Neolariopsis Audisio & Cline, 2009

Audisio, Paolo, Cline, Andrew Richard, Biase, Alessio De, Antonini, Gloria, Mancini, Emiliano, Trizzino, Marco, Costantini, Lorenzo, Strika, Sirio, Lamanna, Francesco & Cerretti, Pierfilippo, 2009, Preliminary re-examination of genus-level taxonomy of the pollen beetle subfamily Meligethinae (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 49 (2), pp. 341-504 : 360-363

5. Neolariopsis Audisio & Cline , gen. nov.

( Figs. 5 a–h )

Type species. Meligethes cercoides Reitter, 1872: 248 (by present designation) [= Neolariopsis cercoides (Reitter, 1872) comb. nov.].

Generic description and diagnosis. Inclusive species vary moderately in size (1.6–2.2 mm length), and share the following combination of characters.

Body color and pubescence: pubescence golden to silvery-whitish, variable, short and fine, recumbent, or moderately long, suberect, never obscuring the variably colored dorsal body surface (yellowish, reddish, brown, blackish, frequently with metallic bronze iridescence, or blackish with orange spots on elytra: Figs. 5a, b ); pronotal and elytral sides narrowly flattened, typically same color as disc. Lateral margin of pronutum and elytra typically with series of distinct setae, each seta 0.7–0.8× as long as those on elytral disc; posterior margin of pronotum comprising moderately long, usually distally trifid or tetrafid microsetae, microsetae uniformly distributed on middle region anterior to scutellum (as in Fig. 3e ).

Dorsal habitus: body more or less convex, variably shaped, usually moderately slender and oval ( Figs. 5a, b ); dorsal punctures on discal portion of pronotum as large as, or larger than eye facets, usually deeply impressed and densely distributed; anterior margin of clypeus moderately to strongly arcuately emarginate, simple, i.e. without small distinct bulge medially, distinctly and widely bordered ( Fig. 5c ), circum-ocular furrows (occipital sulci) on dorsal side of head almost complete, narrow, moderately to deeply impressed ( Fig. 5c ); eyes large and usually moderately projected laterally ( Figs. 5a, c ); pronotum with faintly distinct posterior angles, rounded to obtuse and never directed posteriorly ( Figs. 5a, b ); scutellum regularly punctured in most of exposed portion; elytra usually with simple punctation, never completely transversely strigose, occasionally with faint traces of orange peel-like rugosity, or with faint traces of uneven rugosity (e.g. N. odiosus ); elytral humeral angle moderately distinct, not protruding laterally ( Figs. 5a, b ); elytral humeral striae absent; elytral pre-sutural striae visible, originating at scutellar vertex, terminating at elytral apex, and delimiting on each elytron a faintly distinct, flat, unraised sutural border, border widest at posterior third and slightly narrower than proximal width of 3 rd antennomere; elytral apices truncately rounded in both sexes ( Fig. 5a ); pygidium partially exposed, moderately convex, rounded apically in both sexes ( Figs. 5a, g ).

Ventral habitus: antennal furrows markedly delimited, nearly parallel-sided, slightly convergent posteriorly, mentum subpentagonal ( Fig. 5d ); prosternal antennal furrows moderately raised and short at anterior margin of prosternum ( Fig. 5d ); prosternal process typically narrow, subapical dilated portion 1.6–1.8× as wide as maximum width of 1 st antennomere, and usually apically bluntly acuminate ( Fig. 5f ); lateral borders of prosternal process delimiting shallowly impressed but distinct furrows, distally terminating over predistal lateral expansions ( Fig. 5f ); posterior margin of mesoventrite simple, never incised medially ( Fig. 5f ); male impressions on metaventrite scarcely developed; first two visible abdominal ventrites simple in both sexes, without tufts of setae; caudal marginal lines of metacoxal cavities simple, parallel and contiguous to posterior margin of metacoxal cavities, without arched impression of outer ‘axillary’ line (as in Fig. 4k ); ‘axillary’ space on first abdominal ventrite moderately developed, ‘axillary’ angle widely obtuse (as in Fig. 4k ); relatively large but short and shallowly impressed arched impressions on basal portion of last visible abdominal ventrite, frequently partially covered by distal portion of penultimate visible abdominal ventrite ( Fig. 5g ).

Appendages: male 1 st antennomere 0.8–1.0× as long as width of protibiae excluding distal teeth ( Figs. 5a, b, d ); 3 rd antennomere in both sexes 2.0–2.1× as long as wide, 0.9–1.0× as long but distinctly thinner than 2 nd antennomere ( Fig. 5d ); 4 th and 5 th antennomeres in both sexes subequal, short, nearly as long as wide; antennal club compact, small, simple, comprising last 3 antennomeres in both sexes (8 th antennomere scarcely widened, 0.4–0.5× as wide as 9 th antennomere) ( Figs. 5a, b, d ), much narrower than width of protibiae, sexual dimorphism absent; labial palpi relatively short in both sexes ( Fig. 5d ), terminal segment 1.7–1.8× as long as wide; maxillary palpi moderately long and slender in both sexes ( Fig. 5d ), terminal segment 2.1–2.2× as long as wide; mandible mid-sized ( Fig. 5c ), apex moderately acuminate, no sexual dimorphism present; tarsal claws simple, never toothed at base ( Fig. 5e ); tarsi of normal size and shape, 0.5–0.7× as long as corresponding tibiae ( Figs. 5a, b, e ); protibiae with a series of usually small, even, moderately sharp teeth on lateral margin ( Figs. 5a, b ; Figs. 81–85 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995); meso- and metatibiae on lateral margin bearing a single and usually even row of large and robust pegs ( Fig. 5e ), without U-shaped sinuosity at distal third; meso- and metatibiae of variable width, usually moderately slender and narrow ( Figs. 5a, b ), never subtrapezoidal or axe-shaped; no sexual dimorphism in tibial shape; tarsal plates of prolegs sligthly wider in males; posterior margin of metafemora simple in both sexes, without tubercles or projections.

Male genitalia: processes along inner side of parameres absent ( Figs. 29–38 and 45–46 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995), usually comprising moderately deep and narrow excision along distal margin, and always without deep median longitudinal desclerotization from proximal portion of tegmen extending to medial distal V-shaped excision; median lobe of aedeagus variable, without emargination laterally, rounded, subtruncate to acuminate distally, without distal marked excision or emargination.

Female genitalia (ovipositor): small; styli moderately long and distinct, simple, cylindrical, usually distinctly pigmented, inserted close to apex of contiguous gonostyloids; each gonostyloid moderately sclerotized and more heavily pigmented distally, with a simple, never indentate outer portion of basicoxites (Figs. 55–59 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995), and a single, narrow, moderately pigmented and sclerotized arcuate area along outer subdistal portion of gonostyloids. ‘Central point’ of ovipositor usually centrally located, with or without proximad directed spicule.

Etymology. The generic name is derived from a combination of the Greek ‘ νΈΟΣ ’ (= new), and Lariopsis , emphasizing its relatively more derived position within the Lariopsis complex of genera. Gender masculine.

Biology. All species are likely to be strictly associated for larval development with inflorescences and flowers of Mesembryanthemaceae s. l. (including Aizoaceae ), particularly with Ruschia Schwant. and allied genera, and with Tetragonia L. ( KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995, and unpublished data).

Phylogenetic position. See discussion above regarding the phylogenetic placement of Odontholariopsis gen. nov.

Taxonomy and geographic distribution. Neolariopsis gen. nov. includes six described species distributed in Southern Africa ( KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995), which are divided into two species groups (i.e. the cercoides , and odiosus species-groups). A few additional species still awaiting description are known to the authors from the same geographical area.

Neolariopsis cercoides (Reitter, 1872) comb. nov. South Africa: W Cape

Neolariopsis odiosus (Reitter, 1872) comb. nov. South Africa: W Cape

Neolariopsis pulchellus (Reitter, 1872) comb. nov. South Africa: Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu- Natal; Lesotho;? Angola

Neolariopsis serrula ( Kirejtshuk & Easton, 1988) comb. nov. Lesotho

Neolariopsis serruloides ( Kirejtshuk & Audisio, 1995) comb. nov. South Africa: W Cape

Neolariopsis thalycroides ( Kirejtshuk & Audisio, 1995) South Africa: W Cape comb. nov.

Figures

Fig. 5. Neolariopsis Audisio & Cline, gen. nov.: a, c–h – N. cercoides (Reitter, 1872); b – N. thalycroides (Kirejtshuk & Audisio, 1995). a, b – male habitus (a – length 2.1 mm, b – length 2.1 mm); c – dorsal view of head; d – ventral view of head and anterior portion of prosternum; e – middle leg with outer margin of mesotibia; f – prosternal process and mesoventrite; g – exposed portion of last visible abdominal ventrite; h – antenna. Scale bars: Figs. c, d, f = 100 μm; Figs. e, h = 20 μm; Fig. g = 30 μm.

Fig. 3. Odontholariopsis Audisio & Cline, gen. nov.: a, g – O. haagii (Reitter, 1872); b–f, h – O. nebulosus (Reitter, 1872). a – male habitus (length 2.6 mm); b – dorsal view of head; c – ventral view of head and anterior portion of prosternum; d – middle leg illustrating outer margin of mesotibia; e – scutellum and microsetae on posterior margin of pronotum; f – prosternal process and mesoventrite; g – outline of male metafemur (length 0.5 mm); h – exposed portion of last visible abdominal ventrite. Scale bars: Figs. b, c, f, h = 100 μm; Fig. d = 30 μm; Fig. e = 20 μm.

Fig. 4. Lariopsis Kirejtshuk, 1989: a – L.vultuosus (Kirejtshuk & Audisio, 1995); b–k – L. variabilis (Reitter, 1872). a – male habitus (length 3.3 mm); b, c – dorso-lateral view of head; d – ventral view of head and anterior portion of prosternum; e – prosternal process and mesoventrite; f – middle leg with outer margin of mesotibia; g – microsetae on middle posterior margin of pronotum; h – exposed portion of last visible abdominal ventrite; k – caudal marginal lines of metacoxal cavities. Scale bars: Figs. b, c, d, e, h, k = 100 μm; Fig. f = 30 μm; Fig. g = 10 μm.

Fig. 29. Xenostrongylogethes Audisio & Cline, gen. nov.: a–h – X. luculentus (Kirejtshuk & Easton, 1988). a – male habitus (length 2.5 mm); b – protibia (length 0.32 mm); c – male antenna (length 0.50 mm); d – ventral view of head and anterior portion of prosternum (pronotal width 1.22 mm); e–f – male genitalia (e – length 0.42 mm; f – length 0.47 mm); g – major sclerites of male endophallus (length 0.42 mm); h – distal portion of ovipositor (length 0.49 mm).

Fig. 31. Meligethinus Grouvelle, 1906: a, c–k – M. pallidulus (Erichson, 1843); b – M. muehlei Jelínek, 1992; m – M. humeralis Grouvelle, 1906. a – male habitus (length 1.8 mm); b – female habitus (length 2.4 mm); c – dorsal view of head; d – microsetae on middle of posterior margin of pronotum; e – ventral view of head and anterior portion of prosternum; f – prosternal process and mesoventrite; g – exposed portion of last visible abdominal ventrite; h – caudal marginal line of metacoxal cavity; k – mesotibia. Drawings b, m – refer to JELÍNEK (1992) for scale. Scale bars: Figs. c, e, f, g, h, k = 100 μm; Fig. d = 20 μm.

Fig. 32. Meligethes Stephens, 1830: a–e, g – M. atratus (A. G. Olivier, 1790); f – M. denticulatus (Heer, 1841). a, f – male habitus (a – length 3.6 mm; f – length 3.4 mm); b – dorsal view of head; c – exposed portion of last visible abdominal ventrite;d – scutellum and microsetae on middle of posterior margin of pronotum;e – ventral view of head and anterior portion of prosternum; g – prosternal process. Scale bars: Fig. b, e = 200 μm; Figs. c, d, g = 100 μm.

Fig. 33. Brassicogethes Audisio & Cline, gen. nov.: a – B. longulus (Schilsky, 1894); b – B. salvan (Audisio, De Biase & Antonini, 2003); c–h – B. aeneus (Fabricius, 1775). a, b – male habitus (a – length 2.8 mm; b – length 2.6 mm); c – scutellum and microsetae on middle of posterior margin of pronotum; d – ventral view of head and anterior portion of prosternum; e – prosternal process and mesoventrite; f – exposed portion of last visible abdominal ventrite; g – caudal marginal line of metacoxal cavity; h – dorsal view of head. Scale bars: Fig. c = 20 μm; Fig. d = 200 μm; Figs. e, f, g, h = 100 μm.

Fig. 34. Kabakovia Kirejtshuk, 1979: a–s – K. latipes (Grouvelle, 1908). a – male habitus; b –anterior margin of clypeus; c – male antenna; d – female antennal club; e – elytral punctation; f – male protibia; g – prosternum, mesoventrite, and anterior portion of metaventrite; h – ventral view of head and prosternum; k – exposed portion of last visible abdominal ventrite; m – male mesotibia; n – labium and left palpus; p – labrum; q–r – male genitalia; s – ovipositor. Drawings a–g, m–s modified from KIREJTSHUK (1979a); drawings h–k modified from JELÍNEK (2000a)). Refer to KIREJTSHUK (1979a) and to JELÍNEK (2000a) for scale.

Fig. 35. Horakia Jelínek, 2000: a–p – H. kubani Jelínek, 2000. a – male habitus; b –ventral view of head and prosternum; c – dorsal view of head; d – prosternal process; e–f – male genitalia; g – major sclerites of endophallus; h – labrum; k – male protibia; m – male mesotibia; n – male metatibia; p – male antenna. Drawings a–p modified from JELÍNEK (2000a)). Refer to JELÍNEK (2000a) for scale.

Fig. 36. Cryptarchopria Jelínek, 1975: a–f, h–r – C. kabakowi Kirejtshuk, 1979; g – C. infima (Grouvelle, 1895). a, b – male habitus variation; c – prosternal process; d–e – male antennal club variation; f – female antennal club; g – ventral view of head and prosternum; h – male protibia; i–n – lateral and dorsal view of male genitalia; o – male mesofemur; p – male mesotibia; q – male pygidium; r – ovipositor. Drawings a–f, h–r modified from KIREJTSHUK (1979b); drawing g modified from JELÍNEK (2000a)). Refer to KIREJTSHUK (1979b) and to JELÍNEK (2000a) for scale.

Fig. 37. Pria Stephens, 1830: a–k – P. dulcamarae (Scopoli, 1763).a – male habitus (length 2.0 mm); b – dorsal view of head; c – ventral view of head; d – ventral view of prosternum; e – anterior portion of scutellum and microsetae on middle posterior margin of pronotum; f – caudal marginal line of metacoxal cavity; g – exposed portion of last ventral visible abdominal ventrite; h – middle tibia; k – female antennal club. Scale bars: Figs. b, f = 100 μm; Fig. e = 20 μm; Figs. h, k = 30 μm.

Fig. 38. Lucanopria Audisio & Cline, gen.nov.: a– k – L. wagneri Audisio & Cline, sp. nov.a – male habitus (length 1.9 mm); b – ventral view of head (width – 0.62 mm); c – prosternal process (width – 0.18 mm); d – male pygidium; e – female elytral apex; f–g – male genitalia (f – length 0.15 mm; g – length 0.18 mm); h – ovipositor (length 0.38 mm); k – exposed (below dashed line) and obscured (above dashed line) portions of last visible abdominal ventrite (abdominal width 0.85 mm).