Miobdelus Sharp, 1889

He, Liang & Zhou, Hong-Zhang, 2018, Taxonomy of the genus Miobdelus Sharp, 1889 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini) and five new species from China, Zootaxa 4377 (3), pp. 301-353 : 303-305

The genus Miobdelus Sharp, 1889

Sharp, 1889: 111 (species included: brevipennis ); Bernhauer & Schubert, 1914: 393 (world catalog; 1 species); Winkler, 1925: 386 (catalog for Palaearctic region); Scheerpeltz, 1933: 1407 (world catalog supplement); Blackwelder, 1952: 249 (type species: brevipennis ); Tikhomirova, 1973: 187 (in checklist of species of USSR); Shibata, 1984: 96 (in checklist of species of Japan); Smetana & Davies, 2000: 20, 28, 42 (characters; in checklist of species of north temperate region); Herman, 2001: 3352 (Catalog); Smetana, 2004: 673 (Catalog of Palaearctic Region); Smetana, 2005b: 583 (key to species of mainland China); Hayashi, 2011: 321 (notes on generic characteristics); Schülke & Smetana, 2015: 1085 (Catalog of Palaearctic Region).

Type species: Miobdelus brevipennis Sharp, 1889: 112 , fixed by monotypy.

The species of the genus Miobdelus are medium to large-sized in general body form, and can be distinguished from other allied genera of Staphylinini by the following characteristics: Punctures on head expanded into large round depressions, and these depressions are usually smooth and shining, distinctly larger than those punctures of other allied genera; posterior basal line on first three visible abdominal tergites gently bisinuate; mandibular prostheca lanceolate with moderately long setae along entire medial margin, not bilobed.

Key to species of the subgenus Miobdelus Sharp, 1889

(modified from Smetana, 2001, 2005b)

1. Apical portion of aedeagus with complex orifice (e.g. Figs. 13-1 B, C, 13-2 A–C); apical portion of median lobe complexshaped; no sensory peg setae on underside of paramere........................................................ 2

- Apical portion of aedeagus without complex orifice (e.g. Figs. 1-1 B, C, 1-2 A–C ); apical portion of median lobe simple, usually pointed toward left side in ventral view; underside of paramere with sensory peg setae........................... 8

2. Wings markedly reduced................................................................................ 3

- Wings fully developed.................................................................................. 6

3. Aedeagus shaped as in Smetana (2001: fig. 4). Length 11.5–13.0 mm. Japan and South Korea.... M. brevipennis Sharp, 1889

- Aedeagus distinctly different; Taiwan...................................................................... 4

4. Abdominal tergite 6 (fourth visible) with distinct patch of yellow tomentose pubescence in middle; visible tergites 1–3 each on each side of midline with minute narrow patch of yellow tomentose pubescence flanked laterally by dark tomentose pubescence. Punctation of disc of pronotum markedly confluent, forming distinct rugae of different orientation on both sides of midline. Aedeagus as in Smetana (2001: figs. 6–9). Length 12.0–14.6 mm. Taiwan............. M. taiwanensis Smetana, 2001

- Abdominal tergites with variably oriented, variegate pubescence of various color, definitely not forming distinct patch of yellow tomentose pubescence in middle of tergite 6 (fourth visible). Punctation of disc of pronotum no more than vaguely confluent, definitely not forming distinct rugae on both sides of midline............................................... 5

5. Apical portion of median lobe of aedeagus in ventral view simple, variably narrowed toward acute or subacute apex ( Smetana, 2001: figs. 10, 11, 13). Length 10.6–12.1 mm. Taiwan................................... M. insularis Smetana, 2001

- Apical portion of median lobe of aedeagus in ventral view complex, extended into two lobes, large left, slightly curved lobe, and small, acute right lobe, lobes separated by narrow notch ( Smetana, 2001: fig. 14). Length 12.0–12.2 mm. Taiwan........................................................................................ M. choui Smetana, 2001

6. Aedeagus with knife-shaped median lobe in lateral view; ventral view of apical portion of median lobe with right margin relatively smoothly curved, without notch (Figs. 4-1 B, C, 4-2 A–C). Length 18.2–16.5 mm. Yunnan, Jinping County............................................................................ M. chrysochromatus He and Zhou , sp. nov.

- Aedeagus distinctly different; ventral view of apical portion of median lobe with right margin complex-shaped, not smoothly

curved (e.g. Figs. 13-1 B, C, 13-2 A–C).................................................................... 7

7. Visible tergite 4 with patch of yellowish-golden tomentose pubescence only in middle. Aedeagus with median lobe bilobate, shaped as in Figs. 13-1 B, C, 13-2 A–C. Length 19.0–21.0 mm. Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Xizang.................................................................................................... M. insignitus Smetana, 2011

- Visible tergite 4 with large patch of yellowish-golden tomentose pubescence in middle, sometimes even covering almost entire tergite. Aedeagus shaped as in Figs. 14-1 B, C, 14-2 A–C. Length 13.0–17.0 mm. Sichuan, Yunnan.................................................................................................... M. insolens Smetana, 2011

8. Abdominal tergite 7 (fifth visible) with more or less distinct, greyish or greyish-white apical seam of palisade setae........ 9

- Abdominal tergite 7 (fifth visible) without greyish or greyish-white apical seam of palisade setae..................... 19

9. Dorsal surface of head and pronotum bright metallic green, or dark bluish........................................ 10

- Dorsal surface of head and pronotum of different color....................................................... 11

10. Dorsal surface of head and pronotum bright metallic green; entire scutellum with black tomentose pubescence; punctation of head dense but becoming sparser toward apical margin of clypeus, exposing distinct, shiny interspaces between punctures. Aedeagus as in Figs. 9-1 B, C, 9-2 A–C. Length 11.5–12.0 mm. Sichuan........... M. egregius Smetana, 2001 (pars, male)

- Dorsal surface of head and pronotum dull dark blue; base of scutellum with narrow band of yellowish tomentose pubescence; punctation of head, including entire clypeus, quite dense, without any appreciably wider interspaces between punctures, appearing quite dull. Aedeagus as in Figs. 8-1 B, C, 8-2 A–C. Length 12.0 mm. Sichuan........ M. caelestis Smetana, 2001

11. Antenna short, segment 4 as long as wide to slightly longer than wide (ratios up to 1.17), outer segments 8–10 variably wider than long (ratios 1.15–1.25), or at most as long as wide....................................................... 12

- Antenna moderately long to long, segment 4 distinctly longer than wide (ratios 1.45–1.55), outer segments 8–10 appreciably longer than wide (ratios 1.18–1.26), or at most as long as wide................................................. 14

12. Female. Head and pronotum with pale to dark purplish metallic lustre, elytra with vague purplish sheen. Sichuan.............................................................................. M. egregius Smetana, 2001 (pars, female)

- Male or female. Color of head, pronotum and elytra different.................................................. 13

13. Head with Y-shaped epicranial line distinctly developed; clypeus with variably large areas impunctate. Abdominal tergite 7 (fifth visible) without pale apical seam of palisade setae in most specimens. Aedeagus as in Figs. 10-1 B, C, 10-2 A–C and Smetana (2001: figs. 40–42). On average smaller, less robust species. Length 8.8–13.0 mm. Widely distributed in mountain ranges of Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan and Xizang in China. Also recorded in Eastern Siberia in Russia..................................................................................... M. eppelsheimi ( Reitter, 1887) (pars)

- Head with Y-shaped epicranial line not apparent, or with only posterior part of its longitudinal portion vaguely indicated; clypeus without impunctate areas. Abdominal tergite 7 (fifth visible) with pale apical seam of palisade setae. Aedeagus different, shaped as in Figs. 6-1 B, C, 6-2 A–C. On average larger, more robust species. Length 11.5–14.5 mm. Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan......................................................... M. atricornis Smetana, 2001

14. Entire legs testaceorufous to rufobrunneous................................................................ 15

- Legs predominantly dark, brunneopiceous to piceous-black................................................... 16

15. Abdominal tergite 6 (fourth visible) with spot of rusty tomentose pubescence in middle. Pronotum indefinitely paler laterally and basally, antenna piceous with first two and basal half of third segment testaceorufous. Aedeagus as in Smetana (2001: figs. 25, 26). Length 11.0–12.5 mm. Sichuan (Emei Shan)...................................... M. heinzi Smetana, 2001

- Abdominal tergite 6 (fourth visible) without spot of conspicuously colored tomentose pubescence in middle. Pronotum uniformly dark, antenna entirely testaceorufous. Aedeagus as in Smetana (2005b: fig. 5). Length 12.0–14.0 mm. Southern Sichuan (Daliang Shan).............................................................. M. kitawakii Smetana, 2005

16. Elytra short, at suture distinctly shorter (ratios 0.76, 0.83), at sides vaguely shorter (ratios 0.92, 0.97) than pronotum at midline. Wings considerably reduced, nonfunctional................................................................ 17

- Elytra moderately long, at suture vaguely shorter (ratio 0.93) or as long as, at sides longer (ratios 1.18, 1.21) than pronotum at midline. Wings fully developed, functional................................................................ 18

17. Hind tarsus very long, about as long as hind tibia. Pit-like punctures on head and pronotum moderately large, not conspicuous. Aedeagus as in Smetana (2005b: fig. 7). Length 11.0–13.0 mm. Shaanxi (Daba Shan)............ M. tenuis Smetana, 2005

- Hind tarsus moderately long, shorter than hind tibia (ratio 0.83). Pit-like punctures on head and pronotum large, conspicuous. More robust species. Aedeagus as in Smetana (2005b, fig. 8). Length 12.0–13.0 mm. Hubei, Shaanxi................................................................................................... M. gemellus Smetana, 2005

18. Apical portion of median lobe of aedeagus in ventral view short and wide, with right lateral margin subangulately, abruptly narrowed posteriad ( Smetana, 2001: fig. 23). On average smaller and more slender species. Length 10.78–11.8 mm. Sichuan (Gongga Shan, Daliang Shan)........................................................ M. gracilis Smetana, 2001

- Apical portion of median lobe of aedeagus in ventral view narrower and more elongate, with apex of median lobe with right lateral margin not abruptly narrowed posteriad (Figs. 16-1 B, C, 16-2 A–C). On average larger and less slender species. Length 12.5–14.0 mm. Sichuan............................................................ M. lacustris Smetana, 2001

19. Antenna short, segment 4 as long as wide to slightly longer than wide (ratios up to 1.15), outer segments 8–10 at least slightly wider than long (ratio at least 1.20)....................................................................... 20

- Antenna moderately long to long, segment 4 distinctly longer than wide (ratios around 1.6), outer segments 8–10 appreciably longer than wide (ratios 1.16–1.24), or at most as long as wide................................................. 22

20. Abdominal tergite 6 (fourth visible) with two small patches of yellowish tomentose pubescence, surrounded with piceousblack tomentose pubescence on lateral sides. Abdominal tergite 7 (fifth visible) also with similar patches of tomentose pubescence but relatively smaller and much dull. Apical portion of median lobe hardly asymmetrical (not pointed to one side) in ventral view, shaped as in Figs. 2-1 B, C, 2-2 A–C . Length: 13.7–16.9 mm. Sichuan........ M. wangi He and Zhou , sp. nov.

- Tomentose pubescence distinctly different on abdominal tergites 6 and 7. Aedeagus different......................... 21

21. Legs entirely rufobrunneous. Abdominal tergite 6 (fourth visible) without patch of yellowish tomentose pubescence. Aedeagus as in Smetana (2005b: fig. 4). Length 13.0–14.0 mm. Northern Yunnan....................... M. rufipes Smetana, 2005

- Legs piceous-black to black with variably paler tarsi. Abdominal tergite 6 (fourth visible) with patch of yellowish tomentose pubescence in middle. Aedeagus as in Figs. 10-1 B, C, 10-2 A–C and Smetana (2001: figs. 40–42). Length 8.8–13.0 mm. Widely distributed in mountain ranges of Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan and Xizang in China. Also recorded in Eastern Siberia in Russia......................................................... M. eppelsheimi ( Reitter, 1887) (pars)

22. Abdominal tergite 6 (fourth visible) without distinct patch of yellow or yellowish-golden tomentose pubescence in middle. 2 3

- Abdominal tergite 6 (fourth visible) with distinct patch of yellow or yellowish-golden tomentose pubescence in middle, or abdominal tergites 3–7 (first to fifth visible) each with similar pattern involving testaceo-yellowish tomentose pubescence in middle............................................................................................. 25

23. Head, pronotum and elytra with dark purplish metallic lustre, that of elytra often bluish-purple. Apical portion of median lobe of aedeagus narrow and elongate, considerably exceeding apex of paramere (Figs. 17-1 B, C, 17-2 A–C). Sternite 9 of male genital segment narrow, at least slightly notched in middle of apical margin. Length 10.5–12.0 mm. Sichuan (Gongga Shan)............................................................................. M. purpurascens Smetana, 2001

- Head, pronotum and elytra without dark purplish metallic lustre. Aedeagus distinctly different....................... 24

24. Body color totally black, without coppery metallic lustre. Apical portion of median lobe of aedeagus obliquely subtruncate; paramere remarkably widened in apical half, widely rounded at apical margin ( Hayashi, 2011: figs. 4–6). Length 15.0–18.0 mm. Yunnan (mountains around Dongchuan).......................................... M. morimotoi Hayashi, 2011

- Head, pronotum and elytra with inconspicuous, dark coppery metallic lustre. Apical portion of median lobe of aedeagus short, only slightly exceeding apex of paramere (Figs. 12-1 B, C, 12-2 A–C); apical half of paramere knife-shaped and not widened, narrowly rounded at apical margin. Length 11.0–12.5 mm. Sichuan....................... M. inornatus Smetana, 2001

25. Abdominal tergites 3–6 (first to fourth visible) each with subpaired patch of testaceo-yellowish tomentose pubescence in middle, flanked at each side by piceous-black tomentose pubescence, pale patch largest on tergite 6 (fourth visible). Aedeagus as in Figs. 7-1 B, C, 7-2 A–C. Length 13.0–14.0 mm. Sichuan, Yunnan....................... M. biseriatus Smetana, 2001

- Tomentose pattern on abdominal tergites different........................................................... 26

26. Apical side of abdominal tergites 3–7 (first to fifth visible) each with small spots of long testaceo-yellowish pubescence symmetrically distributed near lateral ends. Aedeagus shaped as in Figs. 3-1 B, C, 3-2 A–C; median lobe of aedeagus with apex widely rounded, not constricted and elongate. Relatively small species. Length 12.4–15.4 mm. Sichuan, Luding County...................................................................... M. chrysanthemoides He and Zhou , sp. nov.

- Abdominal tergites and aedeagus distinctly different......................................................... 27

27. Abdominal tergites 4 and 5 (2 and 3 visible) each with a pair of piceous-black spots of tomentose pubescence, surrounded by five small patches of testaceo-yellowish tomentose pubescence on basal or apical ends. Aedeagus shaped as in Figs. 5-1 B, C, 5-2 A–C; apical portion of median lobe of aedeagus markedly elongate, distinctly longer and wider than most other species of Miobdelus . Length 16.5–17.8 mm. Sichuan.................................. M. baoxingensis He and Zhou , sp. nov.

- Abdominal tergites and aedeagus distinctly different......................................................... 28

28. Abdominal tergites 3–6 (first to fourth visible) each with numerous intermixed testaceo-yellowish tomentose pubescence. Aedeagus as in Smetana (2001: fig. 37). Length 14.0–15.0 mm. Sichuan (Daliang Shan).......... M. turnai Smetana, 2001

- Abdominal tergites 3–7 (first to fourth visible) each without appreciable intermixed testaceo-yellowish tomentose pubescence................................................................................................... 29

29. Aedeagus shaped as in Figs. 1-1 B, C, 1-2 A–C ; lateral view of aedeagus with distinct fin-shaped protuberance on middle part of median lobe. Length 13.8–16.2 mm. Sichuan, Wolong National Nature Reserve.... M. wolongensis He and Zhou , sp. nov.

- Aedeagus distinctly different............................................................................ 30

30. Antennae and legs entirely piceous-black. Aedeagus as in Smetana (2005b: fig. 6). Length 17.0 mm. Southern Sichuan...................................................................................... M. opacus Smetana, 2005

- Antennae rufo-brunneous, legs rufo-brunneous to brunneous. Aedeagus different.................................. 31

31. Aedeagus small, apex of paramere in ventral view at least slightly exceeding apex of median lobe ( Smetana, 2001: fig. 33). Apical margin of sternite 9 of male genital segment evenly arcuate. Length 11.5–13.5 mm. Yunnan (Yulongshan)..................................................................................... M. aureonotatus Smetana, 2001

- Aedeagus markedly larger, apex of median lobe distinctly exceeding apex of paramere ( Figs. 15-1 B, C , 15-2 A–C ). Apical margin of sternite 9 of male genital segment notched in middle. Length 13.0–14.5 mm. Yunnan (Yulongshan)............................................................................................. M. kubani Smetana, 2001

Figures

FIGURE 1-1. Miobdelus wolongensis He and Zhou, sp. nov.: A. habitus of species (2.0 mm); B. aedeagus, lateral view (0.2 mm); C. aedeagus, ventral view (0.2 mm); D. underside of apical portion of paramere (0.2 mm); E. second gonocoxite of female genital segment (0.2 mm). Scale in parentheses.

FIGURE 1-2. Miobdelus wolongensis He and Zhou, sp. nov.: A and C. aedeagus, lateral view; B. aedeagus, ventral view; D. male tergite 10; E. underside of apical portion of paramere; F. female tergite 10; G. male sternite 9; H. second gonocoxite of female genital segment (scale bars = 0.20 mm).

FIGURE 15-1. Miobdelus kubani: A. habitus of species (2.0 mm); B. aedeagus, lateral view (0.2 mm); C. aedeagus, ventral view (0.2 mm); D. underside of apical portion of paramere (0.2 mm); E. second gonocoxite of female genital segment (0.2 mm).Scale in parentheses.

FIGURE 15-2. Miobdelus kubani: A and C.aedeagus, lateral view; B aedeagus, ventral view; D. male tergite 10; E. underside of apical portion of paramere; F. female tergite 10; G. male sternite 9; H. second gonocoxite of female genital segment (scale bars = 0.20 mm).