Nelmanwaslus ornatus, Smetana, Aleš, 2006

Smetana, Aleš, 2006, Contributions to the knowledge of the “ Staphylinus­complex ” (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Staphylinini) of China. Part 11. The genus Wasmannellus Bernhauer, 1920 and Nelmanwaslus gen. nov., Zootaxa 1316, pp. 33-43 : 41-42

Nelmanwaslus ornatus spec. nov.

( Figs. 3–6 )

Type material. Holotype (male): CHINA: Hubei: “ China, W Hubei, 16.V.–12.VI. MUYUPING S env., ˜ 1300 m, pitfall traps, 31.45N 110.4E, Jaroslav Turna leg. 2004" ( NHMW). Paratype (male): CHINA: Fujian: “KUATUN, FUKIEN China, 14.5.46, leg. Tschung­Sen” (ASC).

Description. Black, dull, general pubescence of dorsal side of body black; head with inconspicuous spot of greyish tomentose pubescence in middle of vertex; elytra each with elongate spot of greyish tomentose pubescence extended from humerus obliquely backward toward suture and continuing narrowly along suture to posterior end of suture, and each with lateral spot of greyish tomentose pubescence at about middle of elytral length, spot about reaching middle of elytron but not connected to large oblique spot; apical margin of each elytron with densely set yellowish hairs; first visible abdominal tergite with inconspicuous patch of greyish tomentose pubescence in each posteriolateral corner, general pubescence of tergites becoming gradually paler toward apex of abdomen; pubescence of abdominal pleurites greyish; pubescence of legs, particularly that of all tibiae and tarsi, pale greyish; maxillary and labial palpi dark brown to brownish­piceous; antennae black; legs black with somewhat paler tarsi. Head obtusely quadrangular, with broadly rounded posterior angles, wider than long (ratio 1.33), eyes slightly shifted dorsally, relatively small, moderately convex, tempora markedly longer than eyes from above (ratio 1.50); dorsal surface of head moderately coarsely, quite densely punctate, minute interspaces between punctures without microsculpture. Antenna moderately long, appearing rather robust, segment 3 vaguely longer than segment 2, segments 4–6 slightly longer than wide to as long as wide, segments 7–10 gradually becoming more appreciably wider than long, last segment short, markedly shorter than two preceding segments combined. Pronotum about as long as wide, vaguely narrowed posteriad, with widely arcuate posterior margin; narrow marginal groove disappearing downwards at about anterior third of pronotal length; disc of pronotum with narrow impunctate midline in posterior third of pronotal length, midline slightly widened before posterior margin; punctation and pubescence on disc similar to that on head, minute interspaces between punctures without microsculpture. Scutellum punctate, entirely covered with black tomentose pubescence. Elytra moderately long, at midline about as long as, at sides vaguely longer than pronotum at midline (ratio 1.14); punctation fine and dense, granulose, elytra therefore appearing dull; general pubescence piceous­black, dense. Wings fully developed. Abdomen with fifth visible tergite with fine, pale apical seam of palisade setae; tergite 2 (in front of first visible tergite) with row of punctures along posterior margin, otherwise with a few additional punctures; general punctation and pubescence of abdominal tergites fine and dense, becoming finer and sparser toward apical margin of each tergite, and in general toward apex of abdomen (for further details see the generic description); microsculpture of irregular waves apparent in basolateral corners of first three visible tergites and on area between two basal lines, remaining areas of first three visible tergites, and following tergites entirely void of microsculpture.

Male. Sternite 8 with apical margin inconspicuously, arcuately emarginate in middle. Tergite 10 and sternite 9: see generic description ( Figs. 3, 4 ). Aedoeagus ( Figs. 5, 6 ) relatively small; median lobe to great extent parallel­sided, with characteristically formed apical margin; paramere quite wide basally, abruptly narrowed into narrow, rod­like middle and apical portion situated on median lobe asymmetrically; obtuse apex of paramere not reaching apex of median lobe; underside of paramere without sensory peg setae, with apical setae situated as in Fig. 6 .

Female. Unknown.

Length 14–16 mm.

Bionomics. Nothing is known about the collecting circumstance of the two specimens of the original series. The holotype was almost certainly taken from a pitfall trap, but the habitat in which the trap was set remains unknown.

Geographical distribution. Nelmanwaslus ornatus is at present known from the provinces of Fujian and Hubei, which suggests that the species may be widely distributed in China.

Comments. The holotype is missing segments 10 and 11 of the left antenna; the paratype is missing segments 9–11 of the right antenna and segments 2–5 of the left hind tarsus.

Etymology. The specific epithet is the Latin adjective ornatus , ­ a, ­ um (adorned, decorated). It refers to the pattern of the tomentose pubescence on the dorsal side of the body.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 6. Details of Wasmannellus tristis (1 – 2) and Nelmanwaslus ornatus (3 – 6). 1 — right lateral sclerite of tergite 9 and tergite 10 of female genital segment; 2 — first and second gonocoxites of female genital segment; 3 — tergite 10 of male genital segment; 4 — sternite 9 of male genital segment; 5 — aedoeagus, ventral view; 6 — underside of apical portion of paramere of aedoeagus.