Algon pseudotibetanus, Li & Tang, 2023

Li, Chong & Tang, Liang, 2023, New species and records of Algonina Schillhammer & Brunke, 2018, mainly from China, Zootaxa 5256 (5), pp. 457-482 : 467-468

Algon pseudotibetanus sp. n. ṸBŴÑḃffm

( Figs 30–34 , 96–101)

Type material. Holotype. China: Xizang: ♁, glued on a card with labels as follows: “China: Hanmi, Motuo , alt. 2200m, 23–27.VIII.2005, Liang Tang leg. [red handwritten label]” ( SHNU) . Paratypes. 1♁, same data as holotype; 1♁ 1♀, Muotuo county, Hanmi , alt. 2100m, 23.VIII.2011, Wen-Xuan Bi leg. ( SHNU); 1♁, Hanmi , alt. 2100m, 22.VII.2013, Wen-Xuan Bi leg. ( SHNU).

Description. (Habitus: Figs 31, 32 ) Body 12.6–15.3 mm long (7.7–7.9 mm, abdomen excluded). Dark violaceous blue, rather shiny; scutellum and basal depression of elytra black; antennae dark brown, gradually becoming more reddish brown distally, palpi reddish brown; legs black to black brown, tarsi reddish brown.

Head 1.3 times as wide as long, eyes very big, 2.0 times as long as tempora; tempora rounded, without hind angle, postocular region moderately densely, rather finely punctate; surface of head with distinct micropunctation visible at 10 times magnification, microsculpture (type II) on head very fine, individual cells small but distinct at high magnification ( Fig. 30 ). Antennae moderately long, segment 9 inconspicuously oblong.

Pronotum 1.08 times as wide as long, widest at midlength, sides and base rounded, hind angles not indicated, surface with very fine micropunctation barely visible at 10 times magnification, microsculpture as on head; scutellum finely and moderately densely punctate, surface with transverse wave-like microsculpture ( Fig. 33 ); elytra glossy, punctation moderately sparse, punctures tiny but with large and flat punctural grooves, separated by about 1–2 groove diameters in transverse direction; basal depression and punctural grooves with iso-diametrical microsculpture (type IIIa) ( Fig. 34 ).

Abdominal tergites densely punctate, with fine transverse wave-like microsculpture.

Aedeagus ( Figs 96–101 ) small, with median lobe parallel-sided, apex pointed; median lobe in lateral view without tooth but apical piece distinctly hook-like, bent toward paramere; paramere cylindrical, shorter than median lobe, with medio-longitudinal elevation dorsally, lateral extension not developed, apex subtruncate in ventral view, with about 22 peg setae arranged in two clusters subapically ( Figs 100, 101 ).

Distribution. China (Xizang).

Diagnosis. The new species is very similar to A. tibetanus , but it can be distinguished from the latter by the smaller body size, the larger eyes, the more rounded tempora, and the finer microsculpture of head and pronotum ( Figs 29, 30 ).

Etymology. The specific name refers to the similarity with A. tibetanus .

Figures

FIGURES 27–34. 27–29—Algon tibetanus; 30–34—A. pseudotibetanus; 27, 28, 31, 32—habitus; 29, 30—microsculpture on head; 33—microsculpture on scutellum; 34—microsculpture on punctural grooves of elytra.

FIGURES 90–101. Aedeagal characters. 90–95—Algon tibetanus; 96–101—A. pseudotibetanus; 90, 91, 96, 97—aedeagus in lateral view; 92, 93, 98, 99—aedeagus in ventral view; 94, 95, 100, 101—inner side of apical parameral portion.