Ptiliola flammifera ( Młynarski, 1985 ), Mlynarski, 1985

Vorst, Oscar, 2007, Ptiliola flammifera (Młynarski) reinstated as a species distinct from P. kunzei (Heer) (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae), Zootaxa 1546, pp. 63-68 : 64-65

Ptiliola flammifera ( Młynarski, 1985)

( Figs. 1, 4, 5 , 7, 10 )

Material studied. THE NETHERLANDS: Prov. of Gelderland: 2 exx, De Imbosch, Nieuwe Aanleg, UTM GT024723, 7.vi.2002 (Ψ), 28.viii.2002 (ɗ), carcass of Highland cattle in Pinus plantation, O. Vorst (cOV); 2 exx, De Imbosch, Veertien Bunder, UTM GT0472, 30.viii.2002 (ɗ), 19.xi.2002 (Ψ), carcass of wild boar in mixed forest, O. Vorst (cOV); Ψ(cf P. flammifera ), Doorwerth, 2.iv.1923, Van der Wiel ( ZMAN); Ψ, Loenen, Loenermark, UTM GT049742, 7.vi.2002, carcass of Highland cattle in dense Pseudotsuga stand, O. Vorst (cOV); 6 exx, Worth-Rhederzand, Tunnekes, UTM KC947701, 18.iv.2003 (Ψ), 9.v.2003 (2 ɗɗ [ Figs. 1, 4, 5 , 7, 10 ], 3 ΨΨ), carcass of Highland cattle in open Pinus forest, O. Vorst (cOV).

Diagnosis. Very similar in general shape and overall appearance to P. kunzei . Size (labrum to apex of elytra): 0.60–0.66 mm (average 0.63 mm, N = 7).

Pronotal pubescence is less dense than in P. kunzei ; reticulation on the pronotum is somewhat coarser and less pronounced, especially towards the frontal margin ( Figs. 1, 2 ). As a result, the overall appearance of the pronotum, when studied under reflecting light, is more shiny. The same is true for the dorsal surface of the head.

The apical margin of elytra ornated with a regular 2.5-3.0 μm long fringe ( Fig. 5 ). In P. kunzei the fringe is finer and more dense, measuring only 1.5-2.0 μm; towards the suture the fringe is fused to form a few characteristic brush-shaped structures ( Fig. 6 ). The structure of the elytral fringe is best studied by transmitted light microscopy at high magnification (300 X) with the object in a matrix (e.g. water or a resin), or by scanning electron microscopy. Spermatheca is very similar to that of P. k u n z e i.

Male aedeagus is smaller than in P. kunzei ( Figs. 7, 8 ); the aedeagal sclerites are differently shaped, in ventral view more stout, in lateral view more curved than in P. kunzei ( Figs. 10, 11 ). Male metaventrite (in Coleoptera this structure is—erroneously—known as metasternum, cf Beutel & Leschen 2005) is smoothly excavated, apically bordered by a distinct tuft of erect hairs ( Fig. 4 ); the excavation and the tuft are absent in P. kunzei .

Although no syntypic material was studied, the identity of this species seems without doubt. The tuft of hairs on the metaventrite in the male ( Fig. 4 ) and the structure of the apical fringe of the elytra ( Fig. 5 ) closely match the figures in the original description ( Młynarski 1985).

Bionomics. The amount of material at hand does not allow drawing firm conclusions about the ecological preferences of P. flammifera , but it seems to be generally associated with decaying organic material. Although all Dutch records are from carcasses of larger mammals this result is biased by the fact that little other potential habitats were sampled from these localities. In Poland, the species has been reported from decaying hay and horse droppings ( Młynarski 1985). Possibly a forest species.

Distribution. So far only known from Poland ( Młynarski 1985) and the Netherlands, but probably of wider distribution.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 6. Scanning electron micrographs of Ptiliola flammifera (1, 4, 5), P. kunzei (2, 6) and P. brevicollis (3). 1 – 3. Pronotum, scale bar 50 μm; 4. Male metaventrite, scale bar 20 μm; 5, 6. Apical fringe of elytra, scale bar 10 μm.

FIGURES 7 – 12. Aedeagi of Ptiliola flammifera (7, 10), P. kunzei (8, 11) and P. brevicollis (9, 12) in ventral (7 – 9) and lateral (10 – 12) view. Scale bar 50 μm.