Afrolytta namaqua Bologna, 2018

Bologna, Marco A., Amore, Valentina & Pitzalis, Monica, 2018, Meloidae of Namibia (Coleoptera): taxonomy and faunistics with biogeographic and ecological notes, Zootaxa 4373 (1), pp. 1-141 : 20-21

Afrolytta namaqua Bologna sp.n. ( Fig. 1K )

Type. Holotype female, labelled “ R.S. A., Cape, Namaqualand, 11.X.99, Kamieskroon, Werner leg.” (white, small, rectangular); H 19122 (white, small, rectangular); “ Afrolytta sp. n. M. A. Bologna det. 2005” ; “Holotypus ♀ Afrolytta namaqua n. sp. M. Bologna des. 2015” (CB).

The Holotype lacks both posterior legs and abdomen is sligthly damaged.

Type locality. “ South Africa, Northern Cape, Kamieskroon”. This locality is located in the late “Namaqualand”, on the N7 national road, south of Springbok, ca 800 m a.s.l. in the typical Succulent Karoo biome ( White 1983). During the Spring (August–September) this area is characterized by an incredible blooming of Asteraceae and Mesembryanthemaceae , typical food for a lot of blister beetle species.

Diagnosis. An Afrolytta easily distinct from the other two species of the genus, A. amoena and A. carneola , because of its colouration. From the first species, which is more similar, differs because: head and pronotum black, less vaguely green metallic, abdominal last two urites and posterior third of previous urites orange, rather than completely black; pronotum with sides subrounded and not subtrapezoidal; external margin of elytra almost straigth and not emarginated. From A. carneola differs because this last species has both the head and pronotum dorsally widely orange as well as legs (except black coxae, trochanters and sometimes base of femurs), and only the last two urites orange, external margin of elytra emarginated.

Description. ( Fig. 1K ) Body length 13 mm. Body black, but elytra orange brown, last two urites and posterior third of previous urites orange, mandibles dark reddish on fore half. Body setation white-yellow, denser and longer on legs, labrum and ventral side, short and disperse on posterior part of head, pronotum and elytra, dense but short on antennomeres.

Head transversely rectangular, temples parallel, sligthly shorter than the longitudinal diameter of eye. Punctures not rugose, shallow and well distinct, more distanced on occiput. Eye sligthly bulging, anteriorly emarginated near antennal base. Clypeus subrectangular, transverse, shorter than labrum, which is scarcely emerginate in front. Maxillary palpomeres slender, last one not widened in front. Antennoemeres densely microsetate, except I–II, which have longer setae; I twice as long as II, which is subglobose, and sligthly longer than III which is subcylindrical; IV–X shortly cylindrical, similar in shape, about 1/4 shorter than III; XI sligthly shorter than IX–X together, apically conically narrowed.

Pronotum widely subrounded on sides, sligthly depressed at base in middle. Scutellum subsquared posteriorly, depressed in middle. Thoracic ventrites not modified. Elytra with vague and shiny tracks of venations; depressed on humeri, with dense but shallow and subrugose punctures; setae very short, erect anteriorly and directed posteriad on posterior half. Tarsomeres with pads of dense yellow setae; pro-mesofemurs with two pointed and slender spurs; setae of tarsal fringe long.

Margin of last ventrite rounded.

Remarks. Phenetically is similar to A. amoena , except for characters listed in the diagnosis, but lacking male of the new species, no relationships can be pointed out.

Distribution. Western South Africa.

Afrolytta amoena ( Péringuey, 1892) ( Fig. 1I )

Cantharis amoena Péringuey, 1892

Distribution. Southwestern Namibia (new species for this country) and northwestern South Africa. Material examined. [Karas] Lüderitz: Klinghardt Mts., Diamond Area 1, 27.3000°S 15.6833°E (SMWN). Oranjemund: 10 km NW Rosh Pinah, 27.9000°S 16.7000°E (SMWN).

Remarks. The holotype of this species was examined at the SAMC.

Afrolytta carneola ( Péringuey, 1892) ( Fig. 1J )

Cantharis carneola Péringuey, 1892

Distribution. Southwestern Namibia (new species record for this country) and western South Africa.

Material examined and literature records. [Karas] Lüderitz: Klinghardt Mts. , 27.3000°S 15.6833°E ( SMWN) ; Klinghardt Mts. , 27.3500°S 15.7000°E ( SMWN) ; Sargdeckel, Klinghardt Mts. , 27.4000°S 15.6833°E ( SMWN) ; Obib dunes S, 28.1500°S 16.6500°E (CB); Obib dunes S, 28.1667°S 16.6833°E (SMWN). Oranjemund: Obib Dunes S, 28.1667°S 16.8000°E (CB; SMWN; HNHM); Brandkross, 28.28°S 16.40° (HNHM); 10 km NE Luderitz , 28.5500°S 16.4333°E ( SMWN) ; Daberas Gate, 8 km E, Diamond Area 1, 28.5500°S 16.5000°E ( SMWN) .

Other records: Namib Sand Sea desert ( Seely, 2012).

Remarks. The holotype of this species was examined at the SAMC.

Figures

FIGURE 1. A. Iselma deserticola; B. Iselma hobohmi; C. Iselma penrithae; D. Iselma brunneipes. E. Iselma piscatrix; F. Eletica luteosignata. G. Namibeletica angolana; H. Namibeletica elegantula; I. Afrolytta namaqua; J. Afrolytta amoena; K. Afrolytta carneola; L. Australytta maraisi; M. Australytta rubrolineata; N. Australytta szekessyi; O. Australytta vellicata; P. Lydomorphus chalybaeus; Q. Lydomorphus mimus; R. Lydomorphus bisignatus; S. Lydomorphus strangulatus; T. Lydomorphus karibibensis; U. Lydomorphus thoracicus; V. Lydomorphus tibialis; W. Lydomorphus bifoveiceps; X. Dilatilydus optatus; Y. Desertilydus mesembryanthemi.