Pocapharaptinus müllerae Akotsen and Philips, Akotsen and Philips, 2009

Akotsen-Mensah, Clement & Philips, Keith, 2009, Description of a new genus of spider beetle (Coleoptera: Ptinidae) from South Africa, Zootaxa 2160, pp. 51-67 : 54-57

Pocapharaptinus müllerae Akotsen and Philips , new species

Figs. 9, 10 , 25 & 33

Type material. Holotype: S. Afr., Namaqual., Spectacle Pass, 29.42S- 17.40E / 31.8.1976; E-Y: 1190 / groundtrap, 33 days, leg. Endrödy-Younga / groundtraps, with faeces bait. Paratypes: S. Africa, Namaqualand Soutpan dunes, 31.15S- 17.52E / 1.8.1989: E-Y: 2623, litter under bushes, Endrödy and Klimaszew (17). S. Africa SW Cape Prov. Vanrhyn’s Pass, 31.23S- 19.02E / 18.8.1983, E-Y: 1940, groundtrap, 78 days, leg. Endrödy-Younga, Perinth / groundtraps with meat bait (7). S. Africa Namaqualand Coast, Bitterriver mouth, 30.36S- 17.28E / 3.9.1977, E-Y: 1377, groundtraps, 56 days leg. Endrödy-Younga, / groundtraps with banana baits (12). S. Afr. Namaqualand, Stallberg pass, 30.27S- 18.04E; / 5.9.1977; E-Y: 1386, groundtraps 56 days, leg. Endrödy-Younga / groundtraps with millipede bait (2), S. Africa Namaq., Coast, Buffelsrivier, 29.55S- 17.39E / 28.8.1977, E-Y: 1349, groundtraps, 59 days, leg Endrödy-Younga / groundtraps with faeces bait (6), same except 1947 or 1948. S.Afr., Namaquald. Springbok-Mesklip, 29.49S- 17.52E: 28.8.1976, E-Y: 1184, groundtraps, 43 days, leg. Endrödy-Younga; groundtraps with faeces bait (3), S. Afr.; SW Cape Dermbergsdraai farm; 30.47S- 17.43E / 19.9.1994, E-Y: 3019, groundtraps, 6 days, leg Endrödy-Younga / groundtraps with meat bait (2), same except 24.8.1979; E-Y: 1589, groundtraps 63 days (1). S. Africa Namaq., coast Wildepaarde Hoek, 29.57S- 17.40E / 28.8.1977, E-Y: 1351, groundtraps, 60 days, leg. Endrödy-Younga / groundtraps with faeces bait (1).

Diagnosis. This species can be characterized by the nearly parallel-sided pronotal surface between the anterior setal tufts ( Fig. 25 ), and the elongate and unexpanded paramere apices of the male genitalia (Fig. 33). Description. Color pale reddish brown; body oval, strongly convex. Length 1.2-1.8 mm. Head mainly smooth dorsally but with scattered setose tubercles in a band between eyes; setae short, recumbent and erect; setal tufts on either side of midline between eyes present; carina posterior to antennal fossae absent. Pronotum with visible surface extending posteriorly between setal tufts narrow, nearly parallel sided, forming a distinct cleft between tufts; base of setal tufts arising near cuticular surface, not distinctly raised up on carinae, anterior margin swollen, especially at middle; lateral spines distinct from tufts, slightly thicker than erect elytral setae. Elytral surface markedly convex, apex broadly rounded, not projecting; erect setae golden yellow, short anteriorly and moderately long posteriorly; four small round patches of recumbent, elongate, slightly flattened, recumbent white setae anteriorly within puncture rows 5–6 and and posteriorly within rows 3–5. Male genitalia with parameres nearly parallel sided except near apex, apices unexpanded, curved only very slightly inwards near apex; median lobe parallel sided becoming acuminate in apical 1/5, total length 91% of that of parameres measured from base (Fig. 33).

Etymology. The specific epithet honors Ruth Müller, of the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria, South Africa, who loaned specimens and has always been helpful during visits to the institution.

Figures

FIGURES 9 – 12. Dorsal and ventral habitus views; 9 – 10. P. müllerae; 11 – 12. P. h a r r i s o n i. Scale bar for Fig. 9 = 1.0 mm and Figs. 10 – 12 = 0.5 mm.

FIGURES 25 – 28. Pronota; 25. P. müllerae; 26. P. harrisoni; 27. P. akotsenorum; 28. P. c a p e n s i s.