Geocharidius jalapensis, Sokolov, Igor M. & Kavanaugh, David H., 2014

Sokolov, Igor M. & Kavanaugh, David H., 2014, The integripennis species group of Geocharidius Jeannel, 1963 (Carabidae, Bembidiini, Anillina) from Nuclear Central America: a taxonomic review with notes about biogeography and speciation, ZooKeys 443, pp. 61-118 : 78-79

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Carabidae

Geocharidius jalapensis sp. n. Figs 2B, 3D, H–I, 4 C–D, G–H, 6 A–B, 7A, 12D, 13 K–N, 16D, 17D, 22, 23

Type material.

HOLOTYPE, a male, in KUNHM, point-mounted, labeled: \ GUATEMALA: Jalapa: 4km E Mataquescuintla, 14.52943 -90.14775 ± 105m, 2620m, 2-VI-2009, ex. sifted leaf litter, cloud forest, LLAMA09 Wm-B-07-1-06 \ KUNHM \ HOLOTYPE Geocharidius jalapensis Sokolov and Kavanaugh 2014 [red label] \. PARATYPES: A total of 78 specimens (4 males and 4 females were dissected), deposited in CAS and KUNHM; 10 specimens labeled same as holotype; 2 specimens labeled: \ GUATEMALA: Jalapa: 4km E Mataquescuintla, 14.53409 -90.15290 ± 28m, 2325m, 3-VI-2009, ex. sifted leaf litter, cloud forest, LLAMA09 Wm-B-07-1-10 \ KUNHM \; 1 specimen labeled: \ GUATEMALA: Jalapa: 4km E Mataquescuintla, 14.52950 -90.14802 ± 254m, 2600m, 1-VI-2009, ex. sifted leaf litter, cloud forest, LLAMA09 Wm-B-07-1-01 \ KUNHM \; 20 specimens labeled: \ GUATEMALA: Jalapa: 4km E Mataquescuintla, 14.53257 -90.15253 ± 200m, 2400m, 1-VI-2009, ex. sifted leaf litter, cloud forest, LLAMA09 Wa-B-07-2-all \ KUNHM \; 23 specimens labeled: \ GUATEMALA: Jalapa: 4km E Mataquescuintla, 14.52780 -90.14671 ± 105m, 2655m, 2-VI-2009, ex. sifted leaf litter, cloud forest, LLAMA09 Wm-B-07-1-04 \ KUNHM \; 16 specimens labeled: \ GUATEMALA: Jalapa: 4km E Mataquescuintla, 14.52987 -90.14908 ± 200m, 2600m, 1-VI-2009, ex. sifted leaf litter, cloud forest on ridge top, LLAMA09 Wa-B-07-1-all \ KUNHM \; 6 specimens labeled: \ GUATEMALA: Jalapa: 4km E Mataquescuintla, 14.52705 -90.14671 ± 105m, 2660m, 2-VI-2009, ex. sifted leaf litter, cloud forest, LLAMA09 Wm-B-07-1-05 \ KUNHM \.

Type locality.

Guatemala, Jalapa Department, 4 km E of Mataquescuintla.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a Latinized adjective in the masculine form based on the name Jalapa, the Department of Guatemala in which the type series was collected.

Recognition.

Adults of this new species are distinguished from those of other members of the integripennis species group by the following combination of external characters: size large and pronotum transverse and fully covered with microsculpture. Males and female of Geocharidius jalapensis are distinguished from those of other members of the integripennis species group by the structure of the median lobe and the shape of spermatheca, respectively.

Description.

Size. Medium to large for genus (SBL range 1.33-1.57 mm, mean 1.46 ± 0.081mm, n=25).

Habitus. Body form (Fig. 12D) moderately convex, elongate ovoid, general proportions (WE/SBL 0.39 ± 0.007), proportions of head (WH/WPm 0.71 ± 0.019) and pronotum (WPm/WE 0.76 ± 0.021) average for group.

Color. Body brunneorufous, appendages testaceous.

Microsculpture. Mesh pattern of irregularly isodiametric sculpticells present over all dorsal surfaces of head, pronotum and elytra. Proepisternum with evident microsculpture.

Mouthparts. Mandibles (Figs 4 C–D, G–H).

Prothorax. Pronotum markedly transverse (WPm/LP 1.30 ± 0.026), with lateral margins moderately constricted posteriorly (WPm/WPp 1.33 ± 0.029). Posterior angles obtuse (110-120°). Widths between anterior and posterior angles of equal length (WPa/WPp 0.99 ± 0.023).

Pterothorax (Fig. 3D).

Elytra (Fig. 2B). Moderately convex, slightly depressed along suture, moderately wide (WE/LE 0.65 ± 0.009), without traces of striae. Humeri rounded, in outline forming right angle with longitudinal axis of body. Lateral margins convex, evenly divergent at basal third, evenly rounded to apex in apical third.

Legs. Mesotibia (Fig. 7A). Protarsus (Fig. 6 A–B).

Abdomen. Ventrites 3-5 (Fig. 3 H–I).

Male genitalia. Median lobe (Fig. 13K) with shaft long and apex slightly enlarged and rounded. Ventral margin almost straight. Dorsal sclerites of internal sac in form of a long fig, tapered apically and basally in short extensions (Fig. 13 K–L). Right paramere with short and rather wide apical constriction (Fig. 13N). Left paramere with long and narrow apical constriction (Fig. 13M). Ring sclerite with almost rectangularly rounded, slightly asymmetrical, handle (Fig. 16D).

Female internal genitalia. Spermatheca sclerotized, fusiform with apical bulb enlargement, straight, with long cornu and short nodulus (Fig. 17D). Length of spermathecal gland greater than length of spermatheca. Spermathecal duct coiled.

Geographical distribution.

This species is known only from type locality, situated on the northern slopes of the former twinned volcano, remains of which form the caldera now filled with the waters of Laguna de Ayarza (Jalapa Department). Physiographically, the region is part of the volcanic chain of the Guatemalan Cordillera (Fig. 22, green triangle).

Way of life.

Specimens were collected by sifting cloud forest litter at elevations of 2325-2620 m.

Relationships.

The shapes of handle of the ring sclerite (Fig. 16D) and of the spermatheca (Fig. 17D) suggest that this species is closely related to Geocharidius balini (Figs 13O and 17E), described above.