Leptonyxa Reitter, 1876

Kolibac, Jiri, 2013, Trogossitidae: A review of the beetle family, with a catalogue and keys, ZooKeys 366, pp. 1-194 : 117-119

Genus Leptonyxa Reitter, 1876 Fig. 11 ; Map 12

Leptonyxa Reitter, E. 1876: 54.

Type species.

Leptonyxa brevicollis Reitter, 1876 [designated by Kolibáč 2005]

Léveillé, A. 1910: 27. Kolibáč, J. 2005: 66. Kolibáč, J. 2006: 111 (phylogeny)

Remarks.

I have studied only two species of Leptonyxa , Leptonyxa germaini and Leptonyxa fairmairei . The mandibles of the males are so peculiar that I hesitated over whether the genus truly belongs in Trogossitidae ( Kolibáč 2006). Moreover, the other mouthparts - the reduced labrum, labium with divided prementum and plain galea and lacinia without sclerotized spurs or thorns - are also so highly modified that it is difficult to see trogossitid features in these body parts at all. More extensive material of Leptonyxa should be examined to establish a definitive morphological description of the genus.

Description.

Body size: about 7.0 mm. Body shape flat. Gular sutures wide, convergent at apex. Frontoclypeal suture absent. Frons: longitudinal groove or depression absent. Cranium ventrally: tufts of long setae at sides present. Submentum: ctenidium absent. Antennal groove absent. Eyes: size large, lateral. Eyes number: two. Epicranial acumination absent. Lacinial hooks absent. Galea: shape elongate. Galea: ciliate setae absent. Mediostipes-Lacinia fused together. Palpifer: outer edge even. Mandibular apical teeth number: two, horizontally situated. Mola absent. Penicillus (at base) absent. Pubescence above mola or cutting edge present. Ventral furrow present. Basal notch shallow or absent. Labrum-Cranium fused. Epipharyngial sclerite absent. Lateral tormal process: projection projection not developed (all remaining). Ligula: ciliate setae absent. Ligula rigid, not retroflexed, weakly emarginate. Hypopharyngeal sclerite absent. Antenna 10-segmented. Antennal club weakly asymmetrical, sensorial fields absent. Front coxal cavities externally open, internally open. Pronotum transverse. Prepectus present. Middle coxal cavities open. Elytra: long hairs absent. Epipleuron moderate. Elytral interlocking mechanism absent, carinae conspicuous. Elytral punctation regular, scales absent. Wing: radial cell moved down, often small, wedge cell absent, cross vein MP3-4 absent, cross vein AA1+2-3+4 absent. Front tibiae: spines along side moderate. Hooked spur present. Claws: denticle absent. Parasternites number along ventrites III-VII: absent. Spiculum gastrale absent. Tegmen composed of three parts. Coxitae undivided.

Biology.

Nothing is known of the biology of these rare species. The last record known to me was made by a flight interception trap in Brazil. They are probably predatory.

Distribution.

Tropical South America: Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil.

Species:

Leptonyxa boliviensis Léveillé, 1895; Bolivia (AL)

Léveillé, A. 1910: 27

Leptonyxa brevicollis Reitter, 1876; Colombia (AL)

Reitter, E. 1876: 54. Léveillé, A. 1910: 27. Kolibáč, J. 2005: 66 (redescription)

Leptonyxa costipennis Reitter, 1876; Brazil (AL)

Reitter, E. 1876: 55. Léveillé, A. 1910: 27

Leptonyxa fairmairei Léveillé, 1892; Brazil (AL)

Léveillé, A. 1910: 27. Kolibáč, J. 2006: 152

Leptonyxa germaini Léveillé, 1895; Bolivia (AL)

Léveillé, A. 1910: 27

Leptonyxa grouvellei Léveillé, 1895; Brazil (AL)

Léveillé, A. 1910: 27

Leptonyxa ornata Léveillé, 1895; Brazil: Bahia (AL)

Léveillé, A. 1910: 27

Leptonyxa sedilloti Léveillé, 1888; Colombia (AL)

Léveillé, A. 1910: 27

Leptonyxa variegata Léveillé, 1907; Brazil (AL)

Léveillé, A. 1910: 27

Figures

Figure 11. A Ancyrona (syn. Latolaeva) bivittata B Ancyrona vicina C Ancyrona kosnovskorum (= fairmairei?) D Ancyrona sp., lewisi - group, Malaysia E Ancyrona japonica, Slovakia F Ancyrona gabonica G Leptonyxa fairmairei H Neaspis variegata.

Map 12. A distribution of the tribe Ancyronini.