Oocyclus tapanti, Short, A. E. Z. & Perkins, P. D., 2004

Short, A. E. Z. & Perkins, P. D., 2004, A revision of Oocyclus Sharp of Mexico and Central America (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae), Zootaxa 783, pp. 1-45 : 21-22

Oocyclus tapanti n. sp.

( Figs. 14 , 26 )

Type Locality. 1.5 km after the private gate, Tapantí National Park, Cartago Province, Costa Rica, 1620m elevation ( Fig. 29 ).

Type Material. Holotype. Male. “ COSTA RICA: Cartago Prov./ Tapanti Nat. Park: 8.I.2004 / 1.5 km after gate; rockseep/ A.E.Z.Short & D.J.Lebbin/ AS­04­011; 1620m elev.”, “ HOLOTYPE / Oocyclus / tapanti / Short & Perkins” ( INBIO). Paratype. Same data as type (1 AEZS)

Differential Diagnosis. Similar to O. catarata (see diagnosis of that species) but of a smaller size (less than 3 mm) and with 5–6 spines on the dorsal face of the protibae.

Description. Size and Form. Total Length= 2.6–2.8mm. EL/EW=1.17. Oval, moderately convex. Elytra slightly longer than wide. Color. Dorsum black. Green iridescence present on head and broad margins of pronotum and elytra. Maxillary palpi yellow, with tip of apical segment slightly darkened. Labial palpi yellow. Mentum and stipes dark brown to black, same color as venter of head. Anterolateral corners of pronotum with pale spot. Sternum and ventrites dark brown to black. Legs yellow, with femora slightly darkened basally and along anterior edge. Epipleura and pseudoepipleura yellow to light brown. Head. Punctation on frons, clypeus and labrum moderately fine; distance between punctures 2x width of one puncture. Scape subequal in length as segments 2–5, segment 2 subequal or longer in length than segments 3–5, segments 3 and 4 subequal in length; segments 6 and 7 subequal in length with apical segment slightly longer. Maxillary palpi ¾ width of labrum; segments 2 and 3 subequal with apical segment slightly longer. Labial palpi ¾ length of mentum; apical two segments subequal in length. Labrum with 3–4 setiferous systematic punctures centrally. Clypeus without detectable systematic punctures. Frons with irregular row of systematic punctures mesad of each eye. Mentum quadrate, anterior margin slightly convex and with small indentation anteromedially, with short row of punctures in anterior half bearing long setae. Thorax. Dorsal punctation of pronotum moderately fine, slightly more impressed on elytra; uniform in size; distance between punctures 2– 3 x width of one puncture. Posterolateral corners of pronotum rounded. Lateral margin of pronotum with row of short setiferous punctures; anterior and posterior series of setiferous systematic punctures almost undetectable; largely obscured by general punctation; setae recumbent. Rows of punctures on elytra indistinct and not generally detectable from surrounding punctation; several punctures bearing short recumbent seta. Lateral margin of elytra with row of setiferous punctures, denser in posterior half. Prosternum carinate medially, with two long setae anteromedially; setae longer than narrowest width of prosternum. Mesosternal process narrow, longer than wide; bearing 5 hair­like setae on apex. Metasternum with oval glabrous area posteromedially, about as long as wide; slightly less than half the total length of metasternum. Procoxae densely pubescent, with a few short spines posteriorly. Protibia with 5–6 spines on dorsal face. Protarsal segments 1–4 small, subequal in length; segment 5 as long as segments 1–4. Hind femora glabrous. Abdomen. Ventrites sparsely pubescent; setae recumbent to suberect, equal to or slightly longer to longest setae around margin of metasternal glabrous area. Area between setiferous punctures rugose along lateral margins ventrites 1–4 and posteriorly on ventrite 5. Fifth exposed ventrite entire. Aedeagus ( Fig. 26 ) with ventral sides of parameres wider than dorsal sides, especially basally; tips distinctly curved inward. Tip of median lobe bifid, rising to about apex of parameres. Basal piece narrowed and evenly rounded basally.

Distribution. Costa Rica.

Etymology. Named after the type locality, Tapantí National Park. Tapanti is used here as a noun in apposition.

Figures

FIGURE 14. Oocyclus tapanti n. sp. holotype. Dorsal and lateral habitus.

FIGURES 24 – 27. Oocyclus aedeagi, dorsal views. Scale bars = 0.2 mm. – 24. O. sharpi (holotype). – 25. O. substillus n. sp. (holotype). – 26. O. tapanti n. sp. (holotype). – 27. O. vestitus Sharp (holotype).

FIGURES 28 – 29. Habitat of Oocyclus species. Photos by A. E. Z. Short. – 28. Type locality & habitat of O. muscus n. sp., Costa Rica, Cartago Province, Tapantí National Park, 6 January 2004. – 29. Type locality & habitat of O. tapanti n. sp. and collecting locality for O. maculatus Sharp & O. ornatus n. sp., Costa Rica, Tapantí National Park, 8 January 2004.