Mecyclothorax fosbergioides Perrault, 1988: 232

Liebherr, James K., 2013, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Tahiti, Society Islands, ZooKeys 322, pp. 1-170 : 28

13. Mecyclothorax fosbergioides Perrault, 1988: 232

Identification.

The largest bodied Tahitian Mecyclothorax at standardized body length 8.6-8.9 mm, and sharing the lanky proportions of its group mate, Mecyclothorax fosbergi (Fig. 15). However this species is characterized by a broader pronotum, MPW/PL = 1.18, and relatively narrower humeri, MEW/HuW = 2.52, with the elytra more broadly obovate in shape. The head bears shallow isodiametric sculpticells, and the pronotum is covered by a shallow elongate transverse mesh that produces an indistinct iridescence. The discal elytral intervals are covered with a dense, regular mesh, a mixture of isodiametric and transverse sculpticells, the latter twice as broad as long. The male aedeagal median lobe - first reported here - is very similar to that of Mecyclothorax fosbergi (Fig. 13E), although the shaft is somewhat broader (Fig. 13F). Also, the apex is much more elongate and narrower dorsoventrally, though a downturned tip and flattened apical face are shared. The internal sac bears a moderately long flagellar plate, length 0.48 × distance from parameral articulations to apical face. Setal formula 2202.

Distribution and habitat.

The holotype female was collected by J. Gourvès at 1900 m elevation on Mont Aorai, whereas the male first reported above was collected by E.M. Claridge at 2070 m on Pito Hiti (EMEC). These two localities are an estimated 5.5 km apart taking the ridge distance between them. The microsculpture of the male is somewhat less developed than that of the female holotype. For the present the two specimens are considered conspecific, with the discovery of a male specimen from Mont Aorai the best arbiter for establishing the conspecificity or distinctiveness of the Aorai and Pito Hiti populations.