Fornax parallelicollis Otto, 2020

Otto, Robert L., 2020, A review of the Nearctic species of Fornax Laporte (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Macraulacinae: Macraulacini) with descriptions of six new species, Insecta Mundi 2020 (818), pp. 1-26 : 24-26

Fornax parallelicollis Otto , new species

Fig. 39–42

Diagnosis. Presence of a delicate, narrowly incomplete interantennal carina at the base of the frontoclypeal region distinguishes the new species from nearly all Fornax species in the United States, except F. convexicollis new species. Absence of shallow median groove on the pronotal disc further distinguishes F. parallelicollis new species from F. convexicollis new species.

Type material. Male holotype. “ FLORIDA: Alachua County, Gainesville, SE, Kincaid Rd., apprx. 1mi. N. Paynes Prairie, edge old field/dry oak hamm., 7–14-VI-1998, 6m Malaise, trap, B.D. Sutton” / “ HOLOTYPE:, Fornax , parallelicollis, Otto, Det. R.L. Otto, 2018 ” (♂ handwritten behind species name on label) [red printed label]. Female allotype. “ USA, Georgia, Clarke Co., 200m, 33°54’N 83°16’W, 29-05 July, 1992, J. Pickering 157” / “ ALLOTYPE:, Fornax , parallelicollis, Otto, Det. R.L. Otto, 2018 ” (♀ handwritten behind species name on label) [yellow printed label]. Holotype and allotype are deposited in FSCA.

Paratypes. 1 ♂, 1 ♀: FLORIDA: 1 ♀, “FL: Polk Co., Green Swamp WMA, 19 May–3 June 2001, Morris and Nigg, Malaise Trap” / “Collection of the Global, Eucnemid Research Project, (Robert L. Otto)” (green framed white label) / “ PARATYPE:, Fornax , parallelicollis, Otto, Det. R.L. Otto, 2018 ” (♀ handwritten behind species name on label) [yellow printed label] ( GERP); TEXAS: 1 ♂, “ USA: TEXAS: Brazos Co., College Sta., Riley Estate, 30°58849°N, 96°25366°W, V-2–8-2009, E. Riley, UV” / “EGRC” (blue printed label) / “ PARATYPE:, Fornax , parallelicollis, Otto, Det. R.L. Otto, 2018 ” (♂ handwritten behind species name on label) [yellow printed label] ( EGRC). Paratypes are deposited in EGRC and GERP.

Description. Male holotype. Length 9.5 mm. Width 3.0 mm. Body subcylindrical, elongate; uniformly brownish-black; scape dark brownish-black, pedicel and antennomeres III–XI brown; legs including tarsi dark brown; head, pronotum and elytra clothed with short, recumbent yellowish setae ( Fig. 39 ). Head: Subspherical; integument rugose, dull; frons convex, without median carina or fovea above frontoclypeal region; apical margin of frontoclypeal region rounded, about 2 times wider than base; delicate, horizontal interantennal carina present, but narrowly incomplete; mandibles stout, bidentate, densely punctate. Antenna: Filiform from antennomeres III–XI, attaining nearly 1/2 of body length; antennomere III longer than IV; antennomeres IV–X subequal, longer than wide; antennomere XI slightly longer than X. Pronotum: Integument dull, densely rugose; wider than long, with well-developed, sharp hind angles; sides parallel-sided in basal 2/3, arcuate cranially in apical 1/3; disc convex, without shallow median groove or circular fovea; base sinuous, with pair of circular depressions above scutellar shield. Scutellar shield: Short, subtriangular, shallowly punctate and distally rounded. Elytra: Distinctly striate, deepest in humeral region; interstices slightly elevated; integument shiny, with dense punctures. Legs: First tarsomere as long as combined lengths of remaining four on mesotarsi; tibiae rounded in cross-section; metatarsomeres I–III simple; metatarsomere IV excavated; metatarsomere V missing. Venter ( Fig. 40 ): Closely punctate, with elongate, recumbent yellowish setae; hypomeron with basally open lateral antennal grooves; metepisterna parallel-sided; elytral epipleura shiny, grooved throughout, without punctures; metacoxal plates medially more than 6.0 times wider than laterally; last abdominal ventrite apically produced, short and wide.

Female allotype ( Fig. 41 ). 11.0 mm long; antennae filiform, reaching nearly 1/2of body length; legs and antennae reddish-brown, similar to habitus; pronotum parallel-sided in basal half, narrowing anteriorly in apical 1/2; last abdominal ventrite narrowly obtuse apically.

Aedeagus (paratype) ( Fig. 42 ). Basal piece slightly longer than wide, parallel-sided, dorsally open, basally truncate; remaining parts elongate, apically wide, angularly constricted at base of parameres, apically lobed; median lobe short and stout, apically rounded, narrowly bifid; parameres elongate, laterally unsclerotized, with a minute, posteriorly directed hook-like lateral tooth near base.

Variation. One male and one female paratypes were examined. The male paratype is 9.0 mm long and 2.5 mm wide. The female paratype is 12.0 mm long and 3.5 mm wide. The female paratype is longer and much wider than the holotype. The male paratype is smaller and narrower than both the holotype and allotype. There are no exoskeletal differences among the paratype, allotype and holotype.

Distribution. This species is known from southeastern United States from Texas to Florida.

Biology. Two specimens were taken from Malaise traps placed in two areas in Florida. One specimen was taken from a UV light trap in Texas. Developmental stages remain unknown.

Etymology. The specific name is derived from a combination of two Latin words, ‘parallelos’ for parallel and the root ‘–collis’ for the parallel-sided pronotum.

Figures

Figures 39–42. Fornax parallelicollis Otto, sp. nov. 39) Male holotype, dorsal habitus. 40) Male holotype, ventral habitus. 41) Female allotype, dorsal habitus. 42) Male paratype, aedeagus, dorsal view. (Scale: 39–42 = 1.0 mm.)