Nothocyphon patruelis, Zwick, Peter, 2015

Zwick, Peter, 2015, Australian Marsh Beetles (Coleoptera: Scirtidae). 7. Genus Nothocyphon, new genus, Zootaxa 3981 (3), pp. 301-359 : 338

Nothocyphon patruelis , n. sp.

(Figs. 98, 99)

Type material: holotype 1♂: Cradle Mtn. Tasmania Carter & Lea \ on King Pine [handwritten] ( SAMA). Paratypes: 7♂: Cradle Mtn. Tasmania Carter & Lea; 1♂: TAS Cradle Valley Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair N Pk 19/1/00 C.H.S.Watts ( SAMA, 1 in PZ). 5♂: Cradle Mtn. Tasmania J.Armstrong; 1♂: Henty R. Tasmania J.Armstrong; 1♂: Strahan Tasmania J.Armstrong [labelled as paratype of a new species which J.Armstrong never published] (all ANIC).

Habitus. Very similar to N. frater but more slender, BL 2.2–2.6 mm, BL/BW ~1.9.

Male. Differs from N. frater by a well developed S8 with many setae. The penis (Fig. 98) is more slender, the pala resembles an elongate rectangle. It is longer than the parallel parameroids which diverge slightly and then narrow to slender tips located in continuation of the straight median edge of the parameroids. The median slit divides the parameroids forward up to the transverse bridge where the very small sclerotized triangular trigonium stands. In side view it lies mostly flat on the parameroids but in one specimen the trigonium stood at right angle to the penis axis, it is apparently movable. Tegmen with a triangular bare sclerotized area between the membranous lobe and the spinule group which is composed of numerous very fine spinules (Fig. 99).

Female. Unknown.

Notes. N. patruelis seems to be the most primitive of the three siblings. Its trigonium remains next to the transverse bridge at the caudal end of the pala. In N. frater and N. amita the trigonium shifts back onto the parameroids which probably excludes all movement. S8 is well sclerotized and large.

Nothocyphon patruelis and N. frater both occur in Tasmania. Despite their similarity they are probably different biospecies. N. patruelis is known from the area between Cradle Mt., Strahan, and tributaries to Lake Margaret while N. frater is widespread on the island. Both species were taken at Strahan.

Etymology. The name alludes to the close relation between this species, N. frater and N. amita: Latin patruelis designates a cousin from father's side; a noun in apposition.