Deretaphrus xanthorrhoeae Lea, 1898

Lord, Nathan P. & McHugh, Joseph V., 2013, A Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Deretaphrus Newman, 1842 (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Bothrideridae), The Coleopterists Bulletin (mo 12) 67, pp. 1-107 : 55-58

Deretaphrus xanthorrhoeae Lea, 1898

( Figs. 10 , 12–13 , 16–17 , 81 , 130–131 , 137–139 , 164 , 174 , 250–251 )

Deretaphrus xanthorrhoeae Lea, 1898: 548 . Blackburn 1903: 120; Carter and Zeck 1937: 200.

Diagnosis. This species can be readily distinguished from congeners by the nearly glabrous antennae, the shape of the submentum, the head without distinct laterally expanded supra-ocular ridges, abdominal ventrite V with a notched posterior face in females, and a distribution restricted to Western Australia. It most closely resembles D. ocularis and D. ignarus . Deretaphrus xanthorrhoeae can be distinguished from D. ocularis by the non-reniform shape of the eye. For comments on similarities and differences in relation to D. ignarus , see the diagnosis under that species.

Redescription. Length 6.6–9.5 mm. Width 2–2.6 mm. Body elongate, parallel, dark red to black; dorsal surface glabrous, matte to slightly shiny; ventral surface moderately shiny, glabrous except for minute setae that arise from punctures. Head: In dorsal view, slightly narrowed anteriorly; without laterally expanded supra-ocular ridges; eyes visible from above; punctures small and dense except sparse along posterior margin. Frontoclypeal suture not distinct, arcuate anteromedially. Anterior margin of clypeus broadly arcuate. Submentum shape similar to Fig. 49 ; narrowly separated from subgenal braces, without paired setose pits; anterior margin sinuate, strongly produced anteroventrally over oral cavity, mentum barely visible to concealed. Antennal groove welldeveloped, impunctate. Antenna sparsely setose, setae small, but distinctly visible, setae less than ¼ of the length of the segment from which they arise, segments 3–8 with a single transverse row of short setae; setae on antennal club segments sparse, arising near the apex. Antennal club slightly asymmetrical, leading edge of club segments much more inflated than trailing edge. Dorsal surface (external face) of mandible without median setose groove. Thorax ( Fig. 81 ): Pronotum elongate, tapering to base, widest near anterior ¼; dorsal surface strongly convex, flattened to slightly depressed medially; anterior margin straight, slightly wider than head; anterior angles rounded; base narrower than elytral bases; posterior margin weakly sinuate; posterior angles with small denticle; lateral margin with incomplete carina, forming a distinct raised border in dorsal view, terminating anteriorly before the true anterior margin of the pronotum. Pronotal disc with small, dense, ovoid punctures. Pronotal median longitudinal depression moderately welldeveloped, widening posteriorly; area on either side of midline slightly raised; longitudinal depression slightly interrupted anteriorly, anterior portion a small line or slit, with surrounding area strongly punctate; punctures along median longitudinal depression distinctly larger than on rest of pronotal disc; posterior portion of interruption with an anterior groove that widens towards base; groove punctate internally. Hypomeron densely punctate except for laterad of coxae and at dorsal margin, punctures larger than found on pronotal disc; lateral walls nearly vertical. Prosternum flat medially, strongly deflexed at lateral margin. Prosternum depressed immediately anterior to procoxae. Tergosternal suture more or less straight. Elytra ( Figs. 130–131 ): Elytron convex, slightly flattened dorsally; punctures small and evenly spaced; interstitial intervals 3, 5, 7, and 9 weakly raised and shiny for entire length; intervals 4 and 6 slightly raised at mid-length (not as strong as 3, 5, 7, and 9). Basal margin with intervals 3 and 5 ending in a small knob-like protuberance; finger-like callosity on the elytral shoulder small. Legs: Setation sparse; inner face of tibia with 2 prominent fringes of relatively long setae. Ventral apex of tibia with 2 pockets of dense setae that arise on either side of the large, curved tibial spur. Tarsus sparsely setose except for 2 pockets of dense setae on the ventral surface at the apex of tarsomeres 1–3. Abdomen: Punctures on ventrite V smaller and denser than on ventrites I–IV. In females, posterior face of ventrite V with a semicircular excised notch, the dorsal margin of which bears a small point ( Figs. 138–139 ). In males, tip of ventrite V simple ( Fig. 137 ). Aedeagus: Phallobase as in Fig. 164 . Tegmen consisting of a single arcuate median plate; plate with small emargination anteromedially. Basal piece with short anterolateral struts; struts straight to subtly curved anteriorly. Parameres moderately short, lateral margins strongly arcuate, widely separated and individually articulated to phallobase, internal lateral margins sinuate; paramere sparsely setose with short setae at lateral and apical margins; dorsal surface of paramere with well-developed, curved process; process thickest at base, narrowing apically, about half as long as the paramere, apex pointed; processes narrowly separated medially. Penis similar to Fig. 169 ; short, moderately thick, slightly curved; apex narrowed and pointed; base slightly expanded, bearing moderately long, paired anterior struts. Penis lighter for short portion near basal tip.

Variation. The size and color vary within the species. In some specimens, the anterior portion of the median longitudinal canal is short and very narrow; in others, the anterior portion is not distinctly visible, but the surrounding area is impressed. The degree of carination of the elytral interstitial intervals is also somewhat variable, ranging from slightly raised to distinctly raised and shiny.

Distribution. Australia: Western Australia ( Fig. 174 ).

Biology. In the description, Lea (1898) stated that D. xanthorrhoeae “… may frequently be obtained from the dead crowns of various species

of’ Xanthorrhoea and occasionally from similar situations in Kingia australis .” One specimen was taken in Xanthorrhoea sp. [WAMP 12NL], one specimen was taken in log heartwood [ANIC 299NL], and two specimens were taken from “Blackboy” grass trees (= Xanthorrhoea spp. , Xanthorrhoeaceae ) [WAMP 9–10NL, WAMP 50NL, WAMP 57–58NL, WAMP 64–65NL]. One specimen was in an inquiline collection, cardmounted with an ant [WAMP 25NL].

Remarks. Lea (1898) did not mention the number of specimens he examined. Only two specimens from Swan River (card-mounted together) were located that matched the type locality and had labels consistent with Lea’ s syntypes. In order to stabilize this name, a lectotype and paralectotype are here designated from the syntype series of D. xanthorrhoeae .

Type Locality. Swan River, Chidlow’ s Well , Pinjarra , Western Australia .

Type Material Examined. L E C T O T Y P E ( Figs. 250–251 ) ( SAMA, left specimen, cardmounted with paralectotype) label data: “TY [handwritten on card-mount beneath left specimen] // xanthorrheae Lea TYPE Swan R [in Lea’ s hand] // 9572 Deretaphrus xanthorrheae Lea W. Australia TYPE [handwritten in black ink, “TYPE” written in red ink on right side of label] // S. Aust. Museum specimen [orange label]” [ SAMA 275 , examined]. Sex not determined. PARALECTOTYPE ( SAMA, right-most specimen on card-mount, mounted with lectotype) label data: same as above [ SAMA 276 NL, examined]. Sex not determined .

Additional Material Examined (53). A US TR ALI A: W E S T E R N A U S T R A L I A: Augusta ( ANIC 168 NL); Bejoording ( WAMP 8 NL); Beverly ( MVMA 2 NL); Denmark ( WAMP 48 NL); Dryandra Forest, 27 km. NW. of Narrogin ( WAMP 60 NL); Dunsborough ( ANIC 299 NL); Eradu ( SAMA 127 NL); Julimar Forest ( WAMP 64–65 NL); King George Sound ( AMSA 62–63 NL, MAMU 11–12 NL); Marivale Downs, East Esperance ( MCZ 36 NL); Geraldton ( MVMA 3 NL); Gingin ( WAMP 52 NL); Gnangara ( WAMP 1 NL, WAMP 3–7 NL); Green Head ( WAMP 44 NL); Karridale ( ANIC 235 NL); Mundaring ( BMNH 55–56 NL); Muresk ( WAMP 9 NL); Perth ( MCZ 34–35 NL, SAMA 85–88 NL); Pinjarra ( BMNH 58 NL); Spencers Brook ( WAMP 10 NL, WAMP 12 NL); Swan River ( ANIC 58 NL, SAMA 167 NL); Walyunga National Park ( WAMP 50 NL, WAMP 57–58 NL); Wanneroo ( WAMP 25 NL); no locality ( ANIC 59 NL, BMNH 57 NL, BMNH 59 NL, MVMA 1 NL, UQIC 32 NL). STATE UNKNOWN: Ivaneru ( WAMP 11 NL); no locality ( ANIC 61 NL, MNHUB 46 NL, SAMA 161–162 NL, SAMA 166 NL).

Unassigned Deretaphrus Specimens. The following specimens could not be confidently identified, as they were either missing body parts critical to identification or fell outside the accepted boundaries of variation according to our species definitions. It is possible a greater degree of morphological variability exists within some species, and/or the natural ranges are far larger than currently recorded. In some cases, a few of the specimens below may represent distinct species (especially from W. Australia and northern Queensland), but conservative identifications were made until more material becomes available. In a few instances, specimens thought to be erroneously labeled are included here and are excluded from the distribution maps.

AUSTRALIA: NEW SOUTH WALES: Clyde River ( MAMU 8 NL); Smiggins Hole, Kosciusko National Park ( HNHM 11 NL); Wagga Wagga ( BPBM 20 NL); no locality ( HNHM 1 NL, MAMU 42 NL, MNHUB 53–54 NL). NORTHERN TERRI- TORY: Mundingbarry H.S., 9 km. E ( ANIC 167 NL); Mundingbarry H.S., 9 km. N by E ( ANIC 236 NL); Port Darwin ( SAMA 154 NL); Stapleton ( SAMA 190 NL). QUEENSLAND: Ban Ban Range, via Coalstoun Lakes ( ANIC 124 NL); Endeavour River ( MAMU 9–10 NL); Herberton ( MVMA 83 NL); West Claudie River, Iron Range ( AAIC 3 NL, QMBA 8 NL). SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Adelaide ( MNHUB 1 NL). TASMANIA: no locality ( BMNH 35 NL). VICTORIA: no locality ( MNHUB 8 NL). WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Fremantle ( BMNH 103 NL); Gnangara ( WAMP 2 NL); Hamel ( SAMA 151–152 NL); Mingenew ( BPBM 30 NL); Mundaring ( BMNH 19 NL); Rockingham ( MNHUB 52 NL); no locality ( MNHUB 45 NL). STATE UNKNOWN: no locality ( BPBM 10 NL, BPBM 12 NL, MAMU 5–7 NL, MNHUB 50–51 NL, MNHUB 55–56 NL).

Possible Erroneous Labels. There are a few specimens from Hamel, W.A. in the UQIC. These are D. wollastoni but are most likely mis-labeled. The two specimens preceding this series ( UQIC 34 NL, UQIC 41 NL) are from Brisbane and are in a sequence with the Hamel specimens (according to the UQIC Reg. numbers affixed to the specimens). Therefore, it is likely the specimens were affixed with a Hamel, W.A. label in error ( UQIC 24 NL, UQIC 38–40 NL). There is a single specimen in the UQIC labeled from Brisbane, Queensland ( UQIC 28 NL). The specimen is D. xanthorrhoeae and was perhaps mis-labeled.

Possible New Species. Three morphotypes were not assigned to a species due to lack of additional material. We elect to keep these specimens undetermined until more material can be collected. For ease of reference, we refer to these as Deretaphrus morphotypes 1–3.

Morphotype 1. AUSTRALIA: WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Bridgetown ( SAMA 165 NL); Denmark ( ANIC 60 NL); Forrestfield ( WAMP 67 NL); Melaleuca Park, 12 km. NE of Wanneroo ( WAMP 59 NL); Pinjarra ( SAMA 164 NL).

Morphotype 2. A U S T R A L I A: S O U T H AUSTRALIA: Serpentine Lakes, East side near dune crest ( SAMA 236 NL).

Morphotype 3. AUSTRALIA: QUEENSLAND: Coen ( ANIC 208 NL); Tolga ( ANIC 297 NL); Tolga, 7 km. NE ( ANIC 292, ANIC 298 NL).

CHECKLIST OF THE SPECIES OF

DERETAPHRUS NEWMAN

Deretaphrus Newman, 1842 aequaliceps Blackburn, 1903 alveolatus Carter and Zeck, 1937 analis Lea, 1898 antennatus Lord and McHugh , new species boliviensis Lord and McHugh , new species bucculentus Elston, 1923 , new status carinatus Lord and McHugh , new species erichsoni Newman in Wollaston and Newman,

1855

granulipennis Reitter, 1877 fossus Newman, 1842

cordicollis Blackburn, 1903 gracilis Blackburn, 1903 hoplites Lord and McHugh , new species ignarus Pascoe, 1862

pascoei Macleay, 1871 incultus Carter and Zeck, 1937 interruptus Grouvelle, 1903 iridescens Blackburn, 1903 , new status lateropunctatus Lord and McHugh , new species ocularis Lord and McHugh , new species oregonensis Horn, 1873 parviceps Lea, 1898 piceus ( Germar, 1848)

bakewellii Pascoe, 1862

thoracicus Blackburn, 1903 puncticollis Lea, 1898 rodmani Lord and McHugh , new species viduatus Pascoe, 1862

colydioides Pascoe, 1862

cribriceps Blackburn, 1903 , new synonymy

popularis Blackburn, 1903 , new synonymy

sparsiceps Blackburn, 1903 wollastoni Newman in Wollaston and Newman,

1855 xanthorrhoeae Lea, 1898

Figures

Figs. 6–11. Deretaphrus biology. 6) Series of D. viduatus depicting size variability; 7) Pupal cell of Trichaulax philipsii; 8) D. puncticollis, pupal cocoon mass (with emerging adult) attached to larva of T. philipsii; 9) D. puncticollis, with pupal cocoon; 10) D. xanthorrhoeae, pupal cocoon; 11) D. viduatus, pupal cocoon with silken threads and smooth external surface.

Figs. 12–13. Deretaphrus xanthorrhoeae, pupal cocoons. 12) Dorsal view; 13) Ventral view.

Figs. 16–17. Deretaphrus xanthorrhoeae, pupal cocoon. 16) 50X; 17) 100X.

Figs. 75–81. Deretaphrus species, pronotum. 75) D. parviceps; 76) D. piceus; 77) D. puncticollis; 78) D. rodmani;

Figs. 130–131. Deretaphrus species, elytra. 130) Dorsal view; 131) Lateral view.

Figs. 132–139. Deretaphrus species, abdominal apex. 132) D. analis, ventral view (either sex); 133) D. piceus, ventral view (either sex); 134) D. erichsoni, female, ventral view; 135) D. erichsoni, female, oblique lateral view; 136) D. hoplites, female, ventral view; 137) D. xanthorrhoeae, male, ventral view; 138) D. xanthorrhoeae, female, ventral view; 139) D. xanthorrhoeae, female, posterior view.

Figs. 158–164. Deretaphrus species, phallobase. 158) D. parviceps; 159) D. piceus; 160) D. puncticollis;

Figs. 173–174. Distribution of Deretaphrus species. 173) D. alveolatus, D. antennatus, D. parviceps, and D. rodmani;

Figs. 246–251. Primary type specimens and specimen labels of Deretaphrus species. 246–247) D. sparsiceps, lectotype, BMNH; 248–249) D. wollastoni, neotype, MNHUB; 250–251) D. xanthorrhoeae, lectotype, SAMA.

Figs. 48–53. Deretaphrus species, head capsule, ventral view, showing setae and shape of submentum. 48) D. ignarus;

Figs. 165–172. Deretaphrus species, penis (left: dorsal view; right: lateral view; phallobase, to scale with penis). 165) D. boliviensis; 166) D. bucculentus; 167) D. gracilis; 168) D. hoplites; 169) D. ignarus; 170) D. oregonensis; 171) D. parviceps; 172) D. puncticollis.