Nesiotus ocularis Gimmel, 2013

Gimmel, Matthew L., 2013, Revision of the Malagasy genusNesiotusGuillebeau (Coleoptera: Phalacridae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 67 (2), pp. 123-132 : 123-132

Nesiotus ocularis Gimmel , new species

Diagnosis. This species may be distinguished from other members of the genus by the size of the eye in frontal view (separated by about 1.0 times width of one eye), the relatively short antennomere XI in the male, the elytral interval microsetae in two rows, the penis parallel-sided in apical half and nearly truncate apically, and by the fused parameres of the tegmen short-triangular with a broadly rounded apex.

Holotype. Male , genitalia dissected and mounted in DMHF on card with specimen, with label data “ MADAGASCAR: Prov. \ Fianarantsoa, 7 km \ W Ranomafana, 1100m \ 23–28 February 1990 \ W. E. Steiner // Taken by sweeping \ low vegetation \ along trail in \ montane rainforest // HOLOTYPE \ Nesiotus \ ocularis Gimmel \ des. M.L. Gimmel [red label]”, deposited in USNM.

Description. Length 1.3 mm. Dorsal coloration ( Fig. 24 ) uniformly yellowish testaceous. Ventral coloration somewhat darker. Appendages testaceous. Head: Eyes very large, separated by about width of a single eye in frontal view ( Fig. 32). Male antennomere XI slightly shorter than IX–X combined, IX–X combined slightly longer than funicle. Female unknown. Thorax: Pronotum with anterior bead not narrowed medially; posterolateral angles sharp, slightly obtuse; posterior border margined in about medial one-fifth. Prosternal process with 1 pair of apical setae, setae located at posterolateral corners. Elytral interval microsetae in 2 irregular rows. Metaventral lines extending posteriorly about one-third distance from mesocoxa to metacoxa. Genitalia: Penis ( Fig. 10 ) nearly truncate at apex, with slight rounded protrusion medially; nearly parallel-sided in apical half; internal sac sclerites as illustrated. Tegmen ( Fig. 17 ) with fused parameres short-triangular, apex broadly rounded; subapical setae not evident; basal piece with lateral edges somewhat rounded, widest at mid-length; with 3 acuminate and narrow basal struts, struts about equal in length and width and distinctly exceeding basal ring anteriorly.

Etymology. The specific epithet is taken from the Latin oculus (eye) and modified with the adjectival suffix - aris (pertaining to), in reference to the large eyes characteristic of this species.

Distribution. The species is known only from the holotype collected in Ranomafana National Park, Fianaranstoa Province, Madagascar.

Figures

Figs. 20–27. Dorsal habitus and type labels of Nesiotus species. Dorsal habitus: 20) N. basalis; 21) N. fisheri; 22) N. joebranhami; 23) N. nocitus; 24) N. ocularis; 25) N. steineri; 26) N. olibroides, lectotype. All habitus images to same scale. Labels: 27) N. olibroides, lectotype.

Figs. 6–19. Aedeagal sclerites of Nesiotus species. Penis: 6) N. basalis; 7) N. fisheri; 8) N. joebranhami; 9) N. nocitus; 10) N. ocularis; 11) N. olibroides; 12) N. steineri. Tegmen:13) N. basalis; 14) N. fisheri; 15) N. joebranhami; 16) N. nocitus; 17) N. ocularis; 18) N. olibroides; 19) N. steineri. Scale bar = 0.1 mm.