Mesocordylus redelmeieri Anderson

Anderson, Robert S., 2002, The Dryophthoridae of Costa Rica and Panama: Checklist with keys, new synonymy and descriptions of new species of Cactophagus, Mesocordylus, Metamasius and Rhodobaenus (Coleoptera; Curculionoidea), Zootaxa 80, pp. 1-94 : 19-21

Mesocordylus redelmeieri Anderson , new species

( Figs. 1-6 )

Identification. Mesocordylus redelmeieri is recognized by the presence of scattered, moderately large micropilose granules on the elytral intervals (6-12 per interval on disc) ( Figs. 1-3 ), long apical pilose part of the antennal club (only slightly shorter than the basal glabrous part) ( Fig. 6 ), tarsal articles with elongate, but sparse, bristly vestiture, and by the form of the male and female rostrum ( Figs. 2-3 , 4-5 ). In females, the rostrum in lateral view is more or less straight in the basal one-half, but strongly arcuate in the apical onehalf ( Figs. 3 , 5 ); in dorsal view, the lateral margins converge gradually and uniformly from a wide base to a narrow apex. In males, the rostrum in lateral view is more or less straight in the basal three-fifths, and slightly arcuate in the apical two-fifths ( Figs. 2 , 4 ); in dorsal view, the lateral margins are subparallel and the width is subequal throughout the length. The punctation on both the male and female rostrum is dense and moderately large basad of the antennal insertion, but finer and smaller apically beyond the antennal insertion, especially so in the female. The pronotum is strongly impressed subapically both laterally and dorsally, although in some specimens the dorsal impression is not deep and continuous, but rather a series of contiguous punctures. The aedeagus of M. redelmeieri is very shallowly emarginate at the apex and in lateral view is only slightly arcuate.

Description.—Male, length 9.3­15.5 mm; width 3.2­5.4 mm. Female, length 10.2­ 17.5 mm; width 3.4­6.2 mm. Color dark brown to black. Rostrum four­fifths (male) to one­third (female) length pronotum; male in dorsal view with lateral margins subparallel, subequal in width throughout length, in lateral view straight to antennal insertion then slightly arcuate ventrally to apex; female in dorsal view with lateral margins uniformly convergent from base to apical one­fourth or one­fifth, very slightly divergent to narrow apex, width apex one­half to two­thirds width base, in lateral view straight to antennal insertion then strongly arcuate ventrally to apex; punctation in male moderately large, dense in basal one­half, progressively smaller and sparser towards apex, similar in female but with apical portion very finely punctate, subglabrous; all punctures with median seta small, indistinct, micropilosity not evident beyond punctures; surface not otherwise sculptured, carinate or sulcate; dorsally at apex moderately emarginate. Antennal scrobe with lower edge dilated, clearly visible in dorsal view in male, less so in female. Antennae inserted at apical two­fifths in male, slightly beyond middle in female; club large, round, with apical pilose part only slightly shorter than the basal glabrous part. Pronotum cylindrical, somewhat globose in dorsal view, widest at from apical one­third to two­fifths; punctures moderately large, dense laterally, smaller and sparsely medially, median line impunctate in some specimens; subapical impression deep laterally, continuous but shallower dorsally, in some specimens evident as a series of contiguous irregular punctures. Elytra with intervals flat to very slightly convex, each with 6­12 moderately large micropilose granules in single row per interval, granules denser on apical declivity; striae evident, strial punctures obscure. Legs with tibiae slightly incurved subapically; tarsal articles elongate, narrow, with ventral vestiture elongate, sprase, bristly, especially apically on article 3. Genitalia of male with aedeagus very shallowly emarginate at apex; in lateral view, slightly curved ventrally throughout length, elongate, coiled flagellum present.

Sexual dimorphism.—As in all Mesocordylus species, sexual dimorphism is evident in M. redelmeieri . Although not as extreme as in some species, there are differences, as noted in the description, mainly in the form of the rostrum.

Material examined.—Male HOLOTYPE labelled “Est. Pitilla 9 Km S. Santa Cecilia, P.N. /Guana, Costa Rica. 700m. Oct 1994, C. / Moraga, L N 330200_380200 #3262”, INBio barcode 1998040 (INBC). Female ALLOTYPE labelled “Est. Pitilla 9 Km S. Santa Cecilia, P.N. /Guanacaste, Prov. Guana,, Costa Rica. / 700m. Jun 1994, C. Moraga, L N / 330200_380200 #3002”, INBio barcode 2047538 (INBC). PARATYPES (11, 21). COSTA RICA. GUANACASTE PROVINCE. Estacion Pitilla, 9 km S. Santa Cecilia. 700m. 27 Jan­4 Feb 1989 (1; 32871), Dec. 1989 (1; 166133), July 1994 (1; 2048618), Oct 1994 (1; 1998041). Rio San Lorenzo, Tierras Morenas, R.F. Cord. Guanacaste. 1050m. Jan 1992 (1; 557184). HEREDIA PROVINCE. La Virgen (16 km S.S.E.), 1050­1150m, 10°16'N, 84°05"W, 15 February 2001, INBio, OET, ALAS Transect (1; 3215182); 14 March 2001 (1; 3215342); 17 March 2001 (1, 1; 3215387, 3215240); 19 March 2001 (1; 3214770); 16 April 2001 (1; 3215000); 20 April 2001 (1; 3215097). ALAJUELA PROVINCE. Rio Sn. Lorencito, Res. For. San Ramon, 5 km N. Col. Palmarena. 900m. Mar 1990 (3; 158260, 158043, 158001; 1; 157965). PAN­ AMA. CHIRIQUI PROVINCE. Fortuna (8°44’N, 82°15’W), 1050m, UV light, May 18, 1976 (1), October 23, 1976 (1), November 25, 1976 (1), April 19, 1977 (1), September 24, 1977 (1), October 8, 1977 (1), November 28, 1977 (1), March 2, 1978 (1), April 11, 1978 (1), April 15, 1978 (1), April 25, 1978 (1), April 21, 1978 (1), May 6, 1978 (1), June 26, 1978 (1), July 31, 1978 (1), May 14, 1979 (1). Paratypes in CMNC, CWOB, INBC.

Distribution.— Costa Rica (Alajuela, Guanacaste), Panama (Chiriqui).

Natural history.—Specimens, some at light traps, have been collected from 700m to 1050m. No other information is available.

Derivation of specific name.—Through their support of the Nature Discovery Fund at the Canadian Museum of Nature, this species is named after Ernest J. H. Redelmeier of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada as a gift from his wife Flavia on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

Comments.—In general, Mesocordylus species are difficult to identify. This appears to be because of extensive variation in size, sexual dimorphism which is often pronounced, and the fact that many of the specimens are covered in a greasy coating which is difficult to remove and generally obscures distinguishing characters. As with many species of Mesocordylus , this species is difficult to distinguish on the basis of any one character state.

Figures

FIGURES 1 - 3. Mesocordylus redelmeieri Anderson. 1. Dorsal habitus, male. 2. Lateral habitus, male. 3. Lateral habitus, female.

FIGURES 4 ­ 6. Mesocordylus redelmeieri Anderson. 4. Lateral view of head, male. 5. Lateral view of head, female. 6. Antenna.