Notaepytus elongatus, Skelley, 2009

Skelley, Paul E., 2009, Pleasing fungus beetles of the West Indies (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Erotylinae), Insecta Mundi 2009 (82), pp. 1-94 : 66-68

Notaepytus elongatus Skelley, new species

Figure 1b, 94, 133, 138

Diagnosis. The species can be distinguished by: a narrowly elongate body and transversely elongate basal orangish elytral spot ( Fig. 94, 133).

Description. Length: 8.6 mm; width: 3.8 mm. Body elongate, parallel-sided, somewhat flattened; surface weakly microreticulate, glossy. Color mostly black; elytron with narrow transverse mark at basal third attaining stria II medially (lacking anterior projection as seen in N. modestus ), and a subapical spot with jagged edges attaining elytral suture medially; tarsi, antennomere XI and apical half of abdomen red-brown.

Head interocular width = 2.5 x ocular width; vertex and epistome puncture size = 0.3-0.5 x ocular facet diameter, separated by 3-4 x their diameter; epistome anterior margin truncate. Eyes large, facets moderate in size. Antennomere III length = 3 x width, antennomere III length = length of antennomeres IV+V combined; antennomeres IV-VIII equal in length, each with length = 2 x width; antennomere VIII not wider than VII; antennomere IX triangular, length = 1.2 x width; antennomere XI narrower than X, subcircular. Terminal maxillary palpomere triangular, weakly asymmetrical, length = 0.8 x width. Terminal labial palpomere triangular, asymmetrical, width = 2 x length, expanded medially, width = terminal maxillary palpomere.

Pronotum distinctly transverse; punctures fine, puncture size as those on vertex, sparse, separated by 3-4 x their diameter; small group of large punctures at each side of base, puncture size = an ocular facet diameter. Scutellum transverse, length = 0.5 x width. Elytra long, 4.5 x longer than pronotum; apex narrowly rounded; striae not impressed, punctures moderate, puncture size = an ocular facet diameter, separated by 2-3 x their diameter; interval punctures fine, obscure; base lacking marginal bead. Wings present, fully developed.

Prosternum length = 3 x basal width; sternal plate flat, rugose; sternal lines not continuous around coxal cavity; base strongly concave. Mesosternal lines parallel, not continuous around coxal cavity. Metasternum long, distance between meso- and metacoxae = 2 x intermesocoxal width; anterior lines absent medially, continuous posteriorly 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; surface punctures fine and scattered. Male unknown.

Distribution. Found in the Dominican Republic in the Sierra de Baoruco ( Fig. 138).

Type Material. The female holotype of Notaepytus elongatus ( Fig. 133) has the following label data: “/ Dom. Rep.: Pedernales, 37 km. N. Cabo Rojo, 1500m, 18 o 09’N- 71 o 35’W / 25-SEP-1991, J. Rawlins. R. Davidson, C. Young, S. Thompson, Grassland with pines / [red paper] HOLOTYPE Notaepytus elongatus P.E. Skelley /” ( CMNH).

Etymology. The specific epithet reflects the notably elongate elytra and elytral markings.