Hydroscapha monticola Löbl, 1996

Ek, Martin Fiká Č & Šípková, Hana, 2009, New Asian Hydroscapha, with comments on male-female association of co-occuring species (Coleoptera, Myxophaga, Hydroscaphidae), Zootaxa 2286, pp. 31-48 : 39-40

Hydroscapha monticola Löbl, 1996

( Figs 12–16 , 27–29 )

Material examined. 5 males, 2 females ( NMPC): “ INDIA, Meghalaya State (10) / E Khasi Hills, 11km SW Cherra- / punjee, Laitkynsew, 21.–24.iv. / 2008, 25°13'N 91°39'E, 810m / Fikáček, Podskalská, Šípek lgt. // seepage: wet rocks algae / blue algae/moss ca. 1.5–2 km / via rd. from ‘Cherrapunjee Holid. / Resort’ in direct. Cherrapunjee, / exposed”; 5 males, 32 females ( NHMW, GHUA, NMPC): “NE INDIA, MEGHALAYA / SW of CHERRAPUNJEE / 25°13'–14'N 91°40'E / 5.–24.v. 2005, 900 m / P. Pacholátko lgt.”

Redescription (based on Indian specimens). Measurements: Total body length: 1.17–1.34 mm (median: 1.27 mm, n=6, only females measured). Length of fore body: 0.82–0.97 mm (median: 0.92 mm, n=19); males: 0.89–0.97 mm (median: 0.93 mm, n=8), females: 0.82–0.95 mm (median: 0.92 mm, n=11). Elytral length: 0.56–0.63 mm (median: 0.60 mm, n=19); males: 0.58–0.63 mm (median: 0.62 mm, n=8), females: 0.56–0.62 mm (median: 0.60 mm, n=11). Maximum width of elytra combined: 0.57–0.63 mm (median: 0.60 mm, n=19); males: 0.56–0.63 mm (median: 0.61 mm, n=8), females: 0.56–0.62 mm (median: 0.60 mm, n=11).

Colouration: Body brown to dark brown; head, posterior and anterior margins of pronotum and anterior part of elytra slightly darker.

Antenna: Antennomere II 1.80–1.85 times longer than wide; antennomere VIII slightly asymmetrical, 2.3–2.4 times longer than wide.

Male: Sternite V bisinuate on posterior margin, with two tufts of densely arranged setae submesally; posterior margin not denticulate. Sternite VI with regularly arranged setae in posterior 0.75, without tufts of setae. Sternite VII with postero-median portion projecting into wide low obtuse lobe, posterior setae irregularly arranged in tufts along posterolateral margins. Aedeagus 0.32–0.33 mm long (median 0.32 mm, n=10), slightly sinuate in lateral view, continually narrowing apical, apex slightly bent ventrad.

Female: Sternite VI trilobate apically; lateral lobes convex laterally, blunt at apex; median lobe narrow, delimited laterally by two deep narrow clefts. Tergite VI simply rounded apically.

Comparison with type specimens. The type specimens from Sri Lanka are slightly larger than the Indian ones – their measurements are as follows: Body length: 1.30–1.65 mm (adopted from Löbl (1994)). Fore body length: 1.00– 1.14 mm (median: 1.07 mm, n=7, holotype: 1.00 mm). Elytral length: 0.62–0.70 mm (median: 0.65 mm, n=7, 0.62 mm). Maximum width of elytra combined: 0.67–0.72 mm (median: 0.68, n=7, holotype: 0.67 mm). Length of aedeagus: 0.35–0.38 mm (median 0.36, n=5, holotype: 0.35 mm). Antennomere II of the paratype examined is 2.4 times longer than wide, i.e. longer than in the Indian specimens examined. Besides these slight differences, the Indian specimens correspond with the types in the morphology and chaetotaxy of abdominal sclerites of males and females, and in the shape of the aedeagus.

Differential diagnosis. For distinguishing of this species from the similar H. khasiorum sp. n., see under that species above.

Distribution. Known from two distant localities: central part of Sri Lanka (type locality) and the southern part of the Indian state of Meghalaya.

Figures

FIGURES 12 – 16. Hydroscapha monticola Löbl. 12 – 13: aedeagus, lateral view (12: paratype, Sri Lanka; 13: specimen from India, locality # 2); 14: male sternite V of Indian specimen; 15: female sternite VI of Indian specimen; 16: female tergite VI of Indian specimen.

FIGURES 24 – 31. Antennae of Hydroscapha species. 24 – 26: H. khasiorum sp. n.; 27 – 28: H. monticola, Indian specimens; 29: H. monticola, paratype; 30 – 31: H. rajani sp. n.