Ctenoplus deceptus, Fuller & Platia, 2006

Fuller, E. & Platia, G., 2006, A revision of the click beetle genus Ctenoplus Candèze, 1863 (Coleoptera: Elateridae, Synaptina), Zootaxa 1217 (1), pp. 1-76 : 71-72

Ctenoplus deceptus n. sp.

Figures 85 , 106 , 111

Diagnosis

Externally indistinguishable from C. cateianus n. sp., C. deceptus is distinguished from C. cateianus by details of the male and female genitalia. In C. deceptus , the median lobe is evenly tapered to the apex and the parameres are angulate subapically ( Fig. 85 ); in C. cateianus , the median lobe is subparallel for most of its length and the parameres are more or less straight laterally ( Fig. 84 ). The tubular extension of C. deceptus bears two narrow bands of spines for most of its length and appears less densely spined ( Fig. 106 ); the tubular extension of C. cateianus has one broad band of spines (at least proximally and distally) and appears more densely spined ( Fig. 105 ). At present, these two species are not sympatric. C. deceptus is known from central and western Nepal and northwestern India; C. cateianus is known from eastern Nepal and northeastern India.

Description

As in C. cateianus , except as noted.

Male genitalia, Fig. 85 ; parameres converging at anterior end in ventral aspect; ventral surface with long thin sclerite along midline, sclerite about 3/4 length of parameres; articulation between basal piece and parameres darkly pigmented and conspicuous. Female genitalia, Fig. 106 ; spermatophore present in specimen illustrated; bursa copulatrix twisted and coiled posteriorly (not shown); bursal plates attenuated at posterior angles, symmetrical; tubular extension: arising dorsally on bursa; with 2 narrow bands of spines along most of length, bands merging into broad band around base; spines about 1/2 size of bursal spines; spermatheca absent.

Material examined and range

8♂, 2♀. INDIA: Holotype male , 1♂, 2♀ paratypes, “India, Uttar Pradesh, 1900m, Mussoorie ”/ “ vii. 1989, Hiermeier” [ CRG, CPG] . NEPAL: Paratypes: 1♂, “Basantapur, 2300m, 30.5.–2.6.85"/ “C. Nepal, Kathmandu V, M. Brancucci ” [ CSV] ; 3♂, “Nepal, Kathmandu V, Godavari 1500 m ”/ “ 21–27.v.1989, M. Brancucci ” [ NHMB] ; 1♂, “Nepal, Kathmandu V, Godavari , 1500–1700m, 19.6.1988, leg. Lebisch & Probst ” [ ERFC] ; 1♂, “Parbat Distr., Kusma­Karkineta, 900–1600m, 2.vii.1986 "/ “ W. Nepal, Dhawalagiri, C. Holzschuh” [ CPG]. C. deceptus is known from northwestern India, and western and central Nepal ( Fig. 111 ) .

Etymology The species epithet refers to the similarity of this species and C. cateianus .

Natural history

This species has been collected between 21 May and 2 July, and between 900 and 2300 m in elevation.

Figures

FIGURE 111. Distribution of Ctenoplus species.

FIGURES 66–85. Male genitalia of Ctenoplus species, dorsal aspect unless otherwise specified. 66, C. javanensis Cand.; 67, C. sumatrensis n. sp.; 68, C. sanguinolentoides n. sp.; 69, C. nitidipennis Schwarz; 70, C. indicus n. sp.; 71, C. collaris Cand., a, dorsal, b, ventral; 72, C. pseudocollaris n. sp.; 73, C. neosiamensis n. sp.; 74, C. siamensis n. sp.; 75, C. rufoantennatus n. sp.; 76, C. castaneus (Fleut.), a, dorsal, b, lateral; 77, C. coomani Fleut.; 78, C. divergens n. sp.; 79, C. alutaceus n. sp., a, dorsal, b, lateral; 80, C. semialutaceus n. sp.; 81, C. balli n. sp.; 82, C. girardianus n. sp.; 83, C. gigas n. sp.; 84, C. cateianus n. sp.; 85, C. deceptus n. sp. Abbreviations: st, median struts; pa, parameres; ph, phallobase. Scale bar = 0.25 mm.

FIGURES 98–106. Female genitalia of Ctenoplus species. 98, C. coomani Fleut.; 99, C. brunneus Fleut.; 100, C. divergens n. sp.; 101, C. alutaceus n. sp.; 102, C. balli n. sp.; 103, C. girardianus n. sp.; 104, C. gigas n. sp.; 105, C. cateianus n. sp.; 106, C. deceptus n. sp. Abbreviations: sd, tubular extension. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.