Arsipoda atra sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 7BDC873B-2A3E-453B-8DF8-CD3CB0806018

Figs 1B, 6A, 8C, 11B, 14B

Diagnosis

Arsipoda atra sp. nov. shares a thickset and ovoid body with A. evax, A. povilaensis sp. nov. and A. transversa sp. nov. (Figs 1B, F, 2D, I). However, the new species can easily be distinguished from other species by its black, non-metallic integuments, and wide and flat elytral interstriae. Genitalia are also highly diagnostic (Figs 8C, G, 9E, 10A, 11B, F, L, P).

Etymology

The specific epithet is a Latin adjective that means black, dark.

Type material

Holotype

NEW CALEDONIA (N): ♂, Aoupinié, near Goipin rd jct [= road junction], -21.1739 165.3116, 700– 800 m, 20 Nov. 2010, M. Wanat & R. Ruta leg. (MNHN).

Paratypes

NEW CALEDONIA: 1 ♀, same data as the holotype (MNHW); 1 ♀, Aoupinié, - 21.18151165.30048, 790–830 m, 27 Nov. 2010, M. Wanat leg. (MNHW) .

Description of the holotype (♂)

Body thickset, moderately convex (Fig. 1B); LB = 2.25 mm; maximum pronotal width at base (WP = 0.90 mm); maximum elytral width at basal third (WE = 1.18 mm). Dorsum blackish, non-metallic, paler on elytral disc and anterior part of pronotum. Frons and vertex finely microreticulate and finely punctate; head grooves moderately impressed, continued to postantennal region; genae and frontal carina short; antennae slightlty longer than ½ body length (LAN = 1.35 mm; LAN/ LB = 0.60), yellowish, gradually darker towards apex; LA: 100:77:64:64:91:82:91:91:91:91:132. Pronotum trapezoidal, distinctly transverse (LP = 0.50 mm; WP/LP = 1.80), laterally straight; anterior angles distinctly prominent; antebasal transverse sulcus weakly impressed, weakly sinuate, without clearly distinguishable lateral fovea; pronotal surface microreticulate, opaque, with small, dense punctures, distinctly impressed. Elytra slightly elongate (LE = 1.73 mm; WE/LE = 0.68), laterally clearly arcuate (Fig. 6A); punctuation slightly larger than on pronotum; surface finely microreticulate; interstriae regularly punctulate. Anterior and middle legs yellowish; hind legs brown; first pro- and mesotarsomeres moderately dilated; first metatarsomere in male distally slightly expanded on inner side; adhesive setae present on ventral side of first pro-, meso- and, partially, metatarsomeres. Venter brown; last abdominal ventrite laterally clearly incised, without special preapical impressions. Median lobe of aedeagus (LAED = 1.03 mm; LE/LAED = 1.67) (Fig. 8C) in ventral view laterally parallel, slightly narrower at basal ²⁄5s and toward apex; apex flat, elongate, with rounded margin; ventral surface with shallow median groove and two thin lateral carinae; in lateral view, median lobe strongly bent at basal fourth, with sinuate apical part; dorsal ligula quite short – from apical ²⁄5s to pre-apical part of aedeagus –, thin, tapered towards apex.

Biometry

Male (n = 1): LE = 1.73 mm; WE = 1.18 mm; LP = 0.50 mm; WP = 0.90 mm; LAN = 1.35 mm; LAED = 1.03 mm; LB = 2.25 mm; LE/LP = 3.45; WE/WP = 1.31; WP/LP = 1.80; WE/LE = 0.68; LAN/LB = 0.60; LE/LAED = 1.67.

Female (n = 2): LE = 1.95, 1.73 mm; WE = 1.33, 1.20 mm; LP = 0.58, 0.50 mm; WP = 1.01, 0.89 mm; LAN = 1.35, 1.25 mm; LSPc = 0.16, 0.16 mm; LB = 2.59, 2.25 mm; LE/LP = 3.39, 3.45; WE/WP = 1.31, 1.35; WP/LP = 1.76, 1.78; WE/LE = 0.68, 0.70; LAN/LB = 0.52, 0.56; LE/LSPc = 12.50, 10.78.

Paratypes (females) very similar in shape and sculpture to the holotype. Dorsum evenly black. Antennae slightly shorter. Spermatheca (Fig. 11B) with small, subrounded basal part; collum thickened, tapered towards apical part, elongate; ductus thin, elongate, preapically inserted on dorsal side, single-coiled.

Distribution

Endemic to the Aoupinié area, Central Grande Terre (Fig. 14B).

Ecological notes

No ecological notes are available for this species, but collecting localities are located in a dense, evergreen humid forest area between 700 and 830 m a.s.l. Pollen found in the gut of some specimens.