Lathrobium (Lathrobium) tarokoense, Assing, 2010

Assing, Volker, 2010, On the Lathrobiina of Taiwan (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae), Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 60 (2), pp. 301-361 : 319

Lathrobium (Lathrobium) tarokoense sp. n. ( Figs 67-73 )

Type material:

Holotype ♂: " Taiwan, Hualien Hsien, Taroko N. P., Ridge SE Nanhushi Hut, 2700 m, 11. V.90, A. Smetana [ T52 ] / Holotypus ♂ Lathrobium tarokoensetarokoense sp. n., det. V. Assing 2010" (cSme) . Paratypes: 2 ♂ ♂: same data as holotype (cSme, cAss) .

Description:

Body length 4.3-4.8 mm; habitus as in Fig. 67 . External characters as in L. involutum ( Fig. 68 ), except for the somewhat smaller body size.

♂: tergite VIII as in Fig. 69 ; posterior margin of sternite VII very weakly concave, pubescence in postero-median portion not distinctly modified ( Fig. 70 ); sternite VIII very weakly oblong, 1.05- 1.10 times as long as wide, posterior excision moderately deep and in almost symmetric position (i.e., almost in the middle), its depth approximately 1/8 the length of sternite ( Fig. 71 ); aedeagus 0.75-0.85 mm long, in lateral view with rather broad ventral process, and with internal structures of distinctive shape ( Figs 72-73 ).

♀: unknown.

Comparative notes:

Like the preceding species, L. tarokoensetarokoense belongs to the L. involutum group, as can be inferred from the similar external and sexual characters. It is distinguished from other species of this group particularly by the morphology of the aedeagus (ventral process, internal structures) and, except for L. utriculatum , by smaller body size. For characters separating it from L. alesi , whose aedeagus is somewhat similar to that of L. tarokoense , see the following section.

Etymology:

The specific epithet (adjective) is derived from the name of the national park where the type locality is situated.

Distribution and natural history:

Like the other species of the L. involutum group, L. tarokoensetarokoense probably has a restricted distribution. The type locality is situated in the Taroko National Park in Hualien Hsien, eastern central Taiwan. The three males were sifted from moist moss, leaf litter, and other debris in a primary, mostly coniferous forest at an altitude of 2900 m.

Figures

Figs 67-78: Lathrobium tarokoense sp. n. (67-73) and L. alesialesi sp. n. (74-77): habitus (67, 74); forebody (68, 75); male tergite VIII (69); male sternite VII (70, 76); male sternite VIII (71, 77); aedeagus in lateral view (72-73, 78). Scale bars: 67-68, 74-75: 1.0 mm; 69-71, 76-77: 0.5 mm; 72-73, 78: 0.2 mm.