Cryptopeniculus nigrosetus Philips

Philips, T. Keith & Foster, Douglas E., 2004, Cryptopeniculus nigrosetus n. g., n. sp. (Coleoptera: Ptinidae) from the Namaqualand region of South Africa, Zootaxa 577, pp. 1-11 : 5-10

Cryptopeniculus nigrosetus Philips , new species ( Figs. 1–16 )

DIAGNOSIS. This species can be recognized by the two elongate pronotal crests consisting of flocculant setae covered by combs of darker elongate but thick setae with their tips converging dorsally ( Figs 1, 3 ). The crests are separated most widely anteriorly and converge posteriorly, becoming fused near the pronotal base. Additionally, the smooth, globular shape of the elytra ( Fig. 1 ), the constriction and short longitudinal ridges at the elytral bases (Fig. 6), the ratio of ventrite lengths (Fig. 8), and the pronounced antennal fossae (Fig. 4) extending laterally from the antennal insertions should help differentiate this species from the other known African taxa.

DESCRIPTION. Holotype. Sex not determined. Length from anterior edge of pronotum to apex of elytra 2.10 mm. Color light to dark reddish black ( Figs 1–2 ). Head (Fig. 4): surface covered with scattered usually appressed short stout setae, those on frons above antennal fossae more erect, vertex surface adjacent to pronotum rough, frons distinctly smoother; antennal fossae separated by a ridge about 2/3 the maximum scape width, laterally with deep groove; clypeus crescent shaped with a pronounced posterior margin forming a ridge; labrum slightly emarginate, anterior margin with row of dense setae; labial and maxillary palps fusiform ( Figs 12–13 ), mentum equilateral triangular shape ( Fig. 14 ), mandible inner surface with indistinct tooth near middle ( Fig. 15 ); eyes small and slightly projecting especially posteriorly, maximum length about as long as fourth antennomere, approximately 12 ommatidia at maximum length, 9 ommatidia at maximum width; antennae after scape gradually expanding in diameter to apex, second through 10 th antennomeres subequal, ultimate about 50% longer than penultimate. Pronotum ( Figs 1–3 ): setal clumps forming two crests in very broad “V” shape arising at anterior 1/5 at edge of abrupt chitinous triangular shaped ridge on either side of middle, lateral edges curving gradually posteriorly converging through to posterior 1/3 with setal crests continuing to posterior margin; crests formed of tightly spaced, juxtaposed, overlapping, long, brown to nearly black narrow setae, setal origins visible as projections around perimeter of crests, angled towards middle of crest, apical portion of setae strongly curved, tips converging at crest peak; basally setae angled anterio­obliquely medially; beneath elongate setae a layer of paler colored flocculant setae in shape of broad “U”; anterior edge lined with erect setae similar to those forming external covering of crests, setae continuing onto lateral edge but not restricted, clump of setae laterally also forming loose tuft with setal tips converging dorsally to height below crest; latero­ventrally pronotum covered with white or light colored closely appressed setae obscuring surface, setae extending along lateral posterior edge; perimeter of pronotum with large deep punctures approximately in a row, others more scattered, setae arising from conical projections producing distinctly uneven surface, medially a distinct narrow longitudinal groove between crests with setal inserts on either side. Elytra ( Figs 1 , 6): Surface glabrous except for very small widely spaced puncture rows, more visible laterally; punctures sometimes with small, short, usually appressed setae, sometimes more numerous near elytral apices, occasionally at base between grooves with thicker, erect, white appressed setae; laterally with single row of small brown recumbent overlapping setae extending from near base to about midpoint, a second row below of similarly located and spaced, appressed white setae more obliquely aligned, a third row extending along epipleura to about midpoint of white, closely appressed, very dense, obliquely aligned setae; near apex along suture with oblique parallel fine wrinkles. Ve nt r al surface (Figs. 5, 7–8): Prothoracic process elongate, parallel sided, truncate at apex, extending posterior of procoxae into mesosternal groove, surface obscured with recumbent light or white colored setae, scattered recumbent setae; meso­ and metasternum with moderately dense appressed white setae, large, scattered, setose round punctures with posteriorly recumbent white setae; ventrites with some appressed white setae mainly around the perimeter although some extending medially along ventrite sutures, surface with scattered setose punctures smaller than those on metasternum and sometimes slightly less rounded, recumbent setae similar to those on metasternum; also with very fine punctures and fine regular reticular texture mainly along apices and fifth ventrite except at middle; ratio of ventrite lengths at middle starting anteriorly 16:18:14:13:26. Legs ( Figs 1–2 ): With scattered white recumbent setae, apices of femora with stouter brown setae, femora approximately parallel sided, expanding to club about middle on pro­ and mesolegs, at apical 3/5 on metalegs; first metatarsomere slightly longer than fifth, second through fourth shorter and equal in length, covered with scattered white and brown recumbent setae. Genitalia: Male parameres ( Figs 9–10 ) gradually decreasing in width towards apex, tips curved inwards, blunt, apical half with scattered setae; median lobe gradually narrowed to apex. Female genitalic coxites elongate ( Fig. 11 ); stylus apex broad, slightly excavated; baculum elongate; spermatheca unsclerotized, not apparent.

Sexual dimorphism. No consistent external differences between the sexes have been found.

TYPE SERIES.

Data on separate labels on the pins is indicated by the “/” and is as follows: Holotype: S. Afr. SW Cape, Seweputs coast, 31.39 S – 18.17 E / 23.8.1981: E­Y:1836, groundtraps, 64 days, leg. Endrödy­Younga/ groundtrap with meat bait ( TVMC). Paratypes: Same data as Holotype (2). Same data as Holotype except banana bait (7); faeces bait (4); meat bait (3); ferm. banana bait (2). Same data as Holotype except Seweputs Farm 31.39 S – 18.22 E /E­Y:1835/ faeces bait (1); ferm. banana bait (5); meat bait (2); E­Y:1838/ ferm. banana bait (2). All the following are S. Afr., S. W. Cape: Soutpan, 20 km E. 31.12 S – 18.06 E / 13.9.1985, E­Y:2240, ground and vegetation, leg. Endrödy­Younga (16); Nortier farm 32.03 S – 18.19 E / 25.8.1981,E­Y:1845, groundtraps, leg Endrödy­Younga/ groundtraps with faeces bait (2); meat bait (2); Titiesbaai, 31.10 S – 17.46 E / 12.9.1985, E­Y:2239, veget. coastal dunes, leg. Endrödy­Younga (3); Papendorp dunes, 31.38 S – 18.12 E / 22.8.1981, E­Y:1830, groundtraps, 64 days, leg. Endrödy­Younga/ groundtraps with meat bait (1), faeces bait (1), ferm. banana bait (1); Lamberts Bay, N, 32.04 S – 18.19 E / 25.8.1981, E­Y:1844, groundtraps, leg. Endrödy­Younga/ groundtraps with faeces bait (1); Koekenaap dunes, 31.32 S – 18.14 E / 22.9.1994, E­Y:3030, ground and hummocks Endrödy & Bellamy (2); Dermbergsdraaifarm, 30.47 S – 17.43 E / 18.9.1994, E­Y:3014, groundtraps, 7 days, Endrödy & Bellamy/ groundtraps with meat bait (3), banana bait (3), faeces bait (1). All the following are S. Afr., Namaqualand: Klein Kogelfontein, 31.10 S – 17.50 E / 27.8.1979 /E­Y:1606, groundtraps, 62 days, leg. Endrödy­Younga/ groundtrap with banana bait (1); groundtrap with meat bait (1); Rooidam farm, 31.02 S – 17.46 E / 20.9.1994 /E­Y:3026, ground & at light, leg. Endrödy­Younga (2); Katdoringvlei, 31.07 S – 17.52 E / 28.10.1979 /E­Y:1664, singled on sand, day, leg. Endrödy­Younga (2); Island Point, 4 km S, 30.56 S – 17.38 E / 25.8.1979 /E­Y:1595, groundtraps, 63 days, leg.

Endrödy­Younga/ groundtraps with ferm. banana bait (1); Hoekbaai, 2 km ENE, 31.11 S – 17.47 E / 27.8.1979 /E­Y:1610, groundtraps, 62 days, leg. Endrödy­Younga/ groundtrap with faeces bait. Holotype and paratypes are deposited in the Museum of Natural History, Northern Flagship Institution (formerly the Transvaal Museum). Additional paratypes are deposited in the following collections: Canadian Museum of Nature, Gatineau, Quebec ( CMNC), Natural History Museum, London ( NHMC), United States National Museum, Washington D.C. ( USNM), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris ( MNHN), Xavier Bellés collection and the T.K. Philips collection ( TKPC).

VARIATION. Length from anterior edge of pronotum to apex of elytra averages 1.97 0.16 mm (n = 25). Specimens from the most northern site have more pronounced carinae along the lateral margins of the interantennal space. They are also slightly darker, have two widely spaced long erect setal rows on the dorsal surface of the elytra, and the legs are slightly stouter.

ETYMOLOGY. Based on the Latin adjective for black and noun for hair in reference to the coarse black setae on the pronotum.

DISTRIBUTION. This monotypic genus ranges from about 10 km north of Lambert’s Bay in the Western Cape Province northwards through to near Nariep (approximately 30 km southwest of Garies) in the Northern Cape Province ( Fig. 16 ).

BIOLOGY. This species may be associated with coastal hummocks, vegetated dunes and other sandy habitats where it is undoubtedly scavenging on organic matter, most likely dung or other accumulated detritus. It has been captured with pitfalls usually set for 60 days and baited with faeces, fermenting bananas, and meat. Like most ptinines in these habitats, individuals are opportunistic and will feed on and attempt to breed in a wide variety of potential food sources.

Figures

FIGURE 16. Currently known distribution of Cryptopeniculus nigrosetus in western South Africa near the coast as indicated by the circles.

FIGURES 1 – 3. Cryptopeniculus nigrosetus external views. 1, dorsal habitus; 2, lateral habitus; 3, dorsal view of the pronotum.

FIGURES 9 – 11. Cryptopeniculus nigroseta genitalia. 9, male genitalia, ventral view; 10, male genitalia, lateral view; 11, female genitalia, dorsal view.

FIGURES 12 – 15. Cryptopeniculus nigroseta mouthparts. 12, maxillary palp; 13, labium, ventral view; 14, mentum, ventral view; 15, mandible, dorsal view.