; margins of emargination widely separated apically and gradually curved medially to about basal third then abruptly and narrowly separated; basal third of emargination narrow and tapered to narrowly rounded basal margin.

Aedeagus with parameres about as long as

119. Tergites IX and tergum X, female. 120. Tergum VIII, female, setae omitted.

median lobe (figs. 93, 94), as measured from apical margin of basal orifice to apex of parameres.

FEMALE: Spermathecal capsule gradually and moderately enlarged at apex and tapered from there toward spermathecal duct (figs. 98, 99); spermathecal duct with dense cluster of multiple loops near capsule (fig. 99).

DISCUSSION: The genitalic structures of this species differ significantly from the other species. The spermathecal duct is densely coiled near the spermathecal capsule, whereas the spermathecal duct of the other species have a few loops near the spermathecal capsule.

The aedeagus of P. monticola has a large, strongly sclerotized capsule within the aedeagus that is presumably part of the internal sac. This structure was not included in the description because the sclerotized structures of the internal sac of the other two species are much smaller and indescript.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: This species is known only from Peitawushan (see Smetana, 1995b: 6, site 10) in Pingtung Hsien where it was collected at 1500–2325 m. Specimens were collected in mature broadleaf forests by sifting leaves, humus, and other debris from the forest floor.

MATERIAL EXAMINED: Fifty­one specimens: 34 males, 17 females.

Taiwan: Pingtung Hsien: Peitawushan trail at 2000 m, May 23, 1991, A. Smetana, sifting fallen leaves, various other debris and humus accumulated along large fallen trees [T91] (holotype male, allotype, paratypes: 1 male, 2 females, ASC) . Peitawushan, Kuai­ Ku Hut, 2325 m, May 22, 1991, A. Smetana, sifting fallen leaves and other debris along trail in mature broadleaf evergreen forest [T90] (paratypes: 11 males, 3 females, ASC) ; 2125 m, April 27, 1992, A. Smetana, sifting fallen leaves, dead vegetation, and various other moist debris in mature broadleaf evergreen forest [T102] (6 males, 2 females, ASC) ; 2130 m, April 27, 1992, A. Smetana, sifting fallen leaves, dead vegetation, and various other moist debris in mature broadleaf evergreen forest [T101] (4 males, 4 females, ASC; 2 males, 1 female, AMNH) ; 2135 m, April 30, 1992, A. Smetana, sifting fallen leaves, various other debris and humus accumulated along large fallen trees [T108] (5 males, 3 females, ASC) . Peitawushan Trail at 1500 m, May 1, 1992, A. Smetana, sifting fallen leaves, various other debris, and humus accumulated along large fallen trees [T110] (4 males, 1 female, ASC) .

Five males and two females were dissect­ ed for characters of the genital segments and genitalia, and one female was disarticulated.

Peitawopsis inexspectata Smetana

Figures 101–108

Peitawopsis inexspectata Smetana, 1995a: 131 . Type locality: Taiwan: Kaohsiung Hsien, Kuanshan trail above Kaunshanchi River , 2550 m. Holotype in the Smetana Collection (ASC), to be deposited in the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Genève, Switzerland; examined.

— Herman and Smetana, 2002: 200 (characters; distribution).

DIAGNOSIS: Sternite VII (fig. 108) of the males of P. inexspectata has a row of peg setae on each side of the midline that begins at the posterior margin and curves medioanteriorly onto the disc; the disc lacks separate clusters of peg setae. This arrangement of peg setae is unique among the three species of the genus.

The females of P. inexspectata are separated from P. monticola by the abruptly expanded apical end of the spermatheca of the former species (fig. 107) in contrast to the gradually expanded portion near the spermathecal capsule (fig. 99). Females of P. inexspectata and P. watanabei are similar and identified by distribution and association with the male.

DESCRIPTION: Length 3.2–4.4 mm; width 1.3–1.7 mm.

Color pale to dark reddish brown with dark reddish brown to nearly black head. Pronotum with central region reddish brown to dark reddish brown and lateral, anterior, and posterior margins pale reddish brown to yellowish brown. Elytra mostly pale reddish brown with darker central region. Antennae mostly dark reddish brown, paler basally. Legs reddish brown.

Wings reduced to minute pads.

Tergite VII with minute, irregularly interrupted palisade fringe on posterior margin.

MALE: Sternite V with shallow median depression on apical two­thirds; pubescence present on basal half of depression; apical half of depression without pubescence or punctation.

Sternite VI with shallow median depression extending for most of length of segment; depression with punctation and pubescence on basal third and without punctation or pubescence on midapical two­thirds.

Sternite VII (fig. 108) with moderately deep, arcuate, median emargination of posterior margin; sternite with row of peg setae on each side of midline of posterior region; rows begin at posterior margin and curve anteromedially onto posteromedial portion of disc; posterior margin with long, spinelike seta near posterolateral end of row of peg setae; sternite with 8–12 peg setae; median surface of sternite with shallow depression reaching from posterior margin to near base; depression slightly tapered anteriorly and with scattered fine punctation and minute setae around basal and lateral margins, but region anterior to, between, and posterior to rows of peg setae devoid of punctation or fine pubescence.

Sternum VIII (fig. 101) with broad, deep, median emargination; margins of emargination widely separated apically and gradually curved medially to about basal third, then strongly convergent and narrowly separated to base; basal third of emargination tapered to rounded basal margin.

Aedeagus with parameres longer than median lobe (figs. 102, 103) as measured from apical margin of basal orifice to apex of parameres.

FEMALE: Spermathecal capsule with apical end globular and abruptly enlarged and from there tapered toward spermathecal duct; sper­ mathecal duct with several loops near capsule (figs. 105–107).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: This species is known only from Kuanshan and Peinantashan (see Smetana, 1995b: 6, sites 18 and 48) in Kaohsiung Hsien, Taiwan, where it was collected at 2080–2550 m. Specimens were found in litter and debris on the floor of mature broadleaf evergreen, mixed broadleaf evergreen, and coniferous forests .

MATERIAL EXAMINED: Thirty­five specimens: 19 males, 16 females. Taiwan: Kaohsiung Hsien: Kuanshan trail above Kaunshanchi River, 2550 m, April 21, 1992, A. Smetana, sifting fallen leaves, twigs, and humus from floor of mature broadleaf evergreen forest [T96] (holotype male, allotype, paratypes: 3 males, 3 females, ASC; 1 female, AMNH); July 22, 1993, sifting leaves, twigs, and debris from floor of mature mixed broadleaf evergreen and coniferous ( Abies ) forest [T160] (1 male, paratypes: 2 males, ASC; 1 male, AMNH). Peinantashan trail, 2500 m, July 4, 1993, A. Smetana, sifting fallen leaves and other debris from under deciduous bushes along trail [T136] (3 males, 1 female, ASC); 2390–2490 m, July 4, 1993, sifting fallen leaves and other debris from under deciduous bushes along trail [T138] (3 males, 4 females, ASC); 2080 m, July 6, 1993, sifting layers of moist fallen leaves and other debris accumulated along wall of old forest road in mature broadleaf evergreen forest [T141] (4 males, 3 females, ASC); 2450 m, May 2, 1995, sifting debris from a few moist spots on floor of very dry mature mixed forest ( Quercus , Pinus , Chamaecyparis ) [T170] (1 male, 3 females, ASC).

One specimen lacking abdominal segments VI–X was collected at 2500 m along the Peinantashan Trail and is almost certainly P. inexspectata .

Five males and a female were dissected for features of the genital segments and genitalia and one female was disarticulated.

Peitawopsis watanabei Herman and Smetana Figures 109–120

Peitawopsis watanabei Herman and Smetana, 2002: 202 . Type locality: Taiwan: Pingtung Hsien, Peitawushan, above Kuai­Ku Hut , 2680 m. Holotype in the Smetana Collection (ASC),

to be deposited in the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Genève, Switzerland.

DIAGNOSIS: Males of Peitawopsis watanabei are separated from those of P. inexspectata and P. monticola by the uninterrupted row of peg setae near the posterior margin of sternite VII (fig. 110).

The females of P. watanabei are separated from those of P. monticola by the abruptly enlarged apical end of the spermatheca and by the slightly coiled end of the spermathecal duct near the capsule (figs. 115, 116). Females of P. watanabei and P. inexspectata are similar and separated by the site of collection.

DESCRIPTION: Length 3.3–3.7 mm; width 1.3–1.4 mm.

Color pale to dark reddish brown. Head dark reddish brown to nearly black. Pronotum with central region dark reddish brown; lateral, anterior, and posterior margins pale reddish brown to yellowish brown. Elytra with central region dark reddish brown and with lateral and anterior margins pale reddish brown to yellowish brown. Antennae reddish brown to dark reddish brown. Legs pale reddish brown to yellowish brown.

Wings reduced to minute pads.

Tergite VII with minute, irregularly interrupted palisade fringe on posterior margin.

MALE: Sternite V with slight impression on midapical half; impression with microsetae and micropunctures.

Sternite VI with feeble, anteriorly tapering, median depression; depression nearly as long as sternite; depression with microsetae and micropunctures basally and laterally and without punctures or setae midapically.

Sternite VII (fig. 110) with moderately broad, moderately deep, arcuate median emargination of posterior margin; surface adjacent to emargination with uninterrupted row of peg setae; gap between row of peg setae and posterior margin of sternite variable; sternite with 9–16 peg setae (figs. 110, 113); spinelike seta present near lateral end of row of peg setae; sternite without cluster of peg setae on disc separated from posterior row; surface with shallow, anteriorly tapering, median depression extending anteriorly from posterior margin; depression without setae or punctures on midposterior surface, but with micropunctures and microsetae laterally, basally, and on most of median region.

Sternum VIII (fig. 111) with broad, deep, anteriorly tapering emargination; margin of emargination broadly and shallowly sinuate and medially convergent.

Aedeagus with parameres about as long as median lobe (figs. 109, 112), as measured from apical margin of basal orifice to apex of parameres.

FEMALE: Spermathecal capsule with apical end globular and abruptly enlarged then tapered to spermathecal duct; spermathecal duct with several loops near capsule (figs. 115, 116).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: This species is known in Pingtung Hsien from Peitawushan (see Smetana, 1995b: 6, site 10) and its foothills that extend south into northern Kaohsiung Hsien (about 25 km south of site 10 in Smetana, 1995b: 6), where it was collected at elevations of 1700 to 2910 m. Specimens were found in moist leaf litter and debris and moss on the floor of broadleaf evergreen and Abies forests. Unlike P. monticola , this species ascends to the main ridge of Peitawushan and occurs there in the Abies forest at close to 3000 m.

MATERIAL EXAMINED: Thirty specimens: 18 males, 12 females . Taiwan: Pingtung Hsien: Taiwan: Pingtung Hsien, Peitawushan, above Kuai­Ku Hut 2680 m, 29.IV.1992, A. Smetana, sifting moist fallen leaves, moss, and other debris from small seepage in mature Abies forest with lush undergrowth [T106] (holotype male; paratypes: 9 males and 6 females, ASC; 3 males, 2 females, AMNH). Peitawushan, Kuai­Ku Hut, 2325 m, May 21, 1991, A. Smetana, sifting litter in forest floor depression and in small gullies in mature broadleaf evergreen forest [T88] (paratype: 1 male, ASC). Peitawushan, above Kuai­Ku Hut, 2750 m, April 29, 1992, A. Smetana, sifting fallen leaves, old vegetation, moss and various other debris in forest floor depressions and small gullies in mature broadleaf forest intermixed with conifers [T107] (paratype: 1 male, ASC). Peitawushan ridge, 2800–2910, April 28, 1992, A. Smetana, sifting of moss, twigs, and various other debris on shaded areas below groups of low Abies trees [T105] (paratypes: 2 males, 2 females, ASC). Kaohsiung Hsien: Road above Tona Forest Sta­ tion, Km 16–17, 1700–1800 m, April 28, 1998, A. Smetana, sifting moist to wet fallen leaves and other debris accumulated along rock wall at edge of forest road in mature broadleaf evergreen forest [T190] (paratypes: 1 male, 2 females, ASC) .

Six males and three females were dissect­ ed for features of the genital segments and genitalia; a male and female were disarticulated.

Figures

Figs. 93–100. Peitawopsis monticola. 93. Aedeagus, ventral. 94. Aedeagus, lateral. 95. Sternite VII, male. 96. Pronotum (setae omitted). 97. Aedeagus, anterior end, cross section. 98. Spermatheca (coiled cluster omitted). 99. Spermatheca. 100. Sternum VIII, male.

Figs. 101–108. Peitawopsis inexspectata. 101. Sternum VIII, male. 102. Aedeagus, lateral. 103. Aedeagus, ventral. 104. Sternum VIII, female. 105–107. Spermatheca, variation. 108. Sternite VII, male.

Figs. 109–116. Peitawopsis watanabei. 109. Aedeagus, lateral. 110. Sternite VII, male. 111. Sternum VIII, male. 112. Aedeagus, ventral. 113. Sternite VII, middle of posterior margin, male (setae omitted from median portion of disc). 114. Elytron, apical margin, left (setae omitted). 115, 116. Spermatheca, two views.

Figs. 117–120. Peitawopsis watanabei. 117. Tergum VIII, female. 118. Segment IX, ventral, female.

Figs. 188–193. Peitawopsis monticola. 188. Head, pronotum, and elytra. 189. Head. 190. Head, dorsal seta in deep puncture. 191–193. Pronotal setae in deep punctures.