Canthonella jarmilae Ivie & Philips

Ivie, Michael A. & Philips, Keith, 2008, Three new species of Canthonella Chapin from Hispaniola, with new records and Nomenclatural changes for West Indian dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), Zootaxa 1701, pp. 1-14 : 2-3

Canthonella jarmilae Ivie & Philips , new species

Figs. 1, 4, 7 , 10, 13, 16, 19

Diagnosis. The distinct contrasting color pattern on the elytron and pronotum, as well as the shape of the elytral spot ( Fig. 19 ) makes this species very easily distinguished from the other species of Canthonella . This species is unique in usually having the pronotal disc and always the apical half of the elytron a chestnut reddish-brown, which contrasts with the pitchy margins of the pronotal disc and the elytral area anterior to the mid-point but behind and between the whitish-yellow humeral spot. This whitish-yellow spot is narrowly separated from the pronotal base, and does not extend mesad onto the second interstria. The unique shape of the male apex of the male genitalia (Fig. 10) will further confirm the identity of this species.

Description (male). Body oval ( Fig. 19 ); finely, sparsely pilose; castaneous to dark castaneous, pitchy around and between elytral maculae, along suture, and along base of pronotum; whitish-yellow spot on each elytron from 8th stria to slightly mesad of 3rd, narrowly separated from anterior margin of elytron, rounded behind, very slightly indented at intersection with 4th stria ( Fig. 7 ); epipleuron broadly whitish-yellow laterad of elytral spot for basal 2/3rds of distance to metacoxa; apical half of elytron without whitish-yellow spot. Eyes dorsally separated by 7X maximum width of dorsal lobe ( Fig. 4 ). Labium with apex truncate, palpi with palpomere 2 bearded internally with long setae; base of mentum bearing 2 very long setae ( Fig. 1 ). Pronotum as wide as base of elytra; lateral margins nearly parallel for 4/5ths length from base, rounded inwardly in apical 1/ 5th; basal margin distinct laterad 2nd elytral striae. Elytral striae 1–6 impunctate, consisting of 2 parallel lines, stria 7 and 8 very faintly subpunctate, 7 very weakly impressed, obsolete anteriorly on elytral spot; interstria flat, conforming to shape of elytron. Foretibia transversely truncate apically, with 2 subacute teeth externally; serrulate between and proximal to teeth, apical spur stout, wide toward apex (Fig. 13). Metatibia weakly serrulate on internal margin (Fig. 16). Adeagus with shape of phallobase apex and parameres unique, as in Fig. 10. Length: 2.3–2.5 mm, measured along midline from anterior margin of pronotum to tip of elytra.

Female: differs from male in lacking serrulations on internal margin of metatibia, the tapering apical spur of the protibia, and the more brightly contrasting difference in the castaneous versus pitchy areas on elytron and pronotum.

TYPES. HOLOTYPE MALE: DOM:REP.: Independencia; 30 km NW La Descubierta; Sabana Real, 1646m, cloud; forest dung tps, 25XI –; 5.XII.91, S and J Peck, 91-332 [CMNC]. ALLOTYPE FEMALE: same data as holotype PARATYPES: 1 MALE, 2 FEMALES — same data as holotype [CMNC, TKPC, WIBF]. 1 FEMALE — DOM:REP.: Independencia; 30 km NW La Descubierta; Sabana Real, 1646m, cloud; forest carrion, 25XI –; 5.XII.91, S and J Peck, 91-331 [CMNC].

Etymology. Named in honor of one of the collectors, our valued friend and colleague, Jarmila Kukalová- Peck of Carleton University, Ottawa.

Notes. This is a pretty little species, with some individuals quite strikingly marked with the pronotal disc and apico-lateral areas of elytron contrastingly lighter that surrounding areas. It is known only from high elevation cloud forests in the south facing slopes of the Sierra de Neiba, an isolated massif between the Cordillera Central and Lago Enriquillo depression. Specimens were taken in dung traps and at carrion.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 9. 1 – 3. Labia. 1. Canthonella jarmilea; 2. Canthonella quesquaya; 3. Canthonella sikesi. 4 – 6. Heads 4. Canthonella jarmilea; 5. Canthonella quesquaya; 6: Canthonella sikesi. 7 – 9. Left elytra 7, Canthonella jarmilea; 8. Canthonella quesquaya; 9. Canthonella sikesi.

FIGURES 19 – 22. Dorsal habiti. 19. Canthonella jarmilea; 20. Canthonella quesquaya; 21. Canthonella sikesi; 22. Canthonella constans.