Zopherobatrus tianmingyii Yin and Li

Yin, Zi-Wei & Li, Li-Zhen, 2015, Zopherobatrus gen. n. (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae), a new troglobitic batrisine from southwestern China, Zootaxa 3985 (2), pp. 291-295 : 292-295

Zopherobatrus tianmingyii Yin and Li , new species

( Figs 1–2 )

Type material. Holotype: China: ♂, labeled ‘ China: Guizhou, Fuquan Hsien [], Daoping Town [], Yanmen [], Sanlou Cave [], 26°56’46’’N, 107°18’47’’E, 1280 m, 2015. v.2, Tian & Cheng, [locality and collector repeated in Chinese] / HOLOTYPE [red] ♂, Zopherobatrus tianmingyii sp. n., det. Yin & Li, 2015, SNUC’ [housed in SNUC].

Diagnosis. See ‘Diagnosis’ and ‘Comparative notes’ under the genus. When combined with the curved spur at the apex of the mesotibiae, the posteromedially projecting tergite IV, and the form of the aedeagus, Zopherobatrus tianmingyii can be readily separated from all other known Batrisitae.

Description. Male ( Fig. 1 A, B). BL 3.26 mm. Body reddish brown, antenna, maxillary palpi, and tarsi lighter in color; most part of dorsal surface densely setose. Head ( Fig. 2 B) lengthily oval, HL 0.69 mm, HW 0.50 mm; surface regularly punctate; vertex slightly convex, foveae below level of posterior margins of eyes, with reverse U-shaped sulcus connecting vertexal foveae, short median carina extending from head base, then followed by short median sulcus ending at level of anterior margin of eyes; eyes ( Fig. 2 C) indistinct, indicated by one small ocular facet and raised cuticle; postocular margins rather long, narrowing from eyes towards base; antennomeres ( Fig. 2 A) each elongate; AnL 2.05 mm; maxillary palpi ( Fig. 2 D) with minute palpomeres I, and elongate palpomeres II–IV; IV with several thickened setae at anterolateral margins, with small apical palpal cone. Pronotum ( Fig. 2 B) longer than wide, with round lateral margins, PL 0.67 mm, PW 0.57 mm, disc finely punctate; antebasal sulcus posteriorly curved at middle. Elytra slightly longer than wide, EL 0.98 mm, EW 0.92 mm; with two small basal foveae; surface finely punctate, covered with long setae. All legs elongate, mesotibiae ( Fig. 2 E) with slightly curved apical spur. Abdomen longer than wide, AL 0.92 mm, AW 0.81 mm. Tergite IV (first visible tergite) longest, projecting posteromedially ( Fig. 2 F); tergites V–VI much shorter than IV; tergite VII as long as V and VI combined; tergite VIII semicircular. Sternite VIII semicircular, emarginate at middle of posterior margin. Aedeagus ( Fig. 2 G–I) asymmetric, length 0.41 mm; basal capsule with triangular foramen; with long basoventral projection; ventral lobe split at apex; broad articulated dorsal lobe elongate; with flattened, lamellate ventral membrane. Female. Unknown.

Distribution. Southwestern China: Guizhou.

Etymology. The new species is named after Ming-Yi Tian, who collected and made the specimen available for us to study.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Habitus of Zopherobatrus tianmingyii. A. Dorsal view. B. Lateral view. Scales: 1.0 mm.

FIGURE 2. Diagnostic characters of male Zopherobatrus tianmingyii. A. Left antenna. B. Head dorsum and pronotum. C. Head, in lateral view. D. Left maxillary palpus. E. Apex of mesotibia. F. Tergites IV – VI, in lateral view. G. Aedeagus, in dorsal view. H. Same, in lateral view. I. Same, in ventral view. Scales: A, B, F = 0.5 mm; C, D = 0.2 mm; E, G – I = 0.1 mm.