Notaepytus neibaensis, Skelley, 2009

Skelley, Paul E., 2009, Pleasing fungus beetles of the West Indies (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Erotylinae), Insecta Mundi 2009 (82), pp. 1-94 : 77-78

Notaepytus neibaensis Skelley, new species

Figure 1b , 101 , 112 , 130 , 140

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished by: apical and subapical orangish marks of the elytra (although reduced), a short metasternum, greatly reduced wings, small and weakly defined pronotal and elytral marks ( Fig. 101 , 130 ), microreticulate and distinctly dull dorsal surface, and male genitalia with flagellum having a distinct S-curve at apical third and narrowly truncate apex.

Description. Length: 9.8-11.5 mm; width: 4.9-5.1 mm. Body elongate, somewhat robust; surface microreticulate, distinctly dulled. Color dark-brown to black except as noted: antennal clubs, palpi, legs, elytral epipleural folds, lateral and apical abdomen red-brown; extreme pronotum anterior angles and elytral apex with small vague orangish marks; elytral marks consisting of subapical and apical mark.

Head interocular width = 3.5 x ocular width; vertex and epistome finely punctate, obscured in microreticulation; epistome anterior margin shallowly concave. Eye facets moderate in size. Antennomere III length = 4 x width, length = length of antennomeres IV+V combined; antennomeres IV-VIII equal in length, each with length = 3 x width; antennomere IX triangular, length = 1.5 x width; antennomere XI subcircular. Terminal maxillary palpomere triangular, slightly asymmetrical, slightly wider than long. Terminal labial palpomere triangular, asymmetrical, width = 2 x length, expanded medially, width = 1.2 x terminal maxillary palpomere.

Pronotum transverse, weakly narrowed anteriorly; anterior angles rounded; anterior margin straight medially; punctures on disc indistinct in microreticulation; small group of large punctures at each side of base, puncture size = an ocular facet diameter. Scutellum pentagonal, length = 0.5 x width. Elytral striae and interval punctures absent; base lacking marginal bead. Wings reduced to strips.

Prosternum convex, length = 2.5 x intercoxal width; sternal punctures fine and obscure; sternal lines continuous or not around coxal cavity; base truncate. Mesosternal lines parallel to slightly divergent anteriorly, continuous or not around coxal cavity. Metasternum short, distance between meso- and metacoxae = intermesocoxal width; anterior lines strongly impressed, meeting medially; continuous around mesocoxal cavity, with short coxal lines; punctures obscured. Abdomen with coxal lines not meeting medially; not continuous around metacoxal cavity, with short coxal line; punctures obscured. Male genitalia with flagellum having a distinct S-curve at apical third; flagellar apex narrowly truncate ( Fig. 112 ).

Distribution. Found in the Dominican Republic, in the Sierra de Neiba ( Fig. 140 ).

Type Material. The male holotype of Notaepytus neibaensis ( Fig. 130 ) has the following label data: “ DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: San Juan. Sierra de Neiba, Sabana del Silencio, 10.0 km. SSW. El Cercado, 18-39-07N, 71-33- 21W. 2009m. 20 June 2003 / J. Rawlins, C. Nunez, R. Davidson, C. Young, P. Acevado, M. de la Cruz, cloud forest along Danthonia savannah, hand collected, Sample 33242 / Carnegie Museum Specimen number CMNH-349,310 / [pale yellow paper] Specimen imaged 2008-West Indies Erotylinae-P. Skelley / [red paper] HOLOTYPE Notaepytus neibaensis P.E. Skelley /” ( CMNH). The female allotype label data: “/ DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: San Juan. Sierra de Neiba, 9.4 km. SSW. El Cercado, 18-39-18N, 71-33-51W, 1973m, 22 June 2003, R. Davidson, C. Nunez, C. Young, J. Rawlins, P. Acevado, M. de la Cruz, meadow near mature pine forest, hand collected, Sample 32242 / Carnegie Museum Specimen number CMNH-349,014 /” ( CMNH). Paratypes (2): same as holotype except “CMNH-348,832" (1 male- PESC) ; DOM.REP.: Independencia, 32 km. NW. La Descubierta, Sabana Real , 1800m, cloud forest carrion traps, 26. XI-5-XII.1991, S. & J. Peck, 91-333, (1 teneral female-CMNC) .

Variation. The few specimens studied exhibit variation in the visibility and size of the orangish marks on the elytra and anterior pronotal angles. These marks are never as sharply defined as those in closely related species like N. baorucoensis .

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the mountain range where this species occurs.

Remarks. Notaepytus neibaensis appears most similar to N. tarsalis , but differs in color pattern, surface sculpture, and pronotal characters as stated in the key.

Figures

Figure 1. West Indian maps. 1a) Map of West Indian countries mentioned in the text. 1b) Map indicating species occurring on specific islands with distribution of Notaepytus flavitarsis (Lacordaire) indicated by the white triangles.

Figure 89-104. Notaepytus spp., habitus drawings. 89) N. flavitarsis. 90) N. tarsatus. 91) N. cubanacan. 92) N. modestus. 93) N. cyclosignatus. 94) N. elongatus. 95) N. fulvitarsis. 96) N. decoregens. 97) N. ignotensis. 98) N. haitensis. 99) N. inversus. 100) N. baorucoensis. 101) N. neibaensis. 102) N. lavegaensis. 103) N. cyanoros. 104) N. elateroides.

Figure 105-120. Notaepytus spp., male genital flagella. 105) N. flavitarsis. 106) N. tarsatus. 107) N. modestus. 108) N. elateroides. 109) N. cyanoros. 110) N. cyclosignatus. 111) N. inversus. 112) N. neibaensis. 113) N. haitensis.114) N. ignotensis. 115) N. fulvitarsis (DR: Hato Mayor). 116) N. fulvitarsis (DR: La Vega). 117) N. fulvitarsis (DR: Barahona). 118) N. decoregens. 119) N. baorucoensis. 120) N. lavegaensis. All reproduced to same scale, scale line = 1 mm.

Figure 126-131. Notaepytus spp. occurring on Hispaniola. 126) N. fulvitarsis (DR: La Vega). 127) N. fulvitarsis (DR: Hato Mayor). 128) N. decoregens, paratype. 129) N. lavegaensis, paratype. 130) N. neibaensis, holotype. 131) N. baorucoensis, holotype.

Figure 138-140. Distribution maps of Notaepytus spp. on Hispaniola. 138) Circle = N. modestus; triangle = N. elongatus. 139) Circle = N. fulvitarsis; triangle = N. decoregens; square = N. haitensis; square with ‘X’ = N. inversus. 140) Circle = N. cyclosignatus; triangle = N. lavegaensis; square = N. neibaensis; square with ‘X’ = N. baorucoensis.