Pselaphodes maoershanus Yin & Li

Yin, Zi-Wei, Li, Li-Zhen & Gu, Fu-Kang, 2012, Taxonomic study on the genus Pselaphodes Westwood (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae) from China. Part III, Zootaxa 3189, pp. 29-38 : 35-36

Pselaphodes maoershanus Yin & Li , new species

( Figs. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30)

Type material (17 3, 25♀♀). Holotype: 3, labeled ‘ CHINA: Guangxi Province / Xing’an County / Maoershan Mountain / 10.vii.2011, 2,000–2,140 m / Chen, Ma, Peng & Zhu leg.’. Paratypes: 6 3, 12 ♀♀, same label data as holotype; 5 3, 6 ♀♀, same label data, except ‘Zhong Peng leg.’; 1 3, same label data, except ‘ 2,100 m, W. J. He & L. Tang leg.’; 4 3, 6 ♀♀, same label data, except ’ 11.vii.2011, 2,000 m’; 1 ♀, labeled ‘ CHINA: Guangxi Province / Lingui County / Huaping, Anjiang Ping / 12.vii. 2011 m, 1,320 m / Chen, Ma, Peng & Zhu leg.’.

Diagnosis. Body dark reddish-brown, medium-sized; postocular margins rounded; antennomeres IX–XI strongly enlarged, with antennomere XI larger than IX and X; pronotum with rounded lateral margins; metaventral processes short and thin (in lateral view); pro- and mesotibiae each with indistinct apical spur; aedeagus with strongly asymmetric median lobe.

Description. Male ( Fig. 3). Length 2.47–2.69 mm. Head as long as wide, HL 0.54–0.57 mm, HW 0.53–0.58 mm; genae setose and rounded; eyes large, each composed of about 40 facets. Antennae with scapus longest, antennomeres II–III distinctly and IV–VIII slightly elongate, IX–XI slightly clubbed, each enlarged (Fig. 6).

Pronotum (Fig. 9) about as long as wide, PL 0.54–0.57 mm, PW 0.54–0.57 mm, with lateral margins rounded. Elytra wider than long, EL 0.73–0.78 mm, EW 0.93–1.00 mm. Metaventral horn-like processes short (Fig. 12). Legs elongate; protibiae with indistinct mesoapical spine (Fig. 15); protrochanters with single small spine; profemora with conspicuously large spine (Fig. 18); mesotrochanters with two spines (Fig. 21).

Abdomen large, AL 0.66–0.77 mm, AW 0.91–0.98 mm. Sternite IX as in Fig. 24. Aedeagus with median lobe asymmetric (Figs. 27, 30), 0.46 mm long.

Female. Slightly larger than male in size; BL 2.71–2.92 mm, HL 0.54–0.57 mm, HW 0.55–0.57 mm, PL 0.54– 0.57 mm, PW 0.55–0.56 mm, EL 0.68–0.72 mm, EW 1.02–1.05 mm, AL 0.95–1.06 mm, AW 1.01–1.08 mm. Antennae only weakly clubbed. Each eye composed of about 25 facets.

Habitat. The individuals were sifted from a leaf litter of a mixed coniferous broad-leaved forest.

Distribution. South China: Guangxi

Comparative notes. The new species is considered close to a number of congeners as discussed under notes of P. dayaoensis sp. n. Pselaphodes maoershanus is more similar to P. fengtingae and P. parvus in having unmodified antennal clubs, mesotrochanters with multiple spines, and mesofemora with a large spine. These species are best separated by the presence of two spines on each mesotrochanter, and the median lobe of the aedeagus with a forked apical portion in P. maoershanus . The two other species have three spines on each mesotrochanter, and the median lobe is not apically forked.

Etymology. The specific name is derived from the type locality, Maoershan Mountain.