Lacvietina, HERMAN, 2004

HERMAN, LEE H., 2004, Revision of the Asian Tribe Megarthropsini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Tachyporinae), American Museum Novitates 3430, pp. 1-72 : 39-53

Lacvietina , new genus

Figures 121–170 , 194–203

Type species: Lacvietina cuprina , new species, fixed here by original designation.

DIAGNOSIS: Lacvietina can be separated from all other genera of the tribe by the deep metasternal pit adjacent to the apex of the mesosternal process (figs. 146, 196, 197). The presence of a rounded ridge (fig. 194) in place of a postocular carina on the lateral side of the head and the rounded anterior and posterior angles of the pronotum (fig. 130) separate it from Megarthropsis and Nepaliodes . Lacvietina is distinguished from Peitawopsis by the convex elytra (fig. 1) and absence of a midlongitudinal groove on the vertex of the head (fig. 194).

DESCRIPTION: Length 2.7–3.7 mm; width 1.1–1.4 mm. Color dark to pale reddish brown.

Head (figs. 1, 194) with dorsum densely and coarsely punctate. Clypeus impunctate or with a few scattered punctures. Head with lateral margin moderately reflexed from antenna to near anterior margin of clypeus (fig. 194); anterior margin of clypeus not reflexed. Epistomal suture (fig. 1) present, entire, and angulate at middle; midcranial suture short and moderately to feebly developed and only visible in some specimens when cleared. Dorsum without median impression or midlongitudinal groove (fig. 194). Postocular lateral margin of head with rounded ridge extending posteromedially from eye; vertical postocular carina absent. Gular sutures widely separated. Submentum coarsely punctate. Antenna long, slender, and extending from about middle of elytra to near posterior margin; scape (fig. 194) more or less parallelsided from near base to apex, not tapered api­ cally, and with scattered pubescence on dorsal and ventral surfaces.

Pronotum with anterior and posterior angles broadly rounded (figs. 1, 130); anterior angles produced beyond median portion of anterior margin; lateral margin evenly curved; median and lateral surfaces coarsely, densely, and evenly punctate; punctures distinct, not anastomosing; at least one species with moderately coarse, moderately dense punctation laterally and across base and with fine punctation medially and anteriorly (based on undescribed female [sp. A]).

Elytra (fig. 1) convex, moderately convex medially and strongly convex laterally; surface evenly, densely, and coarsely punctate; lateral margin narrowly reflexed and explanate; lateral margin with short, spinelike setae extending posteriorly from humeral angle; posterior margin moderately (figs. 1, 131) to slightly (fig. 143) emarginate laterally; female of one unnamed species without emargination; posterolateral angle moderately to slightly produced (figs. 131, 143). Mesosternum (fig. 146) without midlongitudinal basal carina; paramedial basal carina present and short. Metasternum with deep pit adjacent to apex of mesosternal process (figs. 146, 196, 197); circum­mesocoxal ridge moderately developed medially.

Procoxa without carina on medial surface.

MALE: Sternite VII (figs. 123, 138, 150) with wide emargination of posterior margin, broad median depression, and median cluster of peg setae. Tergum VIII with four apical lobes (figs. 132, 133, 136, 153).

Aedeagus (figs. 121, 134, 147) with parameres more or less straight in ventral view; left paramere (in ventral view) shorter and wider than right; median lobe with shallow groove (or depression) near middle of ventral surface of base (fig. 152).

FEMALE: Sternum VIII (figs. 141, 168) with three pairs of apical lobes; median pair of lobes with apical, fanlike cluster of setae on each lobe. Tergum VIII with four (figs. 129, 170) or five (figs. 140, 151) apical lobes; median lobe or median pair of lobes moderately wide; lateral lobe with small secondary lobe on lateral edge.

Spermatheca (figs. 142, 170) globose apically, abruptly constricted, then tapered apically to spermathecal duct; juncture of capsule with spermathecal duct not enlarged.

DISCUSSION: Five species from Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan are known and characterized herein. A sixth species, from Indonesia, was examined but is known from only one female. It is likely that a seventh species (see below) from Thailand should be included .

The species were collected from montane regions at relatively low elevations. They were all collected from wet to very wet litter and debris. Without doubt other species will be found in southern China, Southeast Asia, and perhaps Indonesia.

Tachinus punctatissimus (Hayashi) is transferred herein to Lacvietina . Hayashi (1991) described the species in Paratachinus Blackwelder, 1952 , a genus group name that was first proposed and characterized by Cameron (1932: 396) who, however, did not designate a type species, so the name was unavailable. Blackwelder (1952: 293) made the name available when he designated the type species ( Herman, 2001b: 11). Paratachinus , originally established with two species, Paratachinus monticola Cameron and Paratachinus laticollis Cameron (a secondary homonym replaced by Tachinus oblongopunctatus Ullrich ), is currently cited as a junior synonym of Tachinus (Tachinoderus) ( Ullrich, 1975: 291; Campbell, 1988: 276; Li, 1995b: 207), but see Coiffait (1982: 39, 116; 1984: 117, 138) and Hayashi (1991: 48) who cited it as valid.

Tachinus (Tachinoderus) currently includes 42 species (extracted from Herman, 2001a). Based on the original descriptions of the pronotal punctation of the species in Tachinoderus, only P. punctatissimus Hayashi is reported to have the pronotum covered with coarse punctation, a characteristic feature of species in Lacvietina . The few species of the subgenus that were examined include Tachinus (Tachinoderus) brunneicollis Cameron, 1926 , T. (T.) debilis Horn, 1877 , T. (T.) himalayicus Cameron, 1926 , and T. (T.) monticola Cameron, 1926 ; all have fine pronotal punctation and lack the metasternal pit. However, a species from Sumatra, for which I have seen only one female, has moderately coarse pronotal punctation basally and laterally and fine punctation medially and anteriorly and belongs in Lacvietina . Based on this specimen and on a habitus illustration by Pace (1986: fig. 10) it is likely that Tachinus (Tachinoderus) rougemonti Pace, 1986: 49 , from Thailand, should be transferred to Lacvietina ; that transfer must await study of the type or accurately identified specimens. Examination of other species in Tachinus (Tachinoderus) may result in a few additional reassignments.

ETYMOLOGY: The genus is named after the Lac Viet, an ancient group of people in Vietnam. The gender of the name is feminine.

KEY TO SPECIES OF LACVIETINA

1. Sternite VII (fig. 123) emarginate (males) 2

— Sternite VII truncate (females)......... 6

2(1). Sternite VII (fig. 150) with large cluster (ca. 25–30) of peg setae on median surface of disc......... L. copiosa , new species

— Sternite VII (figs. 123, 138) with smaller cluster (ca. 3–13) of peg setae on median surface of disc................... 3

3(2). Sternite V (fig. 160) with pair of posteriorly diverging carinae medially.................... L. paricosta , new species

— Sternite V without carinae........... 4

4(3). Sternite VII (fig. 162) with posterior row of peg setae separated medially................. L. punctatissima (Hayashi)

— Sternite VII (figs. 123, 138) with posterior row of peg setae continuous, not interrupted medially.................. 5

5(4). Sternite VII (fig. 123) with row of peg setae evenly arranged along posterior margin............. L. cuprina , new species

— Sternite VII (fig. 138) with row of peg setae sinuously arranged along posterior margin.......... L. aurora , new species

6(1). Tergum VIII (figs. 140, 151) with five apical lobes.......................... 7

— Tergum VIII (figs. 129, 171) with four apical lobes....................... 8

7(6). Tergite VII with strong ground sculpturing between punctures; surface between punctures shining dully.......................... L. copiosa , new species

— Tergite VII without or with feeble ground sculpturing between punctures, surface polished and strongly shining.................... L. aurora , new species

8(6). Elytral epipleuron with two rows of punctures, one along ventral margin and another along middle (fig. 195).................... L. cuprina , new species

— Elytral epipleuron with one row of punctures along ventral margin................... L. punctatissima (Hayashi)

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIES

Lacvietina cuprina , new species

Figures 121–133 , 194–203

HOLOTYPE: Male. ‘‘ VIETNAM: Hatinh Pr., Raò An 13 km W Huang Son, rt. 8 7 km S Nuòc Sôt village 18 ° 21 ̍ N, 105 ° 15 ̍ E, 350 m V­3– 1998, L. Herman, litter nr. drying forest stream’’. On long­term loan to the American Museum of Natural History ( AMNH), to be deposited in the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi, Vietnam ( IEBR).

PARATYPES: Sixty­eight males, 46 females. Same data as holotype (20 males, 10 females, AMNH; 15 males, 12 females, IEBR; 5 males, 4 females, MHNG); same locality and collector as holotype : V­ 2–1998, 450 m, litter near seep along river (3 males, 2 females, AMNH; 3 males, 1 female, IEBR) ; IV­ 21–1998, 220 m, decaying litter near stream (3 females, AMNH) ; IV­ 26–1998, 220 m, litter near stream (2 females, AMNH) ; IV­ 30–1998, 270 m, litter near stream (1 female, AMNH) ; IV­25–1998, 1150 m, litter near drying stream (2 males, 2 females, IEBR) , IV­28–1998 (4 males, 4 females, AMNH) , IV­20–1998 (2 males, 1 female, AMNH) . Vietnam: Quang Binh Pr., SW of Chalo, nr. Laos Bdr. , 17 ° 40 ̍ N, 105 ° 46 ̍ E, 400 m, IV­14, 15–1998, L. Herman (1 male, AMNH) . Vietnam: Quang Nam Prov., 25 km (by air) S.W. Tra My, 940 m , IV­12–1999, 15 ° 39 ̍ N, 108 ° 02 ̍ E, flood debris, L. Herman (4 males, 1 female, AMNH, 3 males, IEBR); 15 ° 12 ̍ 14 ̎ N, 108 ° 02 ̍ 13 ̎ E, 850 m , IV­14–1999 (3 males, 2 females, AMNH; 3 males, 1 female, IEBR) . Paratypes followed by the abbreviation ‘‘IEBR’’ are on long­term to the American Museum ( AMNH) and will eventually be deposited in the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources ( IEBR) .

DIAGNOSIS: The males of Lacvietina cuprina can be separated from their congeners by the small cluster of 3–7 peg setae on the disc of sternite VII, the evenly curved, un­ interrupted row of peg setae on the posterior margin of sternite VII (figs. 123–126), the shallow, dully shining depression of sternite VI, and the absence of carinae on sternite V. The base of the emargination of sternum VIII (fig. 128) is rounded and narrower than in the other species (figs. 137, 154, 157, 161).

Females of L. cuprina are separated from those of the other species by the presence of a row of punctures along the ventral margin of the elytral epipleuron and another along the length of the middle (fig. 195); the other species have a row of punctures adjacent to the ventral margin only. Tergum VIII of L. cuprina is comprised of four apical lobes, whereas both L. aurora and L. copiosa have five (figs. 140, 151); L. punctatissima also has four apical lobes (fig. 171).

DESCRIPTION: Length 2.7–3.4 mm; width 1.1–1.3 mm. Color pale to dark reddish brown. Head darker than remainder of body, elytra darker than pronotum and abdomen. Pronotum with dark disc and paler margins. Abdomen with segments VII and VIII darker than or concolorous with preceding segments. Antennae and legs reddish brown.

Pronotal punctation extending to anterior margin and without lateroapical impunctate, polished spot mesad of anterolateral angle.

Elytra with posterolateral angle moderately to slightly produced (fig. 131); epipleuron (fig. 195) with two rows of punctures, one near vental margin and second on midlongitudinal surface. Wings present and fully developed.

Tergite VII with moderately strong ground sculpturing between punctures; surface dully shining.

MALE: Sternite V with shallow median depression on apical half; depression tapered basally; surface of depression with ground sculpturing and with setae and punctation basally and laterally but absent midapically; posterior margin with broad, shallow median emargination.

Sternite VI (fig. 122) with shallow median depression; depression nearly as long as sternite; surface of depression with ground sculpturing and without punctures or setae except basally and laterally; posterior margin of sternite with broad shallow median emargination.

Sternite VII (fig. 123) with shallow me­ dian depression on apical three­fifths; depression elliptical and longer than wide; depression with ground sculpturing and with small group of 3–7 peg setae (figs. 123–126) on disc; posterior margin with broad, evenly curved, moderately deep emargination; surface adjacent to emargination with evenly curved row of peg setae bordered laterally by long, stout, darkly pigmented seta.

Sternum VIII (fig. 128) with broad, deep median emargination; margins of emargination moderately sinuate and converging to base and with surface adjacent to basal twofifths beveled; basal margin narrowly round­ ed; sternum with short, curved, medially notched ridge on inner surface adjacent to base of sternal emargination.

Tergum VIII (figs. 132, 133) with shallow to moderately deep, rounded emargination between median pair of apical lobes; emargination wider than deep.

Aedeagus asymmetrical (figs. 121, 127); parameres with lateral margins slightly sinuate, right (in ventral view) more sinuate than left; left paramere (in ventral view) shorter and slightly wider than right; left paramere slightly curved medially and slightly curved ventrally at apex; right paramere more strongly curved medially and ventrally near apex.

FEMALE: Tergum VIII (fig. 129) with four apical lobes.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: This species is known from the northern Vietnamese provinces of Hatinh, Quang Binh, and Quang Nam. It was collected at elevations of 220– 1150 m from wet leaf litter near streams in Hatinh Province and from flood debris in Quang Nam Province.

ETYMOLOGY: The name of this species is from the Latin for coppery (cuprinus).

MATERIAL EXAMINED: One hundred fifteen specimens. The holotype and 68 male and 46 female paratypes. Six males were dissected for the genitalic features and a male and female were disarticulated.

Lacvietina aurora , new species

Figures 134–146

HOLOTYPE: Male. ‘‘ VIETNAM: Hatinh Pr., Raò An 13 km W Huang Son, rt. 8 7 km S Nuòc Sôt village 18 ° 21 ̍ N, 105 ° 15 ̍ E, 1150 m IV­25–

1998, L. Herman, litter nr. drying stream’’. On long­term loan to the American Museum of Natural History ( AMNH), to be deposited in the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi, Vietnam ( IEBR).

PARATYPES: Seven males, 5 females. Same data as holotype (2 males, 1 female, AMNH; 2 males, 1 female, IEBR; 1 male, MHNG); same locality and collector as holotype: IV­20–1998 (1 male, AMNH; 1 male, IEBR); IV­28–1998 (2 females, AMNH; 1 female, IEBR) . Paratypes followed by the abbreviation ‘‘IEBR’’ are on long­

term to the American Museum ( AMNH) and will eventually be deposited in the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources ( IEBR).

DIAGNOSIS: The males of Lacvietina aurora are distinguished from those of the other two species of the genus by the sinuous row of peg setae near the posterior margin of sternite VII (fig. 138), the evenly curved emargination of sternite VII (fig. 138), the small cluster of 7–9 peg setae on the midbasal portion of sternite VII, the polished median depression of sternite VI, and the absence of carinae on sternite V.

Females of L. aurora are separated from L. cuprina by the single row of punctures on the elytral epipleuron and the five apical lobes of tergum VIII (fig. 140), from L. copiosa and L. punctatissima (and probably L. paricosta ) by the strongly shining interpunctational surface of tergite VII, and from L. punctatissima by the presence of five apical lobes of tergum VIII (fig. 140).

DESCRIPTION: Length 3.0– 3.5 mm; width 1.1–1.4 mm. Body pale to dark reddish brown. Head darker than remainder of body, elytra darker than pronotum and abdomen. Pronotum with dark disc and paler margins. Antennae and legs reddish brown.

Pronotal punctation extending to anterior margin and without lateroapical impunctate spot mesad of anterolateral angle, but some individuals with slightly less dense punctation on small lateroapical spot.

Elytra with posterolateral angle moderately to slightly (fig. 143) produced; epipleuron with row of punctures near ventral edge and without row of punctures in median region. Wings present and fully developed.

Tergite VII without ground sculpturing between punctures or feeble if present; surface polished.

MALE: Sternite V with shallow median depression on apical fifth; depression increasingly deep and wide apically; basal and lateral margins of depression with cluster of short setae; midapical surface of depression polished; posterior margin of sternite with shallow median emargination.

Sternite VI (fig. 139) with moderately deep median depression on apical three­fourths; depression broad, about as wide as long; depression polished and without setae, puncta­ tion, or ground sculpturing; depression abruptly demarcated basally; lateral margins of depression slightly curved but approximately parallel to one another; posterior margin of sternite with broad, shallow emargination.

Sternite VII (fig. 138) with moderately deep median depression on apical two­thirds; depression broad, slightly longer than wide and ovoid; surface of depression shining, with patch of minute setae and punctures on lateral portion, and with small basal cluster of 7–9 peg setae; posterior margin of sternite with broad, deep, evenly curved emargination; emargination bordered by sinuous row of peg setae; row of peg setae bordered laterally by long, stout darkly pigmented seta.

Sternum VIII (fig. 137) with broad, deep emargination; lateral margins of emargination sinuate and converging to base and with surface adjacent to basal third beveled; basal margin of emargination truncate, beveled, and with small median notch.

Tergum VIII (fig. 136) with moderately deep, rounded emargination between median pair of apical lobes; emargination slightly wider than deep.

Aedeagus (figs. 134, 135) asymmetrical; parameres with lateral margins sinuously curved; left paramere (in ventral view) wider and shorter than right and with apical portion straight; apex of right slightly curved medially and with apex slightly bent ventrally.

FEMALE: Tergum VIII (fig. 140) with five lobes on posterior margin; median lobe tapered apically and with small seta at apex.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: The species is known from Hatinh Province in northern Vietnam at 1150 m. It was collected near the end of the dry season from leaf litter near a slow flowing, drying stream.

ETYMOLOGY: The name of this species is from the Latin for dawn ( aurora ) and refers to the fact that to reach the site of collection I had to leave camp before sunrise to have a sufficient amount of time to collect.

MATERIAL EXAMINED: Thirteen specimens. Male holotype and 7 male and 5 female paratypes.

Three males and one female were dissect­ ed for genitalic features. One male was disarticulated.

Lacvietina copiosa , new species

Figures 147–154

HOLOTYPE: Male. ‘‘ VIETNAM: Hatinh Pr., Raò An 13 km W Huang Son, rt. 8 7 km S Nuòc Sôt village 18 ° 21 ̍ N, 105 ° 15 ̍ E, 220 m IV­26– 1998, litter near stream, L. Herman collector’’. On long­term loan to the American Museum of Natural History ( AMNH), to be deposited in the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi, Vietnam ( IEBR).

PARATYPES: Thirty­six males, 39 females. Same data as holotype (2 males, 3 females, AMNH) . Same locality and collector as holotype : 350 m, litter near drying forest stream, V­3–1998 (5 males, 6 females, AMNH; 4 males, 5 females, IEBR; 2 males, 2 females, MHNG) ; 300–350 m, litter near forest stream, V­1–1998 (1 male, 2 females, AMNH; 1 male, 3 females, IEBR) ; 450 m, litter near seep along river, V­2–1998 (1 male, 1 female, AMNH; 1 male, IEBR) ; 1150 m, IV­28–1998 (1 male, 1 female, AMNH; 2 males, IEBR); IV­25–1998, 1150 m, litter nr. drying stream (1 male, AMNH) . Vietnam: Quang Nam Prov.: 25 km (by air) S.W. Tra My , 940 m, IV­12–1999, 15 ° 39 ̍ N, 108 ° 02 ̍ E, flood debris, L. Herman (4 males, 1 females, AMNH; 5 males, 2 females, IEBR; 2 males, 2 females, MHNG); 15 ° 12 ̍ 14 ̎ N, 108 ° 02 ̍ 13 ̎ E , 850 m, IV­ 14–1999 (2 males, 6 females, AMNH; 2 males, 5 females, MHNG) . Paratypes followed by the abbreviation ‘‘IEBR’’ are on long­term to the American Museum ( AMNH) and will eventually be deposited in the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources ( IEBR) .

DIAGNOSIS: The males of Lacvietina copiosa can be separated from those of the other four species by the large cluster of 26–30 peg setae on the disc of sternite VII (fig. 150), the medially interrupted row of peg setae along the posterior margin of sternite VII (fig. 150), and the wide parameres (fig. 147).

Females can be separated from those of the other species by the single row of punctures on the elytral epipleuron and the strong interpunctational ground sculpturing of tergum VII; the five apical lobes of tergum VIII (fig. 151) will separate it from L. cuprina (fig. 129) and L. punctatissima (fig. 171).

DESCRIPTION: Length 3.1–3.7 mm; width 1.3–1.4 mm. Body dark to pale reddish brown. Head darker than remainder of body, elytra darker than pronotum and abdomen. Pronotum with dark disc and paler margins. Antennae and legs reddish brown.

Pronotum with small to moderately large lateroapical impunctate, polished spot mesad of anterolateral angle; spots separated or connected by narrow to feebly developed, impunctate band.

Elytra with posterolateral angle moderately to slightly produced; epipleuron with row of punctures near ventral margin and without row of punctures in median region. Wings present and fully developed.

Tergite VII with strong ground sculpturing between punctures; surface shining dully.

MALE: Sternite V with moderately deep, midapical depression; depression with cluster of short dense setae medially and basally, but polished and without setae midapically; posterior margin with shallow median emargination.

Sternite VI (fig. 149) with broad, deep, polished, median depression; depression without setae, punctures, or ground sculpturing; depression abruptly demarcated basally; width of depression about twice length; lateral margins of depression diverging posteriorly; posterior margin broadly and shallowly emarginate.

Sternite VII (fig. 150) with broad, moderately deep, median depression; depression slightly longer than wide; surface of depression glabrous midapically and with remain­ der shining dully; depression with dense cluster of 26–30 peg setae; cluster of peg setae denser basally than apically; cluster of peg setae on posteriorly sloping plateau; sternite with irregular row of peg setae adjacent to posterior margin; apical row of peg setae separated medially and bordered laterally by long, darkly pigmented spinelike seta; posterior margin with broad, moderately deep, sinuate emargination; emargination as wide as median depression and with middle more deeply emarginate; median third of posterior margin without setae, polished, and more lightly sclerotized.

Sternum VIII (fig. 154) with broad, deep median emargination; lateral margin of emargination sinuously curved; emargination narrower basally than apically; surface of sternum adjacent to basal half of emargination slightly beveled and shallowly impressed; base of emargination moderately beveled, shallowly curved, and with pair of setae on each side of midline; base of emargination more or less truncate, and with small, median notch.

Tergum VIII (fig. 153) with moderately deep, rounded emargination between median pair of apical lobes; emargination wider than deep.

Aedeagus asymmetrical (figs. 147, 148); parameres each with small, subapical process on ventral surface (viewed laterally); lateral margins sinuously curved; left paramere (in ventral view) wider and shorter than right; apex of left paramere nearly straight; apex of right paramere curved medially.

FEMALE: Tergum VIII (fig. 151) with five lobes on posterior margin; median process short or long, tapered apically, and with small seta at apex.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: This species is known from the northern Vietnamese provinces of Hatinh and, farther to the south, Quang Nam. It was collected at elevations of 220–940 m from wet leaf litter near streams in Hatinh Province and from flood debris in Quang Nam Province.

ETYMOLOGY: The name of this species is from the Latin for furnished abundantly (copiosus) and refers to the large number of peg setae on sternite VII of the males.

DISCUSSION: Some males may have somewhat fewer or somewhat more peg setae on sternite VII than indicated in the description. The numbers in the description are based on a sampling of the males; no attempt was made to count the peg setae on all the males examined. The point is that L. copiosa has significantly more peg setae than the other species.

MATERIAL EXAMINED: Seventy­six specimens. Male holotype and 36 male and 39 female paratypes.

Four males and one female were dissected for genitalic features and a male and female were disarticulated.

Lacvietina paricosta , new species

Figures 155–160

HOLOTYPE: Male. ‘‘ Thailand, Chiangmai Doi Yuthep [= Suthep?], 1500 m 13.11.1995 leg. P. Wunderle’ ’//‘‘ Paratachinus aurora Herm. det. M. Schülke, 2002’’. Specimen missing right antenna. Deposited in collection of Michael Schülke ( MSC).

PARATYPE: 1 male. Malaysia: Cameron Highl. Gn. Jasar, 1400–1600 m, 6.IV.1990, leg. A. Riedel (1 male, MSC) .

DIAGNOSIS: The males of this species can be separated easily from the others of the genus by the pair of posteriorly diverging, medial carinae on sternite V (fig. 160) and the deep incision between the median pair of lobes of tergum VIII (fig. 156). The parameres of L. paricosta (fig. 158) are more slender than are those of L. aurora (fig. 134) and there are fewer peg setae along the posterior margin of sternite VII (fig. 155) than for L. aurora (fig. 138) and L. cuprina (fig. 123) and fewer medial peg setae in L. paricosta (fig. 155) than L. copiosa (fig. 150).

DESCRIPTION: Length 3.5 mm; width 1.2 mm. Color reddish brown. Head darker than remainder of body. Pronotum with darker reddish brown median region and pale reddish brown to yellowish brown lateral and basal margins. Abdominal segments darker basally than apically.

Pronotum with moderately large, impunctate, polished spot adjacent to anterior margin and mesad of anterolateral angle; impunctate spots connected by similarly impunctate and polished narrow band along anterior margin.

Elytra with posterolateral angle moderately strongly to weakly produced; epipleuron with one row of punctures adjacent to ventral edge. Wings fully developed. Tergum with moderately strong ground sculpturing between punctures; surface dully shining.

MALE: Sternite V (fig. 160) with medial pair of posteriorly diverging carinae; carinae larger apically than basally; median region without punctures or setae, but with cluster of minute, stout, cuticular processes between and at base of carinae (not shown in figure and visible only at high magnification of compound microscope; visible when viewed in glycerine with stereo microscope as pale spots); posterior margin feebly emarginate.

Sternite VI with broad, shallow median depression; depression nearly as long as segment and about a quarter of width; depression without punctures or setae on most of surface but with one stout seta near lateroapical margin; posterior margin feebly emarginate.

Sternite VII (fig. 155) with broad, shallow, indistinctly margined, median depression; depression with weak ground sculpturing and small median cluster of 11–12 peg setae; posterior margin with broad, evenly curved, moderately deep emargination; emargination with row of peg setae medially; peg setae of posterior margin separated, not contiguous; peg seta of posterior margin bordered laterally by row of short setae; lateral edge of row of setae and peg setae marked by long, stout, darkly pigmented seta.

Sternum VIII (fig. 156) with broad, deep median emargination; margins of emargination strongly sinuate and converging to base; surface adjacent to basal fifth of emargination narrowly beveled; basal margin broad, truncate, beveled, and medially notched.

Tergum VIII (fig. 156) with deep emargination between median pair of lobes; emargination much deeper than wide.

Aedeagus (figs. 158, 159) asymmetrical; parameres with lateral margins moderately sinuate; right paramere (in ventral view) less strongly sinuate than left; left paramere (in ventral view) shorter and wider than right.

FEMALE: Unknown.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: The species is known from Cameron Highlands in West Malaysia and the Chiang Mai region of Thailand.

ETYMOLOGY: The name of this species is from the Latin for equal (par) and rib (costa) and refers to the pair of ridges or carinae on sternite V of the males.

MATERIAL EXAMINED: Two specimens. Male holotype and paratype.

Both males were dissected for abdominal and genitalic features. No specimens were disarticulated.

Lacvietina punctatissima (Hayashi) , new combination Figures 161–170

Paratachinus punctatissimus Hayashi, 1991: 48 . Type locality: Taiwan: Taipei Hsien, Mt. Yangming. Holotype, female, deposited in collection of T. Shibata; not examined.

Tachinus punctatissimus (Hayashi) : Herman, 2001a: 978.

DIAGNOSIS: The pronotum of L. punctatissima has a moderately large, polished, impunctate spot adjacent to the anterior margin near the anterolateral angle. Only L. copiosa has a similar, but smaller spot; the pronotal punctation of L. cuprina and L. aurora reaches the anterior margin. The males of L. copiosa have a large cluster of peg setae on the disc of sternite VII (fig. 150) and those of L. punctatissima have a small cluster (fig. 162). Other salient features of the males of L. punctatissima include the even, medially separated marginal row of peg of sternite VII (fig. 162), and the broad, moderately deep, polished depression on sternite VI. Lacvietina punctatissima , with one row of punctures near the ventral edge of the elytral epipleuron, is separated from L. cuprina , which has two rows, one near the ventral margin and one along the length of the middle (fig. 195).

The females of L. punctatissima have four apical lobes on sternite VIII (fig. 170) and those of L. copiosa (fig. 151) and L. aurora (fig. 140) have five.

DESCRIPTION: Length 3.3–3.6 mm; width 1.3 mm. Color reddish brown to dark reddish brown. Head darker than remainder of body, elytra darker than abdomen and about as dark as median portion of pronotum. Pronotum with dark disc and paler margins. Abdomen evenly pigmented.

Pronotum with moderately large, impunctate, polished spot adjacent to anterior margin and mesad of anterolateral angle; impunctate spots connected by similarly impunctate and polished narrow band along anterior margin.

Elytra with posterolateral angle moderately strongly to weakly produced; epipleuron with one row of punctures adjacent to ventral edge. Wings fully developed.

Tergum VII with moderately strong ground sculpturing between punctures; surface dully shining.

MALE: Sternite V (fig. 163) with arcshaped median depression; depression about half of length and about one­quarter of width of sternite; basal and medial portion of depression with dense cluster of small, spiniform setae; apical edge of depression strongly shining and without setae; posterior margin with broad, shallow emargination.

Sternite VI (fig. 164) with broad, curved median depression; depression about twothirds of length and about one­third of width of sternite; depression with minute setae and punctures along perimeter but absent medially and with long seta near lateroapical margin; posterior margin with broad, shallow emargination.

Sternite VII (fig. 162) with broad, shallow, indistinctly margined, median depression; depression with weak ground sculpturing, scattered minute setae, and small, median cluster of 7–13 peg setae; posterior margin with broad, slightly sinuate, moderately deep emargination; posterior margin with row of medially separated peg setae in emargination; lateral edge of cluster of peg setae marked by long, stout, darkly pigmented seta.

Sternum VIII (fig. 161) with broad, deep median emargination; margins of emargination strongly sinuate and converging to base and with surface adjacent to basal two­thirds beveled; basal margin broad, truncate, beveled, and medially notched.

Tergum VIII (fig. 165) with shallow emargination between median pair of apical lobes; emargination wider than deep.

Aedeagus (figs. 166, 167) asymmetrical; parameres with lateral margins strongly sinuate; right paramere (in ventral view) more strongly sinuate than left; left paramere (in ventral view) shorter and wider than right.

FEMALE: Tergum VIII (fig. 170) with four apical lobes.

DISCUSSION: Hayashi (1991) based his de­ scription of this species on one female and placed it in Paratachinus Blackwelder, 1952 . I did not examine the type, but the characters published by Hayashi (1991), including the glabrous spots on the anterior margin of the pronotum and features of the tergum and sternum VIII, are shared by the females studied in the present work. The males examined herein comprise one species and the males and females share features of the distribution of the pronotal punctation, so I conclude they are conspecific. In addition to the coarse cephalic, pronotal, and elytral punctation, specimens of P. punctatissimus have a weakly reflexed anterolateral margin of the head and, most importantly, a deep metasternal pit (see fig. 146); these features support its placement in Lacvietina , and it is so transferred herein. The postocular ridge is obsolete to poorly developed and evident as a sharper curve in the even curvature from the dorsal surface ventrally.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: Lacvietina punctatissima (Hayashi) is restricted to Taiwan, where it has been collected in five Hsiens, four in the north (Taitung, Ilan, Nan­ tou, and Taipei) and one in the south (Kaohsiung). The species has been collected at elevations of 550–1800 m. Most (perhaps all) of the specimens were collected from plant debris in wet to very wet habitats, both near flowing water and from moist spots on the forest floor. The species has been collected along with species of such wet­habitat genera as Stenus , Dianous , Derops , and Atanygnathus .

MATERIAL EXAMINED: Thirty­five specimens: 15 males, 20 females. Taiwan: Ilan Hsien: Shen­Mi Lake, 24 ° 22 ̍ 43 ̎ N, 121 ° 44 ̍ 12 ̎ E, 1110 m, 10.V.1995, A. Smetana, sifting leaflitter and other moist debris under shrubs/trees near lake [T177] (7 females, ASC). [Hsien cited as ‘‘Illan’’]: Near Chihtuan, July 23, 1978, Y. Shibata leg. (1 male, CNC); July 24, 1979, Y. Shibata leg. (1 female, CNC). Kaohsiung [Hsien]: Tengshih, 1400 m, 21–23.VII.2000, leg. H. Sugaya (1 male, 1 female, MSC); Tengchih, 1400 m, 21–23.VII.2000, leg. H. Sugaya (1 male, MSC). Nantou [Hsien]: Chosen­lintao, 1800 m, 11.X.1998, leg. H. Sugaya (2 males, 1 female, MSC); Tehuashe, 900 m, 25.X.2001, H. Sugaya leg. (1 male, MSC). Taitung Hsien: Hsinkangshan above Chengkang, 750 m, 18.IV.1998, A. Smetana, sifting moist plant debris along edges of abandoned forest road in subtropical, mostly broadleaf evergreen forest [T182] (2 males, 5 females, ASC); 800 m, 17.IV.1998, A. Smetana, Lise Robillard, sifting of wet plant debris at base of rock wall over which thin layer of water was running [T180] (1 male, 1 female, ASC); 550–600 m, 22.IV.1998, A. Smetana, sifting of soaking wet plant debris accumulated at base of dripping wet rock wall and collected together with Atanygnathus sp. [T187] (2 males, 1 female, ASC); 750 m, 21.IV.1998, A. Smetana, sifting of moist plant debris along edges of abandoned forest road in subtropical, mostly broadleaf evergreen forest [T185] (1 female, ASC); 800 m, 26.IV.95, A. Smetana, sifting moist to wet debris along edges of small creek [T167] (1 male, 1 female, ASC); 800 m, 27.IV.95, A. Smetana, sifting wet plant debris at base of rock wall over which thin layer of water was running and collected together with Derops lisae and species of Stenus and Dianous [T168] (2 males, 1 female, ASC); 900 m, 19.IV.98, A. Smetana, sifting moist plant debris in forest floor depressions, subtropical, mostly broadleaf evergreen forest [T184] (1 male, ASC).

Dissections of eight males and five females were examined for features of the abdomen, genital segments, and genitalia. One disarticulated male and female were examined.

The holotype, not examined for this study, is from Taipei Hsien .

Figures

Figs. 121–133. Lacvietina cuprina. 121. Aedeagus, ventral. 122. Sternite VI, male. 123. Sternite VII, male. 124–126. Sternite VII, median posterior region, variation, male. 127. Aedeagus, lateral. 128. Sternum VIII, male. 129. Tergum VIII, female. 130. Pronotum (setae omitted). 131. Elytron, apical margin, left (setae omitted). 132, 133. Tergum VIII, apex, male (setae omitted).

Figs. 134–139. Lacvietina aurora. 134. Aedeagus, ventral. 135. Aedeagus, lateral. 136. Tergum VIII, apex, male (setae omitted). 137. Sternum VIII, male. 138. Sternite VII, male. 139. Sternite VI, male.

Figs. 140–146. Lacvietina aurora. 140. Tergum VIII, female. 141. Sternum VIII, female. 142. Spermatheca. 143. Elytron, apical margin, left (setae omitted). 144. Tergites IX and tergum X, female. 145. Segment IX, ventral, female. 146. Mesosternum and metasternum.

Figs. 147–154. Lacvietina copiosa. 147. Aedeagus, ventral. 148. Aedeagus, lateral. 149. Sternite VI, male. 150. Sternite VII, male. 151. Tergum VIII, female. 152. Aedeagus, anterior end, cross section. 153. Tergum VIII, apex, male (setae omitted). 154. Sternum VIII, male.

Figs. 155–160. Lacvietina paricosta. 155. Sternite VII, male. 156. Tergum VIII, male (setae omitted). 157. Sternum VIII, male (apical setae missing). 158. Aedeagus, ventral. 159. Aedeagus, lateral. 160. Sternite V, male.

Figs. 161–167. Lacvietina punctatissima. 161. Sternum VIII, male. 162. Sternite VII, male. 163. Sternite V, median region, male. 164. Sternite VI, male. 165. Sternum VIII, male. 166. Aedeagus, lateral. 167. Aedeagus, ventral.

Figs. 168–170. Lacvietina punctatissima. 168. Sternum VIII, female. 169. Spermatheca. 170. Tergum VIII, female.

Figs. 194–199. Lacvietina cuprina. 194. Head. 195. Elytron, left, lateral view. 196, 197. Pterothorax, ventral view. 198, 199. Head, dorsal setae in deep punctures.

Figs. 200–203. Lacvietina cuprina. 200, 201. Pronotum, setae in deep punctures. 202. Elytral seta in deep puncture. 203. Elytral seta, enlarged view of figure 202.