Laccophilus posticus Aube , 1838

Bistroem, Olof, Nilsson, Anders N. & Bergsten, Johannes, 2015, Taxonomic revision of Afrotropical Laccophilus Leach, 1815 (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae), ZooKeys 542, pp. 1-379 : 52-55

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Dytiscidae

Laccophilus posticus Aube, 1838 Figs 49-50, 250, 402-405, 536

Laccophilus posticus Aubé 1838: 428 (original description, faunistics); Erichson 1843: 205 (faunistics); Boheman 1848: 245 (faunistics, description); Sharp 1882: 309 (redescription, faunistics); van den Branden 1885: 23 (catalogue, faunistics); Severin 1892: 472 (type deposition); Régimbart 1895: 136, 137, 138, 141 (description, faunistics, discussion); Alluaud 1897: 212 (faunistics); Peschet 1917: 23, 24, 26, 55 (description, faunistics, discussion); Zimmermann 1920a: 24 (catalogue); Gschwendtner 1935a: 17, 18 (faunistics, description); Guignot 1946c: 279, 281, 283 (discussion, description, faunistics); 1952e: 170 (discussion); Guignot 1955d: 67 (discussion); Vinson 1956: 28 (faunistics, list, biology); Omer-Cooper 1958b: 43, 45 (discussion, description); Guignot 1959a: 570, 572, 573, 575 (description, discussion, faunistics); Guignot 1961a: 931 (faunistics); Vinson 1967: 314 (faunistics, list); Omer-Cooper 1970: 290 (description); Bertrand and Legros 1971: 245 (faunistics, biology); Wewalka 1980: 730 (faunistics list); Bameul 1984: 94 (faunistics,); Rocchi 1991: 80, 86 (faunistics); Nilsson 2001: 249 (catalogue, faunistics); Pederzani and Rocchi 2009: 95 (faunistics, list); Nilsson 2015: 216 (catalogue, faunistics).

Type locality.

Mauritius (Ile de France).

Type material studied

(1 ex.). Holotype: female: "Data in NHRS JLKB 000030279/Ex - Museo Dejean / D. Sharp Monogr. / irroratus après Dej. / Laccophilus posticus var. / Dr. Régimbart vidit 1893 / Coll. Oberthur" (MNHN). [Comment: in the original description Aubé (1838) mentions existence of an additional specimen from Philippines. We have not located it and accordingly the exact taxonomic status of this specimen remains unknown.]

Additional material studied

(486 exs.). Mauritius: "Ile de Maurice Avril 1908 d’Emmerez / Museum Paris 1945 Coll. R. Peschet / Laccophilus posticus Aubé” (4 exs. MNHN); "Ile de Maurice Bambous Carié Déc. 1912 / Museum Paris 1945 Coll. R. Peschet / Laccophilus posticus Aubé R. Peschet det. 1917" (1 ex. MNHN); "Balaclava 4.5. 2007 Madl" (2 exs. NMW, 1 ex. MZH); "Nr. Triolet, nr. Fond du Sac, temp. new pool at roadside, terr. plants flooded by water, ephemeral aquatic habitat" (1 ex. CCT); "Ins. Mauritius Westw." (1 ex. ZMHB); “Mauritius” (2 exs. ZMHB). - Madagascar: "Mahajanga: Boeny: Ankarafantsika NP, S16.30341, E046.81073, 74 m.a.o. 29.11. 2009, 22W black light, field Bergsten et al. leg" (13 exs. NHRS); same data, add "NHRS-JLKB 000000511" (1 ex. NHRS); same data, add "NHRS-JLKB 000000514" (1 ex. NHRS); same data but " S16.30270, E046.80996, 75 m.a.o. 30.11. 2009" (12 exs. NHRS); same data, add "NHRS-JLKB 000000515" (1 ex. NHRS); same data but " S16.30653, E046.81227, 108 m.a.o. 28.11. 2009" (4 exs. NHRS); same data, add "NHRS-JLKB 000000494" (1 ex. NHRS); same data but " S16.31215, E046.81523, 76 m.a.o. 29.11. 2009" (17 exs. NHRS); same data, add "NHRS-JLKB 000000513" (1 ex. NHRS); "Mahajanga: Boeny: Mahavavy Kinkony RS. S16.14653, E045.94926, 9 m.a.o. 4.12. 2009 water net, field leg. Bergsten et al" (15 exs. NHRS); Same data; add "NHRS-JLKB 000000501" (1 ex. NHRS); same data but " S16.06651, E045.77627, 24 m.a.o. 5.12. 2009" (10 exs. NHRS); same data, Andasibe Adasibe add "NHRS-JLKB 000000510" (1 ex. NHRS); same data but " S16.15502, E045.91878, 10 m.a.o. 3.12. 2009" (10 exs. NHRS); same data but " S16.13337, E045.95778, 19 m.a.o., 4.12. 2009 / NHRS-JLBK 000000509" (1 ex. NHRS); same data but "NHRS-JLKB 000000496" (1 ex. NHRS); same data but " S16.15890, E045.93967, 3.12. 2009 / NHRS-JLBK 000000508" (1 ex. NHRS); same data but " S16.14147, E045.93661, 12 m.a.o., 3.12. 2009 / NHRS-JLKB 000000502" (1 ex. NHRS); "Toliara: Menabe: Menabe RS, S19.92773, E045.52253, 102 m.a.o. 10.12. 2009 water net, field" (13 exs. BMNH); same data, add "NHRS-JLKB 000000516" (1 ex. NHRS); same data but " S20.09034, E044.56400, 45 m.a.o. 11.12. 2009 / NHRS-JLKB (1 ex. NHRS); "Toliara: Menabe: Kirindy RS. S20.07641, E044.67478, 65 m.a.o., 11.12. 2009 water net, field" (1 ex. NHRS); same data, add "NHRS-JLKB 000000497" (1 ex. NHRS); same data but “000000504” (1 ex. NHRS); same data but " S20.07655, E044.67532, 57 m.a.o., 12.12. 2009/NHRS-JLKB 000000505" (1 ex. NHRS); "Mahajanga: Melaky btw. Morafenobe-Ambohijanahary, S18.19091, E45.19986, 290 m.a.o. 19.12. 2009 water net, field Bergsten et al." (9 exs. NHRS); same data, add "NHRS-JLKB 000000512" (1 ex. NHRS); "Mahajanga: Melaky: Tsingy de Bemaraha NP. S18.75724, E044.71239, 72 m.a.o., 17.12. 2009 water net, field Bergsten et al." (1 ex. NHRS); same data, add "NHRS-JLKB 000000498" (1 ex. NHRS); same data but " S18.775797, E044.71289, 81 m.a.o. 17.12. 2009, 22W black light, Field" (2 exs. NHRS); same data, add: "NHRS-JLKB 000000493" (1 ex. NHRS); same as, except " S19.14210, E044.81309, 59 m.a.o., 14.12. 2009, 22 w black light, field / NHRS-JLBK 000000499" (1 ex. NHRS); "Mahajanga: Melaky: betw. Bekopaka-Antsalova, 18.91556, E044.55546, 47 m.a.o., 16.12. 2009 water net, field Bergsten et al." (66 exs. NHRS); Same data, add "NHRS-JLKB 000000506" (1 ex. NHRS); "Mahajanga: Melaky: btw. Antsalova-Maintirano S18.30233, E044.18071, 37 m.a.o., 18.12. 2009 Bergsten et al. / NHRS-JLKB 000000503" (1 ex. NHRS); "Ankarana Lat -12.947 Lon 49.0119 27.11. 2004 / DNA voucher BMNH 675044, MSL045:E07 / Laccophilus posticus Aubé det. Bergsten" (1 ex, NHRS); "Antsabe, Lat -13.648, Lon 48.721, 21.11. 2004, Balke, Lees & Monaghan / DNA voucher BMNH 672769, MSLO27:D 11 / Laccophilus posticus det. Bergsten" (1 ex. NHRS); same but "DNA voucher BMNH 672774, MSL027: E04" (1 ex. NHRS); "Anjiabe Ambony, Ambilobe, Antsabe near camp, ¾ moon, dry, very many water beetles: P25MD12: 21.11. 2004, N: -13.6518, E: 48.7267, 49 m Balke et al" (1 ex. NHRS); "Ambilobe 4. 1951 R.P. / Paratype" ( ab. pseudotaenilatus Guignot - not available name) (1 ex. MNHN); "Androka 5. 51 / Paratype" ( ab. pseudotaenilatus Guignot - not available name) (1 ex. MNHN); "Isaky Ivondro Ampasy, rice paddies P66, 9.4. 2007 N-24,93056, E46,86317 ,64 m Ranarilalatiana et al" (41 exs. NHRS); "Isaky Ivondro, Foret Manangotry (rte towards Ranomafana) running water P67C, 9.4. 2007, N-24.7994, E46,86244, 406 m Ranarilalatiana et al." (4 exs. NHRS); "TOLI, Taolanaro: Isaky Ivondro, Foret Managotry, running water P67C: N - 24.799 E 46.862, 406 m 9.4. 2007, leg. Ranarilalalatiana et al./ Laccophilus posticus Aubé det. Bergsten" (1 ex. NHRS); "TOLI, muddy waterhole, N -23.242, E 44.229, 415 m, 17.5. 2006 Bergsten et al. / BMNH(E) 794210 DNA voucher / Laccophilus Aubé Bergsten det. (1 ex. MZH); same as but "BMNH(E) 794228 DNA voucher" (1 ex. NHRS); same but "BMNH(E) 794252 DNA voucher" (1 ex. NHRS); "TOLI NW Ft. Dauphin, rice paddies, P54F, N -24.824, E 46.866, 34.44 m, 19.5. 2006, leg. Bergsten et al / Laccophilus posticus det. Bergsten/BMNH(E): <74511> DNA voucher" (1 ex. NHRS); Same but "<794236> DNA voucher" (1 ex. NHRS); "Toli NW Ft Dauphin, rice paddies with water somewhat running under road, 19.5. 2006 N-24°49.472, E46°51.974 34 m Bergsten et al." (12 exs. NHRS); "TOLI Zombitse Ankilemiletsy, muddy zebu waterhole, some emergent vegetation P42B, 14.5. 2006, N-22°52.112, E44°34.616, 545 m Bergsten et al." (1 ex. NHRS); "Toli Zombitse Ambiamena, edge PN Zombitse, stagnant zebu-visited marshland, muddy and lots of vegetation, 14.5. 2006 N-22°51.605, E44°37.035, 533 m Bergsten et al." (4 exs. NHRS); "Toli Zombitse Andranomena R. (Anomena R.?) near Ranomena, PN Zombitse section Isoky. Pools of muddy & vegetation, stagnant waters in the river basin, among ricefields and Phragmites ? 15.5. 2006 -22°38.407, E44°51.866, 578 m Bergsten et al." (16 exs. NHRS); "Toli MK Manakaralahy, Manakaralahy R. Dried out river with waterhole on sandy bottom with algal mats, 18.5. 2006, N-24°28.162, E44°35.683, 210 m Bergsten et al." (3 exs. NHRS); "Toli Sakondry Sakondry R, near RN 10 bridge at Satria river with sandy bottom, wide (50m +) and shallow, algal mats along the edges 17.5. 2006, N-23°20.807, E44°20.353, 214 m Bergsten et al." (5 exs. NHRS); "Toli Menarandra Menarandra R, 49 km from Ampanihy pools beside a river close to village, algae in pools and sandy bottom with some wood 18.5. 2006, N-24°43.104, E45°2.859, 227 m Bergsten et al." (9 exs. NHRS); "Fian Isalo, Menamaty R.: degraded river, P41AMO1 N: -22.55, E: 45.401, 757 m, 11.5. 2006 leg. Bergsten et al. / Laccophilus posticus det. Bergsten/BMNH(E) <745103> DNA voucher " (1 ex. NHRS); "Fian Isalo, Menamaty R., sandy/stony bottom with some vegetation at edges, zebu crossing, degraded P41C, 11.5. 2006 N-22°29.359, E45°23.505, 715 m Bergsten et al." (3 exs. NHRS); "Fian Isalo Menamaty Riv. degraded with lots of vegetation, used by women to wash clothes in P41AM01, 11.5. 2006 N-22°33.001, E45°24.074, 757 m Bergsten et al." (40 exs. NHRS); "Tanandava, lum. Schmitz" (8 exs. MRAC, 1 ex. MZH; habitus as in Figs 404-405); "Marovoay, lampe UV 8. 1962 Dubois" (1 ex. MRAC, 1 ex. MZH); "TAM Morarano-Chrome foret 25 km W. bac j. 4. 1992 Pauly" (1 ex. MRAC); "Diego Suarez Alluaud 10. 1893 / Museum Paris coll. Maurice Régimbart 1908 / posticus Aubé” (1 ex. MNHN); "Maromandia (Antalaha, Antsiranana) 30.10. 2001 / R. Ankavia nr village, 40 m asl / Gerecke & Goldsmith leg." (1 ex. BMNH, 1 ex. MZH); "Maroambihy (Sambava, Antsiranana) left affl. R. Lokoho upstr. from village 12.11.2001/90 m a.s.l. / Gerecke & Goldsmith leg." (1 ex. BMNH; habitus in Fig. 402); "E Mad. Fenerive, foret Tampolo 28.12. 1998 Moravec" (1 ex. NMW); "Mad. east Tampolo 17.17S - 49.25E / 12.11. 1998, E-Y: 3372 light trap, Müller leg." (1 ex. TMSA); same but "E-Y: 3364, 10.11. 1998" (1 ex. TMSA); "S Mad. Umg. Beloha Franz 1969 / Laccophilus posticus Aubé det. Wewalka 1969" (1 ex. NMW); "S Mad. Ambilalilalika, Rd Betioky-Beneloka 50 m asl, 27.1. 1995 Dunay & Janak" (1 ex. NMW); "Betsiboka Bas. 53 km Maevatanana, 47°04'33"E, 16°42'13"S, Alt. 49 m, 2.4. 1993 leg. ORSTOM" (4 exs. NMW); "Betsiboka Bas. Manjakavaradrano, Mamokomita Riv., 46°54'20"E, 17°38'00"S, Alt. 625 m, 16.4. 1991 leg. ORSTOM" (1 ex. NMW); "Betsiboka Bas., Ambalanbongo, Affl. de Betsiboka Riv., 47°00'30"E, 16°48'00"S, 30.3. 1993 leg. ORSTOM" (2 exs. NMW); "Betsiboka bas., Ambohimanalrika, Kamoro Riv., 47°10'06"E, 16°28'55"S, alt. 40 m, 1.4. 1993 leg. ORSTOM" (10 exs. NMW); "Betsiboka Bas., Ambohimanatrika, Kamoro Riv., 47°10'06"E, 16°28'55"S, 4.11. 1995 Elouard & Oliarinony leg." (1 ex. NMW; habitus in Fig. 403); "Betsiboka Bas., Andriantoany Riv., 46°56'23"E, 17°19'40"S, 5.11.1995 Elouard & Oliarinony leg." (1 ex. NMW); "Mandrare bas., Betanimena, Manananara Riv., 46°39'20"E, 24 48 17"S, alt. 118 m, 23.5. 1994 leg. ORSTOM" (3 exs. NMW); "Sahankazo Bas., 5 km au Nord de Antsandrangotika Riv. 49°23'46"E - 12°28'40"S, alt. 50 m, 4.4. 1994, leg. Edouard et Sartori" (1 ex. NMW); "Anove à Ivondro Bas., Tampolo, Affl. non nommé Riv. 49°25'40"E, 17°17'07"S, Alt. 8 m, 12.4. 1997, Gibon F. -M, Randriamasimanana D." (3 exs. NMW); "Onilahy Bas., Ambatofotsy (Horombe), Aff. de Ihazofotsy Riv., 45°40'43"E, 22°30'49"S, 1.6. 1995, Elouard J-M." (1 ex. NMW); "Onilahy Bas., Onilahy Riv., 44°33'53"E, 23°32'18"S, leg. ORSTOM" (1 ex. NMW); "Tsiribihina Bas., Antazoa, Manampanda Riv., 45°35'04"E, 20°21'40"S, Alt. 145 m, 29.5. 1996 Elouard & Sambatra leg." (1 ex. NMW); "Antseranana distr., Sambirana Riv., Marovata vill. 5-12.12. 2001 Horak leg." (2 exs. NMW); "Fianarantsoa Pr. Foret d’Analalava 29.6 km 280˚ W Ranohira, elev. 700 m, 1-5.2. 2003/ 22°35'30"S, 045°07'42"E, at light in tropical dry forest, Fischer, Griswold et al leg." (1 ex. CAS); "Tollara Prov., Rés. privé Berenty, Foret de Bealoka, Mandraré Riv. 14.6 km 329˚ NNW Amboasary, elev. 35 m3-8.2. 2002/ 24°57'25"S, 46°16'17"E, at light in gallery forest, Fischer, Griswold et al leg." (2 exs. CAS); "Maroansetra, Restaurant La Baquette d’or, because of light trap 20.12. 2006, N-15,42467, E49,73800, 12 m Isambert et al" (3 exs. NHRS); "Madagask., Kaudern / 19.1. / Laccophilus posticus Aubé det. Zimmermann" (1 ex. NHRS); same but “febr.” (1 ex. NHRS); same but "Tamatave / febr." (1 ex. NHRS); "Tamatava distr., Andasibe J. Rolschik leg. 17-30.12. 2001" (1 ex. NMPC); "Katsepy (Majunga) 24-31.12. 1997 Pacholátko” (35 exs. NHMB, 8 exs. MZH); "Majunga, Cirque Rouge 22-23.12. 1997 Pacholátko” (1 ex. NHMB); "Moramanga env. 10-18.12. 1997 Pacholátko” (1 ex. NHMB); "Mangily N of Tulear 12.1. 2005 Bergsten" (5 exs. NHRS); "Kap Diego 1916 Friederichs S.G." (1 ex. ZMHB); "Andranohinaly Voeltzkow S. / Laccophilus posticus Aubé det. Brancucci" (1 ex. ZMHB); "Res. Spec. Beza Mahafaly 44°32'E, 23°40'S, ca. 150 m, 18.5. 199/leg. Bartolozzi et al / Laccophilus posticus Aubé det. Rocchi 1991 " (2 exs. CSR); "Madagascar, Fairmaire / Laccophilus posticus Aubé” (1 ex. NMW); "Madagascar, Fruhstorfer" (1 ex. NMW). - Aldabra: "Aldabra-Ins. N v. Madagascar 4.5. 1895 A. Voeltskow S." (9 exs. ZMHB); "Ald. Atoll, 9°24'S, 46°20'E, Takamaka Camp 14.2. 1968 Shaffer J.C. / Black light / Laccophilus posticus Aubé det. Bameul 1986" (1 ex. USNM).

Diagnosis.

Laccophilus posticus and Laccophilus continentalis form a pair of species with considerable resemblance. The two species are separated by differences in shape of the penis, being distinctly more prominent in Laccophilus posticus than in Laccophilus continentalis ; especially, anterior part is more extended in Laccophilus posticus . The penis of Laccophilus posticus and Laccophilus continentalis resembles also the penis of Laccophilus rivulosus but this species exhibits clear differences in the elytral colour pattern (irrorations are formed as longitudunal lines).

Description.

Body length 3.5-4.4 mm, width 2.0-2.5 mm. Dorsal, colouration of body as in Figs 402-405. Quite stable, although colour pattern exhibits some variation.

Head: Pale ferrugineous, posteriorly sometimes slightly darker. Submat, finely, evenly and distinctly microsculptured; reticulation indistinctly double. Large meshes rudimentary, weakly indicated and only in part discernible. Impunctate, except at eyes; with fine, scattered punctures.

Pronotum: Pale ferrrugineous. Frontally and basally in middle with rather vague dark ferrugineous to ferrugineous areas. Submat, finely, evenly and distinctly microsculptured; reticulation indistinctly double. Large meshes rudimentary, weakly indicated and only in part discernible. Impunctate, except anteriorly and laterally; here with fine, scattered punctures.

Elytra: Pale ferrugineous, with dark ferrugineous irrorations. Elytral colour pattern quite stable, exhibits some variation. Single dark marking sometimes only defined by its dark outlines while centre is of pale colour. Rarely the dark, longitudinal markings are in part mixed with each other forming a larger dark area (Figs 402-405). Submat, finely, evenly and distinctly microsculptured; reticulation indistinctly double. Large meshes rudimentary, weakly indicated and only in part discernible. Rows of punctures indistinct, indicated by fine, irregular punctures. Elytron with pre-apical lateral furrow, which is rather discrete and moderately pubescent.

Ventral aspect: Blackish ferrugineous to ferrugineous, prothorax pale ferrugineous to ferrugineous; no distinct colour pattern. Rather shiny, although very finely microsculptured. Abdomen with fine, curved striae. Almost impunctate. Metathorax with about 10 very fine, shallow and in part transversely located furrows. Prothorax moder atly broad, apex distinctly extended, apically pointed. Metacoxal process not distinctly modified. Apical ventrite (Fig. 49); symmetric and lacks lateral knob.

Legs: Pro- and mesotarsus slightly enlarged, provided with distinct suckers.

Male genitalia: Penis in lateral aspect prominent; apex extended to a sharp process (Fig. 250).

Female: Apical ventrite as in Fig. 50. Pro- and mesotarsus slender.

Distribution.

Mauritius, Madagascar, Aldabra (Fig. 536).

Collecting circumstances.

Insufficiently documented. Vinson (1956) reports the species to occur in stagnant water. On the other hand label data indicates that the species also occur in running water. Sometimes the species has been collected at light in forests (gallery forest and tropical dry forest). Obviously a lowland species the highest elevation for collection being 700 m a.s.l. Laccophilus posticus has also been recorded from rice paddies.