Laccophilus wittmeri Brancucci, 1983

Hájek, Jiří & Brancucci, Michel, 2015, A taxonomic review of the Oriental Laccophilus javanicus species group (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 63, pp. 309-326 : 325

Laccophilus wittmeri Brancucci, 1983

( Figs. 17 , 35 )

Laccophilus wittmeri Brancucci, 1983: 260 (original description); Hájek, 2003: 120 (in part, new records).

Type locality. Tonkin, Hoa Binh [= Vietnam, Hoa Binh Province].

Material examined. 62 specimens. MYANMAR : 2 males 2 females, Shan state, road Kalaw – Thazi , km 23, 20°42.378′N 96°30.218′E, 720 m, 24 October 1998, coll. H. Schillhammer ( NHMW, NMPC) . THAILAND: Chiang Mai Province: 1 female, Doi Suthep , 950 m, 5 March 1987, coll. P. Schwendinger ( LHCM) ; 1 female, Doi Suthep , 5 November 1995, coll. N. Nieser ( NBCL) ; 2 males 1 female, Chiang Dao env., 21 May–4 June 1995, coll. M. Snížek ( JSCL) ; 1 female, 50 km N Chiang Mai, 2 August 2000, coll. KROLL & L. Kratzerová ( NMPC) . Loei Province: 8 ex., Phu Hin Rongkla National Park, Huai Khamunoi waterfall, 1250 m, 25 December 1995, coll. P. Mazzoldi ( PMCB) . Mae Hong Son Province: 1 female, Ban Huei Po, 1600 m, 8–17 May 1992, coll. S. Bílý ( NHMB); 17 ex., Road Mae Chem – Mae Hong Son, 4 km after Huai Boing , 1000 m, 29 December 1999, coll. P. Mazzoldi ( NMPC, PMCB) . LAOS: Bolikhamsay Province: 16 males, 9 females, Nam Kading NBCA, Tad Paloy campsite , forest stream, 18°23.17′N, 104°09.65′E, 300 m, 8–11 July 2010, coll. M. Brancucci & M. Geiser ( NHMB); 3 males 1 female, Nam Kading NPA, Tad Paloy campsite , 18°21–23′N, 104°09′E, 250–400 m, 24–28 May 2011, coll. M. Geiser & D. Hauck ( NHMB, NMPC). Khammouan Province: 1 male, Nakai-Nam Theun NPA, Ban Navang env., 17°57–59′N, 105°13–16′E, 600–750 m, 18–21 May 2012, NHMB Basel, Laos 2012 Expedition, M. Brancucci, M. Geiser, K Phanthavong & S. Xayalath ( NHMB). Louang Namtha Province: 2 ex., ca. 10 km E Muang Sing, Ban Oudomsinh-B . Nam Det-B . Nam Mai env., 21°09–10′N, 101°13–15′E, 750–1400 m 14–20 May 2011, coll. D. Hauck & M. Geiser ( NHMB). Xieng Khouang Prov.: 4 males 2 females, 30km NE Phonsavan: Ban Na Lam → Phou Sane Mt. , 19°37–8′N 103°20′E, 1300–1500 m, 10–30 May 2009, coll. M.Brancucci ( NHMB). VIETNAM: 1 male, Deo Pha Din , 4 May 1995, coll. M. Sâto ( EUMJ) ; 1 male 3 females, Lai Chau, 18 May 1995, coll. M. Satô ( EUMJ, NHMB) .

Diagnosis. Large broadly oval species (body length 4.5–5.1 mm). Reticulation of elytra composed of shallowly impressed very large meshes. Ground colour of elytra dark, brownblackish; mediolateral spot present ( Fig. 17 ). Apical part of median lobe relatively shorter, with dorsal side lightly curved, and short and hooked apex; in lateral view with dorsal side almost straight ( Fig. 35 ).

Distribution. Brancucci (1983) described the species from northern Laos and Vietnam. Later, Nilsson (1995) and Hájek (2003) published the species from southern China (Yünnan). The present records from Myanmar and northern Thailand extend the distributional area of Laccophilus wittmeri in the border area between the Palaearctic and Oriental zoogeographical regions ( Fig. 41 ).

Figures

Figs. 10–17. Habitus of Laccophilus: 10, L. mahakamensis; 11, L. mazzoldii, new species; 12, L. nusatenggaraensis, new species; 13, L. schillhammeri, new species; 14, L. stastnyi, new species; 15, L. tobaensis; 16, L. tonkinensis; 17, L. wittmeri. Scale bar = 1 mm.

Figs. 18–35. Median lobe in lateral view: 18, Laccophilus aurofasciatus; 19, L. auropictus; 20, L. ceylonicus; 21, L. elegans; 22, L. girardi; 23, L. hendrichi, new species; 24, L. jaechi, new species; 25, L. javanicus; 26, L. kalimantanensis, new species; 27, L. komareki, new species. 28, L. mahakamensis; 29, L. mazzoldii, new species; 30, L. nusatenggaraensis, new species; 31, L. schillhammeri, new species; 32, L. stastnyi, new species; 33, L. tobaensis; 34, L. tonkinensis; 35, L. wittmeri. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

Figs. 40–41. Distribution of the species of the Laccophilus javanicus group