Altisessor gundlachi ( Zayas 1988 ) Skelley, 2009

Skelley, Paul E., 2009, Pleasing fungus beetles of the West Indies (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Erotylinae), Insecta Mundi 2009 (82), pp. 1-94 : 40-41

Altisessor gundlachi ( Zayas 1988) , new combination

Figure 1b , 58

Oocyanus gundlachi Zayas 1988: 81-82 , fig. 71.

Eptyus [sic] gundlachi (Zayas) ~ Peck 2005: 134

Diagnosis. Distinguished by: pale antennomeres IX-XI; dark femora and tibial bases, tibial apices and tarsi pale ( Fig. 58 ); body with metallic purple sheen; and large size (largest member of Altisessor ).

Description. Length: 5.0 mm; width: 2.3 mm. Body elongate, somewhat cylindrical; surface microreticulate, yet shining. Color black with metallic purple sheen (occasional hints of blue-green, depending on lighting), except as noted: palpi, antennal bases, tarsi, and apical 0.9 of tibiae pale yellow; antennal club pale-white.

Head interocular width = 5 x ocular width; vertex and epistome puncture size = 0.9 x ocular facet diameter, separated by 2-3 x their diameter, weakly impressed, obscured in microreticulation; epistome anterior margin truncate. Eye facets moderate in size. Terminal maxillary palpomere triangular, asymmetrical, length = width. Terminal labial palpomere triangular, asymmetrical, width = 1.5 x length, expanded medially, width = terminal maxillary palpomere. Mentum with triangular plate broad, short, width = 2 x length. Genal lobes reduced to smooth ridge.

Pronotum transverse, width = 1.6 x length; puncture size and distribution as those on vertex; base with slight indentation at each side of base, lacking large punctures; anterior edge with marginal bead only behind eyes; base sinuate, lacking marginal bead. Scutellum transverse, length = 0.5 x width. Elytral striae present, puncture size = an ocular facet diameter, separated by 2-3 x diameter; interval punctures fine, obscured in microreticulation; base lacking marginal bead. Wings present, fully developed.

Prosternum length = 1.6 x intercoxal width; sternal plate flat, coarsely punctate; sternal lines continuous around coxal cavity; base shallowly concave. Mesosternum broad, width = 2 x length, with transverse row of coarse punctures, base slightly concave, lines continuous around coxal cavity. Metasternum with lines meeting medially; continuous around mesocoxal cavity; coarsely punctate at anterolateral angles, fine scattered punctures medially and posteriorly. Abdomen with coxal lines not connecting medially; continuous around metacoxal cavity; coarse punctures on first ventrite scattered, punctures fine and obscure on remaining ventrites. Genitalia not examined (unique holotype not dissected).

Distribution. Found in Cuba, exact locality unknown.

Type Material. The holotype of Oocyanus gundlachi Zayas ( Fig. 58 ) with label, “1514", is glued onto a larger label with a black outline. The type is deposited in the Gundlach Collection at the Instituto de Ecologia y Systematica, Academia de Ciencias de Cuba, Habana. This specimen was studied and photographed in 1995 (hence the lower photograph quality), at which time a red label was added stating “/ HOLOTYPE Oocyanus gundlachi Zayas 1988 /”.

Remarks. The two known species of Altisessor in Cuba are easily separated from other members by their pale tibiae. Altisessor gundlachi is distinguished from A. viridis by a wider body, weaker cuticular microreticulation (hexagonal indentations not visible), purple sheen, pale tarsi (contrasting against dark femora), and tibiae with dark base.

Figures

Figure 1. West Indian maps. 1a) Map of West Indian countries mentioned in the text. 1b) Map indicating species occurring on specific islands with distribution of Notaepytus flavitarsis (Lacordaire) indicated by the white triangles.

Figure 57-61. Altisessor spp., dorsal and ventral habitus. 57, 60) A. hottensis, holotype. 58) A. gundlachi, holotype. 59, 61) A. viridis, holotype.