Laccophilus continentalis Gschwendtner, 1935

Bistroem, Olof, Nilsson, Anders N. & Bergsten, Johannes, 2015, Taxonomic revision of Afrotropical Laccophilus Leach, 1815 (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae), ZooKeys 542, pp. 1-379 : 47-52

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Dytiscidae

Laccophilus continentalis Gschwendtner, 1935 Figs 47-48, 249, 400-401, 535

Laccophilus posticus continentalis Gschwendtner 1935a: 16, 18 (original description, faunistics).

Laccophilus continentalis Gschwendter, Guignot 1946c: 279, 281, 283, 312, 316 (discussion, description, faunistics); Capra 1952: 6: (faunistics); Omer-Cooper 1956: 21 (faunistics, biology); Omer-Cooper 1957: 20, 21 (discussion, description); Omer-Cooper 1958a: 57, 59 (faunistics, biology); Omer-Cooper 1958b: 37, 43, 44, 45 (description, discussion, faunistics, biology); Guignot 1959a: 570, 573, 575 (redescription, faunistics); Omer-Cooper 1965: 77, 81 (description, faunuistics); Omer-Cooper 1970: 288, 289, 290 (discussion, description, faunistics); Rocchi 1975: 48 (faunistics); Bilardo 1976: 190 (faunistics, biology); Bilardo and Rocchi 1987: 104 (faunistics, biology); Rocchi 1990:442 (faunistics); Nilsson 2001: 242 (catalougue, faunistics); Nilsson 2015: 210 (catalougue, faunistics).

Laccophilus perplexus Omer-Cooper 1970: 287, 288, 289, 290 (original description, faunistics, discussion.); Nilsson 2001: 248 (catalogue, faunistics); Nilsson 2015: 215 (catalougue, faunistics). New synonym.

Type localities.

Laccophilus continentalis : Botswana: Kalahari, Tsotsorogo Pan.

Laccophilus perplexus : Mozambique: Umbeluzi River near Goba.

Type material, studied

(21 exs.). Laccophilus continentalis : Lectotype (by present designation): male: "V.-L. Kal. Exp. Tsotsorogo Pan 17/6-9/7/30 / Type male (symbol) Gschw. / Laccophilus posticus continentalis det. Gschwendtner" (TMSA; habitus in Fig. 400). - Paralectotypes: Same data as lectotype, but "Type female (symbol)" (1 ex. TMSA); "V.-L. Kal. Exp. N’Kate Makarikari 6-23/8/1930 / Paratypus Laccophilus posticus continentalis ssp. L. Gschwendtner" (10 exs. TMSA, 1 ex. OLML); same as lectotype but labelled as "Paratype Gschw." (5 exs. OLML, 2 exs. AMGS).

Laccophilus perplexus : Holotype: male: "Type / Laccophilus perplexus sp. n. / Mozambique Umbeluzi River near Goba 4.12. 1948 J.O.C." (AMGS; according to original description holotype preserved in BMNH).

Additional material, studied

(518 exs.). Senegal: "Sumpf von Peykone, Senegal 9. 08 Riggenbach S.V." (1 ex. ZMHB). - Gambia-S. Senegal: "Stream of Selety 13°10'N- 16°36'W 19.2. 1976 Holmen leg." (2 exs. ZMUC). - Sudan: "Wad Medani a. Bl. Nil 29.10. 1979 Hieke" (1 ex. ZMHB); same but "12.10. 1979 lux" (2 exs. ZMHB); same but "18.10. 1979"(1 ex. ZMHB); same but "8.10. 1979" (2 exs. ZMHB); same but "9.10. 1979" (1 ex. ZMHB); same but "30-31.10. 1979" (1 ex. ZMHB); same but “20.10.1979“ (1 ex. ZMHB); same but "15.10. 1979" (1 ex. ZMHB); same but “22.10.1979“ (2 exs. ZMHB); same but "leg. Königsmann“ (1 ex. ZMHB); "Senaar a.Bl. Nil, lux 21.10.1979 Hieke" (5 exs. ZMHB); "Umm Banein, light trap 14.11. 1962 Linnavuori" (1 ex. MZH). - Ghana: "N Region Nyankpala 183 m N9°25 ’-W1°00’ Dr. S. Endrödy-Younga / shore washing 10.2. 1970" (1 ex. CGW). - Nigeria: "Samaru 17.5. 1959, Sands / light trap" (1 ex. BMNH); "Nt Kano 1.5. 1928 Lindwer Madsen" (1 ex. ZMUC). - Somalia: "Somali Rep. 1961 Roffey"(3 exs. BMNH, 1 ex. MZH). - Kenya: "Kibwezi Scheffler leg." (1 ex. ZMHB); same as but “1906“ (1 ex. ZMHB); "Eastern Mwingi, Nguni env. 28.11. 1999 Snizek" (1 ex. NMW); "SE Kenya ShimbaHills 20 km S Mombasa 5.6. 1985 Lödl” (1 ex. NMW, 1 ex. MZH); Mafisini, pond, Kwale District 19.9. 1976 Holmen leg." (1 ex. ZMUC); "Maji ya Chumvi River, Kwale District 16.9. 1976 Holmen leg." (1 ex. ZMUC); "Maji-Chumwi (Wa Nyika) Alluaud 7. 1903" (2 exs. NHMB); "Athi River, Machakos District 14.9. 1976 Holmen det" (1 ex. ZMUC); "Kombeni River, Mazeras, Kilifi distr 15.9. 1976 Holmen" (2 exs. ZMUC, 2 exs. MZH); "Mariakani dam, Kilifi District 16.9. 1976 Holmen" (4 exs. MZH); "Mandera R. Dana 23.10. 1970 Brown" (1 ex. BMNH); "Wajir 27.10. 1970 Brown" (1 ex. BMNH); "Malindi, alle luci, 15.11.-5.12. 1989 / Laccophilus continentalis Gschwendtner det. Rocchi 1990 " (3 exs. CSR); "Voi 11. 1997 Snizek M. / Laccophilus continentalis Gschwendtner det. Rocchi 1990 " (3 exs. CSR); "Voi Mtito Andei, light trap roof Tsavo Inn 24-25.11. 1990 Päts & Viklund" (1 ex. MZH); "Fort Hall / Coll. E. Häuser / Laccophilus continentalis Gschwendtner det. Brancucci" (1 ex. ZMHB); "Afr. or Jkurha" (1 ex. ZMHB). - Tanzania: "Daressalaam, Pangani und Hinterland Regner" (1 ex. ZMHB); "Daressalaam leg. Methner" (1 ex. NHMB, 1 ex. ZMHB); "Reg. Morogoro Mikumi 17-20.12. 1993 Bednatik" (1 ex. NMW); "Mts Uluguru, Morogoro Campus Fac. Agric., UV, 600 m 5-6. 1971 / Laccophilus continentalis Gschw. det. Bilardo" (1 ex. NHMB); "Ponds S of Korogwe, Korogwe District 24.9. 1976 Holmen" (2 exs. ZMUC, 1 ex. MZH); "Rice field S of Tanga, Tanga District 26.9. 1976 Holmen" (1 ex. ZMUC); "Tanga / Sjöstedt” (1 ex. NHRS); "Tanga Reimer S." (1 ex. ZMHB); "Tanganyika Pond in stream 103 (?) miles from Dodoma 15.2. 1954 JOC" (1 ex. AMGS); "Tanga Prov. 4-5. 1950 Sweeney / At light" (2 exs. BMNH); "Usa River 3900 feet Dr. J. Szunyoghy / Light trap 15.11.-31.12. 1965" (1 ex. CGW); "2 mi to L. Manyara, seashore 3150 feet Dr. J. Szunyoghy / singled material 1-26. 1965" (1 ex. CGW); “Usagara” (1 ex. ZMHB); "Umgb Urumba 15.9. D.O.A. leg. Methner / Laccophilus continentalis Gschw. det. M. Brancucci" (3 exs. ZMHB); "J. Kurha " (1 ex. ZMHB); "Zanzibar Pemba 23. Sept. 1955 Fowler" (5 exs. AMGS); "Zanzibar 13th Sept. 1955 JOC." (2 exs. AMGS); "Zanzibar 5. 1954 Brown" (2 exs. BMNH, 1 ex. MZH); "Zanzibar / Reimer S. & Schultz. - Zambia: "S Luangwa NP, Mfuwe Crocodile Farm, 13.06.03S, 31.47.32E, 450 m, lux 23.3. 1993 Uhlig" (45 exs. ZMHB, 2 exs. MZH); same but "21.3. 1993" (4 exs. ZMHB); same but "24.3. 1993" (6 exs. ZMHB); same but " 13.06S, 31.47S, 21-24.3. 1993 Göllner” (2 exs. ZMHB); same but “Deckert” (1 ex. ZMHB). - Namibia: "E Caprivi: Katima Mulilo, lux, 17.29S, 24.17E, 3-8.3. 1992 Uhlig" (65 exs. ZMHB, 5 exs. MZH; habitus in Fig. 401); same but "Deckert leg." (2 exs. ZMHb); same but “Göllner leg." (2 exs. ZMHB); "E Caprivi: 3 km E Katima Mulilo, 17.29S, 24.18E, Hippo Camp, in Swimming Pool 6.3.1992 Uhlig" (1 ex. ZMHB); "E Caprivi: 30 km SE Katima Mulilo 17.31S, 24.25E, Zambesi - Altwasserarm, lux 6.3. 1992 Uhlig" (7 exs. ZMHB, 1 ex. NMNW); "E Caprivi: Mudumu NP, Nakatwa, 18.10S, 23.26E, 8-13.3. 1992 Uhlig" (3 exs. ZMHB); same but "Buffalo Trails Camp lux, ca. 18.10S, 23.26E, 12.3. 1992" (3 exs. ZMHB); same but "Kwando-Ufer, Phragmites , schlammig" (1 ex. ZMHB); "Kavango Popa Falls 18.07S, 21.35E, lux 26.2.-3.3. 1992 lux Deckert" (1 ex. ZMHB); same but “Uhlig” (1 ex. ZMHB); "Kavango Mahango Game Reserve 18.17S, 21.43E, lux 2.3. 1992 Göllner” (1 ex. ZMHB); Okavango Distr., Mutompo, 60 km S Rundu, 18.18.38,7S, 19.15.29,4E, 1180 m NN, 13.3. 2003, hand light trap, Frisch & Voland" (1 ex. ZMHB). - Botswana: "Serowe, sevage ponds, Farmer’s Brigade 1.6. 1987, SE22 26 BD, Forchhammer leg." (3 exs. MZH); same but "7.6. 1987" (3 exs. MZH); same data but "4. 1988 / Laccophilus continentalis Gschwendtner det. Rocchi 1993" (2 exs. CSR); "Kasane, Chobe Safari lodge, 17.48.32S, 25.08.39E, 26.11.1993 lux, Uhlig" (5 exs. ZMHB, 3 exs. MZH); "5 km NW San-ta-wani Safari Lodge, 19.27.01S, 23.38.46E, lux 8-9.3.1993 Uhlig" (27 exs. ZMHB); "5 km NW San-ta-wani Safari Lodge, 19.27S, 23.38E, lux 8-9.3. 1993 Göllner” (1 ex. ZMHB); "6 km E Kalkfontein, 22.04S, 20.56E, 7.3. 1993 lux Göllner” (1 ex. ZMHB); "Okavango Delta, Moremi Wildlife Res. Third Bridge Campsite, lux 10.3. 1993, 19.14.22S, 23.21.24E, 10.3. 1993 Uhlig" (3 exs. ZMHB); "Chobe NP Savuti Camp 18.33.55S, 24.03.53E, lux 11.3. 1993 Uhlig" (5 exs. ZMHB); "R. Thamalakane 7 mls NE Maun 20.4. 1972/at light" (1 ex. BMNH). - Zimbabwe: "Victoria Falls Zambezi NP -Camp 11-12.12. 1993, 17.53S, 25.49E, lux, Uhlig" (1 ex. ZMHB); "S. Rhodesia Pool Lundi 22. N. 1948 JOC." (6 exs. AMGS); "S. Rhodesia Wankie Reserve water holes 3.9. 1948 / Laccophilus continentalis Gschw. Det. JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Wankie Game Res. 5 Sept. 1948 JOC. Pools at Robins rest camp / Laccophilus continentalis Gschw. Det. JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Wankie Game Res. 4 Sept. 1948 JOC." (4 exs. AMGS, 1 ex. BMNH); "Wankie Reserve water hole Sept. 1948" (13 exs. AMGS); "Wankie Game Reserve Shapi pond 5.IX. 1948 JOC. / Laccophilus continentalis Gschw. Det. JOC." (9 exs. AMGS); "Wankie Game Reserve Shapi pan 5.IX. 1948" (3 exs. AMGS); "Wankie Reserve Musumu dam 14.IX. 1948 JOC. / Laccophilus continentalis Gschw. Det. JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Wankie Game Reserve Sept. waterhole 1948 JOC. / Laccophilus continentalis Gschw. Det. JOC." (7 exs. AMGS);"5 mi SE Wankie 7.4.1968 Spangler" (34 exs. USNM, 6 exs. MZH); "Marandellas 2. N. 1948 JOC. / Laccophilus continentalis Gschw. Det. JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Gwai River 3.4. 1968 Spangler" (8 exs. USNM); "Shamgani 60 km SW of Gweru 2.12. 1998 F. Kantner leg." (1 ex. NMPC);"Tongwe 30 km N Beitbridge 7.12. 1998 Kantner leg." (1 ex. NMPC). - Mozambique: "Mozambique Beira 7. Sept. 1955 JOC." (12 exs. AMGS); "Moz., Dambo Pan 30.6. 1960" (2 exs. AMGS); "Port. E Afr. Lorenco Marques 3.12. 1948 JOC." (2 exs. AMGS); "Lourenco Marques Dec. 1948 JOC." (1 ex. AMGS); "Umbuluzi R. nr. Goba 4.12. 1948 J.O-C." (2 exs. AMGS). - Swaziland: "Muddy pond nr Stegi 4.12. 1948 / Laccophilus continentalis Gschw. Det. JOC." (1 ex. AMGS). - South Africa: "Kruger Nat. Pk. Mathlakusapan 22.37S- 31.22E / shorewashing 9.2. 1994 Endrödy-Younga leg." (9 exs. TMSA, 2 exs. MZH); "Kruger Nat. Pk. Skukuza 12 km S, 25.04S- 31.37E / UV light, 6.3. 1996 Endrödy-Younga leg." (10 exs. TMSA, 2 exs. MZH); "Kruger Nat. Pk, Skukuza Res. camp 24.59S- 31.36E / UV light & trap 25.2. 1995 Endrödy-Younga” (1 ex. TMSA); "Kruger Nat. Pk, Skukuza Res. camp 24.59S- 31.35E / UV light 3.3. 1996 Endrödy-Younga” (1 ex. TMSA); "Kruger Nat. Pk, Skukuza Res. camp 25.00S- 31.35E / UV light & trap 19.2. 1995 Endrödy-Younga” (1 ex. TMSA); "Kruger Nat. Pk, Skukuza, 40 km S dam 20.04S- 31.36E /Shorewashing 23.2. 1995 Endrödy-Younga” (1 ex. TMSA); "Kruger Nat. Pk, Skukuza Res. camp 24.59S- 31.35E / UV light 7.3. 1996 Endrödy-Younga” (1 ex. TMSA); "Kruger Nat. Pk, Pafuri research camp 4 km W, 22.25S- 31.09E / 1.2.1994 UV light & trap Endrödy-Younga leg." (4 exs. TMSA); "Kruger Nat. Pk, Pafuri res. camp, 22.25S- 31.12E /30.1. 1994 UV light & trap Endrödy-Younga leg." (3 exs. TMSA, 1 ex. MZH); "Kruger Nat. Pk, Pafuri research camp, 22.25S- 31.10E / 2.2. 1994 UV light & trap Endrödy-Younga leg." (1 ex. TMSA); "Kruger Nat. Pk Levuvu River 22.27S- 31.10E / 12.2. 1994 shorewashing Endrödy-Younga leg." (4 exs. TMSA); "Kruger Nat. Pk, Malonga springs 22.36S- 31.20E / 8.2. 1994 shorewashing Endrödy-Younga leg." (1 ex. TMSA); "Kruger Nat. Pk Punda Maria Ngots Dam 21.26S- 31.14E / 7.2. 1994 shorewashing Endrödy-Younga leg." (1 ex. TMSA); "Kruger Nat. Pk Letaba Riv. bel. dam 23.46S- 31.30E /1.3. 1995 shorewashing Endrödy-Younga leg." (1 ex. TMSA); "Transvaal Kruger National Park, Leeu Pan NE Skukuza 1.5. 1951 / Laccophilus continentalis Gschw. det. J. Omer-Cooper" (1 ex. MZLU); "Trsvl, Waterhole nr Police Picket, KNP. 30.6. 1960" (25 exs. AMGS); "Trsvl, Kumana Pan 24 km S Satara Camp, KNP, N-24.610, E31.800, 18.6. 1960" (1 ex. AMGS); "Gauteng Tswaing 25.24S- 28.06E / 16.2. 2003 light trap TMSA staff leg." (2 exs. TMSA); "Trsvl Mmabolela Estate 22.40S- 28.15E / 21.11. 1991 shorew. Limpopo Riv. Klimazewski leg." (1 ex. TMSA); "Trsvl 5 mi W Warmbad 24-25.2. 1968 Spangler" (1 ex. USNM); "Trsvl, Hartebeespoortdam, N-25.730, E27.820, 30.5. 1971 Reavell" (1 ex. AMGS); "N. Prov. Messina Nat. Res. 22.21S- 30.03E / 13.12. 2000 light trap Müller, Burger leg." (1 ex. TMSA); "Kw. Natal, Sivai Lagoon 10.3. 1981 Reavell" (1 ex. AMGS); "Zululd. Ndumu Banzi fresh. wat. pan 26.53S- 32.16E / 16.2. 1989 shorewashing Endrödy & Klimazew" (1 ex. TMSA); "Natal Zululand Mtuba-tuba 23.9. 1947 JOC". (1 ex. AMGS); "Natal Durban Umgeni Trägårdh” (1 ex. MZLU); "Zululand Hhu-Hluve 18.IX. 1947" (1 ex. AMGS); "Natal, roadside puddles, ca. 2 km S Mbazwana to Hluhluwe nr Sodwana 9.1. 1997 Turner" (9 exs. NHMB); same data but "5.3. 1997" (6 exs. NHMB); "Natal, Mkuze NP 17.36S, 32.13E, 2-3.2. 1994 lux Uhlig (1 ex. ZMHB);"Natal, Waterton Timber Co. N-28.20.5, E32.14, at light Atkinson" (5 exs. NHMB).

Specimens with uncertain location.

"Lowrie 17.5. 1955" (1 ex. AMGS); "Kotsch Lu.(?) Kohu" (1 ex. NMW).

Comments on the synonymy.

The lectotype of Laccophilus continentalis and the holotype of Laccophilus perplexus have been examined and compared. Minor difference is present in appearance of the elytral colour pattern and shape of the penis. Differences observed are, however, superficial and clearly falls within the variation exhibited by one species. Laccophilus continentalis being the older name is the valid name of the species.

Diagnosis.

Externally Laccophilus continentalis resembles much of Laccophilus posticus . Useful diagnostic character is the shape of the penis. In Laccophilus continentalis apical part of penis is less prominent in comparison with rest of the penis when Laccophilus posticus is characterized by distinctly more prominent apex of penis. The shape of penis separates the two species from all other African Laccophilus species.

Description.

Body length 3.6-4.1 mm, width 1.9-2.2 mm. Pale ferrugineous, with dark ferrugineous, extensive but variable elytral irrorations (Figs 400-401). Sometimes single irroration is formed only by distinct outlines leaving the middle pale coloured. Other extreme is that single irroration is solid and totally dark.

Head: Frontally pale ferrugineous; posteriorly head becomes gradually slightly darker; at pronotum ferrugineous to pale brown. Head often uniformly pale coloured. Submat, finely microsculptured; reticulation almost uniform. Indistinct fragments of double reticulation discernible (large meshes incomplete). Almost impunctate; at eyes with fine, hardly discernible punctures.

Pronotum: Pale ferrugineous, frontally with a vague dark ferruginous to dark brownish marking. Darker marking on disc sometimes reduced and visible in frontal part of pronotum. Submat, finely microsculptured. Reticulation almost simple; indistinct fragments of coarse reticulation discernible: large meshes incomplete. Almost impunctate; frontally and laterally with scattered, very fine punctures discernible.

Elytra: Pale ferrugineous, with variable, dark ferrugineous irrorations. Irrorations sometimes in part reduced; outlines only distinct (Figs 400-401). Submat, finely microsculpture; reticulation of one kind. Discally with sparse, irregular row of very fine punctures. Laterally with sparsely scattered, very fine punctures. Fine lateral furrow formed of fine punctures located somewhat posterior to middle towards elytral apex.

Ventral aspect: Pale ferrugineous. Abdomen in part ferrugineous to dark ferrugineous, with lateral and apical areas paler. Almost impunctate. Extensively very finely microsculptured. Prosternal process slender; apex extended and pointed. Metacoxal plates in anterior half with some transversely located, shallow furrows. Abdomen with sparse but distinct striae. Apical ventrite (Fig. 47).

Legs: Pro- and mesotarsus rather long and slender. Pro- and mesotarsus provided with distinct suckers.

Male genitalia: Extreme apex of penis forms a short, sharp and small extension (Fig. 249).

Female: Apical ventrite (Fig. 48).

Distribution.

Gambia, Senegal, Sudan, Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa (Fig. 535). Additionally, Laccophilus continentalis is recorded from Swaziland ( Omer-Cooper 1958b). Record outside Africa but in close neigborhood is Yemen (Socotra) by Hájek and Reiter (2014).

Collecting circumstances.

The biology and habitats of Laccophilus continentalis are not well documented. Scattered observations can be gathered from literature and from collection data written on the labels. Label data give that the species is capable of flying and attracted by light. Laccophilus continentalis has also been sampled from various water-bodies as ponds and streams. Omer-Cooper (1956) reports the species in Mozambique from pools, a ditch and a slow flowing stream with vegetation as Marsilia sp., Lagarosiphon sp., Limnophyton sp., water lilies and duckweed. Also reported from Zimbabwe in water holes, springs and dams used by the game. Additionally, taken from streams e.g. with a pool in the river bed, in ponds with rock and gravel bottom and some mud deposition; blue water lilies and weed growing in the pools. Guignot (1946c) assumed that the species is a character-species of steppes and savannes.