Euops tenuiflagellaris, Riedel, 2006

Riedel, Alexander, 2006, Revision of the subgenus Metaeuops Legalov of Euops Schoenherr (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea, Attelabidae) from the Papuan region, Zootaxa 1181 (1), pp. 1-102 : 30-33

Euops tenuiflagellaris sp. n.

( Figs 7 , 36 , 51 , 61 , 86 , 109 , 135 , 166, 167 , 174 , 193 , 211 , 220 )

Diagnosis

Coloration largely black with deep blue lustre or bright metallic blue; scutellum metallic greenish­blue. Male: Sternite VI of venter, in lateral aspect, projecting nose­like. Aedeagus with area of long, thin, centripetally directed setae between endophallic sclerites. TA ( Fig. 109 ) with trapezoid frame; transfer processes approximately reaching frame´s apex; basal sclerites ca. 0.30 X of total length of TA.

Range ( Fig. 220 )

Western Highlands Prov. (Baiyer Riv.); Morobe Prov. (Wau, Aseki, Pindiu , Mindik , Ulap ). Elevation : 1100–1700 m .

Material examined

Holotype: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Morobe Prov., Mindik , 1200–1500 m, 26.IV.1998, leg. A.Riedel ( SMNK) . Paratypes: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Western Highlands Prov.: 1 male, Baiyer Riv. , 1150 m, 18.X.1958, leg. J.L.Gressitt ( BPBM) ; 1 male, Baiyer Riv. , 1150 m, 19.X.1958, " Pandanus ", " Freycinetia ", leg. J.L.Gressitt ( BPBM) ; Morobe Prov.: 6 males, 2 females (1 marked as “ allotype ”), W Pindiu, 1000–1400 m, 23.IV.1998, leg. A.Riedel ( ARC, SMNK) ; 1 female, E Pindiu, Kobau , 1250–1400 m, 24.IV.1998, leg. A.Riedel ( ARC) ; 1 male, 2 females, Wau, Mt. Kaindi , coffee­garden, 1550 m, 7.X.1992 ( ARC) ; 1 male, Wau , 1250 m, 4.II.1963, leg. J.Sedlacek ( BPBM) ; 1 male, 6 km W of Wau, Nami Creek , 1700 m, 15.VI.1962, leg. J.Sedlacek ( BPBM) ; 1 male, U Watut , SW, 1100– 1600 m, 30.IV.1968, leg. J.L.Sedlacek ( BPBM) ; 1 male, Ulap , 800–1100 m, IX.1968, leg. N.L.H.Krauss ( BPBM) .

Description

Holotype, male. Length, pronotum + elytron: 2.88 mm. Coloration ( Fig. 7 ) black with deep blue lustre; scutellum, metathorax and metafemur metallic greenish­blue; procoxa anteriorly bronze; antenna black. Head. As in Fig. 36 . Gena 0.96 X as long as width of head immediately behind eyes. Contours of genae in dorsal view markedly converging anteriad. Vertex transversely rugulose, with simple row of punctures bordering posterior margin of eye. Eyes in dorsal view moderately prominent, set off from lateral contour of head. Profile of vertex with marked constriction immediately behind eye. Ventral surface of head in front of gular region markedly sculptured; with shallow median furrow, sparsely punctate, posteriorly with transverse wrinkles. Rostrum 1.94 X as long as mouthparts; at widest point 1.53 X wider than at base; in profile dorsal contour above antennal insertion with weak rounded prominence, anteriorly in sinuate line to apex; ventral contour continuous with head, sinuate to apex; ventrally on submentum with scattered long, stiff, suberect setae. Mouthparts. Prementum at base 1.6 X wider than long, ca. 2.6 X wider than at apex; with weakly convex lateral margins converging apicad; apical processes subangulate, of equal length, on same level dorsoventrally. Antenna slender, as in Fig. 61 . Prothorax 0.94 X as long as wide; preapical constriction shallow; disc evenly convex, shining, impunctate; sides with dense, moderately deep punctures. Metanotum with pair of indistinct lateral lobes. Elytron 2.32 X longer than wide; striae moderately impressed. Thoracic venter. Height of pterothorax 0.79 X length of elytron. Procoxa in anterior aspect 1.18 X as long as wide. Legs. Profemur subsymmetrically clavate, moderately swollen, thickest at 0.28 of length from apex, at base with indistinct stalk. Protibia in basal half straight, in apical half weakly curved ventrad; ventral contour slightly sinuate, subparallel to dorsal contour. Mesotibia dorsally before apex with subangulate lobe, its apical edge leading obliquely towards uncus; overall shape of tibia subtriangular. Mesotarsus straight, 2.8 X as long as wide. Metatibia of similar size as mesotibia. Abdomen. Ventral contour anteriorly straight in lateral view, sternite VI projecting nose­like, with marked constriction between sternite VI and VII. Ventral surface of sternite III subglabrous, sternites IV–V each with double patch of erect setae, at middle with subglabrous longitudinal band; sternite VI sparsely setose with subrecumbent setae; sternite VI with median knob in front of posterior margin. Pygidium 0.96 X wider than long; basal third microreticulate, apically shining; moderately densely to sparsely punctate with moderately deep punctures. Genitalia. Apex of tergite VIII curved in evenly convex line. Sternite VIII as in Fig. 174 . Tegminal plate ( Fig. 135 ) with sides weakly converging apicad; apical edge subtruncate, densely setose with short setae. Aedeagus. Apical scoop of pedon ( Fig. 166 ) ca. 1.22 X as long as wide, evenly rounded to apex, spoon­shaped. Tectum as in Fig. 167 ; lateral frame converging with straight sides to pointed apex; subapically with angulate lateral extensions. TA as in Fig. 109 ; frame of trapezoid shape; transfer processes basally articulated inside of frame of TA, approximately reaching frame´s apex; base of transfer processes at about middle of frame; without distinct dorsal plate; internal support structures of ductus ejaculatorius short, not reaching level of basal sclerites; basal sclerites ca. 0.30 X of total length of TA. Cuticle of endophallus in apical 0.47 (of total length of aedeagus) with dense, subtriangular denticles; in mid portion with pair of elongate sclerites; between these sclerites with area of long, thin, centripetally directed setae (similar as in Figs 113–115, 117 ).

Allotype, female. Same as holotype except: length, pronotum + elytron: 2.72 mm. Head as in Fig. 51 . Gena 0.82 X as long as width of head immediately behind eyes. Profile of vertex with shallow constriction immediately behind eye. Rostrum 1.67 X as long as mouthparts; at widest point 1.50 X wider than at base. Prothorax 0.92 X as long as wide. Disk at middle with very shallow transverse impression. Elytron 2.32 X longer than wide. Thoracic venter. Height of pterothorax 0.83 X length of elytron. Procoxa in anterior aspect 1.03 X as long as wide. Legs. Dorsal contour of profemur sinuate, in basal third straight, continuing in markedly convex line to apex. Protibia straight; ventral contour basally straight, at middle convex, apically concave; ventral surface weakly crenulate, with suberect setae; tibial apex with uncus and minute premucro; premucro in ventral position. Abdomen. Setose patch of venter 1.26 X as long as wide, consisting of 3 double rows of modified setae. Pygidium 1.03 X wider than long. Genitalia. Sternite VIII as in Fig. 193 , atypical, apodeme vestigial [this seems to be an unusual trait of the specimen, as other female paratypes do have an apodeme]. Tergite VIII apically rounded. Spermatheca as in Fig. 211 ; basally with long siphon­like extension; slender; subisodiametric from insertion with gland to shortly before apex. Length of ductus spermathecae plus spermatheca 2.2 X as long as tergite VIII.

Intraspecific variation

Length, pronotum + elytron: males 2.38–2.91 mm (n=14, =2.68 ± 0.17); females 2.69–3.09 mm (n=5, =2.87 ± 0.18). Coloration quite variable; ranging from black with deep blue lustre to an electric metallic blue; elytra sometimes with reddish violet lustre. Prothorax 0.92–0.98 X as long as wide in males (n=14, =0.95 ± 0.02), 0.89–0.93 X as long as wide in females (n=5, =0.91 ± 0.02). Elytron 2.32–2.49 X longer than wide in males (n=14, =2.39 ± 0.05), 2.28–2.35 X longer than wide in females (n=5, =2.31 ± 0.03). Thoracic venter. Height of pterothorax 0.74–0.79 X length of elytron in males (n=14, =0.76 ± 0.02), 0.80–0.83 X length of elytron in females (n=5, =0.81 ± 0.01). Abdomen. Pygidium 0.92–1.04 X wider than long in males (n=13, =0.98 ± 0.04), 1.03– 1.15 X wider than long in females (n=5, =1.08 ± 0.05). Female patch of modified setae 1.04–1.26 X as long as wide (n=5, =1.14 ± 0.10). Genitalia. TA in specimen from Baiyer River somewhat smaller than average; apex of TA in some specimens straight, in others slightly concave. Female Sternite VIII with or without apodeme.

Etymological note

This epithet is based on a combination of the Latin adjective tenuis (thin, filiform) and of the noun flagellum (whip, funicle) and refers to the thin antenna of this species. It should be noted though, that this character is typical of most species of Metaeuops .

Figures

FIGURES 1–9. Habitus of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.: (1) E. coelestinus, male (Japen Isl.); (2) E. coelestinus, female lectotype; (3) E. violaceus, female lectotype; (4) E. illegalovi, holotype; (5) E. swartensis, holotype; (6) E. oops, holotype; (7) E. tenuiflagellaris, holotype; (8) E. judithae, holotype; (9) E. coeruleus, holotype. Scale lines 1 mm.

FIGURES 36–41. Head of Euops (Metaeuops) spp., in lateral aspect; males: (36) E. tenuiflagellaris, holotype; (37) E. curvipes, holotype; (38) E. coeruleus, holotype; (39) E. torricelliensis, holotype; (40) E. piceus, holotype; (41) E. paratibialis, holotype.

FIGURES 46–55. Head of Euops (Metaeuops) spp., in lateral aspect; females: (46) E. violaceus, lectotype; (47) E. coelestinus, lectotype; (48) E. ruficornis, lectotype; (49) E. ratcliffei, holotype; (50) E. dintelmanni, allotype; (51) E. tenuiflagellaris, allotype; (52) E. curvipes, allotype; (53) E. illegalovi, allotype; (54) E. piceus, allotype; (55) E. paratibialis (Emdoman). Scale lines 500 µm.

FIGURES 56–72. Antenna of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.: (56) E. torricelliensis, holotype; (57) E. oops, holotype; (58) E. arfakensis, holotype; (59) E. biru, holotype; (60) E. illegalovi, holotype; (61) E. tenuiflagellaris, holotype; (62) E. judithae, holotype; (63) E. swartensis, holotype; (64) E. coeruleus, holotype; (65) E. dintelmanni, holotype; (66) E. piceus, holotype; (67) E. curvipes, holotype; (68) E. ratcliffei, holotype; (69) E. coelestinus (Ransiki); (70) E. ruficornis, lectotype; (71) E. paratibialis, holotype; (72) E. violaceus, lectotype. Scale lines 200 µm.

FIGURES 84–86. Aedeagus of Euops (Metaeuops) spp., in dorsal aspect; (84) E. coelestinus (Wasior); (85) E. curvipes, holotype; (86) E. tenuiflagellaris, holotype. Scale lines 200 µm. A.aed. = apex of aedeagus; A.e. = apex of endophallus; B.aed. = body of aedeagus; c.s. = field of centripetal setae; e.sc. = endophallic sclerites; p = pedon; t = tectum; TA = transfer apparatus.

FIGURES 106–109. Male genitalia of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.; transfer apparatus of aedeagus in dorsal aspect (left) and lateral aspect (right); (106) E. arfakensis, holotype; (107) E. ratcliffei, holotype; (108) E. judithae, holotype; (109) E. tenuiflagellaris, holotype. Scale lines 100 µm. b.s. = basal scerite, f = frame of TA, tr.pr. = transfer processes.

FIGURES 131–135. Male genitalia of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.; dorsal plate of tegmen in dorsal aspect; (131) E. tibialis, lectotype; (132) E. paratibialis, holotype; (133) E. piceus, holotype; (134) E. judithae, holotype; (135) E. tenuiflagellaris, holotype. Scale lines 100 µm.

FIGURES 160–169. Male genitalia of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.; (160, 162, 164, 166, 168) pedon of aedeagus in ventral aspect; (161, 163, 165, 167, 169) tectum of aedeagus in dorsal aspect; (160– 161) E. tibialis, lectotype; (162–163) E. paratibialis, holotype; (164–165) E. judithae, holotype; (166–167) E. tenuiflagellaris, holotype; (168–169) E. piceus, holotype. Scale lines 100 µm.

FIGURES 170–186. Male sternite VIII of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.; (170) E. coelestinus (Ransiki); (171) E. torricelliensis, holotype; (172) E. oops, holotype; (173) E. illegalovi, holotype; (174) E. tenuiflagellaris, holotype; (175) E. judithae, holotype; (176) E. swartensis, holotype; (177) E. ratcliffei, holotype; (178) E. arfakensis, holotype; (179) E. curvipes, holotype; (180) E. dintelmanni, holotype; (181) E. coeruleus, holotype; (182) E. ruficornis (Wau); (183) E. biru, holotype; (184) E. piceus, holotype; (185) E. tibialis, lectotype; (186) E. paratibialis, holotype. Scale lines 100 µm.

FIGURES 189–202. Female sternite VIII of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.; (189) E. coelestinus (Wasior); (190) E. coelestinus lectotype; (191) E. violaceus, lectotype; (192) E. swartensis, allotype; (193) E. tenuiflagellaris, allotype; (194) E. judithae, allotype; (195) E. illegalovi, allotype; (196) E. ratcliffei, allotype; (197) E. curvipes, allotype; (198) E. ruficornis, lectotype; (199) E. dintelmanni, allotype; (200) E. biru, allotype; (201) E. piceus, allotype; (202) E. tibialis (Epomani); (203) E. paratibialis, allotype. Scale lines 100 µm.

FIGURES 204–219. Spermatheca of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.; (204) E. coelestinus, lectotype; (205) E. coelestinus (Japen Isl.); (206) E. coelestinus (Wasior); (207) E. swartensis, allotype; (208) E. illegalovi, allotype; (209) E. violaceus, lectotype; (210) E. ruficornis, lectotype; (211) E. tenuiflagellaris, allotype; (212) E. judithae, allotype; (213) E. ratcliffei, allotype; (214) E. dintelmanni, allotype; (215) E. biru, allotype; (216) E. curvipes, allotype; (217) E. piceus, allotype; (218) E. paratibialis, allotype; (219) E. tibialis (Epomani). Scale lines 100 µm.

FIGURES 220–222. Distribution of Euops (Metaeuops) spp. Areas above 1000 m are shaded.

FIGURES 110–118. Male genitalia of Euops (Metaeuops) spp.; mid portion of endophallus with endophallic sclerites and field of centripetal setae if present; (110) E. ruficornis (Wau); (111) E. dintelmanni, holotype; (112) E. curvipes, holotype; (113) E. judithae, holotype; (114) E. illegalovi, holotype; (115) E. torricelliensis, holotype; (116) E. biru, holotype; (117) E. coeruleus, holotype; (118) E. ratcliffei, holotype. Scale lines 50 µm.