Nesiotus steineri Gimmel, 2013

Gimmel, Matthew L., 2013, Revision of the Malagasy genusNesiotusGuillebeau (Coleoptera: Phalacridae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 67 (2), pp. 123-132 : 123-132

Nesiotus steineri Gimmel , new species

Diagnosis. This species may be distinguished from other members of the genus by the moderately elongated antennomere XI in the male, the size of the eye in frontal view (separated by about 2.0 times width of one eye), the elytral interval microsetae in one row, the penis gradually narrowed apically from mid-length and acuminately pointed at apex, and by the fused parameres of the tegmen shaped like an elongate diamond.

Holotype. Male , genitalia dissected and mounted in DMHF on card with specimen, with label data “ MADAGASCAR: Prov. \ Fianarantsoa, 7 km \ W Ranomafana, 1100m \ 22–31 October 1988 \ W. E. Steiner // Flight intercept- \ yellow pan trap in \ Malaise trap in \ small clearing, \ montane rainforest // HOLOTYPE \ Nesiotus \ steineri Gimmel \ des. M.L. Gimmel [red label]”, deposited in USNM.

Description. Length 1.3–1.6 (mean = 1.5) mm. Dorsal coloration ( Fig. 25 ) variable, ranging from brownish testaceous to reddish piceous, more or less uniform. Ventral coloration similar or somewhat lighter. Appendages testaceous. Head: Eyes separated by more than 2.0 times width of a single eye in frontal view ( Fig. 33). Male antennomere XI about as long as IX–X combined, IX–X combined slightly longer than funicle. Female with antennomere XI about 1.5 times length of antennomere X, IX–X combined about as long as funicle. Thorax: Pronotum with anterior bead faintly narrowed medially; posterolateral angles sharp, slightly obtuse; posterior border faintly margined in about medial one-fifth. Elytral interval microsetae in a single, slightly irregular row. Metaventral lines extending about one-fourth distance from mesocoxa to metacoxa. Genitalia: Penis ( Fig. 12 ) with apex acutely pointed; widest at mid-length, gradually both narrowing anteriorly and posteriorly; internal sac sclerites as illustrated. Tegmen ( Fig. 19 ) with fused parameres in the shape of an elongate diamond, with acute apex, with 1 pair of setae at lateral corners, and with series of 4 pairs of subapical setae in 2 longitudinal rows.

Paratypes (n = 9). MA D A G AS C AR: Fianarantsoa Prov .: same data as holotype (2, USNM) ; same data except 8–21 October 1988 (1, USNM) ; same data except 1–7 November 1988 (2, USNM) ; same data except Malaise trap on island in stream in montane rain forest (1, USNM) ; same data except 23 September– 10 October 1988, Malaise trap in small clearing in montane rain forest, coll. C. Kremen (1, USNM) ; 7 km SW Ranomafana , 1200 m, 23 October 1988, pyrethrin fogging of dead leaves and sticks in bamboo vine tangle in montane rain forest, coll. W. Steiner, C. Kremen, R. Van Epps (1, USNM) ; 40 km S. of Ambalavao , Reserve Andringitra, 22°13′S, 46°58′E, 1275m, 18–25 October 1993, coll. B. L. Fisher, #799 (1, UCDC) .

Etymology. The specific epithet is dedicated to Warren E. Steiner, Jr. (USNM), who collected most of the known specimens of this species.

Distribution. This species is the only member of the genus known from two localities. Both are in Fianarantsoa Province, one in Ranomafana National Park and the other in Andringitra Reserve; these are separated by about 115 km.

Figures

Figs. 20–27. Dorsal habitus and type labels of Nesiotus species. Dorsal habitus: 20) N. basalis; 21) N. fisheri; 22) N. joebranhami; 23) N. nocitus; 24) N. ocularis; 25) N. steineri; 26) N. olibroides, lectotype. All habitus images to same scale. Labels: 27) N. olibroides, lectotype.

Figs. 6–19. Aedeagal sclerites of Nesiotus species. Penis: 6) N. basalis; 7) N. fisheri; 8) N. joebranhami; 9) N. nocitus; 10) N. ocularis; 11) N. olibroides; 12) N. steineri. Tegmen:13) N. basalis; 14) N. fisheri; 15) N. joebranhami; 16) N. nocitus; 17) N. ocularis; 18) N. olibroides; 19) N. steineri. Scale bar = 0.1 mm.