Neobarombiella punctatolineata ( Jacoby, 1899 ) Bolz & Wagner, 2012

Bolz, Helmut & Wagner, Thomas, 2012, 3463, Zootaxa 3463, pp. 1-112 : 34-36

Neobarombiella punctatolineata ( Jacoby, 1899) comb. n.

( Figs 48–51)

Candezea punctatolineata Jacoby, 1899: 377 .

Monolepta opulenta Jacoby, 1903: 335 syn. n.

Barombia gibbosa Laboissière, 1920: 326 syn. n.

Total length. 3.35–4.75 mm (mean: 3.98 mm) (n= 8).

Head. Entirely brown or frons yellow contrasting with brown vertex, as in lectotype of N. punctatolineata ; labrum, labial and maxillary palpi yellowish-brown to black. Antenna slender, three basal antennomeres yellow, rest brownish-yellow to pale brown, apical antennomeres darker ( Fig. 48); length of second to third antennomere 0.56–0.71 (mean: 0.62), and length of third to fourth antennomere 0.80–0.91 (mean: 0.86; Fig. 50). Eyes large ( Fig. 48), width of eye to interocular distance 0.56–0.71 (mean: 0.63).

Thorax. Pronotum brownish to brownish-black in 70% of specimens studied, others yellowish- to reddishbrown, and in distinct contrast with elytra. Strongly trapezoidal; pronotal width 1.06–1.52 mm (mean: 1.27 mm), pronotal length 0.52–0.82 mm (mean: 0.63 mm), and pronotal length to width 0.45–0.54 (mean: 0.49); setae in anterior and posterior angles very long. Elytron brown to brownish-black, narrow, strongly convex, with epipleura darker and distinctly visible from side; punctuations partially linear, giving elytron a striate appearance, what Jacoby described as “finely punctured in closely approached semi-regular rows”; the very fine microsculpture causes very glossy silk-like or oily sheen; elytral length 2.75–3.60 mm (mean: 3.19 mm), elytral width 1.60–2.40 mm (mean: 2.08 mm), and maximal width of both elytra to length of elytron 0.59–0.71 (mean: 0.65; Fig. 48). Meso- and metathorax brown or brownish-black, metepimeron darker than metepisternum; legs yellow to reddish-brown, and length of metatarsus to metatibia 0.54–0.65 (mean: 0.58).

Abdomen. Brown or brownish-black, with distal third of each sternite darker.

Male genitalia. Median lobe short and very slightly down-curved ( Fig. 49); single pair of strongly sclerotized ridges on the ventral side near apex; and endophallic brush with two strongly sclerotized spiculae.

Diagnosis. Neobarombiella punctatolineata can best be distinguished by its brown or brownish-black elytron with at least, in part, regular linear punctuation that gives them a lined appearance; the fine elytral microsculpture which causes an oily sheen; and its very large eyes. It can be separated from the syntopic and rather similar N. punctata by its size ( N. punctata total length 2.40–3.30 mm, N. punctatolineata 3.35–4.75 mm; Figs 48, 77). Neobarombiella nigrita is also entirely brownish, but has much broader elytra than N. punctatolineata , and they are truncate apically (width of both elytra in N. nigrita 0.72–0.82, N. punctatolineata 0.59–0.71; Figs 24, 48). The metallic elytron might be overlooked in a few specimens of N. nigrocaerulea and they may, at a first glance, appear to have a brown dorsum. These specimens can be differentiated by the ratios of antennomeres, basi-metatarsus and eyes (length of third to fourth antennomeres in N. nigrocaerulea 0.67–0.79, N. punctatolineata 0.80–0.91; Figs 35, 50; length of basi-metatarsus to metatibia in N. nigrocaerulea 0.42–0.52, N. punctatolineata 0.54–0.65; width of eye to interocular distance in N. nigrocaerulea 0.30–0.42, N. punctatolineata 0.56–0.71; Figs 33 and 48). Although very similar to N. emma sp. n. that can be recognized by its smaller eyes and less transverse pronotum (width of eye to interocular distance in N. punctatolineata 0.56–0.71, N. emma sp. n. 0.33–0.41; pronotal length to width in N. punctatolineata 0.45–0.54, N. emma sp. n. 0.50–0.56; Figs 48, 141). Furthermore, N. punctatolineata has a Guineo-Congolian distribution ( Fig. 51), whereas N. emma sp. n. has only been recorded from KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.

Distribution. Guineo-Congolian forest region from Togo and northern Angola eastwards through the Congo Basin towards the Albertine Rift ( Fig. 51).

Type material examined. Candezea punctatolineata . Lectotype, female: “Cameroons / Candezea , punctatolineata, Jac. / Jacoby Coll., 1909-28a / 87. / Type / Lectotypus, Th. Wagner desig. 2009, Candezea punctatolineata Jac. (label not included in figure) / AfriGa, specimen ID:, 1240, specimen data, documented, 15.II.2005 ” ( BMNH; Fig. 52). Jacoby gave no details as to the number of specimens he examined, but it can be derived from the description that there was more than one “This species, of which I received specimens from Dr. Kraatz …” ( Jacoby 1899: 378). There are two syntypes in the BMNH and a lectotype is here designated. Type locality: Cameroon, details not available .— Paralectotype: the second specimen with the same label data as the lectotype is a paralectotype ( BMNH) .

Monolepta opulenta . Lectotype, male: “Kamerun, Barombi, Conradt / Monolepta , opulenta Jac. / Jacoby Coll., 1909–28a. / Type / Lectotypus, Th. Wagner desig. 2009, Monolepta opulenta Jac. (label not included in figure) / AfriGa, specimen ID:, 1094, specimen data, documented, 15.II.2005 ” ( BMNH; Fig. 53). Jacoby mentioned two specimens, a unicolourous one that he described and is available in BMNH, and the other one, as a variation with a yellow pronotum. He obviously did not realize that he had described another specimen some years ago with a bicolourous dorsum, from the same country, as C. punctatolineata . This bicolourous syntype specimen was most likely destroyed in the Stettin Natural History Museum during World War II. However, a lectotype is here designated. Type locality: Cameroon, Barombi, 4°40’N / 9°25’E.

Barombia gibbosa . Lectotype, female: “Cameroun: vallée de la N'Goko, janv. 1900 (Jobit) / Type / Barombia gibbosa m. / Le Moult vend. via Reinbek Eing. Nr. 1, 1957 / AfriGa specimen ID 1215 specimen data documented 21.X.2005 ” ( ZMUH). The original description must have based on more than one specimen, since two type depositories “Collections Fleutiaux et Laboissière” are mentioned. Despite this, only one type specimen was available for examination, and a lectotype is here designated. Type locality: Cameroon, N’Goko, 5°05'N / 9°48'E.

Other material examined. Angola. 1 ex., Dundo, 7°22'S / 20°50'E, VIII .1953 , Unno Carvalho (Mus. Dundo).— Cameroon. 6 ex., Mbalmayo, Bilik , 3°31'N / 11°17'E, XI.1993 ( BMNH); 2 ex., Namiong, Lokundje Riv., 6°00'N / 12°30'E, O. Ulbrich ( MNHU); 2 ex., Douala , 3°45'N / 09°56'E, Dr. Lencsz ( MRAC); 2 ex., Ebanga , 4°15'N / 11°21'E ( ZMUH); 1 ex., Ebolowa , 3°54'N / 11°54'E , IV.1912, v. Rothkirch ( MNHU); 9 ex., Joh.-Albrechtshöhe , 4°15'N / 09°21'E , II.1896 – IV.1898, L. Conradt ( MNHU); 1 ex., Malende , 4°21'N / 09°25'E, XII .1957, W. Hartwig ( ZFMK); 2 ex., 6°00'N / 12°30'E, Tessmann ( MNHU); 12 ex., 6°00'N / 12°30'E, Conradt ( MNHU).— Democratic Republic of the Congo. 2 ex., Bas Uele, Koteli , 02°50'N / 24°31'E , I.1925, Dr. H. Schouteden ( MRAC); 1 ex., Elisabethville , 11°41'S / 27°29'E , XI.1930, R . Massart ( MRAC); 1 ex., Lubumbashi , 11°41'S / 27°29'E, III .1975, W. Beun (don A. Allaer) ( MRAC); 1 ex., Katanga, Lukafu , 10°31'S / 27°33'E, XII .1930, G. F. de Witte ( MRAC); 2 ex., Moliro, 8°13'S / 30°34'E, 1914, J. Duvivier ( MRAC); 1 ex., Nieuwdorp , XII .1911, Miss. Agric. ( MRAC); 9 ex., Equateur, Flandria , 0°20'S / 19°06'E, 1931, R . P. Hulstaert ( MRAC); 1 ex., Equateur, Injoho , IX.1936, R . P. Hulstaert ( MRAC); 1 ex., Haut-Uele, Mauda , 4°05'N / 27°41'E, III .1925, Dr. H. Schouteden ( MRAC); 4 ex., Haut-Uele, Moto, 2°27'N / 26°25'E, 1923, L. Burgeon ( MRAC); 1 ex., Ituri , Utike , 01°00'S / 27°06'E , IX.1929, A. Collart ( MRAC); 16 ex., Makaia N'tete Tuevo, Mayambe , 4°30'S / 12°30'E , XI.1915, R . Mayné ( MRAC); 1 ex., Mayumbe, Kiniati , 5°20'S / 12°56'E , I.1924, A. Collart ( MRAC); 3 ex., Mayumbe, Makai N'Tete , 5°33'S / 13°02'E , XI.1915 – III .1922, Dr. H. Schouteden / R . Mayné ( MRAC); 1 ex., Mayumbe, Samba , 0°49'S / 18°33'E, XII .1923, A. Collart ( MRAC); 4 ex., Mayumbe, Tshela , 5°33'S / 12°40'E , II.1916, R . Mayné ( MRAC); 1 ex., Mayumbe, Zobe , 5°08'S / 12°29'E , I.1916 ( MRAC); 1 ex., Sankuru, Kondué, 4°57'S / 23°21'E ( MRAC); 9 ex., Stanleyville , Yangambi , 0°47'N / 24°28'E, VI .1952– VI .1960 , J. Decelle / P. Dessart / R. Mayné ( MRAC); 1 ex., Tshuapa, Ikela , 1°11'S / 23°16'E, VIII .1956, R. P. Lootens ( MRAC); 1 ex., Ubangi, Bumba , 2°10'N / 23°30'E , X.1937, C. Léontovitch ( MRAC); 1 ex., Bambesa , 3°28'N / 25°43'E, III .1937, J. Vrydagh ( MRAC); 1 ex., Basoke , 1°14'N / 23°36'E , IV.1949, P. L. G. Benoit ( MRAC); 1 ex., Bukolela , 1937, R . Massar ( MRAC); 2 ex., Buta, 2°48'N / 24°44'E, S. M. Reine Elisabeth ( MRAC); 1 ex., Buto Polo , 4°49'S / 12°56'E , X.1920, Dr. H. Schouteden ( MRAC); 1 ex., Eala 0°04'N / 18°17'E , I.–II.1917, R . Mayné ( MRAC); 1 ex., Ibsuaga , 1917, R . Mayné ( MRAC); 2 ex., Ilenge , 1°52'S / 19°50'E , I.1918, R . Mayné ( MRAC); 1 ex., Kikwit , 5°02'S / 18°49'E , X.1920, P. Vanderijst ( MRAC); 1 ex., Kisantu , 5°07'S / 15°05'E, 1927, R . P. Vanderyst ( MRAC); 1 ex., Kogbwa , VII .1935, G. Settembrino ( MRAC); 1 ex., Kunungu , 2°06'S / 16°26'E , IV.1921, Dr. H. Schouteden ( MRAC); 1 ex., Léopoldville , 4°18'S / 15°18'E, XII .1923, R. P. Hulstaert ( MRAC); 2 ex., Lundu , 4°45'S / 13°03'E , X.1920, Dr. H. Schouteden ( MRAC); 1 ex., Mayidi, 5°11'S / 15°09'E, 1942, Rév. P. van Eyen ( MRAC); 1 ex., Mayumbe , 4°30'S / 12°30'E, VII .1917, R. Mayné ( MRAC); 1 ex., Mayumbe , 4°30'S / 12°30'E, 1931, R . P. Vanderyst ( MRAC); 2 ex., Stanleyville , 0°30'N / 25°12'E, VII .1928, A. Collart ( MRAC); 1 ex., Stanleyville , 0°30'N / 25°10'E , IV.–IX.1952, J. Pantos ( MRAC); 1 ex., Thysville , 5°15'S / 14°52'E , XI.1952, P. Basilewsky ( MRAC); 2 ex., Yangambi , 0°47'N / 24°28'E, VI .– VII.1952, R. Mayné ( MRAC); 1 ex., Youda Fundi , 0°00'N / 18°13'E , X.1920, Dr. H. Schouteden ( MRAC).— Equatorial Guinea. 7 ex., Mongo, 1°52'N / 10°09'E, 1946–1948, J. Palau ( MRAC); 6 ex., Nkoletangan , 3°30'N / 08°42'E, V .1908, G. Tessmann ( MNHU); 6 ex., S. Fernando Póo, 3°30'N / 08°42'E, VI .1900, L. Conradt ( MNHU).— Gabon. 2 ex., Lambarene, 1°06'S / 11°44'E ( ZMUH); 1 ex., Woley Ntem , 0°37'N / 10°24'E , I.1990, J. J. Wieringa ( BMNH).— Nigeria. 1 ex., Kano, 11°59'N / 8°31'E , XI.1951, W. E. S. Merrett ( BMNH); 1 ex., Malumfashi , 11°48'N / 7°37'E, VII .1973, R. Linnavuori ( MZHF); 1 ex., Samaru , 9°45'N / 8°23'E, VI .1970, P. H. Ward ( BMNH); 5 ex., Weise ( MNHU); 3 ex., Lagos, Ori , 06°27'N / 03°23'E , II.1912, W. A. Lamborn ( OUMNH).— Sudan. 1 ex., Kadugli , 11°01'N / 29°43'E, VII .1962 ( BMNH); 1 ex., Kadugli , 11°01'N / 29°43'E, VII .1936, M. Malsmail ( BMNH); 1 ex., Kadugli , 11°01'N / 29°43'E, VII .1948, A. H. Bedawi ( BMNH).— Togo. 8 ex., 8°30'N / 01°35'E, Conradt ( DEIS) .