Chileanthicus aprilis, Kejval, 2009

Kejval, Zbyněk, 2009, Taxonomic revision of the genus Chileanthicus Werner (Coleoptera: Anthicidae) 2180, Zootaxa 2180 (1), pp. 1-82 : 31-33

Chileanthicus aprilis sp. nov.

( Figs 68–71 )

Type locality. Australia, Western Australia, 24.4 km SE of Canning Well, on Ilgarari Creek , 24°31'45"S 120°17'43"E .

Description (male, holotype). Head largely black, rufous brown anteriorly on frons; pronotum rufous/ reddish brown, somewhat darkened dorsally; elytra brown black, with paler, rufous brown lateral margins, suture and two transverse bands ( Fig. 68 ); both bands interrupted medially, the anterior band more conspicuous, widened and touching lateral margin, the posterior one vaguely indicated (set off by silvery setation); legs, palpi and antennae rufous brown.

Head 1.1 times as long as wide, widely rounded to angulate posteriorly in dorsal view; posterior temporal angles rather conspicuous. Eyes small, moderately convex. Dorsal surface slightly glossy, densely punctured ( Fig. 68 ); punctation double, but coarser punctures less conspicuous (at places barely discernible); punctures distinctly separated, rather evenly spaced, including median line. Setation generally short, mostly appressed, with scattered, inconspicuous, erect setae. Antennae rather short, only moderately enlarged in terminal third; antennomere III twice as long as wide, about as long as IV; antennomere X 1.3 times, XI 1.9 times as long as wide.

Pronotum 1.2 times as long as wide, slightly wider than head, widely rounded anteriorly in dorsal view. Pronotal disc moderately convex, its lateral margins forming rounded edge, lateral outlines nearly straightly narrowing towards base in dorsal view. Dorsal surface slightly glossy, densely punctured; punctation denser than on head, rather simple and punctures oval shaped. Setation as on head.

Elytra 1.8 times as long as wide, conjointly, somewhat widely rounded apically. Surface nearly matte, very densely punctured ( Fig. 68 ); basal punctation simple, finer than on head, punctures at places somewhat transversely serial. Setation longer than on head, subdecumbent, mostly pale to brownish and evenly directing posteriad; setae of transverse bands whitish/silvery, forming setose bands, partly oblique, nearly transversely pointing mediad along anterior margin of anterior band; erect setae sparsely scattered and inconspicuous.

Metafemora unidentate ( Fig. 69 ), subapical process narrowed and pointed apically, facing inner side of tibia. Mesotibiae with minute denticle on inner side apically. Setation rather uniformly short, fine and appressed.

Abdominal sternum VII simple, nearly evenly rounded posteriorly. Tergum VII simple. Sternite VIII ( Fig. 70 ); paired prongs strongly curved mediad, their distal portion flattened, rounded and with some longer, fine setae on outer side. Tergite VIII simple, with posterior margin evenly rounded.

Aedeagus ( Fig. 71 ); apical portion of tegmen 1.7 times as long as basal-piece, narrowing in ventral view (becoming laterally flattened), with curved, bluntly pointed, beak-like shaped apex in lateral view; median lobe of aedeagus simple, finely membranous apically.

Female. In most external characters identical to male, differing by simple mesotibiae (lacking apical denticle).

Body length (♂ ♀). 3.6–4.1 mm (holotype 3.7 mm).

Variation. Some specimens differing slightly in colouration: generally darker coloured, displaying less distinct paler marking of elytra, darkened femora etc. Surface of head with indication of impunctate, glossy, median line posteriorly in most specimens.

Type material. Holotype: ♂, WA: Little Sandy Desert 24°31'45"S, 120°17'43"E 24.4 km SE Canning Well on Ilgarari Creek April 1997 S. van Leeuwen, B. Bromilow // bucket pitfall trap, ethylene glycol & formaldehyde scrub of Xanthorrhoea , Acacia, Triodia LSD-B4-F1 // Western Australian Museum Entomology Reg no. 70641 ( WAM). Paratypes: 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀, same data as holotype, but different registration numbers: 70638 to 70640, 70642 and 70643 ( WAM).

Differential diagnosis. C. aprilis sp. nov. can be recognized by combination of the following external characters: metafemora unidentate; head wide, with rather distinct posterior temporal angles; dorsal punctation of head double, punctures distinctly separated (not contiguous); elytra somewhat widely rounded apically, nearly matte, very densely and simply punctured, with paler marking and setose bands; the anterior setose band of the elytra wide, its posterior margin uneven and setae along the anterior margin pointing mediad. C. aprilis sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from all known Australian species by the characters of male sternite VIII and the aedeagus.

Etymology. From Latin aprilis (April) , named in reference to date of collection of the type series.

Distribution. Australia (Western Australia).

Figures

FIGURES 63–71: Chileanthicus angulicollis sp. nov., male, holotype: 63, body form and punctation of head (top) and elytra (bottom); 64, antenna; 65, metafemur; 66, sternite VIII; 67, apical portion of aedeagus in ventral (right) and lateral (left) view; C. aprilis sp. nov., male, holotype: 68, body form and punctation of head (top) and elytra (bottom); 69, metafemur; 70, sternite VIII; 71, aedeagus in ventral (right) and lateral (left) view. Scale (1.0 mm): A, 63, 68; B, 65, 69; (0.5 mm): C, 66, 70, 71; D, 67.