Ocypus (Pseudocypus) rhinton, Published, 2007

Published, First, 2007, Contributions to the knowledge of the “ Staphylinus-complex ” (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini) of China. Part XX. The genus Ocypus Leach, 1819, subgenus Pseudocypus Mulsant & Rey, 1876. Section 1, Zootaxa 1421, pp. 1-72 : 31-32

Ocypus (Pseudocypus) rhinton sp. nov.

(Figs. 109–114)

Type material. Holotype (male) and allotype (female): CHINA: Shaanxi: “ C CHINA SW Shaanxi Qinling mts. 33°35'N 107°43'E NW of Houzhenzi 2600 m VII.1996 lgt. Dr.M. Häckel ” ( ASC).

Paratypes: CHINA: Shaanxi: same data as holotype, ♂, 8 ♀♀ ( ASC) ; Qinling Mts., Houzhenzi , 2600 m, 7.VII.1996, M. Janata, 13 ♂♂, 11 ♀♀ ( ASC) ; Qin Ling Shan mts. Track Hou Zen Zi vill. to Taibai Shan Mt. 3000 m 29.VI.–2.VII.1998, fir forest O. Šafránek & M. Trýzna lgt., or Jindra, Šafránek and Trýzna lgt., 2 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀ ( ASC) ; same data, but 3500 m, alpine meadow, 2.–4.VIII.1998, O. Šafránek & M. Trýzna lgt., ♂, 2 ♀♀ ( ASC) ; Zhouzhi, Houzhenzi , 3200 m, 18.– 25.7.1998, Dr. Vl. Beneš lgt., 4 ♂♂, 12 ♀♀ ( ASC, MDC); (Qinling Shan) , Taibaishan mt. Houzhenzi, 1500–2000 m, 33°52'N 107°44'E, V.–VI.2000, Plutenko, 5 ♂♂, ♀ ( MSC) ; Qinling Mts. —central ridge 33°47'N 108°18'E, 2400–2900 m, 10.– 12.6.1995, L. & R. Businský lgt., ♀ ( MDC) ; Qinling Mts. —S slope, Xunyangba —S+W env., 33°28–37'N 108°23–33'E, 1400–2100 m, 5.– 9.6.1995, L. & R. Businský lgt., ♂, ♀ ( ASC, MDC) ; Qinling mts., Houzhenzi , 33°35'N 107°43'E, 2600 m, VII.1996, M. Häckel, ♀ ( ASC) ; Qinling Shan mount. range, W pass on road Xi’an–Shagoujie , 45 km SSW Xi’an, 33°52'N 108°46'E, 2675 m, 25.VII.2001, Wrase [20], 2 ♂♂ ( ASC, MSC) ; same data, but 25.– 26.VI.2001, M. Schülke [CO1-20B], ♀ ( MSC) ; Qin Ling Shan, Mountain W pass at Autoroute km 70, 47 km S Xi’an , 2300–2500 m, 33°51'N 108°47E, 26.– 30.8.1995, leg. A. Pütz, ♀ ( MSC) ; Maijieshi , SW of Chan’gan Xian, 2410–2760 m, May 16.–17. 1993, Koiwaya & Fan leg., ♂ ( YSC) .

Diagnosis. A small species, sharing most of the character states with O. neocles , but different by the characteristically shaped apex of the median lobe of the aedoeagus, and by a few external characters, as given in the description.

Description. In all character states similar to O. neocles , but different as follows: size smaller, body form more slender; head narrower, less distinctly wider than long (ratio 1.17), punctation of head and pronotum on average slightly finer and denser, punctation of elytra slightly finer, microsculpture on interspaces between punctures somewhat coarser, elytra therefore appearing somewhat duller.

Male. Sternite 8 with medioapical emargination similar to that of O. neocles , but narrower. Sternite 9 with narrow basal portion located centrally, apex subtruncate to vaguely emarginate (Fig. 109). Tergite 10 narrow, evenly narrowed toward subacute apex, sparingly setose, apical portion strongly sclerotized (Fig. 110). Aedoeagus small, shaped as in Figs. 111–114; median lobe with apex wide, narrowly emarginate in middle (Figs. 111, 112); paramere situted on median lobe markedly asymmetrically, on face away from paramere with straigt carina, apical portion of paramere short, tending to be almost parallelsided, with right margin curled invard, apex of paramere distinctly not reaching apex of median lobe (Fig. 111); sensory peg setae on underside of paramere situated as in Fig. 114, missing on invard curled right margin; apical setae minute, situated at apex and at left margin below apex (Fig. 114).

Female. Tergite 10 of genital segment not appreciably different from that of O. neocles .

Length 10.0–13.0 mm.

Bionomics. Most specimens of the original series were taken from pitfall traps, most of which were set at moderate elevations of 2300 m up to 3000 m. Specimens collected at the locality south of Xi’an were taken from pitfall traps set on northern slope in an open, mixed forest of Betula , Larix , Abies and Rhododndron at about 2600 m. The species occurs there together with Protocypus canis Smetana, 2005a , the latter being the dominant species.

Geographical distribution. Ocypus rhinton occurs only in the Qinling Shan in southern Shaanxi. It may be endemic to this range.

Recognition and comments. Ocypus rhinton may only be confused with O. neocles , but it may be easily distinguished by the characters given in the description, particularly by the differently shaped median lobe of the aedoeagus (see Figs. 97, 111). In addition, both species are separated geographically, O. neocles seems to be endemic to the Da Shennongjia range in western Hubei.

The color of the antennae varies to some extent in this species. In some specimens the antennae are almost uniformly testaceobrunneous, in others the basal segments are to various degree dark, in extreme cases almost black.

Etymology. The specific epithet is the name of Rhinton, - onis, m, the originator of travestied tragedy, a native of Tarentum, in apposition.