Mecyclothorax hamatus Perrault, 1987: 425; 1988: 237

Liebherr, James K., 2013, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Tahiti, Society Islands, ZooKeys 322, pp. 1-170 : 34

16. Mecyclothorax hamatus Perrault, 1987: 425; 1988: 237

Identification.

This species is diagnosable within the species group by the broadly reflexed lateral margins of the pronotum and elytra, the explanate and laterally reflexed margins extending the lengths of both structures (Fig. 16C), and the well-defined and complete transverse pronotal impression. The elytral striae are finely incised, and minutely punctate in their basal third, the punctures at most causing a slight expansion of the striae. The eighth elytral interval is upraised and finely carinate dorsad the apical half of the posterior series of the lateral elytral setae, and is broader and more convexly upraised dorsad the subapical sinuation. The vertex bears shallow isodiametric microsculpture, the sculpticells more upraised near the pronotal margin. The pronotal disc bears a shallow, elongate transverse mesh mixed with transverse lines, and the discal elytral intervals are covered with a distinct mesh composed of isodiametric sculpticells in transverse rows and transverse sculpticells. The male aedeagal median lobe is gracile basally, and bears a large dorsal projection at its apex (Fig. 18D). The ostial canal is curved ventrally near its apical terminus. Setal formula 2122; standardized body length 5.9-7.1 mm.

Distribution and habitat.

Perrault’s (1988) summarized locality data restricted this species to the elevational range of 1000-1400 m on Mont Marau. This elevational range was also observed in 2006, when this species was repeatedly captured in Malaise traps set at 1170 and 1340 m, but not at lower elevations nor at the summit; 1493 m elevation. Collections of this species in Malaise traps indicate the beetles are good climbers, most likely active on vegetation during nighttime foraging.