Xenocerogria ruficollis (Borchmann, 1912)

Zhou, Yong, Merkl, Otto & Chen, Bin, 2014, Notes on the genus Xenocerogria (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Lagriini) from China, ZooKeys 451, pp. 93-108 : 96-99

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Tenebrionidae

Xenocerogria ruficollis (Borchmann, 1912) Figs 1-13

Lagriocera ruficollis Borchmann, 1912: 7 (type locality: China: Taiwan; type depository: DEI).

Lagriocera ruficollis : Borchmann 1916: 127 (China: Taiwan); Kôno 1929: 29 (China: Taiwan).

Xenocera ruficollis : Borchmann 1936: 117 (China: Taiwan); Sasaji 1986: 9 (China: Taiwan); Masumoto 1988: 46 (China: Taiwan); Chen 1997: 748 (China: Zhejiang, Fujian, Hubei, Chongqing, Taiwan).

Xenocerogria ruficollis : Merkl 2007: 270; Merkl 2008: 116 (China: Fujian, Taiwan).

Xenocera xanthisma Chen 2002: 178 (type locality: China: Fujian, Hunan; type depository: SWU). syn. n.

Redescription.

Body length 5-8 mm. Body, including antennae and legs, black, except brownish red prothorax and scutellum. Teneral specimens may have elytra reddish brown or whole body tending to be paler.

Male (Fig. 2). Head rounded, interocular distance 0.75 × as wide as eye diameter; preorbital swelling elevated and glabrous; frons distinctly impressed, densely and coarsely punctate. Eyes reniform, slightly bulging, genal canthus encroaching to 0.7 × eye width. Antennae (Figs 3-4) surpassing base of elytra when directed backwards, gradually broadening toward apex, antennomere 1 subglobular, 0.3 × as long as distance between antennal insertions, antennomere 2 small, shorter than 1, antennomere 3 longer than 4 and 2, and about 2 × longer than wide, antennomeres 5 to 9 short, trapezoidal, antennomere 10 strongly transverse, 2 × as wide as long, antennomeres 5 to 10 glabrous in external side of ventral surface, antennomere 11 enormous, as long as combined length of 6 preceding antennomeres, as wide as antennomere 10, subparallel-sided, slightly curved, concave ventrally.

Pronotum subequal in length and width, barely constricted behind middle, maximum width just before middle; anterior and posterior angles rounded; disc with two indistinct oblique depressions before base; surface finely but densely punctate, punctures separated by interspaces of 0.3 to 0.5 puncture diameter on disc, tending to be subcontiguous toward lateral portions; disc with a small ill-defined impunctate spot at middle before base.

Elytra elongate, barely dilated posteriorly, widest at apical 1/3, about 4 × as long as pronotum; punctation moderately dense, punctures separated by interspaces of 0.5 to 1 puncture diameter; interspaces slightly convex, forming short oblique or transverse wrinkles; dorsal pubescence consisting of short, semierect, sparsely set whitish hairs; humeral callosity separated from basal part of disc by indistinct impression; elytral margin visible in dorsal view except at humeral callosity; elytral epipleura densely punctate, parallel-sided from base to level of metacoxae, then gradually narrowing towards apex. Mesoventrite, mesepisternum, metepimeron, metepisternum finely and densely punctate; metaventrite very finely punctate, almost smooth, punctation becoming denser in lateral portions.

Legs narrow; apical 0.3 of middle and hind femora reaching beyond edge of elytra; fore and middle tibiae nearly straight, slightly shorter than femora, hind tibiae slightly curved, very weakly attenuated at middle, without visible denticulation. Tarsi simple.

Aedeagus with distal part of basale abruptly attenuating, much more slender than proximal part; apicale spoon-shaped, bifid at apex (Figs 5-6).

Female (Fig. 1). Larger than male. Head with interocular distance about 1.2 × as wide as eye diameter. Preorbital swelling not developed. Antennomere 10 about 1.5 × as wide as long; antennomere 11 shorter than combined length of 4 preceding antennomeres, but still broad. Elytra broader and more widening posteriorly. Legs shorter.

Type material examined.

Holotype of Xenocera xanthisma Chen, 2002, male, (SWU, Fig. 7), pinned (head missing, but aedeagus visible (Fig. 11)), labelled (Fig. 8) as follows: 1) Co-8495 SWU [printed on white paper]; 2) 1960.VIII.4 collector: Fu-Ji Pu [first three numbers of year printed, last number of year, month and day handwritten, collector printed in Chinese on white paper]; 3) Fujian: Jianyang: Huangkeng: Guilin, 290-310 m, Chinese Academy of Science [printed on white label in Chinese]; 4) Holotype ♂ Xenocera xanthisma Chen Bin, 1994 [and the name of Xenocera xanthisma in Chinese, all handwritten on white paper]; 5) [red paper without text]. Paratype of Xenocera xanthisma , male (SWU, Fig. 10), labelled (Fig. 9) as follows: 1) Co-58-143 SWU [printed on white paper]; 2) Hunan: Hengshan, 1985.VII.7, Ya-Lin Zhang, Yong-Hui Cai, Northwestern Agricultural University [the last number of year, month and day handwritten, others printed in Chinese on white paper]; 3) Xenocera sp. ♂ det.: Chen Bin 1996 [" Xenocera sp.", male symbol and the last number of year handwritten, others printed on white paper with black border]; 4) [yellow paper without text].

Other materials examined.

China: Jiangsu: 6 ♂♂ (CQNU), 1 ♂ (QCCC): Mt. Zijinshan, Nanjing, 27.V.2012, Hao Xu and Jian-Yue Qiu leg. Fujian: 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (HNHM): Shaowu env., 13-16.VI.1991, Nikodým & Červenka leg. Guangxi: 1 ♂ (MHBU): Bapen, Fusui, 17-18.VIII.2004, Yang Yu and Yi-Bin Ba leg.; 1 ♂ (MHBU): Luocheng, 21.VII.2006, Fu-Ming Shi and Shao-Li Mao leg. Guizhou: 2 ♂♂ (MHBU): Sanchahe River, Libo, 29-31.VII.2010, Yong Zhou and Yi-Ping Niu leg.; 1 ♀ (CQNU): Maolan National Nature Reserve (Fig. 13), Libo County, 10.VIII.2012, Hao Xu and Jian-Yue Qiu leg.; 5 ♂♂ (CQNU), 1 ♂ (QCCC): Mt. Xiaogaoshan, Kaili (Fig. 12), 27.V.2013, Hao Xu and Jian-Yue Qiu leg. Taiwan: 1 (HNHM): Alishan, Chiayi Hsien, 22-25.VI.1974, M. Owada leg.; 4 (HNHM): Shanmei, Chiayi Hsien, 600 m, 2.V.1977, J. & S. Klapperich leg.; 2 (HNHM): Taihorinsho (= Talin), Chiayi Hsien, VIII.1909, H. Sauter leg.; 1 (HNHM): FuYuan Forest Recreation Area, Hualien Hsien, 28.V.1997, C. W. & L. B. O’Brien leg.; 1 (CCLT): Hohuenshan, Hualien Hsien, 13.VIII.2000, Chi-Feng Lee leg.; 1 (CCLT): Tienshiang, date and collector unknown; 3 (HNHM): Duona, Kaohsiung Hsien, 15.II.1993, M. L. Jeng leg.; 1 (HNHM): Liukuei, Kaohsiung Hsien, 29.IV.1970, Y. Kiyoyama leg.; 7 (HNHM): Kosempo (= Chiahsien), Kaohsiung Hsien, XI.1908 and IV.1909, H. Sauter leg.; 1 (CKMT): Paolai, Kaohsiung Hsien, 19.V.1975, K. Akiyama leg.; 2 (CKMT): Shanping, Kaohsiung Hsien, 27.IV.1981, S. Tsuyuki leg.; 1 (CKMT): Shanping, Kaohsiung Hsien, 1-2.V.1986, K. Masumoto leg.; 10 (HNHM): Shanping, Kaohsiung Hsien, 640 m, 23-31.III.1988, J. Rawlins & C. Young leg.; 33 (CMNH, HNHM): same locality and collectors, 1.IV.-20.V.1988; 3 (HNHM): Shanping Forest Recreation Area, near Liukuei, 22°58 ’16” N, 120°41 ’15” E, Kaohsiung Hsien, at light and swept & singled, 19-21.XI.2002, L. Ronkay & O. Merkl leg.; 17 (HNHM): Shanping LTER Site, near Liukuei, Kaohsiung Hsien, UV light trap, 1.IV.2003, L. Papp & M. Földvári leg.; 1 (HNHM): Shanping LTER Site, near Liukuei, along a creek, Kaohsiung Hsien, 1-2.IV.2003, L. Papp & M. Földvári leg.; 1 (HNHM): Takao (= Kaohsiung), Kaohsiung Hsien, 11.VII.1907, H. Sauter leg.; 1 (CMNH): Chungshin, Nantou Hsien, 30.V.1987, Chen Young leg.; 1 (HNHM): Fuhosho (= Wucheng), Nantou Hsien, VII.1909, H. Sauter leg.; 2 (NSMT): Hori, Nantou Hsien, 26.IV.1929, K. Sato leg.; 2 (HNHM): Hueisun, Nantou Hsien, 17.IV.1993, W. I. Chow leg.; 19 (HNHM): Huisun Forest Area, 15 km N of Puli, Nantou Hsien, 500 m, at light, 12-13. IV. 1997, G. Csorba & L. Ronkay leg.; 1 (HNHM): Huisun Forest Recreation Area, Nantou Hsien, 22. V. 1997, C. W. & L. B. O’Brien leg.; 1 (CKMT): Kuantoushan, Nantou Hsien, 18.VI.1993, Luo Chinchi leg; 1 (NSMT): Lienhuachi, Nantou Hsien, 750 m, 14-16.III.1980, T. Shimomura leg.; 1 (CKMT): same locality and collector, 16-17.III.1980; 2, Lienhuachi, Nantou Hsien, 27.VI.1998, K. Akiyama leg.; 1 (NSMT): Lushan, Nantou Hsien, 8.V.1975, K. Akiyama leg.; 2 (HNHM): 4 km above Lushan, Nantou Hsien, 18.V.1997, C. W. & L. B. O’Brien leg.; 21 (HNHM): Mong Gwu, 14 km E of Puli, 24°1.367'N, 121°5.063'E, Nantou Hsien, 850 m, swept from vegetation, 20.IV.2002, D. Anstine, Gy. Fábián & O. Merkl leg.; 3 (CKMT): Nanshanchi, Nantou Hsien, 16.V.1971, K. Sakai leg.; 1 (HNHM): Nanshanchi, Nantou Hsien, 27.VII.1972, K. Masumoto leg.; 6 (HNHM): same locality and collector, 23 to 29.IV.1974; 1 (CKMT): same locality and collector, 29.IV.1994; 1 (CKMT): Nanshanchi, Nantou Hsien, 30.III.1972, Y. Miyake leg.; 1 (CKMT): Nanshanchi, Nantou Hsien, 29.IV.1973, S. Tsuyuki leg.; 1 (CKMT): Nanshanchi, Nantou Hsien, 5.V.1979, K. Emoto leg.; 5 (CKMT): Nanshanchi, Nantou Hsien, 3-15.IV.1986, M. Ohara leg.; 1 (CKMT): Nanshanchi, Nantou Hsien, 28.VII.1990, collector unknown; 1 (CKMT): Shizitou, Nantou Hsien, 7.V.1992, Luo Chinchi leg.; 4 (CCLT): Tungpu, Nantou Hsien, 13.IX.2001, C.-F. Lee; 1 (CKMT): Wushe, Nantou Hsien, 4.V.1979, S. Tsuyuki leg.; 1 (CKMT): Fenshuiling, Pingtung Hsien, 14.V.1996, S. Tsuyuki leg.; 1 (HNHM): Kenting National Park, Botanical Garden, Pingtung Hsien, 4-6.X.2000, L. Papp, L. Peregovits & L. Ronkay leg.; 2 (HNHM): Nanjensan, Pingtung Hsien, 13.III.1993, W. I. Chow leg.; 2 (HNHM): Taipei, Taipei City, 24.IX.2000, L. Papp, L. Peregovits & L. Ronkay leg.; 2 (NSMT): Yangmingshan, Taipei City, 25.V.1965, K. Morimoto leg.; 1 (HNHM): Yangmingsan, Taipei City, 15.IX.1970, Y. Kiyoyama leg.; 3 (HNHM): Guanyinshan, Taipei Hsien, 500 m, singled, 15.XI.2002, O. Merkl leg.; 1 (HNHM): Haeng-Lu Dyi, Taipei Hsien, swept, 2.IV.2002, Gy. Fábián & O. Merkl leg.; 15 (HNHM): same locality and collectors, around lights, 2-21.IV.2002; 1 (NSMT): Wulai, Taipei Hsien, 27.V.1965, K. Morimoto leg.; 2, Wulai, Taipei Hsien, 200 m, 3.IV.1977, J. & S. Klapperich leg.; 1 (CKMT): Chihpen, Taitung Hsien, 27.IV.1986, K. Masumoto leg.; 1 (HNHM): 5 km S Chinglun, Taitung Hsien, 30.V.1997, C. W. & L. B. O’Brien leg.; 3 (CKMT): Paling, Taoyuan Hsien, 28-29.IV.1979, S. Tsuyuki leg.; 1 (HNHM): Paling, Taoyuan Hsien, 25.IV.1982, N. Ohbayashi leg.; 1 (CCLT): Paling, Taoyuan Hsien, 23.V.1999, C.-F. Lee leg.; 1 (MHNG): Upper Paling, Taoyuan Hsien, 1200 m, 18.IV.1990, A. Smetana leg.

Distribution.

China: Jiangsu (new record), Zhejiang, Fujian, Hubei, Guangxi (new record), Chongqing, Guizhou (new record), Taiwan. In Taiwan, Xenocerogria ruficollis is one of the most common species of Lagriini , especially in the Machilus - Castanopsis zone, including disturbed places and secondary growth. Specimens are known from the lower Quercus zone, too. (The altitudinal vegetation zones of Taiwan see Su 1984).

Remarks.

Xenocera xanthisma was described by Chen (2002) on the basis of three males and one female from Fujian and Hunan. However, the original description was not mentioned in the Zoological Record, therefore this species was unknown to other coleopterists, and was not included in the Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera ( Merkl 2008). The type series was deposited in SWU, but at the moment only the male holotype and one male paratype are found there. The holotype is in bad condition with its head missing, but fortunately, the aedeagus is visible. Chen (2002) indicated "yellow color and curve[d] terminal antennomere" as diagnostic to Xenocera xanthisma . However, "curve[d] terminal antennomere" is also characteristic to Xenocerogria ruficollis . "Yellow color" is typical to teneral individuals of Xenocerogria ruficollis that are pale yellowish brown with head and antennae somewhat darker. Moreover, the aedeagus of the holotype is identical with that of Xenocerogria ruficollis . Therefore we propose Xenocera xanthisma as a junior subjective synonym of Xenocerogria ruficollis (Borchmann, 1912).