Mecyclothorax putaputa Liebherr, 2012b: 79

Liebherr, James K., 2013, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Tahiti, Society Islands, ZooKeys 322, pp. 1-170 : 72-73

60. Mecyclothorax putaputa Liebherr, 2012b: 79

Identification.

This species shares with Mecyclothorax balli the setal formula 2221, effaced elytral striae near the elytral basal groove, and transverse-line elytral microsculpture, but these beetles are smaller, standardized body length 4.3-4.5 mm versus 4.8-5.1 mm for Mecyclothorax balli . The pronotal hind angles are marked by a large transverse fault-like hitch in the pronotal margin, with the margin before and after the hitch of nearly the same curvature (Fig. 32C). The elytral striae are moderately shallow with elongate punctures that impress the stria in a dashed pattern. The head bears distinct transverse mesh microsculpture mixed with transverse lines, the defined sculpticells only slightly broader than long, and the pronotal disc is covered with a shallow but evident transverse mesh, sculpticell breadth 2 –3× length.

Distribution and habitat.

This species is so far known to be associated with low-stature Metrosideros and Weinmannia forest from 1065-1100 m elevation on Mont Mauru. The two specimens were in subarboreal microhabitats from which they were beaten onto a sheet or collected through the use of pyrethrin fog.