Pelicinus koghis, new species

Figures 61–120, 330–345

TYPE: Male holotype from Berlese sample of rainforest litter taken at an elevation of 500 m at the Monts des Koghis Auberge, near Noumea, New Caledonia (July 26–Aug. 13, l978; S., J. Peck), deposited in AMNH (PBI_OON 126) .

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality.

DIAGNOSIS: Males resemble those of P. damieu but have a larger, more angular embolar sail (figs. 334–339); females have a wider posterior receptaculum (figs. 344, 345).

MALE (PBI_OON 22618, figs. 61–90, 330–339): Total length 1.85. Carapace orange-brown, elevated portion of pars cephalica smooth, sides granulate. Sternum orange-brown, smooth, microsculpture absent. Mouthparts orange-brown, endites anteriorly constricted into distal knob. Abdomen dorsum with dark patches visible through dorsal scutum. Scutopedicel region with five ridges, dorsalmost, ventralmost shorter than others. Dorsal scutum orange-brown, punctate, covering most of abdomen length, width. Postepigastric scutum orange-brown, covering about ¾ of abdomen length. Embolus with two short ventral processes.

FEMALE (PBI_OON 22618, figs. 91–120, 340–345): Total length 1.92. Scutopedicel region with seven ridges, two ventralmost interrupted at middle. Postepigastric scutum short, almost rectangular, covering about 2/3 of abdomen length. Poreplate longer at middle than sides, squiggled portion of anterior duct mostly oriented transversely.

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: New Caledonia: Dzumac road, junction, 22°02′S, 166°28′E, Jan. 26, 2004, pyrethrum spraying of trees and logs, elev. 950 m (G. Monteith, QMB 79760, PBI_OON 22582), 1♂ ; Foret Nord, 22°19′S, 166°55′E, Dec. 1, 2004 – Jan. 9, 2005, pitfalls, elev. 480 m (G. Monteith, Grimbacher, QMB S 79771, PBI _ OON 22618), 3♂, 5♀ , Dec. 2, 2004 – Jan. 9, 2005, pitfalls, elev. 200 m (G. Monteith, Grimbacher, QMB S 79765, PBI _ OON 22604), 1♂, Apr. 21, 2005, Berlese, elev. 210 m (G. Monteith, QMB S 79803, PBI _ OON 22655), 1♂; Kwa Neie summit, 22°20′S, 166°55′E, Nov. 22, 2001 – Jan. 30, 2002, pitfall, elev. 500 m (G. Monteith, QMB S 79768, PBI _ OON 22575), 1♂ ; Monts des Koghis, 22°11′S, 166°01′E, Nov. 3, 2002, Berlese, rainforest litter, elev. 700 m (G. Monteith, QMB S 79744, PBI _ OON 22610), 1♂, 1♀ ; Monts des Koghis, Auberge, near Noumea, July 26–Aug. 13, 1978, fungi with logs and litter, elev. 500 m (S., J. Peck, AMNH PBI _ OON 127), 1♂ ; Pic du Grand Kaori, 22°17′S, 166°53′E, Nov. 22, 2004 – Jan. 12, 2005, rainforest pitfalls, elev. 250 m (G. Monteith, Grimbacher, QMB S 79766, PBI _ OON 22613), 4♂, 2♀; Port Boise, 22°21′S, 166°58′E, Nov. 21, 2001, Berlese, rainforest litter, elev. 20 m (QMB S 59836, PBI _ OON 6984), 1♂ ; Rivierè Bleue, humid forest, Oct. 27, 1988, sifting litter (R. Raven, T. Churchill, QMB S 12709, PBI _ OON 22507), 1♀ .

DISTRIBUTION: Southern New Caledonia.