Tegyrius buddhai, Prathapan & Viraktamath, 2009

Prathapan, K. D. & Viraktamath, C. A., 2009, Revision of Tegyrius (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), with descriptions of eight new species, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 157 (2), pp. 326-358 : 337-339

TEGYRIUS BUDDHAI SP. NOV. ( FIGS 32–40 )

Distribution: Sri Lanka .

Host plant: The types were collected on unidentified Piper sp.

Description: Head, pronotum, and elytra, shining black. Sternites black, except last sternite of male dark-brown distally; mouth parts, antennae, and all legs except metafemur brown with rufous tinge. Metafemur piceous, with brown apex.

Supraorbital sulcus indistinct. Third antennomere subequal to fourth; fifth slightly longer than fourth; sixth shorter than fifth; seventh to ninth each subequal and longer than sixth; tenth slightly shorter than ninth; last subequal to first; distal five antennomeres slightly thickened. The antennae reach half of the elytra over the pronotum.

Pronotum with antebasal transverse impression distinct laterally, faint in middle, and impression not strongly punctate compared with the rest of the pronotum. Apex of prosternal intercoxal process convex, with preapical depressions. Prosternal intercoxal process 2.9 times wider than the distance between the anterior margin of the prosternum and the coxal cavity; distance from the anterior margin of the prosternum to the end of the intercoxal prosternal process 2.0 times the minimum width of the prosternal intercoxal process.

Mesoscutellum broader than long, with narrowly rounded apex. Mesosternal intercoxal process depressed on top, but appears flat, with raised anterior and lateral margins, and with posterior margin concave. Elytra with maximum width at the middle. Elytral apex convex, and moderately broad. Elytral punctures weak, and tend to form confused rows, with the distance between the adjacent rows 1–4 times the diameter of a puncture in the anterior half of the elytron. First metatarsomere as long as half of the metatibia.

Subparallel ridges on first abdominal ventrite well developed, extending beyond half of the ventrite, converging distally to form a single ridge ( Fig. 32 ). Lobe in the middle of the last ventrite of males sparsely setose, with a concave apical margin, proximal to middle lobe, and with a knob-like convexity ( Fig. 33 ).

Aedeagus nearly straight in lateral view with a crooked proximal end ( Fig. 35 ); in ventral view, apex broad without angulate extremities, and ventral surface slightly depressed along the middle ( Fig. 34 ); distal opening completely covered with lamina, which extend well beyond the apex of the aedeagus ( Fig. 36 ). Tegmen with stem shorter than arm ( Fig. 37 ). Spermatheca with a strongly curved pump, receptacle about 2.5 times longer than broad, inner side almost straight, outer side convex, narrowing towards duct, and with duct highly knotted ( Fig. 38 ).

Vaginal palpus with distal sclerotization shorter than proximal sclerotization, which is shorter than the lateral unsclerotized area ( Fig. 39 ). Tignum with distal sclerotization broader than long ( Fig. 40 ).

Sexual dimorphism: Pro- and mesotibiae slightly enlarged in males. First metatarsomere of males with a longitudinal patch of capitate sensillae, ventromesally, instead of hair-like setae. Such a patch is absent in females, but instead they have a patch of long setae ventrally. The colour of the last visible ventrite posteriorly is lighter in males.

Measurements (n = 4): Length, 2.03–2.51 (2.21); width, 1.15–1.32 (1.23); length of pronotum, 0.50–0.63 (0.57); width of pronotum, 0.67–0.82 (0.74); width of head across eyes, 0.54–0.62 (0.58); transverse diameter of one eye, 0.21–0.25 (0.23); distance between eyes, 0.24–0.26 (0.25); distance between eye and antennal socket, 0.03–0.04 (0.04); distance between antennal sockets, 0.06–0.08 (0.07); diameter of one antennal socket, 0.06–0.07 (0.07); length of aedeagus, 0.58; length of receptacle, 0.24; length of vaginal palpus, 0.41.

Types: Holotype ♂. Labels: (1) Sri Lanka , Adam’s Peak, 17 March 2006, coll. K. D. Prathapan; (2) Tegyrius buddhai sp. nov. Prathapan & Viraktamath, 2007; (3) holotype (BMNH).

Paratypes (three specimens): 1♂ and 2♀, with the same data as for the holotype (1 NHMB, 1 PKDC, and 1 USNM) .

Etymology: This species is named after the Gautam Buddha, as Adam’s Peak, the type locality, is the most venerated Buddhist destination in Sri Lanka . This fascinating and beautiful peak is locally known as Sri Pada, after the ‘Sacred Foot Print’ left by Buddha as he headed towards paradise.

Remarks: This species resembles T. metallicus in colour and other external features, but can be differentiated easily from it, as discussed for T. metallicus .

Figures

Figures 32–40. Tegyrius buddhai sp. nov.: 32, intercoxal ridges on first abdominal ventrite; 33, male last abdominal ventrite; 34, aedeagus, ventral view; 35, aedeagus, lateral view; 36, distal opening; 37, tegmen; 38, spermatheca; 39, vaginal palpi; 40, tignum.