Laccophilus pulcher Bilardo & Rocchi, 2004

Bistroem, Olof, Nilsson, Anders N. & Bergsten, Johannes, 2015, Taxonomic revision of Afrotropical Laccophilus Leach, 1815 (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae), ZooKeys 542, pp. 1-379 : 152-153

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Dytiscidae

Laccophilus pulcher Bilardo & Rocchi, 2004 Figs 118-119, 307-308, 457, 562

Laccophilus pulcher Bilardo and Rocchi 2004: 286, 290, 291 (original description, faunistics); Bilardo and Rocchi 2008: 211, 234 (faunistics, biology); Bilardo and Rocchi 2013: 141 (faunistics); Nilsson 2015: 216 (catalogue, faunistics).

Type locality.

Gabon: Riv. Louayé, Mékambo, Malouma (0.36N, 13.50E).

Type material studied

(2 exs.): Holotype: male: "Gabon Mékambo (Malouma) Riv. Louayé (Borne) 24/07/01 A. Bilardo / 4.12 x 2.24 / Holotypus / Laccophilus pulcher Bil. & Roc. Det. Bilardo 04" (MSNM). - Paratype: female: "Gabon, VIII. Bissok (Oyem) F. Lara 8/8/91 A. Bilardo / 4,00 x 2,24 / Paratypus / Laccophilus pulcher Bil. & Roc. Det. Bilardo 04" (1 ex. MSNM; habitus in Fig. 457).

Notes on taxonomy.

Reflecting solely at the shape of penis Laccophilus pulcher resembles much of Laccophilus saegeri , in this revision placed in another species group (see Figs 283-284). The penis of Laccophilus saegeri is, however, more evenly curved than in Laccophilus pulcher . Moreover, elytra are extensively dark coloured in Laccophilus pulcher , while they are pale ferrugineous and provided with irrorations in Laccophilus saegeri . Similarity in male genitalia between these two species still indicates need of further study in the delimitation of species groups in Laccophilus .

Diagnosis.

Laccophilus pulcher is easy to distinguish by study of male genitalia. No other species in this species group has a penis of same type; penis in lateral aspect long, external outline curved, somewhat undulate. Extreme apex with a fine hook.

Description.

Body length 4.0-4.1 mm, width 2.2 mm. Dorsal, colour pattern of body exhibits only minor variation (Fig. 457).

Head: Pale ferrugineous. Rather shiny, although finely microsculptured; reticulation double but difference between size classes minimal. Large meshes extensively hardly discernible. At eyes with very fine, irregular punctures.

Pronotum: Ferrugineous to dark ferrugineous, with pale ferrugineous anterior corners. Rather shiny, although distinctly microsculptured. Reticulation double but difference between size classes small. Large meshes, when discernible, contain 2-4 small meshes. At margin, except basally in the middle, with fine, scattered punctures.

Elytra: Blackish ferrugineous to dark brown, with a subbasal, transversely located, pale ferrugineous markings. Furthermore, with a transverse, pale area discernible posterior to middle. Additionally, extreme apex of elytra pale (Fig. 457). Rather shiny, although finely microsculptured. Reticulation double; large meshes strongly reduced and only in part discernible. Laterally and apically almost solely with fine meshes. Discal row of punctures formed by fine, somewhat irregular punctures. Dorsolateral and lateral rows of punctures indicated by sparse, scattered punctures. Laterally, with a pre-apical, finely pubescent furrow.

Ventral aspect: Ferrugineous to dark ferrugineous; no distinct colour pattern discernible. Rather shiny, although finely microsculptured. Abdomen with fine, curved striae. Prosternal process slender, apex extended, pointed. Metacoxal plates in anterior half with 8-9, almost transversely located, shallow furrows; in posterior half furrows strongly reduced and only minor fragments discernible. Apical ventrite asymmetric, with lateral keel (Fig. 118).

Legs: Pro- and mesotarsus rather slender, somewhat extended, provided with suckers.

Male genitalia: Penis in lateral aspect long, external outline curved, somewhat undulate. Extreme apex finely hooked (Figs 307-308).

Female: Pro- and mesotarsus slender. Apical ventrite symmetric, no lateral keel (Fig. 119).

Distribution.

Gabon (Fig. 562).

Collecting circumstances.

Almost unknown. Some information may be found in available literature (e.g. Bilardo and Rocchi 2004, 2008): Laccophilus pulcher was collected in puddles of a residual stream in forest. It is also listed as a general forest species by the present authors.