Laccophilus cryptos, Bistroem, Olof, Nilsson, Anders N. & Bergsten, Johannes, 2015

Bistroem, Olof, Nilsson, Anders N. & Bergsten, Johannes, 2015, Taxonomic revision of Afrotropical Laccophilus Leach, 1815 (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae), ZooKeys 542, pp. 1-379 : 102-104

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Dytiscidae

Laccophilus cryptos sp. n. Figs 75-76, 267, 423, 547

Type locality.

South Africa: Zululand, Mission Rock, St. Lucia (28.22S- 32.35E).

Type material studied

(24 exs.). Holotype: male: "S. Afr.; Zululand St. Lucia, Mission Rock 28.22S- 32.35E / 18.12. 1975; E-Y: 983, at black light leg. Endrödy-Younga” (TMSA). - Paratypes: Same data as holotype (3 exs. TMSA, 1 ex. MZH; habitus in Fig. 423); "S. Afr.; Zululd Ndumu Banzi, fresh wat. pan 26.53S- 32.16E / 16.2. 1989; E-Y: 2612 shorewashing, Endrödy & Klimaszew" (2 exs. TMSA). - Zaire: "Coll. Mus. Congo, Elisabethville ( à la lumière) I-1956/I-1957 Ch. Seydel" (1 ex. MRAC). - Mozambique: "Prov. Sofala 10 km NW Save 6-7.12. 2003 A. Kudrna jr. lgt." (1 ex. CFP). - Zimbabwe: "Zimbabwe centr. 30 km S Harare 30.11. 1998 leg. F. Kantner" (1 ex. NHMB). - Namibia: "SW Africa Tondoro Okawango 20-23.1. 1975 leg. H. Roer" (1 ex. CGW); "SWA / Namibia Nyangara / Okawango 1-9.4. 1988 leg. H. Roer" (3 exs. CGW). - Botswana: "V.-L. Kal. Exp. Tsotsorogo Pan 17.6.-9.7. 1930 / Laccophilus livens Régb. det. L. Gschwendtner" (9 exs. TMSA, 1 ex. MZH).

Diagnosis.

Very closely related to Laccophilus modestus . Correct determination requires examination of the penis, the apex of which exhibits distinct, species-specific features. In Laccophilus cryptos extreme tip of penis apex clearly angled while rounded in Laccophilus modestus .

Description.

Body length 3.3-3.8 mm, breadth 1.7-2.0 mm. Dorsal, colour pattern slightly variable. Elytra with somewhat obscure, dark ferrugineous irrorations, which at base generally, are almost lacking (Fig. 423).

Head: Pale ferrugineous to ferrugineous; lacks distinct colour pattern. Rather shiny, although finely microsculptured; reticulation double. Large meshes only slightly more strongly developed than small meshes. Large meshes contain 2-5 small meshes. Impunctate, except at eyes; with fine, irregular punctures. Area of punctures extends towards disc-middle, still leaving a considerable impunctate area in middle of head.

Pronotum: Pale ferrugineous to ferrugineous; lacks distinct colour pattern. Rather shiny, although finely microsculptured; reticulation double. Large meshes only slightly more strongly developed than small meshes. Large meshes contain 2-5 small meshes. Smaller meshes, in part, rather indistinct. Impunctate, except frontally and laterally; with fine, irregular punctures.

Elytra: Pale ferrugineous, with somewhat vague, dark ferrugineous irrorations, which often disappear at base of elytra (Fig. 423). Rather shiny, although finely microsculptured. Large meshes only slightly more strongly developed than small meshes. Large meshes contain 2-5 small meshes. Laterally and posteriorly size-categories of microsculpture disappear. Fine, somewhat irregular punctures form a clearly discernible discal row of punctures. Dorsolateral and lateral rows of punctures indistinct; simply indicated by a few, fine and scattered punctures. Pre-apical, lateral row of punctures form a shallow by discernible, pubescent furrow.

Ventral aspect: Pale ferrugineous to ferrugineous; without distinct colour pattern. Rather shiny, although very finely microsculptured; microsculpture in part indistinct. Ventrites with very fine, slightly indistinct, curved striae. Metacoxal plates with a number of rudimentary, transverse furrows. Lateral impression of metacoxal plates moderately deep. Furrows weakly developed, in part indistinct. Impunctate, except apical ventrite, with some fine, scattered punctures and an asymmetric minute knob locate on one side of the ventrite (Fig. 75). Prosternal process slender, posteriorly somewhat extended; apex pointed.

Legs: Pale ferrugineous to ferrugineous. Pro- and mesotarsus slightly enlarged, with distinct suckers.

Male genitalia: Extreme apex of penis tip angled (Fig. 267).

Female: Pro- and mesotarsus slender. Apical ventrite lack small, asymmetric knob (Fig. 76). Body microsculpture variable; sometimes more strongly developed and denser than in male; sometimes as male.

Etymology.

The species name cryptos is a Greece noun in apposition and refers to something hidden or secret. The name refers to the identity of the new species, which remained hidden until male genitalia were dissected, being externally similar to Laccophilus modestus .

Distribution.

Zaire, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa (Fig. 547).

Collecting circumstances.

Almost unknown. The species has been collected by shore washing and at light collection. Recorded also, from a fresh water pan.