Phylacastus ancoralium, Lumen & Kamiński, 2023

Lumen, Ryan & Kaminski, Marcin Jan, 2023, Taxonomic revision of the genus Phylacastus Fairmaire (Tenebrionidae, Eurynotina): shortfalls of anatomical nomenclature with notes on aedeagal homology, ZooKeys 1138, pp. 1-27 : 1

Phylacastus ancoralium sp. nov.

Figs 1A , 2A, B , 3F , 4B, G , 5 , 6C

Material examined

(data represents single specimens unless otherwise noted). Holotype (TMNH): " S.Afr.;E. Lesotho Hodson's Peak 300 m 29.37°S, 29.17°E; 11.3.1976;E-Y:1069 fr.und.stones, 3150 m leg. Endrödy-Younga.” With an additional label on red paper: " Holotype: Phylacastus ancoralium Lumen & Kaminski".

Paratypes (n = 11) (TMNH and MIIZPAN): Two specimens with same data as Holotype (MIIZPAN). " S.Afr. Basutoland Makheke Mnts 15 miles ENE Mokhotlong. 8.IV.51 No. 268; Swedish South Africa Expedition 1950-1951; red label." (MIIZPAN), " S.Afr., Lesotho Drakensbg,Black Mt. 29.31°S, 29.12°E; 9.3.1976;E-Y:1060 from under stones leg. Endrödy-Younga.”, " S.Afr.;E. Lesotho Hodson’s Peak 300 m 29.37°S, 29.17°E; 11.3.1976;E-Y:1067 from under stones leg. Endrödy-Younga” (five specimens)., " S.Afr., E. Lesotho Sani Pass Valley 29.39°S, 29.12°E; 10.3.1976; E-Y:1066 from under stones leg. Endrödy-Younga” (two specimens) .

Diagnosis.

Phylacastus ancoralium is highly modified compared with its congeners. In addition to its wide geographic separation from other species (Lesotho), it can be separated from all other species of Phylacastus via the elytra (with extremely weak to absent elytral striae), prosternum (weakly produced between forecoxae, rather than projecting more strongly beyond (Fig. 3E )), aedeagus with ancorae on the ventral surface of the parameres (Fig. 4G ), and ovipositor relatively short compared to other species (ratio of ovipositor coxites I-IV to paraprocts nearly 1:1, rather than more distinctly <1:1) (Fig. 5 ).

Etymology.

This species is named for the ancorae of the male aedeagus, which in Blaptinae are hypothesized to anchor the male genitalia during copulation. To date, this is the only species within the subtribe Eurynotina with ancorae.

Description.

Length 6-7 mm. Head: punctures separated by ~1 feature diameter. Mentum midportion slightly narrowing apically, exposing lateral wings, midportion without distinct median carina. Prothorax: pronotum finely punctate, punctures widely spaced, separated by> 1 feature diameter. Hypomeron lightly wrinkled and finely punctate. Prosternal process weakly produced between forecoxae. Pterothorax: elytra width about equal to pronotal width. Elytral striae and intervals punctate; striae very weakly impressed or absent. Interval punctures fine and widely spaced (>1 feature diameter), distinctly smaller than strial punctures. Elytral tubercles absent. Abdomen: ventrite V sulcus narrowly separated from apical border. Terminalia: male: parameres tapering apically, fused basally with narrow opening at apex exposing median lobe. Each paramere bearing a small, ventral medial ancora. Female: Ratio of ovipositor coxites I-IV to paraprocts nearly 1:1. Bursa copulatrix not bilobate, accessory gland present near-to spermatheca, accessory pouch present.

Distribution.

Lesotho.

Figures

Figure 1. Dorsal habitus of Phylacastus species A Phylacastus ancoralium sp. nov. holotype B Phylacastus makskacymirowi sp. nov. C Phylacastus crypticoides D Phylacastus rhodesianus E Phylacastus striolatus lectotype. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Figure 2. Phylacastus lateral aspect photographs and close-up of apical elytral tubercles and striae A Phylacastus ancoralium lateral angle B P. ancoralium close-up of elytra apical declivity C P. rhodesianus lateral angle D P. rhodesianus close-up of elytra apical declivity E P. striolatus lateral angle F P. striolatus close-up of elytra apical declivity.

Figure 3. Diagnostic features of Phylacastus species A-C mentum (Median keel red, middle portion and lateral wings blue and green respectively) D-E prosternal process F-G abdominal ventrite V A, D, F Phylacastus crypticoides B P. makskacymirowi C P. rhodesianus E P. ancoralium G P. striolatus. Scale bars: 0.1 mm

Figure 4. Phylacastus species spp. aedeagi A-D aedeagus dorsal view E, F aedeagus Ventral view A, H Phylacastus striolatus B, G P. ancoralium (ancorae highlighted blue) C P. rhodesianus E P. crypticoides D, F P. makskacymirowi (subapical sutures highlighted blue). Median lobes highlighted green. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

Figure 5. Phylacastus ovipositor (dorsal). Right Phylacastus ancoralium Left P. crypticoides. Abbreviations: C - Coxae (1 - 4); Prct - Paraprocts. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Figure 6. Phylacastus internal female structures A Phylacastus striolatus B P. crypticoides C P. ancoralium. Abbreviations: Ag - Accessory gland, Ap - Accessory pouch, Bc - Bursa copulatrix, Ov - Oviduct, Sp - Spermatheca.