Agnosthaetus vicinus ( Broun, 1921 )

Clarke, Dave J., 2011, A Revision of the New Zealand Endemic Rove Beetle Genus Agnosthaetus Bernhauer (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), The Coleopterists Bulletin (mo 10) 2011, pp. 1-118 : 58-60

(26) Agnosthaetus vicinus ( Broun, 1921)

( Figs. 7 , 57 , 67 , 75 , 87 , 162–164 , Map 6 )

Dimerus vicinus Broun, 1921: 483 (Type locality: Kiwi Bush, near Glenhope).

Agnosthaetus vicinus ; Bernhauer 1939: 214; McColl 1982: 14 (figure A; misidentified); Klimaszewski andWatt 1997:27,136(fig.135:misidentified),170.

Type Material. Holotype (by monotypy). ♀, with seven labels: “ New Zealand.| Broun Coll.| Brit. Mus.| 1922-482/ [Broun’ s handwriting] Kiwi Bush.| 4-5-1915./ [Broun’ s handwriting] Dimerus vicinus ./ Agnosthaetus | vicinus| Broun/ Chicago Nat. Hist. Mus.| ex colln. Brit. Mus.| (Nat. Hist.)

by exchange/ FMNH-INS 0000 048 414/ HOLO- TYPE Dimerus vicinus Broun , ♀, teste D. Clarke 2011”, in FMNH. Specimen on card, mandibles spread. Broun’ s (1921) original description explicitly states only a single specimen was studied.

Additional Material Examined. 49 specimens (32♂ 16♀ 1 unsexed). NEW ZEALAND: [locality illegible], 21.xii.1915 , 1♂, FMNH-INS 42798 (in BMNH); Kaka , 41°33.006′S, 172°42.504′E, 26. ix.1915 , 1♂, FMNH-INS 42797 (in BMNH); South Island: Nelson, Howard Valley Rd. , 7.x.1968 , 68/144, moss, J.I. Townsend, 1♂, FMNH-INS 48011 (in NZAC); BR: Blackball Rd. to Croessus Trk. , 42°20.841′, 171°23.315′, 29.iii.2009 , RL1468, sifting leaf litter and rotting wood, R. Leschen & T. Buckley, 1♂, 1♀ (in NZAC); Charleston (N.), Costello’ s Hill Scen. Res. , 41°52.8′S, 171°30′E, Nothofagus forest, 23.xii.1992 , F.M. Climo & K. Mahlfeld, 1♂, 1♀, FMNH-INS 48005–006 (in NZAC); Flagstaff Biological Reserve , Hochstetter , 220 m, 42°28.14′S, 171°44.82′E [coord. assumed = Flagstaff Ecological Area], 20.ix.1972 , 72/174, moss & litter, J.S. Dugdale, 1♂, FMNH-INS 48453 (in NZAC); Inangahua (W.) S.F. [“ Coll Crk. … 127” on some specimens], 28.i.1972 , 72/96, moss & litter, J.S. Dugdale, 2♂, FMNH-INS 48435–436 (in NZAC); Inangahua (W.) S.F., Fletchers Crk. [“B.F.U.P” site = Beech Forest Utilization Project?], 27.i.1972 , 72/88, litter, J. McBurney, 2♀, FMNH- INS 48451–452 (in NZAC); 19.ix.1972 , 72/177, litter, J.S. Dugdale, 1♂, FMNH-INS 48439 (in NZAC); 9.xi.1971 , 71/131, moss, J.S. Dugdale, 1♂ (in); Inangahua (W.) S.F., McMahon Crk., 25.i.1972 , 72/79[?], litter, J.S. Dugdale, 1♀, FMNH- INS 48437 (in NZAC); Lake Rotoiti , ca. 600–700 m, 41°49.47′S, 172°50.28′E, 23–27.xii.1983 , leaf litter, P.M. Hammond, 1♂, FMNH-INS 19058 (in BMNH); Lake Rotoroa , 41°48′S, 172°36′E, 9.iii.1965 , 65/263, litter, J.I. Townsend, 1♂ 1♀, FMNH-INS 48010 (in NZAC); Lake Rotoroa , 430 m, 41°51.1′S, 172°38.22′E, 27.xii.1983 , leaf litter, P.M. Hammond, 1♂, FMNH-INS 19059 (in BMNH); Maruia Springs , 42°22.986′S, 172°19.65′E, 25.iv.1977 , 1♂, FMNH- INS 19370 (in JTNC); Mawhera S.F., Ngahere , 42°29.4′S, 171°31.2′E [coord.=Mawhera Forest], 10.xi.1971 , 71/144, litter,J. McBurney, 1♂ (in NZAC); Nelson Lakes N.P., Lake Rotoiti, St. Arnaud Track , 670 m, ANMT 706, 41°49′S, 172°51′E, Nothofagus spp. forest, 14.xii.1984 – 6.i.1985 , window trap, A. Newton & M. Thayer, 2♀, FMNH-INS 48007– 008 (in FMNH); Nelson Lakes N.P., Lake Rotoroa , 450 m, 41°48′S, 172°36′E, Nothofagus forest, 3–7. ii.1978 , berl., forest leaf & log litter, S. & J. Peck, 1♂ 1♂, FMNH-INS 48009 (in FMNH) ; 4♂, FMNH-INS 42796, 48 261– 263 (in MCZ); Rahu Saddle , 670 m, 42°18.95′S, 172°7.08′E, Nothofagus forest, 16.x.1984 , LCNZ 84/7, in moss, J.W. Early, 2♂, FMNH-INS 19070–071 (in LUNZ); Reefton (E), 42°6.6′S, 171°52.2′E, 10.ii.1965 , 65/36, litter, N.A. Walker, 1♂, FMNH-INS 48491 (in NZAC); Tawhai S.F., Reefton (3 km S), 42°10′S, 171°52′E [coord.=“ Tawhai State Forest, BR ”, taken from Larivière, 1997], 9.xi.1971 , 71/136, litter, J.S. Dugdale, 1♀, FMNH-INS 48456 (in NZAC); 6.iii.1972 , 72/121, litter, J.S. Dugdale, 1♂, FMNH- INS 48457 (in NZAC); 18.ix.1972 , 72/170, moss, J.C. Watt, 1♂, FMNH-INS 48454 (in NZAC); 18.ix.1972 , 72/169, P. laricio litter, J.C. Watt, 1♂, FMNH-INS 48455 (in NZAC); Upper Grey Valley , 370 m, 7.vi.1982 , LCNZ 82/15, moss on forest floor, J.W. Early, 1♂, FMNH-INS 19083 (in LUNZ); Westport, Lower Buller River , Norris Crk., 14.x.1970 , 70/158, litter, J.I. Townsend, 1♂, FMNH-INS 48410 (in NZAC); NN: Buller , Cowan Bridge, 24.ix.1964 , 64/104, J.I. Townsend & G.P. Marchant, 1♂, 1 sex unknown, FMNH-INS 48003–004 (in NZAC); Canaan, Harwoods Trk. , 40°56.82′S, 172°52.494′E, 4.ii.1965 , 65/225, litter, L.P. Marchant, 1♀, FMNH-INS 48438 (in NZAC); Gordons Knob , 914 m (as 3000 ft), 6.iv.1938 , E.S. Gourlay, 1♀, FMNH-INS 48234 (in NZAC); Hope , 41°21.396′S, 173°9.336′E , 1♀, FMNH-INS 42799 (in BMNH); Hope Saddle , 1096 m, 41°37.98′S, 172°42.72′E, 5.iv.1966 , 66/132, moss, J.I. Townsend, 2♀, FMNH-INS 48458, 493 (in NZAC); Mt. Malita , 731 m (as 2400 ft), 1.iv.1966 , 66/127, moss at bush edge, J.I. Townsend, 1♂, 1♀, FMNH-INS 48407–408 (in NZAC); Riwaka River Res., Motueka (20 km NW), 100 m, 41°2′3″S, 172°54′3″E [coord.= Riwaka Scenic Reserve ], mixed forest, 28.v.1982 , FMHD#82-605; Peck #82-26, litter, S. & J. Peck , 1♂, FMNH-INS 48002 (in FMNH); Riwaka Valley , 28–31.i.1949 , A.E. Brookes Colln, 1♀, FMNH-INS 48000 (in NZAC); ix.1970 , Melicytus litter, J.S. Dugdale, 1♂, FMNH-INS 48001 (in NZAC) .

Diagnosis. See species-group diagnosis.

Description. Color: More or less uniformly reddish brown (usually strikingly red; Fig. 7 ). Head ( Figs. 57 , 67 ): Frontal ridge absent. Dorsum moderately densely punctate; with punctures distributed anteriorly, laterally, and posteriorly on disc, middle part impunctate. Punctures shallow, rather indistinct; diameter subequal to or slightly greater than diameter of eye facet; interpuncture distance anteriorly less than half puncture diameter, posterolaterally subequal to or greater than puncture diameter. Dorsal microsculpture present only anterior to dorsal tentorial sulci; faintly reticulate. Dorsal tentorial sulcus (cf. Figs. 10–11 , dt) distinctly slit-like; width subequal to or less than puncture diameter. Sublongitudinal ridge (cf. Fig. 10 , sr) distinct; not confused by smaller carinae or punctures; crest at antennal tubercle without distinct microsculpture. Area above and behind antennoocular carina ( Figs. 10–11 , arrow) more or less

smooth, without subsidiary carinae. Antenno-ocular carina continuing behind eye onto temple ( Fig. 57 , ao). Temple ( Fig. 11 , tm) long, subequal to EYL. Subocular surface more or less evenly microsculptured ( Fig. 67 ). Labrum distinctly sexually dimorphic ( Fig. 162 ). Apical labral margin in males moderately broadly and shallowly emarginate medially, evenly dentate, with 20–26 teeth (n =10), all teeth normal, projecting more or less anteriorly. Apical labral margin in females broadly convex, not emarginate medially; with 19–26 teeth (n =9), all teeth subequal in length. Adoral labral surface in males smooth, without subapical transverse ridge. Mandible more or less identical in both sexes; males and females with single, mesially directed tooth, males with weakly developed preapical spur (cf. Fig. 190 , arrow); females without spur. Prothorax ( Figs. 75 , 87 ): Pronotum without microsculpture; with 6 pairs of macrosetae, additional lateral pair present ( Fig. 75 , lp). Medial pronotal sulci anteriorly separate from, and terminating posterior to anterior punctures; basally very distant from remnant basal foveae ( Fig. 75 ). Distance between medial sulci subequal along entire length. Pronotal basolateral carina present, distinct ( Fig. 75 ). Base of pronotum without pair of median foveae ( Fig. 75 ); without lateral foveae ( Fig. 75 ). Pronotal macrosetal punctures indistinct. Medial pronotal seta subequidistant from medial and lateral sulci ( Fig. 75 ). Pronotal hypomeron ( Fig. 24 , hy) shiny, at most with only faintly visible microsculpture. Prosternum with faintly reticulate microsculpture. Pterothorax ( Fig. 87 ): Elytron ( Fig. 23 , e) without microsculpture; with one macroseta, not set in punctures; laterally with two ridges ( Fig. 87 , ek, mr). Mesothoracic epimeral region ( Fig. 24 , mer) shiny, without microsculpture. Metathoracic pleural region ( Fig. 24 , m) shiny, without microsculpture and with faint reticulate microsculpture. Metathoracic pleural ridge present ( Fig. 87 , mp), fully developed; metathoracic pleural groove ( Fig. 24 , gr) incomplete posteriorly, forming elongate oval punctiform impression. Abdomen: Abdominal vestiture short, somewhat appressed, dorsally more or less evenly projecting posteriorly. Abdominal sternite III of male with denser posteromedially directed setae; IV with surface slightly impressed apicomedially, surrounded by denser posteromedially directed setae; V with narrow glabrous region, slightly impressed apicomedially, flanked by denser posteromedially directed setae; VI with narrow glabrous strip, distinctly impressed at middle, flanked by denser setae; VII with small glabrous region apicomedially. Aedeagus ( Fig. 163 ). “ Type B” (see description on p. 8). Apical part of median lobe with sides distinctly narrowed at middle, forming rounded lateral lobes; produced into elongate, narrow point. Both apicolateral and apicomedial setae few in number ( Fig. 164 ). Dorsal canthus greatly enlarged, forming ventral lobes (either pointed or rounded: Figs. 163–164 , arrows). Paramere not exceeding apex of median lobe; slender in both dorsal and lateral view; in dorsal view with outer side gently concave; with 4 setae at apex.

Distribution. ( Map 6 ). South Island: BR, NN.

Biology and Ecology. Habitat: Nothofagus forest. Specimens have been taken primarily from moss and various kinds of leaf litter. Phenology: Year-round. Elevation: 100–1,096 m.

Remarks. The label indicating the origin of the holotype from the British Museum (by exchange) is sufficient to consider that specimen as definitively the holotype, which now resides in FMNH. Agnosthaetus vicinus is unique in being the only known species in the genus with six pairs of pronotal macrosetae. It can thus be positively identified by this character alone ( Fig. 75 , lp, or by observing the setal puncture if the seta is missing). The absence of distinct basal pronotal foveae in A. vicinus is shared only with A. leviceps . It may be distinguished from that species additionally by the punctate head, two distinct lateral elytral ridges, metathoracic pleural ridge, and elytral sutural stria.

Figures

Map 6. Geographic distribution of all georeferenced specimens in the Agnosthaetus imitator (South Island species), Agnosthaetus vicinus, Agnosthaetus thayerae, and Agnosthaetus truncatus species-groups. Diamonds = A. vicinus; stars = A. sculptus; squares = A. truncatus; triangles = A. thayerae; white circles = A. newtoni; black circle = A. kaikoura.

Figs. 1–8. Habitus photographs of Agnosthaetus spp. 1) A. brounides; 2) A. chiasma; 3) A. zonatus; 4) A. kaikoura;

Figs. 57–62. Heads of Agnosthaetus spp., dorsal view. 57) A. vicinus; 58) A. heteromastax; 59) A. nitidus;

Figs. 63–68. Heads of Agnosthaetus spp., ventral view. 63) A. brouni; 64) A. stilbus, oblique view; 65) A. chiasma;

Figs. 75–78. Pronota of Agnosthaetus spp. 75) A. vicinus; 76) A. stilbus; 77) A. nitidus; 78) A. brouni. Scale bar =

Figs. 83–88. Pterothoraces of Agnosthaetus spp., right lateral view. 83) A. lanceolatus; 84) A. stilbus; 85) A. chiasma;

Figs. 162–164. Agnosthaetus vicinus. 162) Male (upper) and female (lower) labra, dorsal (anterior margin) view;

Figs. 10–13. Head capsules of Agnosthaetus spp. 10) A. stilbus; 11) A. rodmani; 12) A. brouni; 13) A. chiasma. Scale bars = 100 mm.

Figs. 189–194. Mandibles of Agnosthaetus spp., dorsal view (189–193, left; 194, right). 189) A. newtoni; 190) A. falx; 191) A. stenomastax; 192) A. heteromastax (Rakeahua Valley); 193) A. heteromastax (Big South Cape Island); 194) A. heteromastax (Twilight Bay). Scale bar = 100 mm.

Figs. 23–24. Agnosthaetus cariniceps, thorax. 23) Dorsal view; 24) Left lateral view. Scale bars = 100 mm.