Osorius intermedius ERICHSON, 1840: 754

Irmler, Ulrich, 2010, The Neotropical species of the genus Osorius G - M, 1829 with remarks to the Neotropical Osoriid complex (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Osoriinae), Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 60 (2), pp. 363-426 : 390

Osorius intermedius ERICHSON, 1840: 754 (Figs 5 a-c)

Type material examined:

Columbia: Bogota, without further data, 3 females (syntypes, ZMHU) .

Additional material examined:

Columbia: Bogota , 1 specimen with remark ‘ tardus Dej. typ’ ( BMNH) ; Columbia , 2 specimens without further data, coll. Cameron ( BMNH) ; Columbia , Rio Xena, col. Sharp ex Chevrolat, 1 specimen, leg. R. Rojas ( BMNH) ; Columbia , 2 specimens, Mus. Drews ( ZMUK) ; Cundinamarca , Finca San Pablo, 3 km N Alban (74.26' W, 4.52' N), 1800 m elevation, 8 specimens, 1-12. Aug. 1967, leg. P. &. B. Wygodzinsky ( AMNH, UIC) .

Diagnosis:

The species is similar to O. brasiliensisbrasiliensis in size and shape of the pronotum. The two species can hardly be differentiated without analysis of the aedeagus. Punctation and microsculpture are very similar, but elytral ground sculpture is slightly more distinct and surface, thus, less shiny in O. intermedius than in O. brasiliensis . The description of the pronotum as differentiating character given by ERICHSON (1839) can not be confirmed. The apical part of the aedeagus in O. intermedius resembles a thick hook, while it is acute and asymmetric in O. brasiliensis .

Description:

Length: 13.5 to 15.0 mm. Colour: black.

Head :: 2.0 mm long, 2.6 mm wide; punctation distinct and sparse; distance between punctures on average twice as wide as diameter of punctures; with few granular punctures between normal punctation, in particular, on clypeus; with deep round reticulate microsculpture; surface slightly shiny; clypeus with short, but widely obtuse prominences; with a long yellow seta at inner edge of prominences; front edge of clypeus largely emarginate; eyes not prominent; half as long as temples; behind eyes with few diagonal striae and a row of granular punctures.

AntennaeAntennae with 3 rd antennomere 1.5 times longer than 2 nd; antennomeres 4 to 6 slightly longer than wide; subsequent antennomeres quadrate.

Pronotum: 2.2 mm long, 2.8 mm wide; widest at front angles; slightly projecting to a short obtuse tooth; distinctly narrowed to posterior angles; with an indistinct emargination in front of posterior angles; lateral margin at front angles fine; distinctly widened to posterior angles; punctation distinct and varying in size; as dense as on head; distance between punctures on average twice as wide as diameter of punctures; a weak and sparse micro-punctation between normal punctation and scarcely visible in microsculpture; microsculpture netlike reticulate; weaker than on head, but surface less shiny; posterior edge margined; anterior prosternal process in lateral aspect with three granular punctures; anterior edge of process straight or slightly convex.

Elytra: 2.9 mm long, 3.0 mm wide; with moderately sparse punctation; weak coriaceous ground sculpture, and remains of netlike microsculpture; surface slightly shiny.

Aedeagus pear-shaped with hook-like apical part ending in a short acute apex.