Bembidion (Zecillenus) karikari, Larochelle & Zeperyphodes & Broun & Larivière, 2015

Larochelle, André, Zeperyphodes, Broun & Larivière, Marie-Claude, 2015, Synopsis of the genus Bembidion Latreille in New Zealand (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Bembidiini), Insecta Mundi 2015 (415), pp. 1-78 : 10-11

Bembidion (Zecillenus) karikari new species

Fig. 1 , 37 , 86 , 108

Bembidion karikari Larochelle and Larivière , new species. Holotype: male (NZAC) labeled: “NEW ZEA- LAND ND Tokerau Beach, Dick Urlich Rd 3m 20.IX.1997 Larochelle & Larivière (typed)/ Wet, sandy estuary streambanks. In burrows. Gregarious. Moderate runner. (typed)/ HOLOTYPE [male symbol] Bembidion karikari Larochelle & Larivière, 2015 (red label; typed).” Paratypes: one male (NZAC) and two females (MONZ, NZAC) from the same locality as the holotype, bearing blue paratype labels.

Description. Body length 4.1–4.4 mm. Pale testaceous; disc of head and pronotum brown; elytra with a dark brown triangular discal marking (reaching interval 7) and interval 2 infuscated behind middle; antennae and legs entirely pale testaceous; abdomen dark brown. Microsculpture obsolete, with traces of transverse meshes (microlines) on disc of head and pronotum; strong on disc of elytra, moderately transverse (male) or isodiametric (female), granulate elsewhere. Head, pronotum, and disc of elytra shiny, remainder of elytra dull; metallic lustre absent. Thorax. Pronotum widest before middle; sides moderately rounded anteriorly, not sinuate posteriorly; posterolateral angles strongly obtuse, with extreme tip acute; laterobasal foveae shallow, ill-defined (vaguely elongate), short, not reaching basal margin. Elytra. Subelliptical, widest before middle. Shoulders prominent. Sides strongly rounded anteriorly, oblique posteriorly. Striae incomplete, barely suggested and impunctate laterally and apically; striae 2–5 well impressed, very deep and finely punctate on disc; striae 6–7 obsolete. Intervals moderately convex on disc. Lateral margins strongly widened subapically; subapical tooth sharp. Subapical sinuations very strong. Sutural apices angularly rounded. Apex strongly rounded. Aedeagus. Lateral view ( Fig. 37 ): very strongly arcuate, strongly widened in apical half; base moderately convex dorsally; middle slightly concave dorsally, moderately convex ventrally; apex subtriangular, concave dorsally and ventrally, with extreme tip wide and moderately long.

Material examined. 51 specimens ( CMNH, JNNZ, MONZ, NZAC).

Geographic distribution ( Fig. 86 ). North Island: ND–Karikari Peninsula: Matai [=Maitai] Bay; Puheke [=Puwheke] Beach stream; Tokerau Beach, Dick Urlich Road [end]. Aupouri Peninsula: Kapowairua, Te Horo Beach.

Ecology. Coastal lowland. Fossorial. Banks of meandering estuarine streams (3–5 m wide) running through sand dunes ( Fig. 108 ), just above the highest tidal line, at a certain distance (2–3 m) from water. Open ground; wet, sandy (white), bare or sparsely vegetated soil. Nocturnal; hides during the day in the sand. Gregarious. Occurs in association with staphylinids ( Coleoptera ) and Bembidion (Zeperyphodes) nesophilum .

Biology. Seasonality: September, December, February. Tenerals: February. Often infested with fungi (Laboulbeniales). Defence mechanism: when alarmed, the adult escapes by running.

Dispersal power. Brachypterous (incapable of flight). Moderate runner. Vagility limited by flight incapacity.

Collecting techniques. Pouring water over the ground; treading the soil with the feet.

Remarks. The species is common on the Karikari Peninsula and is therefore named after this region. Bembidion karikari is morphologically close to B. albescens . In addition to diagnostic characters of the male genitalia, B. karikari has the following distinguishing features: body paler, with antennae and legs entirely pale testaceous, elytra bearing a dark brown triangular discal marking, and abdomen dark brown; posterolateral angles of pronotum strongly obtuse, with extreme tip acute; elytra with lateral margins widened subapically and subapical tooth sharp. Both species are allopatric: B. karikari is restricted to the northernmost North Island (Northland, ND) while B. albescens occurs in the northeastern North Island from central Northland (ND) to Gisborne (GB).

Figures

Figures 1–4. Dorsal habitus. 1) Bembidion karikari new species. 2) B. albescens. 3) B. alacre. 4) B. tepaki new species. Scale line = 1 mm.

Figures 37–44. Aedeagi, lateral. 37) Bembidion karikari new species. 38) B. albescens. 39) B. alacre. 40) B. tepaki new species. 41) B. waimarama new species. 42) B. puponga new species. 43) B. tillyardi. 44) B. chalmeri.

Figures 83–88. Species distribution maps. 83) Bembidion giachinoi. 84) B. granuliferum. 85) B. hokitikense. 86) B. karikari new species. 87) B. mangamuka new species. 88) B. maorinum levatum.

Figures 107–108. Species habitats, Bembidion (Zecillenus). 107) Northland (ND), Te Paki Stream, B. tepaki new species. 108) Northland (ND), Puheke Beach stream, B. karikari new species.