Pseudotelegeusis meloi, Roza & Constantin & Mermudes, 2019

Roza, André Silva, Constantin, Robert & Mermudes, José Ricardo Miras, 2019, Pseudotelegeusis meloi sp. nov., the first Telegeusinae from Peru (Coleoptera: Omethidae, Telegeusinae), European Journal of Taxonomy 580, pp. 1-13 : 5-8

Pseudotelegeusis meloi sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:60800BF5-532F-4C2E-8BCC-3F0B6A6573E9

Diagnosis

Antennae moniliform or serrate, from antennomere III or IV to X. Maxillary palpi 4-segmented, last palpomere enlarged as long as the preceding three together. Labial palpi composed by one palpomere. One tentorial pit, according to former authors ( Wittmer 1976b; Ivie 2002; Zaragoza- Caballero 2008), but during the present study we observe two distinctly separated tentorial pits on the ventral face of the head capsule of Pseudotelegeusis meloi sp. nov. ( Fig. 3B ) and P. howdeni Wittmer, 1976 ( Fig. 3C ).The initial error by Wittmer (1976b), observing only one tentorial orifice, is probably related to the limitations of an optical examination of dry material. His work on the morphological evolution of the tentorium in the Phengodidae family had benefitted either from dissections of the cephalic capsule or from scanning electron microscope examination ( Wittmer, 1976a). We used the classical steps of dissecting, clearing in potash solution, mounting in a drop of syrup solution of dimethyl hydantoin formaldehyde and examination with compound microscope in transmitted light at 200–400 × (see Liberti 2005). In Pseudotelegeusis , we observed that the organization of the tentorium is similar to that of the Phengodidae Distremocephalus texanus (LeConte) , as illustrated by Wittmer (1976a: 444, fig. 28). It consists of two arms separate at the base, basally joined by a bridge, distinct and subparallel in their central portion and obliquely curved against the dorsal surface.

Type material

Holotype

PERU • 1 ♂; ‘‘ Madre de Dios, CICRA Field station , garden; 12.56940° S, 70.10100°W; alt. 260 m; 6–16 Sept. 2010; C. Chaboo & Maria J. Endara leg.; Malaise trap; KUNHM-ENT, PER-10-09- MAT-015’’; MUSM-ENT.

Paratypes (34 exx.)

PERU – Madre de Dios dept . • 1 ♂; CICRA Field station , garden; 12.56940° S, 70.10100°W; alt. 260 m; 6–16 Sep. 2010; Maria J. Endara leg.; Malaise trap; KUNHM-ENT, PER-10-09-MAT-015, KUNHM / SEMC# 1097969 • 1 ♂; same location as preceding; 29 Jul.–5 Aug. 2010; PER-10-07 - MAT-009 , former SEMC 1096735 ; CCo • 1 ♂; same location as preceding; 26 Aug.–2 Sep. 2010; PER-10-08-MAT-013, KUNHM / SEMC# 1061709 • 1 ♂; same location as preceding; 2–9 Sep.2010; PER-10-09-MAT-014; former SEMC 1096363 ; MUSM-ENT • 1 ♂; same location as preceding; 23 Sep.–2 Oct. 2010; PER-10-09-MAT-017, former SEMC 1062359 ; MUSM-ENT . • 1 ♂; 12 rd km E Mazuko, p[uen]te. Mazuko ; 13°2′51.1″ S, 70°20′45.9″W, 382m, Malaise trap; 18–22 Aug. 2012; R. R. Cavichiolli. J. A. Rafael, A. P. Santos & D. M. Takiya leg.; DZUP 458.569 . • 2 ♂♂; Tambopata prov., 15 km NE Puerto Maldonado, Reserva Cusco Amazônica; 12°33′ S 69°03′ W; 200 m; Plot #Z1U9; 13 Jun. 1989; R.A. Leschen, #035, Light intercept; MTEC • 1 ♂; same location as preceding; Plot #Z2E8, J.S. Ashe, R.A. Leschen, #028; KUNHM • 3 ♂♂; same location as preceding; 25 Jun. 1989, J.S. Ashe, R.A. Leschen, #240, Flight intercept trap; KUNHM • 1 ♂; same location as preceding; 22 Jun. 1989; J.S. Ashe, R.A. Leschen, #184, Flight intercept trap; KUNHM • 2 ♂♂; same location as preceding; 28 Jun. 1989; J.S. Ashe, R.A. Leschen, #308, Flight intercept trap . – Huánuco dept. • 2 ♂♂; provincia de Puerto Inca (150 km ENE of Huanuco), ACP [Area de Conservación Privada y Estación Biologica] Panguana, rio Yuyapichis ; 9°36°49” S, 74°56′W; alt. 220 m; 1–20 May 2015, Malaise trap, E. Diller leg.; ZSM 2019-11 A, ZSM 2019-11 B • 1 ♂; same data as preceding; CCo • 5 ♂♂; same location as preceding; 9 Oct. 2015, Malaise trap, E. Diller; MUSM-ENT • 2 ♂♂; same location as preceding; Lupana weg, Licht Boden [Lupana path, light trap on soil], 6 Oct. 2015, A. Gruppe & V. Abbt leg.; ZSM 2019-11 C, ZSM 2019-11 D • 1 ♂; same location as preceding, 7 Oct. 2015; MUSM # • 1 ♂; same data as preceding; BMNH {E} 2019-139 / NHMUK013655401 • 1 ♂; same location as preceding; 12 Oct. 2015; CCo • 1 ♂; same location as preceding, 13 Oct. 2015; BMNH {E} 2019-139 / NHMUK013655402 • 2 ♂♂; same location as preceding; 16 Oct. 2015; ZSM 2019-11 E, ZSM 2019- 11F. – Loreto dept. • 1 ♂; provincia de Requena, Jenaro Herrera, on east bank of Ucayali river (about 145 km SW of Iquitos and 4 km E of Jenaro ); 4°55′0″ S, 73°36′49″W; alt. 135 m; Plot 16, flight interception trap 9 (FIT); forest edge on terra firme; 26 Jul. 2011; G. Lamarre leg.; MUSM-ENT • 1 ♂; same location as preceding; Plot 16, FIT 9; 21 Jul. 2011; G. Lamarre leg.; CCo • 1 ♂; same collection data as preceding; Plot 16, FIT 10; 5 Aug. 2011; G. Lamarre leg.; MUSM-ENT .

Diagnosis

Head light brown, body overall pale yellow. Antennae serrate from antennomere III to X ( Figs 1C , 2A ). Eyes occupying half of head width, in lateral view. Vertex occupying ³⁄ 5 of head in dorsal view ( Fig. 1D ). Elytron reaching the anterior margin of the third abdominal segment, covering the basal half of the folded hind wings ( Figs 1A, 1B , 2A ).

Etymology

The name meloi is given in honor of Gabriel A.R. Melo, a fellow researcher from the Laboratório de Biologia Comparada de Hymenoptera, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil. Gabriel was responsible for receiving us during our visit to UFPR, and for the loan of the first known specimen of this new species.

Description

Male

COLORATION. Body overall pale yellow, except for brown head.

HEAD. Antennae 11-segmented, serrate from antennomere III to X ( Figs 1C , 2A ). Eyes dorsally protruding; occupying half of head width, in lateral view. Vertex occupying ³⁄ 5 of head in dorsal view ( Figs 1D , 2B ). Maxillary palpi 4-segmented, last segment as long as first three segments combined length ( Fig. 3A ). Labial palpi 1-segmented. Two distinct tentorial pits ( Fig. 3B ). Head slightly wider than long ( Fig. 1D ), cephalic surface smooth, without distinct punctures.

THORAX. Pronotum transverse ( Figs 1E , 2B ), 1.4 times as wide as than long. Anterior edge regularly rounded, posterior edge more arched. Lateral edges almost rectilinear. Disc slightly transversally convex, smooth, without distinct punctures, bordered by a furrow and a complete rounded bead except in the median fourth of the anterior and posterior margins. Anterior corners with a deep dimple. Elytron 3.5 × as long as wide ( Fig. 1F ), reaching the anterior margin of the third abdominal segment ( Fig. 1A, 1B ). Both elytra dehiscent, narrowing towards the rounded tips. The two basal thirds of the elytral surface shiny, shallowly punctate; apical third of elytra rugulose, with a dense vestiture of brown setae inserted in minute vesicles.

ABDOMEN. With eight ventrites. Tergite IX transverse, 1.5 × wider than long, apical margin slightly emarginate medially. Tergite X narrow, half-tube shaped ( Fig. 2E ). Sternite IX cordiform, as long as broad, the apical edge slightly emarginated ( Fig. 2F ). Aedeagus ( Fig. 2D ). Phallobase elongate, lateral walls subparallel; apical part of lateral lobes (parameres) laterally straight, their summit roundly truncate; lateral lobes bound on the ventral side by a median styliform blade, prolonged by a gutter guiding the apex of the median lobe; median lobe regularly narrowing from base to apex.

Immatures and females

Unknown.

Measurements

Holotype: TL: 4.6 mm; HW: 0.92 mm; AL: 2.08 mm; IOW: 0.52 mm; OL: 0.38 mm; PL: 0.55 mm; PW: 0.79mm; EL: 1.72 mm; EW: 0.98.

Paratypes from the region of Madre de Dios (9): TL: 3.5–4.5 mm (aver. 4.15 mm); AL: 1.76–2.0 mm (aver. 1.86 mm); HW: 0.7–0.92 mm (aver. 0.84 mm); IOW: 0.39–0.53 mm (aver. 0.49 mm); OL: 0.3– 0.37 mm (aver. 0.33 mm); PL: 0.43–0.57 mm (aver. 0.52 mm); PW: 0.6–0.78 mm (aver. 0.72 mm); EL: 1.42–1.72 mm (aver. 1.56 mm); EW: 0.72–0.92 mm (aver. 0.85 mm); ratio PW/PL: 1.73–2 (aver. 1.83).

Paratypes from Huanuco, ACP Panguana (16): TL: 3.2–4.3 mm (aver. 3.55 mm); AL: 1.3–1.78 mm (aver. 1.55 mm); HW: 0.63–0.87 mm (aver. 0.73 mm); IOW: 0.38–0.54 mm (aver. 0.47 mm); OL: 0.26– 0.31 mm (aver. 0.29 mm); PL: 0.41–0.54 mm (aver. 0.48 mm); PW: 0.57–0.75 mm (aver. 0.66 mm); EL: 1.08–1.48 mm (aver. 1.26 mm); EW: 0.6–0.84 mm (aver. 0.72 mm); ratio PW/PL: 1.59–1.952 (aver. 1.76).

Paratypes from Loreto, Jenaro Herrera (3): TL: 4.2–4.3 mm (aver. 4.23 mm); AL: 1.82–1.9 mm (aver. 1.85 mm); HW: 0.8–0.9 mm (aver. 0.84 mm); IOW: 0.43–0.49 mm (aver. 0.45 mm); OL: 0.33–0.37 mm (aver. 0.35 mm); PL: 0.49–0.54 mm (aver. 0.51 mm); PW: 0.72–0.79 mm (aver. 0.75 mm); EL: 1.42– 1.72 mm (aver. 1.56 mm); EW: 0.82–0.86 mm (aver. 0.83 mm); ratio PW/PL: 1.76–1.83 (aver. 1.79).

Intra-specific variability

The general coloration does not show any variability. Paratypes originating from the region of Madre de Dios do not differ significantly from the holotype.

At a distance of 800 km from the type station, the series of specimens from ACP Panguana (Huanuco) is distinguished by the smaller size and significantly shortened elytra of the specimens, which still remain within the range of variability of the Madre de Dios specimens. All other morphological characters are identical.

At a distance of 1300 km from the type station, specimens from Jenaro-Herrera (Loreto) differ only in the slightly narrower interocular interval of the vertex, the longer eyes, the pronotum more transverse, the shorter elytra. All the other morphological characteristics, including the aedeagus, ensure its unequivocal specific identity as P. meloi sp. nov.

Biology and distribution

The holotype of Pseudotelegeusis meloi sp. nov. was collected in September, during the beginning of autumn. It inhabits low altitudinal areas of 260 m in the Peruvian Amazonian Rainforest of Madre de Dios. Paratypes were collected by interception trap, either Malaise traps, or window interception trap. With one series attracted by a UV light trap at the ACP Panguana.

Differential diagnosis

The new species differs markedly from P. jiliotupaensis by the serrate antennae (moniliform in P. jiliotupaensis ) and the abdomen with eight ventrites (seven in P. jiliotupaensis ). Also, this new species differs from P. oculatus by the antennae serrate from antennomeres III to X (from IV to X in P. oculatus ) and the convex posterior margin of pronotum (more pointed medially in P. oculatus ). The new species most closely resembles P. howdeni by their similar antennae, but can be distinguished by the yellowish coloration, the protruding eyes, smaller vertex and the straight anterior margin of pronotum (brown coloration, eyes not protruding, big vertex and the anterior margin of pronotum slightly pointed medially in P. howdeni ).

Figures

Fig. 3. A. Pseudotelegeusis meloi sp. nov., right maxillar palpi, ventral view. B. Pseudotelegeusis meloi sp. nov., tentorial pits, ventral view. C. Pseudotelegeusis howdeni Wittmer, 1976, tentorial pits, ventral view. D. Distribution map of the genus Pseudotelegeusis Wittmer, 1976. E. Distribution map of Pseudotelegeusis in Ecuador and Peru. Stations 1–5, Pseudotelegeusis meloi sp. nov., from Peru: 1) Madre de Dios, Mazuko; 2) Madre de Dios, CICRA biol. station; 3) Madre de Dios, Puerto Maldonado; 4) Huanuco, Puerto Inca, ACP Panguana; 5) Loreto, Jenaro Herrera. Station 6, Pseudotelegeusis oculatus Wittmer, 1976, from Ecuador: Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Rio Palenque biological station.

Fig. 1. Pseudotelegeusis meloi sp. nov., paratype from Mazuko DZUP 458.569. A. Habitus, dorsal view; B. Habitus, lateral view. C. Antenna, lateral view. D. Head, dorsal view. E. Pronotum, dorsal view. F. Left elytron, dorsal view.

Fig. 2. A–F. Pseudotelegeusis meloi sp. nov., holotype from Madre de Dios, CICRA. A. Habitus. B. Detail of head and pronotum. C. Right antenna. D. Aedeagus, dorsal view. E. Tergites IX–X, dorsal view. F. Sternite IX, ventral view. G–I. Pseudotelegeusis howdeni Wittmer, 1976 specimen from French Guiana. G. Tergites IX–X, dorsal view. H. Sternite IX, ventral view. I. Right antenna. J. Aedeagus, dorsal view.