Solariola angelae Baviera, 2015

(Figs 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3 ’, 3’a, 3’b, 3’c, 3’d, 3’e, 44c, 49, 49’, 92, 135, 178)

Solariola angelae Baviera, 2015: 424 –428.

Solariola angelae Morrone & Hlaváč, 2017 (checklist): 49; Pierotti, 2017a (catalogue): 344.

Type locality. Sicily, Caltanissetta, Niscemi; Niscemi Coarn Oak Wood, 300m (Fig. 229) .

Diagnosis. A medium or large size Solariola (TL: 2.90–3.50 mm; BL: 2.50–3.00 mm) belonging to the doderoi group with slender body shape. Within the species group, it is recognisable by reddish-brown cuticle, quite elongate elytra and elongate pronotum. Rostrum elongate (RL: 0.45–0.55 mm, RW: 0.30–0.40 mm, RL/RW: 1.38–1.50). Mesorostrum carinae parallel to sides. Forehead convex (FW/MW: ratio 2.40–2.60). Submentum and mesorostrum with thick and elongate pappolepida. Antennae elongate and thin (SL: 0.55–0.60 mm, FL: 0.85–1.00 mm, SL/ FL: 0.60–0.65). Pronotum elongate (PL: 0.75–0.90 mm, PW: 0.65–0.80 mm, PL/PW: 1.13–1.15) with many echinopappolepida at base. Elytra oval-elongate, dorsally vaulted (EL: 1.85–2.20 mm, EW: 0.95–1.10 mm, EL/EW: 1.95–2.00).

Material examined. Holotype male with following labels: [genitalia in glue] [white label] / ♂ [w, p] / Sicilia, Caltanisetta, Sughereta Niscemi, 300m, Q.[uercus] suber, 02. III. 2013 Leg[it] Baviera C[osimo] & Bellò C[esare] [w, p] / N37°05,714’ E14°25.453’ [w, p] / angelae Holo [r, hw] / Solariola angelae Baviera, 2015 Holotype det. Bellò, Osella & Baviera, 2018 [r, p] / esemplare fotografato by Francesco Sacco [y, p] (MCIZ).

Paratypes. Seventy-five specimens (males and females): ibidem, 19.III.2010; ibidem, 22.XII.2013; ibidem, 10.XII.2014 (CBA, CBE, GOS, MSNG, MSNM, ECO) .

Holotype redescription. Male. See Figs 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e. Body shape slender and subcylindrical (TL: 3.20 mm and BL: 2.65 mm). Red-brownish cuticle.

Rostrum long (RL: 0.50 mm, RW: 0.35 mm, RL/RW: 1.42), conical to sides with little expanded pterygium. Epistome absent. Mesorostrum carinae parallel to sides. Submentum covered by whitish-yellowish pappolepida, also visible around mesorostrum. Interocular pit visible. Forehead convex (FW/MW: ratio 2.40). Vestigial eyes flat and just visible.

Antennae thin and elongate (SL: 0.60 mm, FL: 1.00 mm, SL/FL: 0.60); AS ratio: 7.7.5.4.3.3.3.12. Scape clubbed, slightly more robust than funicle, curved at proximal third and progressively thickening towards apex. Funicle long and thin; all antennal segments with short and thin setae. Club three-segmented, elongate-oval, in length twice the width, densely covered by thin setae.

Pronotum elongate (PL: 0.80 mm, PW: 0.70 mm, PL/PW: 1.14), wider in the middle and with many echinopappolepida at base. Scutellum visible.

Elytra oblong elongate to sides, dorsally vaulted (EL: 1.95 mm, EW: 1.00 mm, EL/EW: 1.95), wider in the middle with flat suture. Humeri rounded. Striae with 13–14 evident punctures, catenulate, quite deep. Interstriae flat with large (apex) setae recumbent and quite short. Elytral declivity> 60 degrees.

Legs quite short and robust with femora clubbed. Protibia with six–seven acute spines on inner edge and an evident mucro on inner apical angle. Protibia quite sinuous on inner edge and straight in side view. Metatibia and mesotibia straight in side view. All tibia with noticeable apical comb. Tarsal segment 1 short, conical; segment 2 short and transverse; segment 3 very bilobed; all segments with thin golden setae. Onychium curved, robust and short with one short claw.

Male genitalia. See Figs: dorsal shape aedeagus Fig. 49; apex of penis Fig. 49 ’; IX sternite Fig. 92.

Female genitalia. See Figs: spermatheca Fig. 135; VIII sternite Fig. 178.

Sexual dimorphism. Males can usually be recognized by their smaller size, slender appearance, more rounded humeri, legs stronger with a more noticeable apical mucro, and ventrites 1 and 2 slightly hollowed.

Paratypes variability. Paratypes, sexual dimorphism excluded, are similar to the holotype but differs in size.

Distribution. See Figs. 221, 221a. Sicilian endemic. Known only from Caltanissetta, Erei Mountains, Niscemi Cork Oak Wood around 300–400 meters of elevation.

Ecology and Phenology. Adults of S. angelae have been sifted from the leaf litter of an old Quercus suber forest growing on moist sandy soil in spring.

Main soil type. Vertic Cambisol ( European Soil Data Centre; Panagos et al. 2012) .

Reproduction. Amphigonic.

Associated species. Sympatric with Heteromeira pacei Bellò & Pierotti, 1992 .