Nesocyrtosoma merkli (Marcuzzi) Hopp, Katie J. & Ivie, Michael A., 2009

Hopp, Katie J. & Ivie, Michael A., 2009, A Revision Of The West Indian Genus Nesocyrtosoma Marcuzzi (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), The Coleopterists Bulletin (mo 8) 63, pp. 1-138 : 33-36

Nesocyrtosoma merkli (Marcuzzi) , New Combination

( Figs. 46 , 120–123 , 262 , 277 )

Cyrtosoma (Pachycyrtosoma) merkli Marcuzzi 1999: 82 , 84, Figs. 1 and 2 ; Perez- Gelabert 2008: 115.

Type Material Examined. HOLOTYPE: DOM.REP., LaVega,; 53km.SE.Constanza; August 9, 1979; L.B.O’Brien/ Cyrtosoma ; Pachycyrtosoma; merkli / on red paper Holotypus / on yellow paper HOLOTYPUS; Cyrtosoma ; (Pachycyrtosoma); merkli Marcuzzi, 1999 . ( HNHM). PARATYPES (7 specimens in HNHM): DOM.REP., LaVega,; 53km.SE.Constanza; August 9, 1979; L.B.O’Brien/ on yellow paper PARATYPUS; Cyrtosoma ; (Pachycyrtosoma); merkli Marcuzzi, 1999 . (2 HNHM). DOM.REP., LaVega,; 8km.S.Constanza; IX-3-1997; C.W. O’Brien/ on yellow paper PARATYPUS; Cyrtosoma ; (Pachycyrtosoma); merkli Marcuzzi, 1999 (1 HNMH). DOM.REP., LaVega,; 18km.SE.Constanza; August 4, 1979; L.B.O’Brien/ on yellow paper PARATYPUS; Cyrtosoma ; (Pachycyrtosoma); merkli Marcuzzi, 1999 (2 HNHM). DOM.REP., LaVega,; 53km.SE.Constanza; August 9, 1979; L.B.O’Brien/ on red paper COTYPUS/ Cyrtosoma ; Pachycyrtosoma; merkli / on yellow paper PARATYPUS; Cyrtosoma ; (Pachycyrtosoma); merkli Marcuzzi, 1999 . (1 HNHM). COTYPES: DOM. REP., La Vega,; 53km.S.E.Constanza; August 9, 1979; L. B. O’Brien/ Cotypus (on red paper)/ Cyrtosoma ; (Pachycyrtosoma); merkli ; Marcuzzi; 1999. (1 BMNH).

Notes. An eighth paratype deposited in HNHM is designated by Marcuzzi (1999). However, after examination this specimen was determined as Nesocyrtosoma otus Hopp and Ivie and is further discussed under that species.

Other Material Examined. Mt.Quita-; Espuela, Dom. Rep.; July’38, 2– 3,000 ft.; Darlington. (3 MCZC). Mt. Diego de; Ocampo, Dom. Rep.; 3–4,000 ft., July’38; Darlington. (3 MCZC). Loma Rucilla and; mts. N., Dom. Rep.; June’38, 5– 8,000 ft.; Darlington. (2 MCZC). cloudforest; vic.Valle Nuevo; Aug’38, Dom. Rep.; c. 6,000 ft, Darl. (4 MCZC, 1 WIBF). Constanza to; V. Nuevo, Dom. Rep.; Aug’38, 3– 7,000 ft.; Darlington. (1 MCZC, 1 WIBF). DOMINIC.REP.: Prov. La Vega; Par.Nac.Almando Bermudez; CordilleraCent,LosTablone; 03SEP1988, 1,220m, beating; M.A.Ivie and K.A.Johnson. (2 WIBF). DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: La; Vega. Cordillera Central,; Reserva Valle Nuevo, La; Nevera, 15.3 km SE Valle; Nuevo,18-41-39N, 70-35-28W; 2,244 m, 3 June 2003 / R. Davidson, C. Young; C. Nunez, J. Rawlins, P; Acevedo, M. de La Cruz; wet montane forest with; pine. hand collected,; Sample 24542/ Carnegie Museum; Specimen Number; CMNH-349,389. (1 CMNH). DOMIN.REP: Prov. Santiago; Par.Nac. ArmandoBermudez; ElRodeo. 19u089N, 71u02W; 1,456m. 10 JULY 1992; M.A. and R.O. Ivie colrs. (2 WIBF). DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:; La Vega Prov., PN Armando; Bermudez, km 1–3 along trail; W of La Cienga, 900–1,100,; 19u 01.7539N, 70u 54.6549W; 6-VI-2005; Gino Nearns. (2 FSCA). REP. DOMIN- ICANA.; Sierra Altravezada (1,964m); Secc. Rincoin de Piedra-; San Jose de Las Matas; 6–7/III/1999. Bajo Piedra;Col. L.F de Armas, R. Bastardo/ Tenebrionidae ; Ident. OHG 2589; Cyrtosoma merkli ; Marcuzzi 1999; ARMASI. (1 OHGC). REP. DOMINICANA.; Sierra Altravezada (1,964m); Secc. Rincoin de Piedra-; San Jose de Las Matas; 6–7/III/1999. Bajo Piedra;Col. L.F de Armas, R. Bastardo/ Tenebrionidae ; Ident. OHG 2588; Cyrtosoma merkli ; Marcuzzi 1999 / red circle label. (1 OHGC).

Diagnosis. This species is similar to N. tumefactum and N. turquinense , but can be distinguished from N. tumefactum by the broad, flat, apically rounded prosternal process ( Fig. 123 ) and from N. turquinense by the elytral interstriae lightly punctate. It can be distinguished from all other species by the combination of the above characters, more acute anterior angles of the pronotum ( Fig. 122 ), and shallow V-shaped mesoventrite ( Fig. 123 ).

Redescription (modified from Marcuzzi 1999) (male). 6.5–7.5 mm long, 4.0– 5.0 mm wide. Body short, convex ( Figs. 120, 121 ). Elytra robust anteriorly, weakly tapered posteriorly ( Fig. 120 ). Glossy darkly ferrugineous to black in color; antennae, mouthparts, and tarsi ferrugineous. Head lightly punctate, sometimes appearing smooth; punctures smaller than a single eye facet, lightly impressed; extremely short golden seta emerging from each puncture. Antenna

weakly clavate, nearly filiform; antennomeres 7–10 weakly widened apically forming a loose, elongate club; apical antennomere longitudinally ovate; antennomeres 7–11 with stellate sensoria. Mentum with acute median keel raised anteriorly to a point ( Figs. 10, 12 ). Ventral portion of eye not reaching subgenal sulcus ( Fig. 8 ); postgena without distinct punctures. Dorsal surface of pronotum densely punctate; punctures separated by 1.0–1.5 diameters. Pronotal marginal bead complete laterally, anterior and posterior margins with marginal bead effaced medially; anterior angles of pronotum acute, produced and apically narrowly rounded; lateral edge of pronotum sinuate at base; pronotum evenly convex, except anterior angles weakly concave ( Fig. 122 ). Hypomeron lacking distinct punctures. Prosternal process flat, apically rounded with distinct marginal grooves opposite coxae joined apically ( Fig. 123 ). Black, except under a microscope with light elytra appearing darkly ferrugineous with rows of black squares following elytral striae; elytral striae not impressed, present as small discontinuous punctures; elytral interstriae flat, impunctate; scutellary striae short; 1–3 punctures long (often difficult to see); scutellum triangular, reduced ( Fig. 120 ). Mesoventrite thin antero-posteriorly, shallowly excavate, widely Vshaped receiving prosternal process; metaventrite,1/2 antero-postero length of mesocoxa ( Fig. 123 ). Metathoracic wing vestigial. Legs long, slender, punctate; apical 1/3 of femur reaching beyond edge of elytron; metatibia apically curved ventrally; metatibia with ventral apical tooth vestigial ( Fig. 46 ). Abdominal depressions on 4th and 5th ventrites present as moderately impressed pits ( Fig. 75 ); intercoxal process of first ventrite broadly triangular apically; ventral surface densely punctate, punctures weakly impressed ( Fig. 123 ).

Female. Identical to male, except metatibia straight and lacking ventral apical tooth.

Biology. This species has been collected in cloud forest, in high elevation pine forest on dead branches, and in overgrazed pine forest.

Distribution. This species is endemic to Hispaniola and is primarily found in La Vega Province, but also in neighboring Santiago Province. It has been collected on Mt. Diego in Santiago Province and Mt. Quita in Duarte Province ( Figs. 260 , 262 ).

Nesocyrtosoma scabrosum Hopp and Ivie , New Species ( Figs. 47 , 124–127 , 264 , 278 )

Type Material. HOLOTYPE: Undetermined sex, probably female. Tardieu; Mt. LaHotte; 3,000 ft. / Haiti; 1934-x-14; Darlington / Nesocyrtosoma ; sp.; Det. J. Doyen 1988. ( MCZC) . PARATYPES (6 specimens): HAITI: Department du Sud,; Formon, Kay Michel. ; 1,100m, 603254mE,; 2026684mN, 6.11.2006,; R . Bastardo. (3 UASD, 2 WIBF) . HAITI: Dept. Sud’est. Formond,; alrededores Kay Michel 2026684; mN, 603254 mE, 1,100 m, 408; February 2006, coll. R . Bastardo / Photographed ; 2002–2003; CBSD . (1 WIBF) .

Other Material Examined. HAITI: Department du Sud,; Formon , Kay Michel.; 1,100m, 603254mE,; 2026684mN, 6.11.2006,; R. Bastardo. (1 WIBF —disarticulated) .

Diagnosis. This species is easily distinguished from all other Nesocyrtosoma species by the reticulate pattern of the elytral striae and the roundly carinate interstriae ( Fig. 124 ).

Description (male). 7.5–8.0 mm long, 5.0 mm wide. Body broad, extremely convex ( Figs. 124, 125 ). Black; antennae, mouthparts and tarsi ferrugineous. Head anteriorly truncate; densely punctate dorsally, punctures smaller than a single eye facet, extremely short golden seta emerging from each puncture. Antenna weakly clavate, nearly filiform; antennomere 7–10 weakly widened apically, forming a loose, elongate club; apical antennomere longitudinally ovate; antennomeres 7–11 with stellate sensoria. Mentum with acute median keel raised anteriorly to a point ( Figs. 10, 12 ). Ventral portion of eye not reaching subgenal sulcus ( Fig. 8 ); postgena without distinct punctures. Dorsal surface of pronotum densely punctate; punctures separated by,0.5–0.5 diameters. Pronotal marginal bead complete laterally, anterior and posterior margins with marginal bead effaced medially; anterior angles of pronotum right, moderately produced and widely rounded apically; lateral edge of pronotum sinuate at base ( Fig. 126 ). Hypomeron without distinct punctures. Prosternal process apically rounded; marginal grooves opposite coxae joined apically; area between marginal grooves concave becoming convex at apex ( Fig. 127 ). Elytral striae forming a reticulate pattern; area immediately laterad punctures concave, area anterior and posterior to each puncture slightly raised, interstriae raised forming a hexagonal shape around each puncture; elytral interstriae impunctate; scutellary striae 1–3 punctures long; scutellum triangular, reduced ( Figs. 124, 126 ). Mesoventrite thin antero-posteriorly, moderately excavate, widely U-shaped, receiving prosternal process; metaventrite,1/2 antero-postero length of mesocoxa ( Fig. 127 ). Metathoracic wing vestigial. Legs long, slender, densely punctate; apical portion of femora reaching beyond edge of elytron; metatibia with longitudinal row of coarse setae on venter, curved at apex with ventral medial tooth vestigial and hidden in dense setae ( Fig. 47 ). Abdominal depressions on 4th and 5th ventrites reduced to slightly impressed slits ( Fig. 74 ); intercoxal process of first ventrite covered with long golden setae, broadly rounded apically; ventral surface densely punctate ( Fig. 127 ).

Female. Identical to male, except metatibia without ventral tooth.

Biology. Unknown.

Distribution. This species is endemic to Hispaniola and has been collected only at Formond, Dept. du Sud’est, in Haiti on the La Hotte Peninsula ( Figs. 261 , 264 ).

Etymology. The species epithet comes from the Latin word scabrēs meaning roughness, as the elytra of this species appear rough and form a reticulate pattern.

Figures

Figs. 39–49. Male metatibia of the Nesocyrtosoma s. s. species-group species. 39) Nesocyrtosoma bestiola; 40) N. ferruginea; 41) N. tumefactum; 42) N. turquinense; 43) N. hispaniolae; 44) N. neibaense; 45) N. inflatum; 46) N. merkli; 47) N. scabrosum; 48) N. lacrima; 49) N. simplex.

Figs. 120–127. 120–123: Nesocyrtosoma merkli. 120) Habitus, dorsal; 121) Habitus, lateral; 122) Pronotum; 123) Thoracic sterna. 124–127: Nesocyrtosoma scabrosum. 124) Habitus, dorsal; 125) Habitus, lateral; 126) Pronotum; 127) Thoracic sterna.

Figs. 262–264. Nesocyrtosoma species distribution maps. 262) Distributions of N. bestiola, N. ferruginea, N. merkli, N. altagracia, N. basilense, N. dolosum, N. darlingtoni, N. cristalense, and N. dentatum; 263) Distributions of N. virens, N. purpureum, N. crenulatum, N. otus, and N. elongatum; 264) Distributions of N. tumefactum, N. turquinense, N. scabrosum, N. simplex, N. parallelum, N. fernandoi, N. serratum, N. teresitae, and N. productum.

Figs. 270–280. Illustrations of male genitalia in dorsal and lateral view of the Nesocyrtosoma s.s. species-group species. 270) Nesocyrtosoma bestiola; 271) N. ferruginea; 272) N. tumefactum; 273) N. turquinense; 274) N. hispaniolae; 275) N. neibaense; 276) N. inflatum; 277) N. merkli; 278) N. scabrosum; 279) N. lacrima; 280) N. simplex.

Figs. 1–4. Dorsal view of head. 1) Nesocyrtosoma otus with punctures on the dorsal surface of head smaller than a single eye facet (sp 5 small puncture); 2) Nesocyrtosoma bankense with dorsal punctures on the surface of the head subequal or larger than a single eye facet (lp 5 large puncture; 3) Cyrtosoma picea with clypeal membrane exposed (CM 5 clypeal membrane); 4) Nesocyrtosoma inflatum with clypeal membrane concealed.

Figs. 10–18. 10–13: Ventral portion of head. 10) Nesocyrtosoma guerreroi ocular depression; 11) Nesocyrtosoma bankense ocular depression; 12) Nesocyrtosoma virens distinct postgenal punctures; 13) Nesocyrtosoma otus median keel of mentum broad. 14–18: Antenna. 14) Nesocyrtosoma crenulatum with antennomeres 10 and 11 with stellate sensoria; 15) Nesocyrtosoma guerreroi with antenna clavate, apical six antennomeres enlarged to form club; 16) Nesocyrtosoma crenulatum with antenna moderately clavate, apical six antennomeres enlarged to form club; 17) Nesocyrtosoma inflatum with antenna weakly clavate, nearly filiform, apical six antennomeres enlarged to form club; 18) Strongylium atrum with filiform antenna.

Figs. 5–9. 5–7: Mandible of Nesocyrtosoma hispaniolae. 5) View from back; 6) View from side; 7) View from front. 8–9: Ventral portion of eye. 8) Nesocyrtosoma lacrima with ventral portion of eye not reaching the subgenal sulcus; 9) Nesocyrtosoma darlingtoni with ventral portion of eye reaching the subgenal sulcus.

Figs. 74–76. Abdominal characters. 74) Nesocyrtosoma inflatum with abdominal depressions on 4th and 5th ventrites reduced to indistinct slits (AbS 5 abdominal slits); 75) Nesocyrtosoma otus with abdominal depressions on 4th and 5th ventrites present as impressed pits (AbP 5 abdominal pits); 76) Nesocyrtosoma skelleyi with first visible abdominal ventrite with a nipple at the apex.

Fig. 260. Map of the provinces of the Dominican Republic.

Fig. 261. Map of the departments of Haiti.