Athoplastus lochsa Etzler and Johnson, 2018

Etzler, Frank E. & Johnson, Paul J., 2018, Athoplastus Johnson and Etzler (Coleoptera: Elateridae: Dendrometrinae), a New Genus of Click Beetle from the Northwestern Continental USA, The Coleopterists Bulletin 72 (3), pp. 503-521 : 516

Athoplastus lochsa Etzler and Johnson , new species

(Adult: Figs. 3 , 11, 13 , 19–21 )

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Diagnosis. This species can be separated from all others in the genus by the combination of relatively sparse pronotal punctation (separated by greater than the diameter of a single puncture) ( Fig. 11 ), sloped, non-depressed prosternum ( Fig. 8 ), and antennomeres without secondary expansions ( Fig. 13 ). The male genitalia are also distinctive, with the parameres broadly rounded apically ( Fig. 21 ).

Description. Male. Length 16.0 mm in length, width 3.5 mm (measured across bases of elytra). Red-brown, carina, tips of mandibles, and palps darker; edges of hypomeron and abdomen lighter, almost tawny yellow ( Fig. 3 ). Head: Ocular index = 63.1. Antenna: Ratio of antennomeres 2–11: 1: 1.25: 2.9: 3: 3: 2.9: 2.9: 2.9: 2.9: 3.25 ( Fig. 13 ). Pronotum: 1.5X wider than long. Lateral margin completely carinate, sinuate anterad divergent hind angles, widening at anterior third; dorsoventrally flattened along lateral edges on anterior half. Punctures distinct, simple and moderately dense on disc, separated by at least diameter of a puncture, with 2 “dimples” on either side of midline just anterad midlength that are nearly impunctate; punctures remain uniform along lateral edges, becoming denser on hind angles. Prosternum: Slightly convex with dense, shallow, subumbilicate punctures; anterior lobe short, broadly rounded, shallowly deflexed. Posterior process short and arcuate, gradually raised ventrally between procoxae, then gradually deflexed posteriorly before becoming parallel to body plane. Legs: Tarsomere 5 longest on pro- and mesotarsi, tarsomere 5 equal in length to tarsomere 1 on metatarsi. Elytra: Elongate, subparallel, 4.8X length of pronotum; striae shallowly impressed, deeper apically; intervals flat, punctures rough, shallow, and irregularly distributed. Aedeagus ( Figs. 19–21 ): Basal piece 1/3 total length, with roughly trapezoidal membranous section on ventral surface ( Fig. 20 ); median lobe just slightly longer than parameres when measured from basal struts, slightly deflexed ventrally at tip, median carina on ventral surface, basal struts coming off at an obtuse angle; parameres subparallel, gradually narrowing toward tip, tip with expanded lateral expansion bearing 4 setae ( Fig. 21 ), which is broadly rounded apically.

Female. Unknown.

Specimens Examined (1). Holotype. USA: IDAHO: Idaho Co.; Lochsa RNA [Research Natural Area]; 29.iv.1985; P.J. Johnson (1, PJJC to USNM).

Distribution. This species is only known from the Lochsa River Valley in Idaho County, Idaho ( Fig. 29 ).

Etymology. The specific name “ lochsa ” is a noun in apposition representing the Nez Perce name for the Lochsa River, along which the only known specimen was collected.

Taxonomic Remarks. While it is best to describe a species based on more than one specimen, the unique pronotal punctation and male genitalia support recognition as a new species. We also feel that this description will promote collecting trips to collect more specimens of this species and expand its known range.

Figures

Figs. 1–4. Athoplastus species, dorsal habitus. 1) A. acutus; 2) A. palouse; 3) A. lochsa; 4) A. rainieri.

Figs. 10–15. Athoplastus species. 10) A. acutus, prothorax, dorsal view; 11) A. lochsa, prothorax, dorsal view; 12) A. acutus, left antenna; 13) A. lochsa, left antenna; 14) A. palouse, left antenna; 15) A. acutus, female, left wing. Scale bars for antennae = 1 mm; for wing = 5 mm.

Figs. 16–27. Athoplastus species, adeagi, dorsal view, ventral view, and close up of paramere apex, respectively.

Figs. 5–9. Athoplastus species. 5) A. acutus, female dorsal habitus; 6) A. acutus, male dorsal habitus, darker coloration; 7) A. acutus, male ventral habitus; 8) A. rainier, prothorax, lateral view (arrow indicates start of area between procoxae); 9) A. acutus, prothorax, lateral view (arrow indicates start of expanded area between procoxae).

Figs. 28–30. Athoplastus species. 28) A. rainier, female, internal genitalia, v = vagina, u = uterus, acgld = accessory gland, bc = bursa copulatrix (after Han et al. 2012); 29) Distribution map of examined specimens, with rivers; 30) Neighbor-joining tree of Montana populations of A. acutus, COI mtDNA, 500 runs, scale bar = 1% difference.