Prespelea carltoni Caterino and Vásquez-Vélez

Caterino, Michael S. & Vásquez-Vélez, Laura M., 2022, A New Species of the Southern Appalachian Genus Prespelea Park (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 76 (4), pp. 589-594 : 593

Prespelea carltoni Caterino and Vásquez-Vélez

Two males (MSC-7472, CUAC000149743 ; CUAC000149726 ): NC: Graham Co., 35.2585°N, 83.7959°W, Nantahala NF, 5,241′, Teyahalee Bald, vii.9.2019, sifted litter, M. Caterino and M. Ferro .

middle; aedeagus ( Figs. 6, 7 ) symmetrical, apex emarginate, apicolateral ridges convergent subapically, internal sac with medial sclerotized process, apically bifurcate; parameres with membranous apical lobes, with several long, subapical inwardlypointing setae along lateral margin.

Distribution. This new species is known only from Copper Ridge Bald in the Nantahala National Forest of western North Carolina. Despite the name, the type locality is rather densely forested with deciduous trees, Quercus ( Fagaceae ) and Acer ( Sapindaceae ), with a shrubby understory of Rhododendron ( Ericaceae ). The specimens were sifted from mixed litter around the edges of small rocky outcrops.

Remarks. Males of this new species are highly distinctive in the combination of intermediate-sized

Figures

Figs. 4–7. Prespelea videns, new species. Photos: 4) Lateral habitus; 5) Dorsal habitus; 6) Aedeagus, dorsal view.