Akalyptoischion sleeperi Andrews, 1976

Hartley, Christopher S., Andrews, Fred G. & Mchugh, Joseph V., 2007, A Taxonomic Revision Of The Genus Akalyptoischion Andrews (Coleoptera: Latridiidae), The Coleopterists Bulletin (mo 6) 61, pp. 1-50 : 44-45

Akalyptoischion sleeperi Andrews

( Fig. 46 )

Akalyptoischion sleeperi Andrews 1976 a: 5

Description. Length 1.05–1.30 mm. Width 0.35–0.40 mm. Body elongate, subparallel, reddish brown to dull brown; uniformly setose; head narrower than pronotum by 1/2 eye width, sides slightly sinuate; clypeus narrowing gradually at less than 45u angle anterior to antennal insertions; head foveae distinct, circular to oval, smaller than eyes; head setation even, setae short and decumbent; head punctation sparse and irregular; eyes large and prominent with 4 facets; tempora size of one eye facet; hind angles rounded; clypeal fovea length of antennomere III, 0.7 times width of labrum; labrum anterior margin not emarginate; mandible apex pointed with a sharp apical tooth and 4 small subapical serrations, prostheca long; antennae 11 segmented with a two segmented club; antennae reach posterior 1/3 of pronotum; antennomere I irregular, anterior edge rounded, posterior edge with a sharp point, II elongate, egg-shaped, narrower apically, III–IV slightly elongate, sides arcuate, V–IX globular, growing progressively larger, X–XI form club, X large, globular, XI elongate, straight sided, rectangular.

Pronotum slightly wider anteriorly; anterior angles rounded, lateral margin arcuate, converging slightly posteriorly, lateral sides slightly explanate with,12 tubercles each bearing a long decumbent seta; median 3/4 raised with dense short decumbent setae; pronotal foveae distinct, anterior pair transverse, posterior pair broad circles; pronotal punctation sparse, most concentrated anteriorly.

Elytra subparallel, lateral flange not apparent; 6 striae; humeral angle evenly rounded; strial interspaces 3 and 5 gently raised; decumbent setae present on each interspace, setae on interspaces 1, 3, 5 and lateral margin longer; epipleuron complete, narrowing posteriorly.

Ventral surface sparsely setose; submental fovea length of antennomere III with 3–4 large punctures; ventral head punctation even laterally, punctures lacking at midline; gular punctaion even; prosternum sparsely punctate; mesosternum without sharp carinae; metasternum with single or geminate punctures between and posterior to each mesocoxa, a small oval puncture anterior to each metacoxa, and median surface without punctures; abdominal ventrite I with 2 small, circular foveae at anterior corners of intercoxal process, occasionally these foveae are fused with anterior margin of process, ventrite I also with a transverse fovea posterior to each metacoxa, and median surface without punctures; ventrites II– IV unmodified.

Material Examined. PARATYPES, USA: label data: ‘‘ Frazier Pk , Los Angeles Co., Cal. I. 14.1961,’’ ‘‘ex Berlesed from oak duff,’’ ‘‘ E. L. Sleeper collector,’’ 3 on slide (8, CDAE); ‘‘ Frazier Mt # 5, Ventura Co., Cal. I. 14.1961,’’ ‘‘ Berlesed from oak duff,’’ ‘‘ E. L. Sleeper collector,’’ 3 on slide (11, CDAE) .

Additional Material , ‘‘ Frazier Pk, Los Angeles Co., Cal. I. 14.1961,’’ ‘‘ex Berlesed from oak duff,’’ ‘‘ E. L. Sleeper collector’’ (4, CDAE) ; ‘‘ Frazier Mt # 5, Ventura Co., Cal. I. 14.1961,’’ ‘‘ Berlesed from oak duff,’’ ‘‘ E. L. Sleeper collector’’ (2, CDAE) ; ‘‘ 11 mi W Frazier Pk, Kern Co., Cal. I-13-1961,’’ ‘‘ex Berlesed from oak duff,’’ ‘‘ E. L. Sleeper collector’’ (1, CDAE) ; ‘‘CALIF: Kern Co. Frazier Park I.13.1961 E.L.Sleeper’ ’ (2, CDAE) ; ‘‘ S. Fork San Gabriel Cyn. Los Angeles Co., Calif. V.14.1966,’’ ‘‘ Neotoma nest,’’ ‘‘ R. Hardy’ ’ (1, CDAE) ; ‘‘ San Dimas Los Angeles Co., Calif. II-14-1960,’’ ‘‘ Collector E. L. Sleeper,’’ 1 on slide (3, CDAE) ; ‘‘ Blue Ridge near Guffy 7009,’’ ‘‘ Angeles Natl Forest Los Angeles Co., Calif. VI.10.1957,’’ ‘‘ I.M. Newell coll.,’’ 1 on slide (2, CDAE) ; ‘‘CALIF: SanBernardino Co., Wrightwood IV-15-1986 berlese Neotoma nest A.Hardy, Fred G. Andrews, T.D. Eichlin,’’ 1 on slide (2, CDAE) ; ‘‘CALIF: SanBernardino Co., Pioneer Town IV-19-86 berlese Neotoma nest K.W. Cooper coll.’’ (1, CDAE) ; ‘‘CALIF: Los Angeles Co. 1 mi. W Wrightwood XI-8-1984 AJ Gilbert Berlese evergreen oak litter’’ (1, CDAE) .

Remarks. Akalyptoischion sleeperi may be distinguished from A. giulianii and A. heterotrichos by its shorter setation and lack of erect setae on the elytra. Akalyptoischion sleeperi may be distinguished from A. chandleri by its much longer setae that are not appressed to the body as they are in A. chandleri .

Figures

Figs. 42–47. Akalyptoischion spp. prothorax, dorsal view, SEM. 42) A. anasillos; 43) A. hadromorphus; 44) A. dyskritos; 45) A. giulianii; 46) A. sleeperi; 47) A. chandleri.