Ceruchus minor Tanikado & Okuda, 1994

Huang, Hao, Imura, Yûki & Chen, Chang-Chin, 2011, Notes on the genus Ceruchus MacLeay from China, with the description of a new species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Lucanidae), Zootaxa 2906, pp. 1-42 : 3-4

1. Ceruchus minor Tanikado & Okuda, 1994

( Figs. 1–9 , 20–23 , 25 , 40–44 , 48 , 56–59, 66 , 84–123 , 220 –222, 226 , 249–252, 255, 256, 258 , 269–271 , 288–292 )

Specimens examined. CHINA: Shaanxi Province: 13 (CYI), Ningshan County, Pass between Ningshan and Xunyangba, Pingheliangding, 2450-2500m, 1.XI.2005, Y. Imura & Y. Nagahata leg.; Sichuan Province: 13 & 1Ƥ (CYI), Nanjiang County, Micangshan Mountains, 2km west of Daba, 1350-1450m, 2.XI.2004, Y. Imura & Y. Nagahata leg.; Chongqing: 23 & 1Ƥ (CCCC), Chengkou County, Huang-an Village, 1795m, 28.XI.2007, H.-L. Deng leg.; 23 (CHH), Chengkou County, Xinzong (Bashan), Gaonan, Guodidang valley, 1500m, 25.IV.2008, H. Huang leg.; Gansu Province: 73 & 5ƤƤ (CCCC), Diebu County, 3100m, 7.VII.2009, X.-Y. Zhu leg.; 93 & 7ƤƤ (CCCC), Zhouqu County, Shatanlinchang, 2340m, 18.X.2009. X.-D. Yang leg. (93 & 4ƤƤ from different localities dissected).

Identification. In the original description ( Tanikado & Okuda 1994), the following male characters were used: 1) depressed longitudinal striations on the elytra deeper than in Ceruchus sinensis ; 2) central split on caudal margin of the basal piece of the aedeagus in ventral view narrow and shallow, forming a small Y-shaped gap, with two sides flat and not protruding; 3) penis in ventral view markedly wide and not swollen in middle; 4) dorsal surface of the penis in lateral view strongly incurved at cephalic half, with marked wings along the margins. The following female characters were used: 5) anterior angle of the pronotum not protruding at an acute angle; 6) flattened marginal area of the pronotum relatively wider; 7) stylus of female genitalia moderately long, no more than twice as long as wide. In Boucher & Kral’s (1994) revision, in which one male and one female paratypes were examined, the following characters were used: 8) dorsal tooth of the male mandible in lateral view (for large and medium-sized males only) with anterior margin more concave than posterior margin, causing tip of the tooth to point somewhat forwards; 9) ventral tooth of the male mandible in lateral view (for large and medium-sized males only) more or less present; 10) anterior margin of the male mentum not protruding medially; 11) yellow setae on posterior half of the male mesofemur in ventral view sparse and moderately long; 12) yellow setae on inner apex of the male mesotibia narrowly distributed, dense and short, forming a thin brush of short setae; 13) pronotum of female without a pair of the isolated protuberances outside of the transversal carina. All of these characters can be regarded as the basis of identification for Ceruchus minor , among which the character that the penis is strongly incurved at dorsal surface with marked wings along the margin is peculiarly useful. The specimens examined by the authors from Shaanxi, Sichuan, Chongqing and Gansu match with all of these characters.

Taxonomic notes. This species was considered as being “closely allied” to Ceruchus niger “in both external and genital features” by Imura & Araya (2006). However the two species differ from each other in 11 male characters ( Table 1) and 5 female characters ( Table 2). In fact, Ceruchus minor has more characters in common with Ceruchus lignarius from Japan than to any other Chinese species ( Tables 1 & 2).

Distribution ( Fig. 293 ). This species was originally described from Qinling, Shaanxi and subsequently recorded from Sichuan ( Imura & Araya 2006) and Chongqing ( Imura & Araya 2006). It was also recorded by the authors from Diebu and Zhouqu, southern Gansu province.

2. Ceruchus katerinae Kral 1995

( Figs. 24 , 28 , 45 , 46 , 124–131 , 224 , 228 , 253 , 273 , 279–283 )

Specimens examined. CHINA: Sichuan Province: 13 (CHH), Luding County, Gonggashan Mountains, Hailuogou, 3100 m, 30.VII.2006, L. Tang leg.; 1Ƥ (CWXB), Luding County, Hailuogou, 1940m, 27.VII.2007, W.- X. Bi leg. (13 & 1Ƥ dissected).

Identification. The following male characters were used in Boucher & Kral’s (1997) revision: 1) dorsal tooth of the mandible in lateral view (for large and medium-sized males only) with anterior margin more concave than posterior margin, causing tip of the tooth to point a little forwards; 2) ventral tooth of the mandible in lateral view (for large and medium-sized males only) present; 3) anterior margin of the mentum not protruding medially; 4) yellow setae on posterior half of the mesofemur in ventral view dense and markedly long; 5) yellow setae on inner apex of the mesotibia long, widely distributed, dense and forming a broad brush; 6) caudal end of the penis not beyond the paramere in natural shape; 7) central split on caudal margin of the basal piece of the aedeagus in ventral view minute or obsolete, with two sides flat and not protruding posteriorly; 8) penis in ventral view thin and not swollen in middle; 9) dorsal surface of the penis in lateral view slightly incurved, without wings along the margins.

The identification of females of this species is problematic. The female paratype of Ceruchus katerinae has no differences compared to the female paratype of Ceruchus deuvei , according to Boucher & Kral (1997). However, a female specimen ( Fig. 273 ) recently collected from the type locality of Ceruchus katerinae has the marked difference from the paratype of Ceruchus deuvei in the presence of the isolated protuberances on pronotum and four female genital characters ( Table 2). It is also different from all other Chinese species, therefore it may represent the true female of Ceruchus katerinae . It is possible that Ceruchus deuvei occurs also in Hailuogou and the female paratype of Ceruchus katerinae is actually Ceruchus deuvei . Nevertheless, the identity of the female for Ceruchus katerinae needs more careful study in future.

Taxonomic notes. Ceruchus deuvei is the closest species of Ceruchus katerinae in morphological distance; they differ from each other in two male genital characters and four possible female genital characters. It is highly possible that they are sympatric in nature.

Distribution ( Fig. 293 ). So far, all the known specimens were collected from Hailuogou on the east slope of the Gongga Mountains.

Figures

FIGURE 226. Female genitalia of Ceruchus minor (same specimen as Fig. 270) consisting of sclerotized part in both ventral and dorsal views at top, the last abdominal tergite and ventrite, and the whole female genitalia at bottom. Scale bar 1 mm for all. Abbreviations: mo = median oviduct; ag = accessory gland; sd = spermathecal duct; bc = bursa copulatrix; s = spermatheca; es = entrance of spermatheca; sg = spermathecal gland.

FIGURE 228. Female genitalia of Ceruchus katerinae (same specimen as Fig. 273) consisting of sclerotized part in both ventral and dorsal views at top, the last abdominal tergite and ventrite, and the whole female genitalia at bottom. Scale bar 1 mm for all. Abbreviations: mo = median oviduct; ag = accessory gland; sd = spermathecal duct; bc = bursa copulatrix; s = spermatheca; es = entrance of spermatheca; sg = spermathecal gland.

FIGURE 293. Distribution of Ceruchus species in China

FIGURES 1 – 9. Maxilla and labium of Ceruchus minor. 1 — maxilla of male (taken from specimen shown in Fig. 258), dorsal view; 2 — maxilla of male, ventral view; 3 — labium of male, lateral view; 4 — labium of male, ventral view; 5 — maxilla of female (taken from specimen shown in Fig. 270), dorsal view; 6 — maxilla of female, ventral view; 7 — labium of female, lateral view; 8 — labium of female, ventral view; 9 — labium of female in connection with mentum, ventral view. Scale bar 1 mm for all.

FIGURES 10 – 24. Mandible and head of male in lateral view. 10 — Ceruchus lignarius lignarius (same specimen as Fig. 233); 11 — Ceruchus lignarius monticola (same specimen as Fig. 234); 12 — Ceruchus lignarius nodai (same specimen as Fig. 235); 13 — Ceruchus yangi (same specimen as Fig. 237, holotype); 14 — Ceruchus yangi (same specimen as Fig. 236, paratype); 15 — Ceruchus tabanai (holotype); 16 — Ceruchus sinensis (same specimen as Fig. 239); 17 — Ceruchus niger (same specimen as Fig. 240); 18 — Ceruchus niger (same specimen as Fig. 245); 19 — Ceruchus luojishanensis (holotype); 20 — Ceruchus minor (same specimen as Fig. 249); 21 — Ceruchus minor (specimen not figured elsewhere); 22 — Ceruchus minor (same specimen as Fig. 252); 23 — Ceruchus minor (same specimen as Fig. 250); 24 — Ceruchus katerinae (same specimen as Fig. 253). Scale bar 4 mm for all. Abbreviations: d = dorsal tooth; v = ventral tooth.

FIGURES 25 – 28. Antenna of male. 25 — Ceruchus minor; 26 — Ceruchus yangi; 27 — Ceruchus niger; 28 — Ceruchus katerinae.

FIGURES 29 – 45. Mentum of male in ventral view. 29 — Ceruchus lignarius lignarius (same specimen as Fig. 233); 30 — C. luojishanensis (holotype); 31 — C. tabanai (holotype); 32 — C. yangi, Leigongshan (same specimen as Fig. 236, paratype); 33 — C. yangi, Fanjingshan (same specimen as Fig. 237, holotype); 34 — C. yangi, Leigongshan (same specimen as Fig. 242, paratype); 35 — C. sinensis (same specimen as Fig. 238); 36 — C. sinensis (same specimen as Fig. 234); 37 — C. niger, Laojunshan (same specimen as Fig. 240); 38 — C. niger, Yulongxueshan (same specimen as Fig. 245); 39 — C. niger, Laojunshan (same specimen as Fig. 243); 40 — C. minor, Qinling (same specimen as Fig. 249); 41 — C. minor, Dabashan (corresponding to Fig. 250); 42 — C. minor, Diebu of Gansu (specimen not figured elsewhere); 43 — C. minor, Diebu of Gansu (same specimen as Fig. 252); 44 — C. minor, Zhouqu of Gansu (same specimen as Fig. 256); 45 — C. katerinae (same specimen as Fig. 253). Scale bar 3 mm for all.

FIGURES 46 – 53. Mesofemur and mesotibia in ventral view. 46 — Ceruchus katerinae; 47 — Ceruchus lignarius monticola; 48 — Ceruchus minor; 49 — Ceruchus niger; 50 — Ceruchus sinensis; 51 — Ceruchus yangi; 52 — Ceruchus luojishanensis; 53 — Ceruchus tabanai.

FIGURES 54 – 67. Last abdominal tergite and ventrite of males. 54 — Ceruchus yangi, both from Leigongshan; 55 — Ceruchus yangi, both from Fanjingshan; 56 — Ceruchus minor, Qinling; 57 — Ceruchus minor, Dabashan; 58 — Ceruchus minor, Zhouqu of Gansu; 59 — Ceruchus minor, Diebu of Gansu; 60 — Ceruchus niger, Weixi; 61 — Ceruchus sinensis, Baoshan; 62 — Ceruchus sinensis, Baoshan; 63 — Ceruchus lignarius monticola, Japan; 64 — Ceruchus yangi, Leigongshan; 65 — Ceruchus niger, Weixi; 66 — Ceruchus minor, Diebu of Gansu; 67 — Ceruchus sinensis, Baoshan. Scale bar 1 mm for all.

FIGURES 84 – 91. Male genitalia of Ceruchus minor, Pingheliangding, Qinling, Shaanxi (same specimen as Fig. 249). 84 — Ninth abdominal segment in ventral view; 85 — Ninth abdominal segment in dorsal view; 86 — whole genitalia in ventral view with penis removed; 87 — whole genitalia in dorsal view with penis removed; 88 — whole genitalia in lateral view with penis removed; 89 — penis detached in lateral view; 90 — penis detached in lateral view; 91 — penis detached in dorsal view. Scale bar 1 mm for all. Abbreviations: c = central split on caudal margin of basal piece of aedeagus; w = wings along margin of the incurved dorsal surface; e = endophallus.

FIGURES 92 – 99. Male genitalia of Ceruchus minor, Dabashan, Chongqing (same specimen as Fig. 250). 92 — Ninth abdominal segment in ventral view; 93 — Ninth abdominal segment in dorsal view; 94 — whole genitalia in ventral view with penis removed; 95 — whole genitalia in dorsal view; 96 — whole genitalia in lateral view; 97 — penis detached in lateral view; 98 — penis detached in lateral view; 99 — penis detached in dorsal view. Scale bar 1 mm for all.

FIGURES 100 – 107. Male genitalia of Ceruchus minor, Micangshan, Sichuan (same specimen as Fig. 255). 100 — Ninth abdominal segment in ventral view; 101 — Ninth abdominal segment in dorsal view; 102 — whole genitalia in ventral view with penis removed; 103 — whole genitalia in dorsal view with penis removed; 104 — whole genitalia in lateral view with penis removed; 105 — penis detached in lateral view; 106 — penis detached in lateral view; 107 — penis detached in dorsal view. Scale bar 1 mm for all.

FIGURES 108 – 115. Male genitalia of Ceruchus minor, Diebu, Gansu (same specimen as Fig. 258). 108 — Ninth abdominal segment in ventral view; 109 — Ninth abdominal segment in dorsal view; 110 — whole genitalia in ventral view; 111 — whole genitalia in dorsal view; 112 — whole genitalia in lateral view; 113 — penis detached in lateral view; 114 — penis detached in lateral view; 115 — penis detached in dorsal view. Scale bar 1 mm for all.

FIGURES 116 – 123. Male genitalia of Ceruchus minor, Zhouqu, Gansu (same specimen as Fig. 256). 116 — Ninth abdominal segment in ventral view; 117 — Ninth abdominal segment in dorsal view; 118 — whole genitalia in ventral view; 119 — whole genitalia in dorsal view; 120 — whole genitalia in lateral view; 121 — penis detached in lateral view; 122 — penis detached in lateral view; 123 — penis detached in dorsal view. Scale bar 1 mm for all.

FIGURES 210 – 224. Detached structures of females, consisting of mandibles in dorsal view, mentum in ventral view, pronotum in dorsal view, protibia in dorsal view, and mesofemur in ventral view. 210 — Ceruchus lignarius lignarius (same specimen as Fig. 259); 211 — C. luojishanensis (paratype); 212 — C. tabanai (paratype); 213 — C. yangi (same specimen as Fig. 262); 214 — C. yangi (same specimen as Fig. 263); 215 — C. niger (same specimen as Fig. 264); 216 — C. niger (same specimen as Fig. 265); 217 — C. niger (same specimen as Fig. 266); 218 — C. niger (same specimen as Fig. 267); 219 — C. deuvei (same specimen as Fig. 268); 220 — C. minor (same specimen as Fig. 269); 221 — C. minor (same specimen as Fig. 270); 222 — C. minor (specimen not figured elsewhere); 223 — C. sinensis (same specimen as Fig. 272); 224 — C. katerinae (same specimen as Fig. 273). Abbreviations: md = mandibles; me = mentum; p = pronotum; pt = protibia; mf = mesofemur; l = lateral protuberance; n = no central tooth on mola; d = double central teeth on mola; s = single central tooth on mola; t = transversal carina; f = flattened marginal area of the pronotum.

FIGURES 249 – 258. Habitus of male Ceruchus in dorsal view. 249 — Ceruchus minor (Pingheliangding, Qinling, Shaanxi); 250 — Ceruchus minor (Dabashan, Chongqing); 251 — Ceruchus minor (Dabashan, Chongqing); 252 — Ceruchus minor (Diebu, Gansu); 253 — Ceruchus katerinae (Hailuogou, Sichuan); 254 — Ceruchus niger (Weixi, Yunnan); 255 — Ceruchus minor (Micangshan, Sichuan); 256 — Ceruchus minor (Zhouqu, Gansu); 257 — Ceruchus luojishanensis (holotype); 258 — Ceruchus minor (Diebu, Gansu). Scale bar 5 mm for all.

FIGURES 259 – 273. Habitus of female Ceruchus in dorsal view. 259 — Ceruchus lignarius lignarius (Hokkaido, Japan); 260 — Ceruchus luojishanensis (paratype); 261 — Ceruchus tabanai (paratype); 262 — Ceruchus yangi, paratype (Leigongshan, Guizhou); 263 — Ceruchus yangi, paratype (Leigongshan, Guizhou); 264 — Ceruchus niger (Laojunshan, Yunnan); 265 — Ceruchus niger (Yulongxueshan, Yunnan); 266 — Ceruchus niger (Weixi, Yunnan); 267 — Ceruchus niger (Muli, Sichuan); 268 — Ceruchus deuvei (Lixian, Sichuan); 269 — Ceruchus minor (Dabashan, Chongqing); 270 — Ceruchus minor (Diebu, Gansu); 271 — Ceruchus minor (Micangshan, Sichuan); 272 — Ceruchus sinensis (Yaojiaping, Lushui, Yunnan); 273 — Ceruchus katerinae (Hailuogou, Sichuan). Scale bar 5 mm for all.

FIGURES 274 – 292. Field observations of Chinese Ceruchus. 274 — habitat of Ceruchus yangi (Mount Leigongshan, 1856 m, 6 September 2009, by X. - D. Yang); 275 — a standing dead tree inhabited by Ceruchus yangi (by X. - D. Yang); 276 – 277 — newly emerged male adult of Ceruchus yangi in pupal cell; 278 — female adult of Ceruchus yangi found in white wood; 279 – 280 — habitat of Ceruchus katerinae (Hailuogou, Sichuan, 3100 m, 30 July 2006, by L. Tang); 281 – 283 — male of Ceruchus katerinae crawling on living stem of Abies tree (by L. Tang); 284 — habitat of Ceruchus niger (Mount Laojunshan, 3500 m, 13 June 2009, by J. - Q. Zhu); 285 – 286 — fallen dead coniferous tree inhabited by Ceruchus niger (by J. - Q. Zhu); 287 — male adult of Ceruchus niger found in the powdery wood (by J. - Q. Zhu); 288 — habitat of Ceruchus minor (Zhouqu, 2340 m, 18 October 2009, by X. - D. Yang); 289 – 290 — a living broadleaf inhabited by Ceruchus minor (by X. - D. Yang); 291 — adult of Ceruchus minor found in white wood of the tree (by X. - D. Yang); 292 — newly emerged male adult of Ceruchus minor in white wood taken from the habitat at Diebu (by H. Huang).

FIGURES 124 – 131. Male genitalia of Ceruchus katerinae, Hailuogou, Sichuan (same specimen as Fig. 253). 124 — Ninth abdominal segment in ventral view; 125 — Ninth abdominal segment in dorsal view; 126 — whole genitalia in ventral view; 127 — whole genitalia in dorsal view; 128 — whole genitalia in lateral view; 129 — penis detached in lateral view; 130 — penis detached in lateral view; 131 — penis detached in dorsal view. Scale bar 1 mm for all.