Meonochilus rectus, Liebherr, James K., 2011

Liebherr, James K., 2011, Cladistic assessment of subtribal affinities within the tribe Moriomorphini with description of Rossjoycea glacialis, gen. n. and sp. n. from the South Island, and revision of Meonochilus Liebherr and Marris from the North Island, New Zealand (Coleoptera, Carabidae), ZooKeys 147, pp. 277-335 : 307-308

3. Meonochilus rectus sp. n.

Diagnosis.

Individuals of this species look like a broad-bodied version of Meonochilus spiculatus , with the broadly based, subparallel elytra exhibiting deep, distinctly punctate striae and convex, glossy intervals (Fig. 9C). The antennae are not as elongate as those of Meonochilus spiculatus , with the ninth antennomere length 1.8 –2.0× its maximum breadth. Like Meonochilus spiculatus , the internal sac of the male aedeagus bears a spikelike flagellum (Fig. 2F, 2G), however the flagellum of Meonochilus rectus males is stouter and more sinuously curved, the aedeagal median lobe is broader (Fig. 2G), and it terminates in a downwardly expanded apex. Standardized body length 5.4-5.7 mm.

Male Genitalia.

(n = 1). Aedeagal median lobe with basally deep sagittal crest, the lobe shaft broad and robust with ventral surface recurved before downturned and broadly rounded apex (Fig. 2G); internal sac elongate, with stout spikelike flagellum inserted on ventral surface about half the distance from ostium to apex of apical membranous lobe; flagellar sheath closely appressed to flagellum, length about half the length of flagellum; convex roll of sac membrane extended on right side of flagellar articulation toward sac apex, the roll covered with broad shingle-like sculpticells, the exposed shingle edges lining the distal edges of sculpticells (brush sclerite; Lindroth 1976); ventral right paramere parallel-sided and apically rounded, length equal to ½ distance from parameral articulation to external face of apex, 10 long setae lining the apical half of ventral edge, 12 long setae arrayed on convex parameral apex, and 6 long, thinner setae in apical half of dorsal edge; dorsal left paramere broad basally, subconchoid, apex narrowly rounded, 2 long setae on dorsal surface near tip, with 2 short setae immediately basad to those.

Female Reproductive Tract.

(n = 1) Bursa copulatrix broadest medially, extended to broadly rounded apex that constitutes spermatheca (based on insertion of spermathecal gland duct), overall bursal plus spermathecal length 1.1 × maximal bursal breadth (Fig. 14B); common oviduct broadest distad juncture with ventral surface of bursa; spermathecal gland duct short, length approximately equal to basal stem of spermathecal gland, the narrow duct base joining bursal apex at short, stump-like protuberance; basal gonocoxite 1 with lateroapical series of 3-4 setae, a single additional seta basal to the series of 4 on one side of the lone dissected female specimen, 3-4 smaller setae along apical half of dorsomedial surface (Fig. 14C); apical gonocoxite 2 with 2 broad lateral ensiform setae and 1 dorsal ensiform seta on dorsal surface; apical sensory furrow bearing 2 nematiform setae at 0.70 × coxite length.

Holotype.

Male (NZAC): NEW ZEALAND CL / Great Barrier I / Mt. Hobson Tk. / 24 Mar- / 27 Mar 1978 // J.C. Watt + / J. Murcer / Pit trap 9 // N Z Arthropod Collection / [bar code] / NZAC04007299 // HOLOTYPE ♂ / Meonochilus / rectus / det. J.K. Liebherr 2011 (black-bordered red label).

Paratypes.

CL: Great Barrier Island, Mt. Hobson, leaf litter, RL805, 36°11.27'S, 175°24.69'E, 500 m el., 17-xii-2003, Leschen (AMNZ, 1), pitfall trap, 9-xi-17-xii-2003, Early (AMNZ, 2), 17-xii-2003-07-iv-2004, Early (AMNZ, 1), Te Paparahi, pitfall trap, G1, 35°26.07'S, 174°23.43'E, iii-2002, Warren (AMNZ, 1), Windy Hill, pitfall trap, 36°18.12'S, 175°32.11'E, 200 m el., 30-iv-11-vi-2003, Parsons (AMNZ, 1); Mt. Moehau, under log, 36°32.05'S, 175°23.97'E, 765 m el., 19-iii-1980, Holloway (NZAC, 1); Tapu-Coroglen Rd., Tk. to Crosbies, 36°59.42'S, 175°35.26'E, 13-xi-1996, Gleeson (NZAC, 1).

Etymology.

The species epithet rectus–Latin adjective with male ending–denotes the short, straight and parallel to slightly converging basolateral margins of the pronotum present immediately anterad the pronotal hind angles.

Distribution and Habitat.

The distribution of Meonochilus rectus includes the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island to the north (Fig. 13). This range lies disjunctly north of the Kaimai Range distribution of the sister species, Meonochilus spiculatus , suggesting that a vicariant barrier separating the mountains of Coromandel and Bay of Plenty facilitated allopatric speciation. Nonetheless, eustatic sea level changes that isolated Great Barrier Island from the mainland have not resulted in speciation of the island population. Most specimens of this species have been collected via pitfall trapping, with singletons found in leaf litter and under a log. Localities range in elevation from 200-765 m el.