Syndicus (Syndicus) himalayanus Franz, 1975

Zhou, De-Yao & Yin, Zi-Wei, 2017, New data on the genus Syndicus Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae) from Yunnan, southern China, Zootaxa 4247 (5), pp. 569-576 : 570

Syndicus (Syndicus) himalayanus Franz, 1975

( Figs 1 A, 2A–G, 3A–C)

Syndicus (s. str.) himalayanus Franz, 1975: 177 , fig. 7; Jałoszyński 2004: 23, figs 9M–O, 10A–C, 11D, 14D; Jałoszyński 2011: 26.

Material examined. 2 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀. labeled ‘ China: Yunnan, Yingjiang Hsien (盈江县), Nabang Town (那邦镇), 24°42′50.23″N, 97°35′07.58″E, nr. river, 300 m, 17.ii.2016, Jian-Yue Qiu & Hao Xu leg.’

Comments. Syndicus himalayanus ( Fig. 1 A) shares with several congeners similar body size, body shape and body proportions, e.g., S. saketianus Jałoszyński , S. birmanicus Jałoszyński. Therefore , examination of the aedeagus ( Fig. 2 A–C, F), especially structures of the endophallus (Fig. D–E) is necessary for an unambiguous identification. The large size of the endophallic proximal vesicle, the subrectangular, emarginated upper part of the central complex, and the elongate apical part of the endophallus with its apex forming a rounded structure allow for a certain identification ( Jałoszyński 2004: fig. 10A–C). Also, the shape of the spermatheca ( Fig. 3 A–C) in S. himalayanus is extremely similar to that of S. saketianus , but the aedeagal structures of these two species are distinctly different. Here, the unique structure of bursa copulatrix of S. himalayanus is illustrated ( Fig. 3 D–E), which has a triangular dorsal plate and a pair of lateral plates connected by a membranous structure.

Bionomics. The examined specimens were collected from underside of bark of a decaying log near a river in Nabang Town at an altitude of 300 m ( Fig. 5 B–C).

Distribution. India: Assam and Meghalaya; Bhutan: Chukha; Nepal: Chitwan; China: Yunnan (new country record; Fig. 6 ).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Dorsal habitus of Syndicus species. A. Syndicus himalayanus from Yunnan, male. B. S. long, holotype male.

FIGURE 2. Male diagnostic features of Syndicus himalayanus from Yunnan. A. Aedeagus, with endophallus suberect, in ventral view. B. Same, in lateral view. C. Same, in dorsal view. D. endophallus, in ventral view. E. Same, schematic. F. Apical portion of paramere, enlarged. G. Right antenna.

FIGURE 3. Female diagnostic features of Syndicus himalayanus from Yunnan. A. Spermatheca, in lateral view. B. Same, in dorsal view. C. Same, in axial view. D. Female terminalia, in dorsal view. E. Same, in frontal view. Abbreviations: dpbcdorsal plate of bursa copulatrix; lpbc—lateral plates of bursa copulatrix.

FIGURE 5. A. Head and pronotum of Syndicus long. B – C. Habitat of S. himalayanus in Yunnan: Nabang Town, photography by Fang-Ling Qiu.

FIGURE 6. Distribution of Syndicus in China.