Laemostenus (Iranosphodrus) troglophilus Muilwijk, Tahami & Lohaj, 2017

Tahami, Mohadeseh Sadat, Muilwijk, Jan, Lohaj, Roman & Sadeghi, Saber, 2017, Study of Laemostenus species across Zagros and Central zone of Iran, with the description of seven new cavernicolous species and notes on subgenus Iranosphodrus (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Sphodrini), Zootaxa 4344 (1), pp. 115-136 : 130-131

Laemostenus (Iranosphodrus) troglophilus Muilwijk, Tahami & Lohaj , sp. nov.

( Figs. 23 , 25 , 27, 29 , 31 )

Type material. Holotype male, labelled: “Iran, Yazd, Tange Chenar, Nafas Cave; 28.viii.2014; leg. M.S. Tahami, H. Entezari, M. Sheykh Rasti, Meshki”/ Laemostenus troglophilus sp. nov. Muilwijk, Tahami & Lohaj; 2016 (red label Holotype). Paratypes: one male and one female, the same data as holotype / Laemostenus troglophilus sp. nov. Muilwijk, Tahami & Lohaj 2016 (red label Paratype). Holotype and one paratype deposited in ZM–CBSU, one paratype in cMU.

Diagnosis. A medium sized, brachypterous Laemostenus sg. Iranosphodrus species. Upper side including legs and antennae dull black, female paratype with bluish shine on elytra. Pronotum and head shiny, with fine microsculpture, elytra matt, with distinct microsculpture ( Fig. 23 ).

Description. BL 15.8–16.0 (holotype) mm. Head narrow, parallel-sided, distinctly longer than wide (HL/HW: 1.1), with only posterior pair of supraorbital setae; frontal furrows short, but distinct; eyes flat, reduced (0.5 mm), shorter than temples (1.0 mm). Clypeus with two long setae; labrum with six setae. Antennae in holotype missing, antennae in paratypes rather short, reaching anterior eighth of elytral length, antennomere 3 without accessory pubescence except a few apical setae, antennomeres 4–11 pubescent. Mandibles short.

Pronotum cordiform, distinctly wider than head, as long as wide (PL/ PW: 1.0). Basal impressions short, sparsely punctuated. Lateral bead with superficial punctuation, two antero-lateral setae present, basolateral setae missing. Anterior angles prominent, at apex rounded, posterior angles almost rectangular.

Elytra ovate elongate, relatively broad (EL/EW: 1.6–1.7), with maximum width at apical third; disc with small antero-medial depression; base wider than pronotal base. Humeri moderately rounded, with a small tooth. Striae fine, with punctures, intervals flat. Scutellar striae present; scutellar setiferous punctures situated in striae 1. Umbilicate series consists of 18 setiferous punctures, more interrupted in middle; two setae at apex of stria 7.

Mesosternum with small teeth before mesocoxae, in male paratype reduced. Metepisternum longer than wide ( Fig. 25 ). Abdominal sternites black, with superficial wrinkles and dense microsculpture.

Legs short. Meso- and metatibiae almost straight, not curved, with short ventral brush of setae near apex. Profemori without teeth at ventral sides. Protibiae with sparse, short hairs between cleansing apparatus and apical setae. Tarsi with decumbent pubescence at dorsal sides; claws with small teeth, male protarsi slightly dilated.

Aedeagus: ( Figs. 27, 29 ) median lobe of aedeagus short (1.93 mm), slightly arcuate, regularly narrowing to the apex in lateral view; dorsal view, apex moderately rounded in dorsal view.

Ovipositor: as on Fig. 31 .

Differential diagnosis. L. (I.) troglophilus sp. nov. differs from L. yazdensis sp. nov. by the presence of small mesosternal tooth, absence of tooth on profemori, by the shape of pronotum and metepisternum as well as median lobe of aedeagus. Both new species differs from L. (I.) rudichae by straight mesotibiae, more oval elytra, and more short and stout appendages.

Distribution and habitat. So far known only from the twilight zone of the type locality, Nafas cave.

Etymology. The name is taken from the Greek origin, “ trōglo ” means “cave”, and “ philus ” means “liking” or “attracted to”, generally means cave-lover.

Figures

FIGURES 22 – 23. Habitus in dorsal view of Laemostenus yazdensis (holotype) (22), Laemostenus troglophilus (holotype) (23).

FIGURES 24 – 25. Mesosternum of Laemostenus yazdensis, (24), Laemostenus troglophilus (25).

FIGURES 26 – 29. Aedeagus. Iin lateral view, Laemostenus yazdensis (26), troglophilus speleophilus (27). In dorsal view,. Laemostenus yazdensis (28), Laemostenus troglophilus (29).

FIGURES 30 – 31. Ovipositor. Laemostenus yazdensis (30), Laemostenus troglophilus (31).