Pocapharaptinus capensis Akotsen and Philips

Akotsen-Mensah, Clement & Philips, Keith, 2009, Description of a new genus of spider beetle (Coleoptera: Ptinidae) from South Africa, Zootaxa 2160, pp. 51-67 : 59

Pocapharaptinus capensis Akotsen and Philips , new species

Figs. 15, 16 , 28 & 36.

Type material. Holotype: S. Africa, Swartberge Blesberg-E 2000m 23.25S (note: this previous coordinate is in error and actually should be 33.25S) - 22.41E / 6.12.1978; E-Y: 1532, Ground trap: 76 days, leg. Endrödy- Younga / groundtraps with meat bait. Paratypes: same data as holotype (39). Same data as ferm. banana bait (5), same data as faeces bait (50). S. Afr., S. Cape Mt. Outenikwa Pass. 33.53S - 22.23E / 4.11.1979; E-Y; 1503, sifted fynbos, leg-Endrödy-Younga / groundtraps with ferm. Banana (4).

Diagnosis. This species can be characterized by: a moderately V-shaped visible cuticle on the pronotum anteriorly between the setal tufts ( Fig. 28 ); abrupt upward curvature of the visible cuticle to the base of the pronotal tufts ( P. harrisoni curves up more gradually); apex of parameres distinctly expanded (Fig. 36) ( P. harrisoni has the apex more parallel sided).

Description. Color reddish brown to brown; body oval, convex, slightly elongate. Length 2.0– 2.5 mm. Head dorsally mainly smooth but with scattered setose tubercles in a band between eyes, tubercles distinct; setae short, recumbent and erect; setal tufts on either side of midline between eyes present; carina posterior to antennal fossae present. Pronotum with visible surface extending posteriorly between setal tufts broadly triangular, forming an angle <90˚ posteriorly; base of setal tufts arising distinctly above cuticular surface on curved carinae, carinae angled nearly perpendicular to surface, anterior margin swollen, especially at middle; lateral spines distinct from but blending into tufts, thickness similar to erect elytral setae. Elytra slightly convex, apices rounded, not projecting; erect setae yellow, short anteriorly and moderately long posteriorly; slightly elongate patch of distinctly flattened recumbent white setae anteriorly within puncture rows 6–8 and more rounded patch posteriorly within rows 4–6. Male genitalia with parameres thinnest near apical 1/3, strongly curved inwards near apex, apices distinctly expanded; median lobe with sides gradually converging towards apex, total length 81% of that of parameres measured from base (Fig. 36).

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the type locality in the cape region of South Africa.

Figures

FIGURES 13 – 16. Dorsal and ventral habitus views; 13 – 14. P. akotsenorum; 15 – 16. P. c a p e n s i s. Scale bar for Figs. 13, 15 – 16 = 1.0 mm and Fig. 14 = 0.5 mm.

FIGURES 25 – 28. Pronota; 25. P. müllerae; 26. P. harrisoni; 27. P. akotsenorum; 28. P. c a p e n s i s.