Novoclaviger braunsi (Wasmann, 1897) Hlavác, 2007

Hlavác, Peter, 2007, Revision of the subtribe Clavigerodina and an annotated catalogue of South African Clavigeritae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae), African Invertebrates 48 (2), pp. 65-92 : 74-75

Novoclaviger braunsi (Wasmann, 1897) , comb. n.

Figs 15–17 , 36

Fustigerodes braunsi: Wasmann 1897 a: 201 ; 1898:97 (as a synonym of Fustigerodes majusculus Wasmann );

1925: 235, 236, fig. 2 (revalidation of species).

Fustigerodes (s. str.) braunsi Wasmann : Jeannel 1964: 210.

Differential diagnosis: This species is closely related to N. majusculus and N. joncooteri , sp. n. from which it differs by having a well-defined, smooth longitudinal sulcus on the pronotum, and the spines of the mesotibiae located more distantly from the apex.

Description: Body reddish brown, 2.11–2.19 mm long and 0.91–0.97 mm wide, head 1.14–1.19 times as long as wide and about as long as pronotum, reticulate surface evanescent on rostrum, frontal rostrum roundly acute, clypeus clearly visible dorsally, tempora slightly convergent; antennae shorter, terminal antennomere subcylindrical, 3.67–3.75 times as long as wide, antennomere III weakly thickened distally; pronotum about 1.13–1.22 times as wide as long, with 6 or 7 macrosetae on sides, longitudinal sulcus almost absent, posterior part of elytra with a high prominence bearing trichomes opposite abdominal prominence, disc smooth, shiny; abdomen smooth and shiny, humeri with 6 or 7 macrosetae; lateral processes on composite tergum large, elongate, depressed at tip, rugose and bicarinate; triangular tooth of mesofemora moderate in size, located at base, mesofemora normally developed with shallow groove extending from middle to apex, sharp, acute spine of mesotibiae located close to apex.

Lectotype (here designated): ơ SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: ‘[p] Algoa Bay [Port Elizabeth, 33º57'S: 25º35'E], Capland, Dr. Brauns / [h] Fustigerodes majusculus ^Pér. / [reddish brown label] [h] Fustigerodes braunsi ^, Type Wasm. / [red label] [p] LECTOTYPE, Fustigerodes braunsi Wasmann, P. Hlavác v des., 2006’ (TMSA).

Paralectotypes: SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: ^‘[p] Algoa Bay, Capland, Dr. Brauns / [h] Fustigerodes majusculus ^[illegible text]’ (TMSA); ^‘[p] Algoa Bay, Capland, Dr. Brauns / [h] ^/ [h] Fustigerodes majusculus ^[illegible text] / [reddish brown label] [h] Fustigerodes braunsi ^Type Wasm.’ (TMSA); ơ ‘[h] ơ / [p] Algoa Bay, Capland, Dr. Brauns [h] 10.ii.97’ (CPH); ơ ‘[h] ơ / [p] Algoa Bay, Capland, Dr. Brauns [h] 26.xi.00 / [reddish brown label] [h] Fustigerodes braunsi ơ Type Wasm. / [red ink] Fustigerodes braunsi Wasm. , ơ Type 249’ (TMSA). All paralectotypes bear the red label: ‘[p] PARALECTOTYPE, Fustigerodes braunsi Wasmann, P. Hlavác v des., 2006’.

Note:There are five specimens of Fustigerodes braunsi Wasmann in the TMSA collection with the following label: ‘ Algoa Bay , Capland, Dr. Brauns’. I believe that these form the syntype series .

Other material examined: ơ ‘CBS [? Caput Bonae Spei = Cape of Good Hope , Western Cape] / F. majusculus A. Raffray det. / [blue label] Muséum Paris, 1917, Coll. A. Raffray’ ( MNHN) .

Figures

Figs 15–17. Details of Novoclaviger braunsi: (15) aedeagus, lateral aspect; (16) right middle leg; (17) last three antennomeres of right antenna.

Fig. 36. Distribution of the genus Novoclaviger: • – N. auriculatus and braunsi;? – presumed record of N. braunsi; – N. joncooteri; – N. pugionis; – N. reticulatus.