Elaphrus

Shi, Hongliang & Liang, Hongbin, 2008, A new species and new subgenus of the Genus Elaphrus from North China, with cladistic analysis of taxa of the tribe Elaphrini (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Zootaxa 1933 (1), pp. 33-42 : 35

Sinoelaphrus new subgenus

Type species. Elaphrus angulonotus new species.

Diagnosis. Based on the distinctly punctate surface, prominent eyes, mirrors and pits on the elytra, and closed procoxal cavities, open mesocoxal cavities, the adult of this subgenus can be easily recognized as a member of Elaphrus . They can be distinguished from members of the other subgenera of Elaphrus by the following characteristics: (1) lateral margin of pronotum strongly projecting at middle, forming a distinct angle, with a setigerous puncture on the angle; (2) submentum with 10–12 setae; (3) abdominal sternum VII with 6– 10 apical setae.

Based on color, punctures, mirrors and pits of body surface, adults of this subgenus are similar to those of subgenera Elaphrus and Elaphroterus ; and based on two clypeal setae, two protrochanteral setae and one mesotrochanteral seta, they are most similar to adults of subgenus Elaphroterus . Adults of the new subgenus can be distinguished from those of these two subgenera by the following additional characters: (1) relatively small eye size, medial margin of eyes and frons almost on the same plane; (2) anterior ridge of metepisternum distinct at inner half; (3) ovipositor stylus with two apical setae.

Generic characters. Ground beetle of small size, length 8.0– 9.5mm; dorsal surface distinctly punctate, punctures fine and regular. Eyes medium large, slightly prominent; clypeus with two setigerous punctures. Submentum with 10–12 setae. Lateral margin of pronotum distinctly beaded, with two (midlateral and basolateral) pairs of setae; posterior fringe setae extended to posterior angle. Prosternum pubescent, intercoxal process with setae at apex; suture between proepisternum and proepimeron not evident. Mesosternum and its intercoxal process glabrous; lateral ridge of mesosternum distinct. Anterior ridge of metaepisternum distinct at inner half. Elytra with striae lacking; disc with mirrors and pits; ridge of pits indistinct; four rows setigerous punctures present on intervals 3, 5, 7, and 9; punctures on elytral epipleuron restricted to central area of anterior half. Sternum VII bearing 6–10 apical setae. Procoxae glabrous; protrochanters with two setae; first three tarsomeres slightly expanded and with spongy pubescence ventrally in males. Mesotrochanters with one seta. Apex of female ovipositor with two setae.

Etymology. The new subgenus is named for its unique distribution in China.

Remarks. None of the 38 previously known Elaphrus species have midlateral setae on the pronotum. In fact, this lack of midlateral setae has been used to distinguish Elaphrus members from those of the other two genera of Elaphrini . The unique new species, with midlateral setae present, is in all other features clearly an Elaphrus ; so, we suggest that it should be included in the genus Elaphrus , but in a new subgenus. However, the concept of genus Elaphrus (sensu Goulet, 1983) must be expanded slightly, when the new subgenus is included. Expanded features are as follows: eyes prominent, medial margin of eyes higher than frons or on the same plane; pronotum with or without midlateral and basolateral setae; abdominal sternum VII with one to five pairs of setae on posterior margin.