Psammoecus venustus, Karner, 2020

Karner, Michael, 2020, Taxonomic Studies on Australian Psammoecus Latreille (Coleoptera, Silvanidae, Brontinae), European Journal of Taxonomy 723, pp. 135-158 : 152-156

Psammoecus venustus sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:2453FD2F-D632-4915-9692-ACFF3FE346B9

Fig. 7

Diagnosis

The following combination of character states distinguishes this species: body length 2.32–3.14 mm; eyes moderately sized, evenly rounded; temples well developed, evenly rounded; frontal grooves parallel posteriorly, almost reaching middle of eyes; punctation on vertex sparse; pronotal punctation moderate; pronotal teeth short; lateral pronotal margin ridged; lateral elytral interstices with very long setae; median lobe slender, lancet-shaped; parameres slender, parallel-sided, curved.

Etymology

The specific epithet was chosen in reference to the beautiful habitus of this species.

Material examined

Holotype

AUSTRALIA • ♂; New South Wales, City of Shoalhaven, Kioloa State Forest ; 4–5 Mar. 1986; Lawrence leg.; rainforest, leaf and log litter; ANIC.

Paratypes

AUSTRALIA – New South Wales • 2 specs; Canberra, 3.5 km E of Piccadilly Circus ACT, Blundells Creek Road ; 850 m a.s.l.; 27 Jan. 1982; Lawrence leg.; leaf and log litter; ANIC • 1 spec.; Sydney ; ANIC • 10 specs; Armidale Dumaresq Council, Kookaburra, Carrai National Park ; 943 m a.s.l.; 31°01′434″ S, 152°20′288″ E; 27–28 Oct. 2000; Podlussány leg.; HNHM • 1 spec.; Bellingen Shire, 6 km NNE of Raleigh, Pine Creek State Forest ; 30°24′ S, 153°01′ E; 16 Nov. 1976; Common and Edwards leg.; ANIC • 1 spec.; Blue Mountains, Mount Wilson ; 14 Mar. 1978; HNHM • 1 spec.; Bombala Council, 4 km NE of Wog Wog, 17 km SE of Bombala; 31°04′30″ S, 149°28′00″ E; Oct. 1995; Milkovits leg.; pitfall trap; HNHM • 4 specs; Central Coast Council , 5 km N Somersby; 33°19′ S, 151°18′ E; 12 May 1991; Gush leg.; leaf litter; ANIC • 3 specs; Central Coast Council, Strickland State Forest ; 33°23′ S, 151°19′ E; 26 May 1991; Gush leg.; leaf litter; ANIC • 1 spec.; City of Blue Mountains, Wentworth Falls ; 16 Jan. 1909; Bryant leg.; NHMUK • 1 spec.; City of Coffs Harbour, Bruxner Park, Park Creek Picknick site; 30°14′ S, 153°06′ E; 6 Apr. 1993; Reid leg.; rainforest, beaten from vegetation; ANIC • 1 spec.; City of Coffs Harbour, Bruxner Park, Park Creek Picknick site; 30°14′ S, 153°05′ E; 8 Apr. 1993; Reid leg.; rainforest, beaten from vegetation; ANIC • 1 spec.; City of Maitland, Brown Mountain, Rutherford Creek ; 15 Jan. 1969; Curtis leg.; ANIC • 1 spec.; City of Shoalhaven, Barrengarry Mountain ; 460 m a.s.l.; 28 Dec. 1966; rainforest, leaf mould; ANIC • 1 spec.; City of Shoalhaven, Barrengarry Mountain , 24 km SE of Mossvale; 600 m a.s.l.; 29 Aug. 1982; S and J Peck leg.; rainforest, log and leaf litter; ANIC • 1 spec.; City of Shoalhaven, Bawley Point ; 35°30′ S, 150°24′ E; 14 Nov. 1993; Rentz and MacCarron leg.; at light; MKF • 1 spec.; Dungog Shire, Upper Allyn Road ; 22 Apr. 1970; Colless leg.; ANIC • 1 spec.; Dungog Shire, Upper Williams River ; Oct. 1926; Lea and Wilson leg.; ANIC • 3 specs; Eurobodalla Shire, Buckenbowra State Forest ; 33°33′ S, 159°57′ E; 22 Dec. 1991; Gush leg.; moist debris in creek; ANIC • 1 spec.; Illawarra ; 13 Sep. 1908; Bryant leg.; NHMUK • 1 spec.; same locality; 27 Sep. 1908; Bryant leg.; NHMUK • 2 specs; same locality; 2 Oct. 1908; Bryant leg.; NHMUK, 1 spm; same data as for preceding; MKF • 4 specs; same locality; Oct. 1908; Bryant leg.; NHMUK • 1 spec.; same locality; Nov. 1908; Bryant leg.; NHMUK • 3 specs; Kyogle Council, Acacia Plateau ; Armstrong leg.; ANIC • 4 specs; Mid North Coast, Kerewong ; 21 Dec. 1978; HNHM • 2 specs; Mid-Coast Council , 3 km NE of Wootton; 32°16′ S, 152°19′ E; 22 Sep. 1991; Gush leg.; leaf litter at edge of river; ANIC • 1 spec.; Mid-Coast Council, Landsdowne State Forest ; 31°44′ S, 152°31′ E; 22 May 1992; Gush leg.; creek debris; ANIC • 1 spec.; Mid-Coast Council, Taree , 3 km N of Landsdowne; 19–26 Sep. 1992; Williams leg.; riparian rainforest, Malaise trap; ANIC • 1 spec.; Mid-Coast Council, Lorien Wildlife Refuge, Landsdowne , Taree ; Dec. 1986; H. and A. Howden leg.; flight intercept trap; ANIC • 1 spec.; Mid-Coast Council, Wang Wauk State Forest ; 32°20′ S, 152°15′ E; 22 Sep. 1991; Gush leg.; leaf litter in creek bed; ANIC • 1 spec.; Municipality of Kiama, 13 km W of Kiama, Jamberoo Pass ; 27 Feb. 1969; Britton, Upton and Misko leg.; ANIC • 1 spec.; Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, Clyde Mountain ; 750 m a.s.l.; 4 Dec. 1967; Taylor and Brooks leg.; wet sclerophyll; ANIC • 1 spec.; Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council , 6 km SSE of Monga; Oct. 1989; Reid leg.; beating RF bushes; ANIC • 1 spec.; Queanbeyan-Palerang , 4 km N of Mongarlowe; 25 May 1991; Reid leg.; on shrubs by river; ANIC • 1 spec.; Southern Tablelands Region, Clyde Mountain ; 16 Mar. 1977; Moore leg.; ANIC • 1 spec.; Southern Tablelands Region, Clyde Mountain, Cabbage Tree Creek ; 27 Sep. 1979; Naumann and Cardale leg.; ANIC • 1 spec.; Tenterfield Shire Council, Unumgar S. F., Grevillia, Coxs Road ; 580 m a.s.l.; 28°27′ S, 152°45′ E; 2–11 Jan. 1987; Newton and Thayer leg.; subtropical rainforest, flight intercept trap; ANIC • 1 spec.; Tenterfield Shire Council, Unumgar S. F., near Woodenbong, Pole Bridge Road ; 430 m a.s.l.; 28°24′ S, 152°40′ E; 2–11 Jan. 1987; Newton and Thayer leg.; dry rainforest (Araucaria, Eucalyptus ), flight intercept trap; ANIC. – Queensland • 1 spec.; Atherton Tableland, Eacham National Park ; 760 m a.s.l.; 17°18′ S, 145°37′ E; 20 Feb. 1973; Taylor leg.; rainforest; ANIC • 1 spec.; Cairns Region, 22 km from Cairns, Whitfield Road ; 670 m a.s.l.; 21 Oct. 1971; Brooks leg.; ANIC • 1 spec.; Cassowary Coast Region, Cardstone ; 10 Dec. 1966; Brooks leg.; ANIC • 2 specs; Cassowary Coast Region, Tully Falls ; 15 Dec. 1976; Walford-Huggins leg.; NHMUK • 1 spec.; Charters Towers Region, 19 km W of Paluma, Ewan Road ; 6 Jan. 1966; J.G. and J.A.G. Brooks leg.; ANIC • 1 spec.; Charters Towers Region, Mount Spec ; 880 m a.s.l.; 18°55 S, 146°09′ E; 8 May–5 Jun. 1995; Cermak leg.; flight intercept trap; ANIC • 1 spec.; same locality; 5 Jun.–3 Jul. 1995; Cermak leg.; flight intercept trap; ANIC • 1 spec.; same locality; 4 Sep.–1 Oct. 1995; Cermak leg.; flight intercept trap; ANIC • 1 spec.; same locality; 1 Oct.–4 Nov. 1995; Cermak leg.; flight intercept trap; MKF • 3 specs; same locality; 4 Nov.–1 Dec. 1995; Cermak leg.; flight intercept trap; ANIC • 1 spec.; Charters Towers Region, Mount Spec ; 880 m a.s.l.; 18°55 S, 146°10′ E; 9 Mar.–6 Apr. 1995; Cermak leg.; flight intercept trap; ANIC • 3 specs; same locality; 4 Nov.–1 Dec. 1995; Cermak leg.; flight intercept trap; ANIC • 1 spec.; City of Townsville, Townsville ; Jul. 1921; Carter leg.; ANIC • 1 spec.; City of Townsville, 6 km WNW of Paluma, Birthday Creek ; 18°59′ S, 146°10′ E; 25 Sep. 1980; Weir leg.; leaf and log litter; ANIC • 1 spec.; Hichinbrook Shire Council, Ingham ; 22–28 Mar. 1965; Balogh leg.; HNHM • 1 spec.; Mackay Region, Eungella ; Naumann and Cardale leg.; ANIC • 1 spec.; Moreton Bay Region, Miala National Park ; 27°20′ S, 152°46′ E; 13 Mar. 1973; rainforest; ANIC • 1 spec.; Moreton Bay Region, Mount Glorious ; 630 m a.s.l.; 14 Nov. 1986 – 30 Jan. 1987; Hiller leg.; rainforest, flight intercept trough trap; ANIC • 1 spec.; Scenic Rim Region, Joalah National Park, Tamborine Mountain ; 23 Jul. 1976; Lawrence leg.; litter and flood debris; ANIC • 2 specs; Shire of Mareeba, Kuranda ; May 1970; Brooks leg.; ANIC • 1 spec.; Shire of Mareeba, Massey Creek ; 1000 m a.s.l.; 17°37′ S, 135°34′ E; 2 Jun.–4 Jul. 1995; Zborowski leg.; flight intercept trap; ANIC • 1 spec.; same locality; 4 Jul.–2Aug. 1995; Zborowski leg.; flight intercept trap; ANIC • 1 spec.; same locality; 2–30 Nov. 1995; Umback leg.; flight intercept trap; ANIC • 3 specs; Shire of Mareeba, Kuranda, Lamb Range ; 23 May 1970; Brooks leg.; ANIC • 1 spec.; Shire of Mareeba, Windsor Tableland, Mt Carbine ; 9 Sep.–4 Nov. 1976; Storey leg.; rainforest, pitfall trap; NHMUK • 1 spec.; Tablelands Region, Evelyn ; May 1954; Brooks leg.; ANIC • 1 spec.; Tablelands Region, Hugh Nelson Range ; 17°27′ S, 145°29′ E; 30 Nov. 1993; Umback leg.; flight intercept trap; ANIC • 1 spec.; Tablelands Region , Wongabel S.F., 6 km S of Atherton; 1 Dec. 1983 – 9 Jan. 1984; Storey and Brown leg.; flight intercept trap; NHMUK • 1 spec.; Tablelands Region, Barrine National Park ; 760 m a.s.l.; 21 Mar. 1975; Taylor leg.; ANIC • 2 specs; Tablelands Region, 8 km N of Gillies Highway, Boar Pocket Road ; 13 Dec. 1969; Brooks leg.; leaf litter; ANIC • 1 spec.; Tablelands Region, Danbulla, Cathedral Fig ; 17°10′ S, 145°39′ E; 25 Jun. 1992; Reid leg.; beaten from rainforest trees and vines; ANIC • 1 spec.; Tablelands Region, Sm. Tinaroo Falls, Danbulla Road ; 26 Apr. 1967; Colless leg.; at light; ANIC • 1 spec.; Tablelands Region, Mount Baldy near Atherton, Forest Reserve No. 194; 1200 m a.s.l.; 5 Dec. 1968; Britton and Misko leg.; rainforest; MKF • 1 spec.; Tablelands Region, Lake Barrine ; 720 m a.s.l.; 25 Feb. 1970; Brooks leg.; ANIC • 1 spec.; Tablelands Region, Wongabel State Forest, via Atherton ; 19–20 May 1970; Naumann and Cardale leg.; ANIC • 1 spec.; Tablelands Region, Alberton, Wongabel State Forest ; 19–20 May 1980; Naumann and Cardale leg.; MKF • 7 specs; Townsville City, Townsville ; 16–22 Mar. 1965; Balogh leg.; HNHM. – Victoria • 1 spec.; Shire of East Gippsland, Croajingolong National Park, South-West Arm Road , 11 km NW of Mallacoota; 20 m a.s.l.; 37°31′ S, 149°41′ E; 10–23 Feb. 1993; Newton and Thayer leg.; Banksia woodland, window trap; ANIC • 1 spec.; Shire of East Gippsland, Lind National Park, Euchre Valley , Olive Branch Creek ; 140 m a.s.l.; 37°34′ S, 148°57′ E; 10–23 Feb. 1993; Newton and Thayer leg.; riparian forest, window trap; ANIC • 1 spec.; Shire of East Gippsland, 12 km N of Orbost, Bonang Highway, Young’s Creek ; 9 Nov. 1976; Colless and Liepa leg.; ANIC • 2 specs; South Gippsland Shire, Wilson’s Promontory National Park , Lilly Pilly Tr. VIC; 14 May 1978; S. and J. Peck leg.; ANIC .

Description of holotype

Body ( Fig. 7A ) elongate, length 2.71 mm; yellowish brown; head piceous, pronotum piceous, narrow region at anterior margin lighter brown, wider, distinctly yellowish brown region across posterior margin, elytra with piceous maculae: humeral area, irregular maculae near middle, and apex dark, scutellar shield piceous, antennomeres 8–10 darkened, antennomere 11 lighter; middle of tibiae slightly darkened. Head ( Fig. 7B ) 0.4 mm long, 0.64 mm wide; frontal grooves distinct, deep, converging anteriorly, parallel posteriorly, almost reaching middle of eyes; vertex with sparse punctation; punctures distinctly smaller than eye facet diameter,somewhat longitudinally stretched;setae of variable length, mostly about 1/3 as long as eyes, directed anteromedially; microsculpture absent; eyes of moderate size, evenly rounded, 0.18 mm long, eye distance 0.4 mm; temples distinct, long, well rounded, temple angle 55°; antennae ( Fig. 7D ) long, slender, 1.69 mm long, antennomere proportions 2.9: 1.0: 1.4:1.5: 1.6: 1.4: 1.4: 1.2: 1.1: 1.1:2.3. Pronotum ( Fig. 7C ) 1.1 × as wide as long, widest at anterior quarter; at anterior denticles 1.3 × as wide as at posterior denticles; lateral margin almost straight along posterior ¾, with ridge between anterior and posterior denticles; anterior end of ridge curved medially, 0.63 mm wide, 0.57 mm long, with group of three anterior denticles, lateral margin with distinct, short teeth, I slightly larger than II–IV, posterior denticle very distinct, almost as large as I, punctation on pronotal disc moderate, punctures slightly larger and denser, as on vertex; slightly stretched longitudinally; setae as on vertex, directed anteromedially; microsculpture absent. Elytra ( Fig. 7A ) elongate oval, widest at middle, 1.60 mm long, 1.04 mm wide, striae about as wide as interstices, pubescence strial setae 1/3 to 1/2 as long as interstrial setae; lateral insterstices with very long, erect setae; microsculpture absent. Male genitalia ( Fig. 7 E–G) with slender, lancet shaped median lobe, internal sac with numerous small denticles and long, curved ductus; parameres long, slender, parallel-sided, slightly curved medially, with two large apical setae and numerous setae along the inner margins.

Variation

Paratypes range in length from 2.32 mm to 3.14 mm. The elytral colouration varies considerably in the size of the dark maculae, but with the general pattern of colouration present in all specimens. The colour of head and pronotum ranges from entirely testaceous to piceous. The 10 th antennomere is often whitish, like the 11 th.

Distribution

Australia (Canberra, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria).

Biology

The species was found on plants, in plant detritus, in flight intercept and pitfall traps and and only once at light.

Remarks

This species somewhat resembles Psammoecus felix ( Waterhouse, 1876) , described from Sri Lanka. Psammoecus venustus differs distinctly in colouration, in the shape of the male genitalia, and in the structure of the frontal grooves.

Figures

Fig. 7. Psammoecus venustus sp. nov., ♂♂. A–C. Holotype (ANIC). A. Habitus. B. Head. C. Pronotum. D. Right antenna. E–G. Paratype spec. from Queensland (ANIC). E. Aedeagus, ventral view. F. Parameres, ventral view. G. Parameres and median lobe, lateral view. Scale bars: A = 1.0 mm; B–E = 0.5 mm; F–G = 0.2 mm.