Veraphis myeonggiensis sp. nov.

Figs 2, 3E – H, 4

Type material designated.

Holotype • ♂ NIBR: “ Korea: Gyeonggi Prov. Mt. Myeonggi, 520, Nonnamgi-gil, Buk-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, 5. X. 2023, 37°58'12.2"N, 127°24'18.7"E, 402 m, sifting leaf litter & soil, J.-W. Kang, J.-I. Shin ”.

Diagnosis.

Vertex with two shallow longitudinal grooves extending from posterior margin to posterior 1 / 2; area between grooves relatively flattened and impressed (Fig. 2 B). Protibiae of male with small subapical pin-like projection (Fig. 2 C). Metaventrite with shallow longitudinal impression (Fig. 2 D). Aedeagus (Fig. 3 E – H) strongly elongated and symmetrical, length 0.23 mm. In ventral view, median lobe gradually widening from base to apical 1 / 4, widest at apical 1 / 4, then slightly narrowing; sides from base to middle somewhat parallel; apex rounded; in lateral view, slightly curved near base and subapical region with strong ventral indentation. Endophallus symmetrical, structure complex. Parameres slender, reaching middle of median lobe; each paramere with two short apical setae and one subapical seta.

Male description.

Body length 1.14 mm; reddish-brown, appendages lighter; flattened and elongated; surface covered yellow hairs (Fig. 2 A). Head wider than long, widest across eyes; punctures of surface inconspicuous; hairs short and sparse (Fig. 2 B). Temples nearly 1 / 4 length of eyes (Fig. 2 B). Vertex with small pits on medioposterior margin; two shallow longitudinal grooves extending from posterior margin to posterior 1 / 2 present; area between grooves relatively flattened and impressed (Fig. 2 B). Antennae with distinct distal three-segmented club; antennomere 1 strongly elongate, 2 elongate but less so than 1, 3 slightly wider than long, 4–6 as long as wide, 5 slightly larger than 4, 6 slightly smaller than 5, 7 subpentagonal, 8 distinctly wider than long, 9–11 forming a club (Fig. 2 A). Pronotum distinctly wider than head, as long as wide, widest near middle; anterior margin somewhat rounded, lateral margins strongly rounded in anterior 1 / 3, somewhat parallel in posterior 1 / 3, posterior angles somewhat right-angled, posterior margin weakly sinuate; pronotal base with shallow median pits and transverse impression, lateral pits distinct; punctures of surface inconspicuous; hairs short and sparse (Fig. 2 B). Elytra slightly wider than pronotum, distinctly longer than wide, widest near middle; lateral margins and posterior margin relatively rounded; punctures of surface inconspicuous; hairs short and sparse; each elytron with distinct humeral denticle (Fig. 2 A, B). Hind wings well-developed. Metaventrite with shallow longitudinal impression (Fig. 2 D). Legs moderately long and slender. Protibiae with small subapical pin-like projection (Fig. 2 C). Aedeagus (Fig. 3 E – H) strongly elongated and symmetrical, length 0.23 mm. In ventral view, median lobe gradually widening from base to apical 1 / 4, widest at apical 1 / 4, then slightly narrowing; sides from base to middle somewhat parallel; apex rounded; in lateral view, slightly curved near base and subapical region with strong ventral indentation. Endophallus symmetrical, complex structured. Parameres slender, reaching middle of median lobe; each paramere with two short apical setae and one subapical seta.

Sexual dimorphism.

Unknown.

Distribution.

South Korea (Fig. 4).

Etymology.

The specific epithet is an adjective derived from the type locality ‘ Mt. Myeonggiʼ.

Habitat.

This species was collected from soil and leaf litter in mixed forest at relatively low altitudes, unlike other previously known species.

Remarks.

Veraphis myeonggiensis can be classified within the japonicus species group based on the characteristics of the male leg, antennae, and aedeagus (Jałoszyński and Hoshina 2005). The aedeagus of this species is similar to that of V. tottoriensis Jałoszyński & Hoshina from Japan. However, the apex of the median lobe is more strongly curved ventrally, and the central structure of the endophallus is absent. Additionally, the parameres are slightly shorter. It also shares a similar aedeagus with V. modestus Jałoszyński but differs in the apex of the median lobe and the structure of the endophallus. Moreover, the overall morphology in lateral view is clearly distinct. Also, this species is externally very similar to E. odaesanensis, but it is smaller in size and clearly differed in the aedeagus.