Fallia iviei Cline and Shockley

Cline, Andrew R. & Shockley, Floyd W., 2012, A New Species of Fallia Sharp (Cucujoidea: Discolomatidae) from the West Indies, with a World Checklist for Fallia, The Coleopterists Bulletin 66 (2), pp. 93-99 : 94-98

Fallia iviei Cline and Shockley , new species ( Figs. 1–11 )

Diagnosis. Fallia iviei is easily distinguished from all other members of the genus by the following combination of unique characters: 1) a large, robust body shape with a low L:W ratio, i.e., <1.3:1); males with lateral depressions on abdominal ventrites 2–4 bearing dense setal patches; 3) extreme curvature of the male aedeagus; and 4) an irregular, faintly impressed puncture pattern on the pronotum, with microreticulate surface sculpturing on interspaces between punctures.

Description. Overall body shape somewhat rotund, convex ( Figs. 1–4 ), L:W = 1.28:1; body widest across middle of elytra. Body coloration dark brownish black with a green metallic hue on dorsal surface, ventral surface dark reddish brown with legs, antennae, and mouthparts lighter. Length 1.8 mm, width 1.4 mm. Head: Partially retracted underneath pronotum so that half of eye is obscured ( Fig. 2 ). Shape somewhat rectangular, lateral margins of fronto-clypeal region not distally convergent. Antennal insertions fully exposed, medially positioned on vertex between eyes. Surface punctures minute, irregular, and each bearing a short, fine, pale seta. Interspaces finely microreticulate. Antennal grooves short, moderately convergent, extending postero-ventrally from just anterior of eye along ventral margin of eye. Vertex indistinctly convex, becoming more convex in clypeal and labral regions. Fronto-clypeal suture conspicuous and evenly arcuate between antennal insertions. Clypeus large and moderately convex to vaulted. Temples not visible from above, completely obscured by pronotum. Eyes prominent, elliptical to somewhat rounded, coarsely faceted, with no interfacetal setae. Eye width equal to 5–6 facet diameters. Antennae 9-segmented with annulate 1-segmented club ( Fig. 7 ). Club elongate with broadly rounded apex and slightly narrowed base; club ∼ 0.35 length of segments 1–8 combined. Terminal segment with apex bearing moderately elongate setae and 6–8 elongate setae extending beyond the apical margin; subapical ring of setae present at ∼ 0.66 of segment with setae not extending beyond apex. Scape elongate, ∼ 2.2X longer than pedicel, evenly tapering at base. Pedicel barrel-shaped. Antennomere 3 slightly longer and narrower than pedicel, antennomere 4 subequal to pedicel, antennomeres 5–8 individually shorter than pedicel. Labrum membranous in apical third, anterior margin broadly concave. Mandibles apically bifid. Ventral mouthparts (including maxillary and labial palpi) clearly visible from below ( Fig. 7 ). Clypeo-labral suture concave to slightly indentate. Maxillary palpi well-developed, 3-segmented, terminal segment conical with entire apex covered with sensory pegs, terminal segment equal in length to segments 1–2 combined. Labial palpi well-developed, 3-segmented, terminal segment conical with entire apex covered with sensory pegs, terminal segment shorter than segments 1–2 combined. Pronotum: Transverse, much wider than long (W:L = 2.4:1), widest at posterior angles, evenly convex. Anterior angles broadly rounded, indistinct. Posterior angles distinct, somewhat obtuse. Lateral margins narrowly explanate, and slightly reflexed, evenly and arcuately convergent toward anterior angles. Lateral marginal bead with 2 secretory pores, 1 near posterior angles and 1 near 0.66 length from posterior angles. Anterior margin slightly concave. Anterior marginal bead with a secretory pore near the anterior angles. Posterior margin broadly but distinctly convex medially and concave laterally. Posterior margin not bordered. Prosternum: Length between anterior margin of procoxal cavities and anterior margin of prosternum longer than width of procoxae, with well-developed, oblique impressions anterior to coxal cavities extending antero-laterally from the procoxae. Prosternal process laterally expanded and declivitous posterior to procoxae; in lateral view, flat to slightly concave over procoxal cavities, posterior margin with well-developed, evenly rounded vertical face posterior to procoxal cavities. Procoxal cavities separated by 1X procoxal cavity width. Mesonotum: Scutellum clearly visible, acutely triangular; similar surface punctation and sculpturing as on pronotum. Mesosternum well-developed, convex, and at same level as metasternum; surface punctation and sculpturing faint, becoming almost glabrous medially. Meso-metasternal junction concave with anterior margin of metasternum broadly convex. Mesocoxal cavities separated by ∼ 1.5X procoxal cavity width. Metasternum: Transverse (W:L = 3.9:1); metasternal disc punctation and sculpturing faint, punctures diffuse, minute as on dorsal surface, and each bearing a short, fine, pale seta; lateral regions of metasternum with rugose microsculpturing present. Postcoxal lines of mesocoxae absent on metasternum. Metacoxal cavities separated by 2X procoxal cavity width. Elytra: Complete, covering pygidium; longer than wide (L:W = 1.73:1). Lateral margins narrowly explanate and slightly reflexed to elytral apex. Each elytron bearing 6 secretory pores along the lateral margin ( Figs. 5–6 ). Punctation and sculpturing similar to that on head and pronotum, except setiferous punctures more diffusely dispersed. Humeral angles not raised. Metathoracic wings well-developed. Legs: Tibiae and femora strongly flattened. All femora excavated for reception of tibiae; profemora with excavated region on anterior face, meso- and metafemora with excavation on posterior face. All femora and tibiae generally elongate elliptical, widest near middle. Each tibia with small, stiff spines present along posterior margin. Meso- and metatibiae with apico-lateral margin somewhat sharply angulate, not rounded to apex. Tarsi 3-3-3; simple with some projecting setae ventrally; claws simple with small basal tooth ( Fig. 8 ). Abdomen: Abdominal ventrite 1 broadly truncate between metacoxae, large, longer than ventrites 2–4 combined. Ventrites 2–4 each with proportionately more small, pale setae than ventrite 1. Hypopygidium with posterior margin evenly convex, length equal to ventrites 2–3 combined. Pygidium with posterior margin broadly rounded, dorsal surface possessing a deep, central channel extending along anterior 0.75 of sclerite ( Fig. 11 ). Female genitalia: Weakly sclerotized, almost completely membranous. Male genitalia: Well-sclerotized ( Figs. 9–10 ). Median lobe of aedeagus strongly curved with sharply acuminate apex, basal process well-developed ( Fig. 10 ).

Variation. Sexual dimorphism is apparent in the presence of densely setose, lateral, elliptical depressions on abdominal ventrites 2–4 in males ( Fig. 4 ). The hypopygidium of males also possesses more densely setose lateral areas, but the setose areas are not contained within depressions, and the shape of the sclerite is similar to that of females. The male pygidium has the posterior margin more ventrally curved, presumably so that the extruded genitalia extend in a more anterior/ventral plane during copulation.

Material Examined. Holotype (male): DOM. REP.: Prov. Pedernales; ca. 35 km N. Cabo Rojo , 1250 m; LasAbejas, 26AUG–09SEP1988; flight intercept trap; M. Ivie, Philips & Johnson / ♂ ( MTEC) . Paratypes (24 total): DOM.REP.: Prov. Pedernales; ca. 35 km N. Cabo Rojo, 1250 m; LasAbejas , 26AUG–09SEP1988; flight intercept trap; M. Ivie, Philips & Johnson / ♀ (1 specimen in MTEC) . DOM.REP.: Prov. Pedernales; ca. 35 km N. Cabo Rojo, 1250 m; LasAbejas , 26AUG– 09SEP1988; flight intercept trap; M. Ivie, Philips & Johnson (1 specimen in ARCC; 1 specimen in USNM; 9 specimens in MTEC) . DOM.REP.: Prov. Pedernales; ca. 35 km NNW. CaboRojo; 1370 m, El Aceitillar ; 26AUG–09SEP1988, pine for.; flight intercept trap / M.A. Ivie, T. K.Philips & K.A.Johnson colrs. (1 specimen in MTEC) . DOMIN.REP.: Prov. Pedernales; ca. 35 km N. Cabo Rojo, 1250 m; Las Abejas , 26 AUG 1988; ex large very rotten log; M. Ivie, Philips & Johnson (1 specimen in MTEC) . DOMIN.REP: Prov. Pedernales; ca. 35 km N Cabo Rojo, 1250 m; Las Abejas , 26 AUG 1988; beating veg., M.A. Ivie,; T. K.Philips & K.A.Johnson (1 specimen in ARCC; 1 specimen in USNM; 4 specimens in MTEC) . DOMIN.REP: Prov. Pedernales; P.N. Sierra Baoruco, 1240 m; 18°09.032′N, 71°37.475′W; Las Abejas , 22 JULY 1999; M.A. Ivie, in rotten log (1 specimen in MTEC) . DOM.REP: Prov. Pedernales; P.N. Sierra de Baoruco; 18°09.023′N, 71°37.387′W; Las Abejas , 09AUG1999; 1240 m, M.A. Ivie, at night (3 specimens in MTEC) . DOMINICAN REPUBLIC; Pedernales Prov., PN Sierra; de Baoruco , Las Abejas ; 18°09.011′N, 71°37.342′W; 1150 meters 11 July 2004; blacklight. S.W. Lingafelter (1 specimen in USNM) .

Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in the genitive form that honors Dr. Michael Ivie, a respected colleague and friend, and one of the collectors of the type series.

Distribution. The type series is known from the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola, with a specific distribution as shown in Fig. 12 .

Biology. Interestingly, some specimens of F. iviei were collected at night. Label data indicate that specimens were collected in flight intercept traps or from beating vegetation at night, suggesting potential

98 THE COLEOPTERISTS BULLETIN 66(2), 2012

for nocturnal activity within the genus. As this is not a typical collecting technique, it might partially explain the relative paucity of specimens in collections. Likewise, the label data indicate the species’ presence in rotten logs, suggesting a fungivorous or saprophagous lifestyle. No gut contents were isolated to determine diet, but could be an interesting avenue of research to explore.

Figures

Figs. 1–4. Fallia iviei. 1) Dorsal habitus; 2) Lateral habitus; 3) Ventral habitus, female; 4) Ventral habitus, male.

Figs. 5–8. Scanning electron micrographs of Fallia iviei. 5) Lateral habitus showing secretary pores; 6) Close-up of anterior elytral secretary pore; 7) Head and prosternum, ventral view; 8) Prothoracic tarsus.

Figs. 9–11. Male genitalia and pygidium of Fallia iviei. 9) Median lobe within tegmen, lateral view; 10) Median lobe (tegmen removed), lateral view; 11) Pygidium, dorsal view.

Fig. 12. Distribution of Fallia iviei in the Dominican Republic.