Canthonella sikesi Ivie and Philips

Ivie, Michael A. & Philips, Keith, 2008, Three new species of Canthonella Chapin from Hispaniola, with new records and Nomenclatural changes for West Indian dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), Zootaxa 1701, pp. 1-14 : 5-7

Canthonella sikesi Ivie and Philips , new species

Figs. 3, 6, 9 , 12, 15, 18, 21

Diagnosis. This small species is very similar to C. pygmaea Harold and C. isabellae Matthews , but can be distinguished from those and all other described Canthonella species by the combination of a yellow-orange elytral macula that reaches the basal margin (separate in C. pygmaeus ), and the impunctate 8th elytral stria (strongly punctate in C. isabellae ). The unique shape of the apical portions of the aedeagus will further distinguish this species (Fig. 12).

Description (male). Oval ( Fig. 21 ), strongly convex, finely pilose, shining black, yellow-orange spot along anterior margin of elytron from third elytral stria to humeral angle and across epipleuron (occasionally and faintly extending onto second interval), extending to posterior edge of metasternum ( Fig. 9 ). Eyes dorsally separated by 8X maximum width of dorsal lobe ( Fig. 6 ). Labium with apex slightly raised; slightly produced and angulate in hind view; anterior margin truncate to slightly emarginate in ventral view; palpi bearded with long setae medially; base of mentum bearing 2 very long setae ( Fig. 3 ). Pronotum at base nearly as wide as base of elytra, parallel sided for basal 3/4, evenly rounded at anterior 1/4; basal margin very fine to obsolete medially. Elytral striae 1–8 impunctate, consisting of 2 fine parallel lines, 7 obsolete on humerus; interstriae flat, conforming to shape of elytron. Foretibia transversely truncate apically, with 2 acute teeth externally; serrulate between and proximal to teeth. Metatibia weakly serrulate on internal margin (Fig. 18). Adeagus with shape of phallobase apex and parameres unique, as in Fig. 12. Length: 2.50–2.51mm, measured along midline from anterior margin of pronotum to tip of elytra.

Male genitalia, lateral view. 10. Canthonella jarmilea ; 11. Canthonella quesquaya ; 12. Canthonella sikesi . 13–15. Right profemur and tarsus Fig. 13: Canthonella jarmilea ; 14. Canthonella quesquaya ; 15. Canthonella sikesi ; 16–18. Right metafemur and tarsus 16. Canthonella jarmilea ; 17. Canthonella quesquaya ; 18. Canthonella sikesi .

Female. Differs as in other Hispaniolan Canthonella , i.e. the apical spine of the protibia is less stout than that of the male, and the interior margin of the female metatibia is not serrulate.

TYPES. HOLOTYPE MALE: DOM REP: Prov Hato Mayor; Par. Nac. Los Haitises; 16APR– 01JULY1992; F.I.T.#1, bosque humido; M.Ivie, D.Sikes, Lanier [from WIBF, deposited in NMNH]. ALLO- TYPE FEMALE: same data as holotype.

PARATYPES: 12 MALES, 10 FEMALES — same data as holotype [CMNC, MHND, TKPC, WIBF]. 1 MALE — DOM.REP: Prov. Hato Mayor; Par. Nac. Los Haitises; 18–21 JULY 1993; D. S. Sikes and R. Rosenfeld; flight intercept trap [TKPC]. 3 MALES, 1 FEMALE — DOM.REP: Pr. Hato Mayor; Par. Nac. Los Haitises; 0 2 JULY 1992 – 16 JULY 1993, D. Sikes and R. Rosenfield; flight intercept trap [WIBF]. 1 FEMALE — DOM REP: Prov Hato Mayor; Par. Nac. Los Haitises; 01–16APR1992; dung bait; pit. trap, bosque humido; M.Ivie, D.Sikes, Lanier [WIBF]. 1 FEMALE — Samana; Samana RD; VII 29 1978; R. 0. Schuster [UCDC]. 1 MALE — Cabrera; Rep. Dom; VIII 1 1978; R. 0. Schuster [UCDC].

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL STUDIED BUT NOT INCLUDED IN TYPE SERIES: 2 specimens, same data as holotype, disarticulated [TKPC].

Etymology. Named after Derek S. Sikes, a valued student, colleague, and friend, as well as one of the collectors of this species.

Notes. This species is very similar to, and possibly a vicariant sister-species of, C. isabellae Matthews. It is known only from the mesic north coast, while C. isabellae is known only from the drier southern areas.

The type locality is in Parque Nacional de Los Haïtises, a karst area west of Sabana de la Mar, on the Bahia de San Lorenzo ( Hoppe 1989). The flight intercept trap (FIT) was located in an area of soil accumulation between limestone "magote" hills, covered in mesic forest. Interestingly, another FIT a very short distance away, but on the rock of the magote, did not capture any of this species. The 2 paratypes not from the Los Haïtises FITs are from the area across Samana Bay from Los Haïtises and on the north coast a short distance to the west of the Samana Peninsula.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 9. 1 – 3. Labia. 1. Canthonella jarmilea; 2. Canthonella quesquaya; 3. Canthonella sikesi. 4 – 6. Heads 4. Canthonella jarmilea; 5. Canthonella quesquaya; 6: Canthonella sikesi. 7 – 9. Left elytra 7, Canthonella jarmilea; 8. Canthonella quesquaya; 9. Canthonella sikesi.

FIGURES 19 – 22. Dorsal habiti. 19. Canthonella jarmilea; 20. Canthonella quesquaya; 21. Canthonella sikesi; 22. Canthonella constans.