Smicronyx (s. str.) longitarsis Haran

Haran, Julien, Schütte, André & Friedman, Ariel-Leib-Leonid, 2017, A review of Smicronyx Schoenherr (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) of Israel, with description of two new species, Zootaxa 4237 (1), pp. 17-40 : 22-23

3. Smicronyx (s. str.) longitarsis Haran sp. nov.

( Fig. 3 , 5 , 10 , 13, 14 , 17 )

Description. 1.8–2.0 mm. Integument of body black and shiny, covered by elongate yellowish grey scales, oval, more than twice as long as wide, almost translucent. Rostrum black, as long as pronotum (♂) or longer (♀), slightly arched in both sexes ( Fig. 13–14 ); scales concealing integument at base of rostrum and present until antennal insertion, apex glabrous; antennae black, base of scape reddish, inserted at apical 1/3, scape slightly “S” shaped and clavate at apex, not reaching eyes; club oval and acuminate. Head covered with same scales as on base of rostrum. Pronotum as long as wide, narrowed near apex and basis, sides rounded, widest in middle; scales concealing integument laterally, integument visible in centre, finely punctate, surface slightly (irregular). Elytra (l/ w: 1.5) with prominent humeri, base distinctly broader than pronotum, widest in middle, sides feebly and widely rounded; vestiture variable, pale grey with overlapping translucent scales concealing the integument, or brown with no overlapping scales, not concealing integument; dorsal surface usually forming three pale transversal bands. Abdominal sternites coated with greyish scales, feebly longer than wide, not overlapping, integument visible. Legs dark reddish, in particular in middle of femora and tibiae, covered with elongated scales, overlapping, not concealing integument; femora strong and clavate, fore femora armed with tiny tooth; tibiae of common structure; tarsi very elongated, last article almost as long as the 3rd basal article ( Fig. 5 ); claws equals. Genitalia 6: median lobe short ( Fig. 10 ), less than twice as long as wide (l/w: 1.75), sides subparallel, narrowed at apex, feebly curved in lateral view; distal orificial margin not apparent; parameres much longer than median lobe. Genitalia ♀ of common structure. Sexual dimorphism: Females exhibit a slightly longer rostrum. Variability: scale cover varies from pale grey to yellowish grey; some individuals also exhibit pale brownish scales on sides and at apex of elytra. Material examined:

Har Hermon: Har Hermon , 2100m, 3.ix.2008, A. Freidberg (2, SMNHTAU); Har Hermon, Dolinat Galgal , 2000m, 23.vii.2015, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU); Har Hermon, 1800m, 12.vi.2003, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU); Har Hermon, 1700m, 17.v.2009, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU), 6.vi.2013, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU); Har Hermon, 1600m, 25.vi.1997, V. Chikatunov (1, SMNHTAU); Judean Hills: Hebron, 11.v.2014, on Cuscuta palaestina, J. Haran (7, JHcoll); Dead Sea Area: ' En Gedi , 5.x.2002, light trap (1, SMNHTAU), V. Kravchenko & V. Chikatunov; Mizpe Shalem, 7.vii.2015, I. Zonstein (1, SMNHTAU) ; Northern Negev: Nahal Sekher , 9.vii.2001, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU) ; Central Negev: Zomet Hatrurim , 3–5km S, 11.vii.2012, L. Friedman, on Achillea fragrantissima (4, SMNHTAU), N. Dorchin, ex Achillea (5, SMNHTAU); Sede Boqer, 30.iii.2004, L. Friedman (1, SMNHTAU), 23.iii.2006, I. Stirberg (2, SMNHTAU), 13.v.2006, I. Shtirberg (1, SMNHTAU); Sede Boqer, wadi , 30o51.15’N 34o46.08’E, 24.ii.2011, L. Friedman, C. Drees, pitfall1 (1, SMNHTAU); ‘Avedat, 19.v.2005, A. Freidberg (1, SMNHTAU); ‘Avedat, 540m, 30o48.955’N 34o45.438’E, 14.viii.2008, A. Freidberg (1, SMNHTAU); Har Nafha, Nahal Arikha, 780m, 30o41.46’N 34o47.14’E, 14.viii.2008, A. Freidberg (2, SMNHTAU); Nizzana, 12.iv.2002, A. Freidberg (4, SMNHTAU); Har Horesha, 900–1000m, 18.iv.1998, A. Freidberg (1, SMNHTAU); Har Horesha, Rt. 171, 30o30’N 34o36’E, 935m, 26.vi.2012, L. Friedman, on Achillea fragrantissima , Arthemisia herba-alba , Centaurea damascena (15, SMNHTAU), A. Freidberg (8, SMNHTAU); N. Dorchin (19, SMNHTAU); Har Harif, Rt. 10, N junction, 30o31’N 34o33’E, 11.iv.2002, A. Freidberg (3, SMNHTAU); Har Harif, junction Rt. 171 & Rt 10, 8.v.2003, A. Freidberg (1, SMNHTAU); Southern Negev: Ma’ale ‘ Aqrabbim, 8.vi.2015, I. Zonstein (3, SMNHTAU); Arava Valley : Road 227, Yo’adan Hills, 30°50’N 35°11’E , 31 m, 10.v.2014, sweeping plants in dry river (1, JHcoll); ‘En Yahav, 16.vii.2015, I. Zonstein (1, SMNHTAU).

Type material. Holotype: Israel, Har Horesha , Rt. 171, 30o30’N 34o36’E, 935m, 26.vi.2012, L. Friedman, on Achillea fragrantissima , Arthemisia herba-alba , Centaurea damascena (SMNHTAU, specimen identified with a type label: Holotype Smicronyx longitarsis Haran ) . Paratype series 1: data as for holotype (SMNHTAU, 48 specimens identified with the label: Paratype Smicronyx longitarsis Haran ; MNHN, 1 specimen similarly labelled; BMNH, 1 specimen similarly labelled; SNMD, 1 specimen similarly labelled; ZFMK, 1 specimen similarly labelled; ZSM, 1 specimen similarly labelled); Zomet Hatrurim, 3–5km S, 11.vii.2012, L. Friedman, on Achillea fragrantissima (SMNHTAU, 4 specimens similarly labelled), N. Dorchin, ex Achillea (SMNHTAU, 5 specimens similarly labelled); Sede Boqer, 30.iii.2004, L. Friedman (SMNHTAU, 1 specimen similarly labelled), 23.iii.2006, I. Stirberg (SMNHTAU, 2 specimens similarly labelled), 13.v.2006, I. Shtirberg (SMNHTAU, 1 specimen similarly labelled) . Paratype series 2: Israel, Hebron , 11.v.2014, on Cuscuta palaestina, J. Haran (JHcoll, 6 specimens identified with the label: Paratype Smicronyx longitarsis Haran , 1 specimen sequenced from this series, voucher code: 2649-HAR_24064_JHA-12.16663. Deposited at Curci).

Biology. Several specimens were recorded on Cuscuta palaestina Boiss. , a parasite of Sarcopoterium spinosum Spach (Rosaceae) at the sampling sites. This Cuscuta probably constitutes the host plant for this species ( Fig. 22 ). Smicronyx longitarsis is often found by sweeping various plants, e.g. Achillea fragrantissima and Artemisia herba-alba . Months of collection: February-October.

Distribution. This species was found on Mt. Hermon and in various locations in the southern arid part of Israel. The presence of the desert species at high elevations on Mt. Hermon, the northern most point of Israel, is not surprising, as eastern and southern slopes of Mt. Hermon are dry and possess numerous xerophilous eremic plant and animal species (LF, unpublished observations). We found no specimens from adjacent countries for this species.

Discussion. Smicronyx longitarsis is easily recognizable by the length of its tarsus and the reddish colour of its femora. This species is closest to S. pauperculus (13.2 % divergence) among the species occurring in Israel. It is distinct from S. pauperculus in the color of the integument of the body, which is always black (reddish in S. pauperculus ). Despite the wide distribution of this species in the country, we did not find additional material among the collections visited (except SMNHTAU).

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 3. Antennae: 1 — Smicronyx syriacus Faust; 2 — S. jordanicus sp. nov.; 3 — S. longitarsis sp. nov.

FIGURES 4 – 5. Tarsus: 4 — S. jungermanniae Reich; 5 — S. jordanicus and S. longitarsis sp. nov.

FIGURES 6 – 10. Median lobe of male genitalia, dorsal and lateral view. 6 — S. jungermanniae Reich; 7 — S. jordanicus sp. nov.; 8 — S. pauperculus Wollaston; 9 — S. syriacus Faust; 10 — S. longitarsis sp. nov.

FIGURES 11 – 14. Rostrum, lateral view. 11 / 12 — female and male rostrum for S. jordanicus sp. nov.; 13 / 14 — female and male rostrum for S. longitarsis sp. nov.

FIGURES 15 – 20. Photographs of habitus. 15 — S. pauperculus Wollaston; 16 — S. syriacus Faust; 17 — S. longitarsis sp. nov.; 18 — S. albosquamosus Wollaston; 19 — S. jungermanniae Reich; 20 — S. jordanicus sp. nov.

FIGURES 22 – 23. Host plant and biotopes for S. longitarsis sp. nov. (22) and S. jordanicus sp. nov. (23). 22. a: Cuscuta palaestina Boiss parasite of Sarcopoterium spinosum Spach (Rosaceae). 22. b: Arid biotope where S. longitarsis sp. nov. and its host plant occurs. 23. a: Cuscuta monogyna Vahl parasite of Acacia sp. (Mimosaceae). 23. b: Farmed landscape where S. jordanicus sp. nov. and its host plants were recorded.