Copelatus zanatanensis sp. nov. Figs 1B, 2B

Type locality.

Masoala National Park [15.6703S; 49.9715E] (Madagascar, Analanjirofo region, Maroantsetra)

Type material.

-4♂ GP, 6♀, 6 ex. (Alc.) (NHRS, DEUA & PBZT/MBC): // NHRS-JLKB |000065655, 65787, 66018, 66302-6, 65437-8, 11228 (Alc.) // Madagascar: Toamasina: Analanjirofo: | Masoala NP: lowalt. rainforest | MAD18-45: small muddy depression | on path ~2 km NE. of Andranobe camp | 15.6703S, 49.9715E, 360 m, 16.II.2018 | Leg. J. Bergsten & T. Ranarilalatiana // Paratype | Copelatus zanatanensis sp. nov. | Det. Ranarilalatiana | & Bergsten, 2019 //

Diagnosis.

Habitus very similar to C. amphibius sp. nov. but penis diagnostic with a more distincly offset and higher ventral hump in lateral view and apical blade with a stright to almost concave ventral margin and spine-like acuminate apex (Fig. 2B).

Description.

Very similar in all respects to C. amphibius sp. nov. and only differences noted below.

Body length: 4.4-5 mm (♀: 4.4-4.8 mm, ♂: 4.7-5 mm).

On average slightly smaller and elytra less infuscated and therefore appearing more unicolorous lighter testaceous, but variation overlap between the species both in infuscation and body size (Fig. 1B).

Ventral side slightly lighter testaceous and therefore infuscation on metacoxal plate more contrasting.

Male genitalia as in Figure 2B. Penis diagnostic in lateral view with a straight to concave ventral margin of apical blade and an acuminate spine-like apex. Copelatus amphibius sp. nov. has a weakly convex ventral margin of the apical blade and apex pointed but not spine-like acuminate. Also, the ventral medial hump higher and more distinctly offset in C. zanatanensis sp. nov.

Distribution.

Only known from Masoala National Park, northeastern Madagascar (Fig. 4B).

Ecology and conservation.

Copelatus zanatanensis sp. nov. was found in forest floor depressions with leaf litter in pristine humid lowland (360-630 m alt.) forests in Masoala NP (Figs 6, 7). Most specimens were found in dry depressions at two different localities; however, the third place was in proximity of a stream, but still in a terrestrial microhabitat. Masoala National Park covers 230 000 ha of originally primary lowland humid forest, but deforestation rates surged following the political instability of 2009 (Allnutt et al. 2013).

Etymology.

Latinisation of the Malagasy word “zana-tany” litterally translated to "child of the land", with the meaning to be native of a country. The new species is endemic and a native of Madagascar.