Sphaeroplotina varimarginata Tong & Wang, 2020

Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng & Wang, Xingmin, 2020, A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini), Zootaxa 4859 (3), pp. 419-428 : 423-427

Sphaeroplotina varimarginata Tong & Wang sp. nov.

( Figs. 3 , 4 , 5b , 6 )

Chinese name: KṚṞÖüm

Diagnosis. This species is similar to S. hainanensis in structures of the male genitalia, but can be distinguished from the later by having rather short penis guide which is apparently shorter than parameres, and slender in ventral view with widest part about 1.08× of its basal width. In S. hainanensis , penis guide is slightly longer than parameres and its widest part is about 1.52× of its basal width in ventral view.

Description. TL: 3.87–4.18 mm, TW: 3.19–3.67 mm, TH: 1.93–2.16 mm, TL/TW: 1.13–1.21, PL/PW: 0.27– 0.28, EL/EW: 0.99–1.06.

Body moderately large, broadly oval, moderately convex, shining and glabrous ( Figs 3 a–f). Head and pronotum reddish brown ( Figs 3 a–f). Scutellar shield reddish brown with black borders ( Figs 3a, 3c, 3d, 3f ). Ground color of elytra reddish brown, with large yellow irregular spots at base and apex and each elytron with five dark spots in male as show in Fig. 3a and four dark spots in female as show in Fig. 3d . Ventral surfaces yellow to reddish brown; median discrimen of metaventrite dark ( Fig. 3g ). Legs reddish brown ( Figs 3g, 3 k–l, 4a).

Head moderately small, 0.38× as wide as elytra (EW/HW=2.62); frontal surface of head capsule slightly convex; punctures on frons fine, with long setae in punctures; eyes small, broadly oval, widest interocular distance 0.53× width of head ( Fig. 4c ). Pronotum 0.61× of elytral width (EW/PW=1.65), pronotal punctures fine, similar to those on head ( Figs 3c, 3f ). Punctures on elytra moderately large, irregular and obviously larger than those on pronotum ( Figs 3a, 3d ).

Surface of prosternum slightly shagreened, punctures moderately large, with sparse short setae ( Figs 3g, 3j ). Mesoventrite slightly shagreened, punctures fine, with several short setae. Metaventrite broad, punctures fine but distinctly larger near discrimen, with short sparse setae ( Figs 3 g–h). Abdominal postcoxal lines complete, almost touching posterior margin of ventrite 1 ( Fig. 4h ).

Male genitalia: Penis long and slender, penis capsule with short outer arm and long inner one, apex of penis pointed ( Figs 4 i–j). Penis guide in lateral view short and stout, widest at base, tapering to apex, apex pointed; parameres arcuate, longer than penis guide, sparsely setose on apical and inner areas, and with a tuft of long setae at bases ( Fig. 4k ); penis guide in ventral view stout, widest at 1/2 length, tapering to rounded apex, with widest part about 1.08× of basal width ( Fig. 4i ).

Female genitalia: Coxites elongate, triangular; styli distinct with terminal setae ( Fig 4n ); spermatheca with a rounded nodulus and a slender, curved cornu ( Fig. 4m ).

Types. Holotype: China: 1♂, Xiaohuangshan, Nanling National Natural Reserve , Guangdong, [24°55′42″N 113°0′58″E], 1320–1600 m, 19.VI.2017, Huo LZ leg ( SCAU) . Paratypes: 1♀, Protection Station, Nanling Na- tional Natural Reserve , Guangdong, [24°56′13″N 113°0′13″E], 997 m, 16. VI .2017, Huo LZ leg (SCAU); 2♀♀, Qinshuigu, Nanling National Natural Reserve , Guangdong, [24°54′53″N 113°2′15″E], 482–778 m, 18. VI .2017, Huo LZ leg (SCAU); 1♀, Huangniping, Shimentai National Natural Reserve , Guangdong, 7.X.2004, Wang XM leg ( SCAU) .

Distribution. China (Guangdong) ( Fig. 6 ).

Variation. Sexual dimorphism evident. In female, lateral elytral margins remarkably expanded externally and elytron with four spots. In male, lateral elytral margins very narrow and elytron with five spots.

Etymology. The specific epithet varimarginata derives from the Latin words varius (=various) and marginatus (=marginal), referring to the variable external borders of the elytra between males and females. It is a noun in apposition

Figures

FIGURE 3. Sphaeroplotina varimarginata Tong & Wang sp. nov., habitus: a, d dorsal view, b, e lateral view, c, f frontal view, g ventral view, h prothorax, ventral view, i maxilla, j metaventrite, k fore leg, l middle leg. Scale bars: a–g: 0.5 mm; h–l: 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 4. Sphaeroplotina varimarginata Tong & Wang sp. nov.: a hind leg, b antenna, c head, dorsal view, d labrum, e labium, f mandible, left, dorsal view, g mandible, right, dorsal view, h abdomen, i–l male genitalia: i penis, j apex of penis, k tegmen, lateral view, l tegmen, ventral view, m–n female genitalia: m spermatheca, n ovipositor. Scale bars: 0.1 mm

FIGURE 5. Abdominal ventrite 7 in male: a Sphaeroplotina hainanensis Miyatake, 1969; b Sphaeroplotina varimarginata Tong & Wang sp. nov.; c Plotina signatella Wang et Ren, 2011; d Plotina muelleri Mader, 1955. Scale bars: 0. 1 mm

FIGURE 6. Distribution map of the genus Sphaeroplotoina Miyatake. ● Sphaeroplotina hainanensis Miyatake, 1969; ▲ Sphaeroplotina varimarginata Tong & Wang sp. nov.