Laccophilus ruficollis Zimmermann, 1919

Bistroem, Olof, Nilsson, Anders N. & Bergsten, Johannes, 2015, Taxonomic revision of Afrotropical Laccophilus Leach, 1815 (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae), ZooKeys 542, pp. 1-379 : 21

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Dytiscidae

Laccophilus ruficollis Zimmermann, 1919 Figs 22-23, 224, 385, 527

Laccophilus ruficollis Zimmermann 1919: 123 (original description, faunistics); Zimmermann 1920a: 25 (catalogue); Nilsson 2001: 250 (catalogue, faunistics); Nilsson 2015: 217 (catalogue, faunistics).

Type locality.

Madagascar.

Type material, studied

(3 exs.). Lectotype (by present designation): male: "Madagascar / Type / Samml. A. Zimmermann / Paratypus" (ZSM; habitus in Fig. 385). - Paralectotypes, male and female: Same data as in lectotype (2 exs. ZSM). [Comment: all three specimens studied are provided with a type and a paratype label and no holotype has been chosen. Two of the specimens are females and one, male. We have chosen the male to be the lectotype.]

Diagnosis.

Laccophilus ruficollis is distinguished from all other African species by unmodified apical ventrite and exhibiting distinct, transverse, pale markings on elytra. Furthermore, penis apex is slender and curved and body-microsculpture is a mix of small and large meshes. In combination with small sized body these characters are useful when Laccophilus ruficollis is distinguished.

Description.

Body length 3.2-3.4 mm, width 1.8 mm. Dorsal colour pattern rather uniform and distinct (Fig. 385).

Head: Pale ferrugineous. Rather shiny although finely microsculptured. Reticulation almost simple, predominantly of one kind. In part reticulation indistinctly double but small and large meshes difficult to distinguish and place in either category. Between eyes, with fine, sparse punctures. At eyes punctures slightly denser.

Pronotum: Ferrugineous, laterally pale ferrugineous (change of colour gradual). Basally with vague, transverse, dark ferrugineous marking. Rather shiny although finely microsculptured; reticulation mostly uniform: small and large meshes difficult to distinguish. Laterally and at anterior margin, finely punctate.

Elytra: Dark ferrugineous, with distinct pale ferrugineous markings (Fig. 385). Slightly mat, finely and densely microsculptured. Reticulation-meshes not clearly forming two distinct groups. Almost impunctate; laterally and at suture with fine punctures.

Ventral aspect: Pale ferrugineous to ferrugineous; lacks distinct colour pattern, but abdomen in part slightly darker. Rather shiny, very finely microsculptured (in part microsculpture hardly discernible). Scattered, curved striae discernible but sometimes rather indistinct. Almost impunctate. Apex of prosternal process comparatively short although pointed. Apical ventrite simple, not distinctly modified (Fig. 22).

Legs: Protarsus slightly extended and enlarged; mesotarsus long and slender. Provided with suckers.

Male genitalia: Rather delicate in size and exhibits hardly any modifications; penis in lateral aspect slender and evenly curved (Fig. 224).

Female: Externally almost as male. Protarsus slender. Apical ventrite as in Fig. 23.

Distribution.

Madagascar (Fig. 527).

Collecting circumstances.

Unknown.