japonigenus species group

This group is defined on the basis of the distinct aedeagus, which has the ventral membranous area shifted toward base and the internal armature composed of a long median duct broadest at base and narrowing toward apex, the duct is surrounded at each side by a dense group of thin, elongated sclerites, each with pointed apex. The two species belonging in this group share also non-modified head in males, except for distinct frontal glands; large and dense punctures of the pronotum; several very long erect setae along lateral margins of the pronotum and elytra; and the small median tubercle on the metaventrite of males. This lineage comprises only two species: C. japonigenus known from Japan and China, and newly described below C. pseudojaponigenus from Japan.

Cephennomicrus japonigenus (Jałoszy ń ski & Hoshina, 2003) (Fig. 33)

Neseuthia japonigena Jałoszyński & Hoshina, 2003: 55, Figs. 2 C, 3B, 4A, B, E, 6A–C; Jałoszyński, 2005: 174. Cephennomicrus japonigenus; Jałoszyński, 2008: 33.

Type material. Holotype: JAPAN: Kagoshima Pref.: 3, Tokunoshima Is. (NSMT).

Distribution. Japan: Tokunoshima Is.; China: Fujian.

Remarks. This species was originally described from the Ryukyus, and later reported to occur also in the Chinese province Fujian (Jałoszyñski 2005). More specimens from both localities are needed to clarify whether these populations are indeed conspecific, or their separation already resulted in some minor but stable morphological differences. The shape of the pronotum (Fig. 33) in this species can be used to distinguish it from all other Cephennomicrus of the region.