Phorocardius flavistriolatus Ruan & Douglas, 2020

Ruan, Yongying, Douglas, Hume B., Qiu, Lu, Chen, Xiaoqin & Jiang, Shihong, 2020, Revision of Chinese Phorocardius species (Coleoptera, Elateridae, Cardiophorinae), ZooKeys 993, pp. 47-120 : 47

2. Phorocardius flavistriolatus Ruan & Douglas sp. nov. Figs 4 , 5 , 6 , 23B , 24B , 25B , 26B

Type locality.

China: Henan Prov., Nan-Yang City, Bao-tian-man National Nature Reserve.

Etymology.

The name of this species is derived from the yellow stripes on its elytra.

Distribution.

Central China (Henan, Shaanxi, Sichuan).

Differential diagnosis.

Body length 7.0-12 mm; integument dark brown (non-metallic), each elytron with a longitudinal yellow stripe covering basal half of interstria IV and interstriae V to VII. Prothorax: procoxal cavities open; prosternal process not strongly narrowed from anterior base posterad to ventral apex in ventral view, ventral apex straight to slightly concave. Pterothorax: scutellar shield with posterior apex pointed. Tarsal claw with ventral apex not smaller than dorsal apex. Male genitalia: paramere without preapical lateral expansion, with apical mesal callus present. Female: apex of last abdominal ventrite (ventrite V) simple, not emarginate at apex.

This species is unique in its longitudinal yellow elytral maculation, aedeagus with apical fourth of paramere compressed and gradually narrowing towards apex, and with apical mesal part of paramere turned ventrad (Fig. 6 ).

Phorocardius flavistriolatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. resembles P. comptus in having a longitudinal yellow stripe on each elytron. They can be separated by the following combination of characters: in P. flavistriolatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov., each elytron with a longitudinal yellow stripe covering basal half of interstria IV and interstriae V-VII, interstria VIII is entirely brown-black; female with pronotum not strongly enlarged, sides of pronotum only gently convex, width of pronotum to elytra ratio ca. 0.83-0.85, and proximal sclerites of bursa copulatrix with deep basal emargination; while in P. comptus , each elytron with a longitudinal yellow stripe covering interstriae V-VIII, interstria IV is entirely black; female with pronotum strongly enlarged, sides of pronotum strongly convex, width of pronotum to elytra ratio ca. 0.90-0.92 (measured in two specimens), and proximal sclerites of bursa copulatrix without basal emargination or with emargination narrower than 1/3 width of sclerite. The aedeagus of P. flavistriolatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. has parameres with no apical or preapical expansion, with apical mesal callus present; while P. comptus has acute apical lateral expansions, without apical mesal callus.

Phorocardius flavistriolatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. is similar to P. alterlineatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. in having yellow stripes on the elytra. However, they can be separated by the following characters: in P. flavistriolatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov., in lateral view, aedeagus with equal breadth from base to apical fifth, only slightly narrowed at apical fifth; apex of median lobe truncate to broadly rounded in ventral view; and each elytron with a single broad stripe covering basal half of interstria IV and interstriae V-VII; while in P. alterlineatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov., aedeagus gradually narrowed from base to apex in lateral view; apex of median lobe narrowly rounded in ventral view; and each elytron with three slender longitudinal stripes present separately on interstriae III, V, and VII, which partly merged near base and apex.

Description.

(based on all type specimens) Body brown-black, matt; antennae and legs paler, brown to yellow-brown. Head brown-black. Pronotum brown-black, with posterior edge brown. Scutellar shield brown-black. Elytra brown-black, each elytron with a longitudinal yellow stripe covering basal half of interstria IV and interstriae V to VII, epipleura orange at base, dark orange on remainder. Ventral surface entirely brown-black. Body with yellow-grey pubescence.

Measurements.

(based on all type specimens) Male body length 7.1-9.6 mm, width 2.2-2.9 mm. Female body length 8.0-11.0 mm, width 2.7-3.7 mm. Body length to width ratio 2.9-3.0. Pronotal width to length ratio 1.1-1.2. Pronotal width to body width ratio 0.82-0.85. Elytral length to pronotal length ratio 2.6-2.7; elytron length to width ratio 3.9-4.2.

Head. Frons and vertex punctures with interspaces 0.5-1.0 × average puncture diameter; punctures sparser at centre of vertex. Frontal carina in frontal view convex, not straight. Distance between eyes to width of eye ratio 3.6-3.9. Antenna barely extending beyond posterior angle of pronotum. Antenna length to body length ratio, in male 0.39-0.41, in female 0.36-0.38. Proportions of antennomere lengths: 100 (scape); 52-60; 71-73; 71-73; 72-76; 72-76; 72-76; 73-78; 73-78; 73-78; 90-100.

Prothorax. Pronotum in dorsal view: sides evenly convex from anterior edge to constriction near posterior fourth, nearly straight at posterior fourth, widest near posterior third; posterior angles with lateral sides almost straight, not bulged; surface with interspaces between punctures 1-2 × average puncture diameter. In ventral view, ventral surface of prosternal process with sides carinate and slightly and gradually narrow from anterior to mid-length, parallel from mid-length to apex, with apex slightly convex to almost straight. In lateral view, prosternal process with ventral surface curved slightly dorsad; posterior end weakly concave or not (Fig. 24B , upper arrow). Procoxal cavities open.

Pterothorax (Figs 24B , 25B ). Mesepisternum in ventral view with antero-mesal corner angulate (Fig. 25B , upper (green) arrow). Projections on posterior edge of mesosternum: in ventral view present (Fig. 25B , lower (red) arrow); in lateral view present, acute, strongly produced anteriorly (Fig. 24B , lower (red) arrow). Scutellar shield: width to length ratio 0.84-0.9; anterolateral edges slightly sinuate; posterior apex pointed. Elytra: upper edge of epipleura with minute serrations.

Legs. Length ratio of metatarsomeres I-V (excluding claws): 100; 77-81; 65-69; 48-60; 121-123. Claw with ventral apex almost as large as dorsal apex.

Abdomen. Lateral edges of visible abdominal ventrites I-V with minute serrations.

Male genitalia (Fig. 4F-P ). Robust from ventral and lateral views. Median lobe in ventral view with ridge along midline; narrowed from base to basal third, parallel-sided from basal third to apex, apex broadly rounded to truncate. Median lobe in lateral view curved ventrad from base to apex, apex rounded with angulate dorsal and ventral corners (Fig. 4P ). Paramere in ventral view: robust, widest near mid-length, gradually narrowing towards apex, apical part with mesal side turned ventrad in varying degree (Fig. 6 ), result in different shapes in ventral view; apex with apical mesal callus present (Figs 4O , 6 ), without preapical lateral expansion; width 1.5-2.5 × median lobe width (measured at mid-length of paramere and median lobe respectively). Paramere in lateral view (Fig. 4N ): robust; apical fourth compressed and turned ventrad; preapical ventral expansion obtuse, not sharp hook-shaped (Fig. 4P ).

Female. Color pattern like male. Apex of abdominal ventrite V convex (Fig. 26B ). Proximal sclerites of bursa copulatrix wide and somewhat diamond-shaped (Fig. 4Q ), with concave basal edge, flat mesal edge and acute apex; each sclerite with seven or eight large spines arranged along mesal edge, and with 10-15 smaller scattered spines on disc.

Type material.

Holotype. male (SZPT), labels: 1) Henan Province, Nan-Yang City, Bao-tian-man National Nature Reserve (宝天曼国家自然保护区), Outward Bound Center, VIII-26-2015, leg. Mei-rong Liang, light trap, Shenzhen Polytechnic [in Chinese]; 2) Holotype, Phorocardius flavistriolatus sp. nov., Des. Ruan et al., 2019.

Paratypes (16♂, 11♀). 2♂ (IZCAS), labels: 1) Sichuan, Lu-ding County, Xin-xing township (新兴乡), 2000 m, 2009.VII.2-7, leg. Hua-kang Zhang, Chinese Academy of Sciences [in Chinese]; 2) Paratype, Phorocardius flavistriolatus sp. nov., Des. Ruan et al., 2019. • 1♂ (LQCC), labels: 1) Lu-ding (泸定) (Sichuan), De-tuo township (得妥乡), 2015.8.6, QL, leg. Lu Qiu, Shenzhen Polytechnic [in Chinese]; 2) Paratype, Phorocardius flavistriolatus sp. nov., Des. Ruan et al., 2019. • 2♂ (SZPT, ex. LQCC), labels: 1) Lu-ding (泸定) (Sichuan), Xin-xing township (新兴乡), 2016.VI.23, Q.X, leg. Jianyue Qiu & Hao Xu, Shenzhen Polytechnic [in Chinese]; 2) Paratype, Phorocardius flavistriolatus sp. nov., Des. Ruan et al., 2019. • 4♂1♀ (SZPT), labels: 1) Sichuan, Shi-mian (石棉), Li-zi-ping National Nature Reserve, Zi-ma reserve station, VII-27-2016, leg. Li-ting Yu et al., Shenzhen Polytechnic [in Chinese]; 2) Paratype, Phorocardius flavistriolatus sp. nov., Des. Ruan et al., 2019. • 1♂2♀ (SZPT), labels: 1) Sichuan, Shi-mian County (石棉), Li-zi-ping National Nature Reserve, Gong-yi-hai reserve station, Ma-ma-di, VII-24-2016, leg. Huang-qiang Liu, Shenzhen Polytechnic [in Chinese]; 2) Paratype, Phorocardius flavistriolatus sp. nov., Des. Ruan et al., 2019. • 1♀ (SZPT), labels: 1) Sichuan, Bao-xing County (宝兴), Feng-tong-zai National Nature Reserve, Deng-chi-gou village, VIII-1-2016, leg. Huang-qiang Liu, Shenzhen Polytechnic [in Chinese]; 2) Paratype, Phorocardius flavistriolatus sp. nov., Des. Ruan et al., 2019. • 2♂1♀ (IZCAS), labels: 1) Sichuan, Lu-ding County (泸定), Mo-xi township, 1500 m-1600 m, Chinese Academy of Sciences [in Chinese]; 2) 1983.VI.17-19 leg. Shuyong Wang & Xue-zhong Zhang [in Chinese]; 3) Phorocardius comptus Cand. Det. Ge; 4) Paratype, Phorocardius flavistriolatus sp. nov., Des. Ruan et al., 2019. • 1♂ (SZPT), labels: 1) Gong-ga Mts. (Sichuan), Mo-xi (墨西), 2016.VI.26, leg. Chenglong Ren, SZPT [in Chinese]; 2) Paratype, Phorocardius flavistriolatus sp. nov., Des. Ruan et al., 2019. • 1♂ (SZPT), labels: 1) Shaanxi, Ning-shan County (宁陕), Shi-ba-zhang-pu-bu Scenic Spot, 15.VIII.2013, leg. Jun Xu [in Chinese]; 2) Paratype, Phorocardius flavistriolatus sp. nov., Des. Ruan et al., 2019. • 1♂ (IZCAS), labels: 1) Shaanxi, Fo-ping County (佛坪), alt.843 m, 2007.VIII.16, Chinese Academy of Sciences [in Chinese]; 2) 33.52°N, 107.98°E, leg. Yu-xia Yang, Chinese Academy of Sciences [in Chinese]; 3) IOZ(E)1882863; 4) Paratype, Phorocardius flavistriolatus sp. nov., Des. Ruan et al., 2019. • 1♂1♀ (SZPT, ex. LQCC), labels: 1) Henan, Bai-yun-shan (白云山), Yu-huang-ding (玉皇顶), 1800-2200 m, 2016.8.12, leg. Weipeng Qiao, Shenzhen Polytechnic [in Chinese]; 2) Paratype, Phorocardius flavistriolatus sp. nov., Des. Ruan et al., 2019. • 5♀ (SZPT, ex. LQCC), labels: 1) Nei-xiang (内乡县) (Henan prov.), Bao-tian-man (宝天曼), 1200-1400 m, 2016.8.15-20, leg. Qiaozhi Yang & Weipeng Qiao, Shenzhen Polytechnic [in Chinese]; 2) Paratype, Phorocardius flavistriolatus sp. nov., Des. Ruan et al., 2019.

Remarks.

Although there are variations in the shape of aedeagi, all the male specimens are identical in color patterns and other external structures. Females are stable in both external characters and the shape of sclerites of bursa copulatrix. Variations are found even in the specimens collected at the same place and time. For instance, Fig. 4G, H shows aedeagi of two externally identical males collected on the same day and same locality in Shi-mian, Sichuan; the two aedeagi are different from each other in the basal width and the shape of the apex of paramere. In Fig. 4J, K , these are aedeagi of two males collected on the same date and same locality in Lu-ding County, Sichuan; the two aedeagi are different from each other in the basal width, median lobe shape, and the shape of the apex of paramere. Additional mitochondrial DNA sequence comparisons would be useful to further test species limits.

Variation of the shape of aedeagus: in some cases, the base of the aedeagus is much narrower (e.g., Fig. 4G, J ). Variations in the paramere: apical half of paramere of aedeagus compressed; additionally, apical part with mesal side turned ventrad to a varying degree (Fig. 6 ), resulting in different shapes in ventral view. In ventral view, when the turning is minimal, the apical part of paramere is nearly horizontal to the observers, therefore the paramere apex is broad and gradually narrowed in appearance (e.g., Fig. 4F, G ); but, when the turning is stronger, the paramere apex would be nearly vertical to the observers, in which circumstance the paramere apex we see is acute and abruptly narrowed (e.g., Fig. 4K, M ). Variations in the median lobe: in ventral view, apex usually truncate, in rare cases broadly rounded (Fig. 4K, L ), lateral sides very slightly concave in rare cases (Fig. 4K ).

Most specimens of this species were collected from low to middle elevations (ca. 500-2500 m) in central China on the boundary of the Oriental Palearctic Regions. Based on collecting information, it inhabits mountainous areas with evergreen forest and temperate to subtropical climate. Specimens were collected at light traps, indicating nocturnal activity. Specimens collected by sweep-netting indicate their presence on vegetation during daylight.

Figures

Figure 4. Phorocardius flavistriolatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. A habitus of holotype, male, dorsal view, arrow indicating claw B habitus of holotype, male, ventral view C female habitus, dorsal view (paratype; Sichuan, Bao-xing County, Feng-tong-zai National Nature Reserve) D ovipositor, dorsal view (paratype) E female abdominal sternite VIII, dorsal view (paratype) F aedeagus of holotype, ventral view G-N ventral or lateral view of aedeagi of paratype specimens from different localities, indicating variations in shape [collecting information as follows G, H Sichuan Prov., Shi-mian, Li-zi-ping National Nature Reserve, Zi-ma reserve station, VII- 27 - 2016 I Sichuan, Lu-ding County, Xin-xing township, 2000 m, 2009. VII. 2 - 7 J, K Sichuan Prov., Lu-ding County, Mo-xi township, 1500 m- 1600 m, 1983. VI. 17 - 19 L Shaanxi Prov., Fo-ping County, alt. 843 m, 2007. VIII. 16 M, N Shaanxi Prov., Ning-shan County, Shi-ba-zhang-pu-bu Scenic Spot, 15. VIII. 2013], arrow indicating apex of paramere O apical part of aedeagus of holotype, ventral view P apex of aedeagus of paratype, lateral view Q distal (upper side) and proximal sclerites of bursa copulatrix (paratype).

Figure 5. Phorocardius flavistriolatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. A pronotum, dorsal view (holotype) B posterior edge of pronotum, left side, arrow indicating sublateral incisions C punctation on centre of vertex of head D head, frontal view E left metacoxal plate, ventral view F punctation on disc of pronotum.

Figure 6. Shape variation due to rotation of paramere in Phorocardius flavistriolatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. A aedeagus, ventral view B-E ventral view of paramere, showing variation; the mesal side of apical part of paramere rotated ventrad to increasing degrees, resulting in different observed shapes in ventral view, apex of paramere are shown in upper insets.

Figure 23. Shape of supraantennal carina of Chinese Phorocardius species. Arrows indicating supraantennal carina forked near eye. A P. alterlineatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. B P. flavistriolatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. C P. florentini. D P. magnus. E P. manuleatus. F P. minutus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. G P. rufiposterus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. H P. unguicularis. I P. yunnanensis Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. J P. zhiweii Ruan, Douglas & Qiu, sp. nov. K head, frontal-lateral view, arrows indicating forked supraantennal carina.

Figure 24. Lateral view of prosternal process and mesosternum of Chinese Phorocardius species. Upper green arrows indicating shape of posterior end of prosternal process; lower red arrows indicating projections (absent or present) on posterior edge of mesosternum (i. e., on anteroventral angle of mesosternal fossa according to Douglas 2003). A P. alterlineatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. B P. flavistriolatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. C P. florentini. D P. magnus. E P. manuleatus. F P. minutus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. G P. rufiposterus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. H P. unguicularis. I P. yunnanensis Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. J P. zhiweii Ruan, Douglas & Qiu, sp. nov.

Figure 25. Ventral view of pro- and mesothorax of Chinese Phorocardius species. Showing shape of ventral surface of prosternal process (upper, yellow dashed line), mesepisternum (middle, green arrow and dashed line) and projections on posterior edge of mesosternum (lower, red arrow and solid line) middle, green arrows indicating anterior-mesal angle of mesepisternum. A P. alterlineatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. B P. flavistriolatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. C P. florentini. D P. magnus. E P. manuleatus. F P. minutus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. G P. rufiposterus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. H P. unguicularis. I P. zhiweii Ruan, Douglas & Qiu, sp. nov.

Figure 26. Female abdominal ventrite V in Chinese Phorocardius species (ventral view). A P. alterlineatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. B P. flavistriolatus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. C P. florentini. D P. magnus. E P. manuleatus F P. rufiposterus Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov. G P. unguicularis H P. yunnanensis Ruan & Douglas, sp. nov, arrows showing incisions near apex.