Guyanemorpha spectabilis Erwin, 2013

Erwin, Terry L., 2013, Beetles that live with ants (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Pseudomorphini): A remarkable new genus and species from Guyane (French Guiana), Guyanemorpha spectabilis gen. n., sp. n., ZooKeys 358, pp. 11-23 : 14-18

Guyanemorpha spectabilis Erwin sp. n. Figures 1 -5

Holotype.

Guyane (French Guiana): Risquetout, PK20, 4.916°N, 52.516°W, 12m, 13 December 2010 (SEAG) (NMNH, held in trust, see below: ADP132101, female). Paratypes are listed below under other specimens examined.

Derivation of specific epithet.

The epithet " spectabilis " is a Latin adjective describing the very large and colorful beetle species.

Proposed english vernacular name.

Spectacular Guyane False-form beetle.

Diagnosis.

With the attributes of the genus as described above and color black and rufous with elytral spots ( Fig. 1 ), color tone of head and pronotum uniform black; form broad and stout with tapered elytra; head with preapical lobe prominent but hidden in dorsal aspect beneath the frons, about 2/3 the length of the anterior margin of eye; pronotum ( Fig. 1 ) coequal at base to elytra across humeri; elytron markedly tapered from humerus to narrower truncated apex and without interneurs or intervals, surface glabrous except parascutellar seta and 8 ombilicate setae near lateral margin.

Description.

( Figs 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ; Appendix 3). Size: Very large for a Western Hemisphere species, ABL = 13.18 to 13.51 mm, SBL = 11.05 to 12.18 mm, TW = 6.36 to 6.86 mm. Preocular lobe-eye ratio (L/L): 0.49 to 0.54. Pronotum ratio (L/W): 1.99 to 2.16. Pronotum ratio (W/L): 2.20 to 2.29. As described for genus above and the diagnosis.

Dispersal potential.

These beetles are macropterous and have been recorded from flight intercept traps (FITs), hence fully capable of flight; they are likely swift and agile runners as other species in the Tribe. Accordingly, this species may be expected to be more broadly distributed across a wider geographical range than current records indicate.

Way of life.

Adults of other pseudomorphines in the Western Hemisphere are found in ant nests and the surrounding vicinity and possibly in termite nests ( Ogueta 1967); female adults of species of Pseudomorpha are ovoviviparous ( Liebherr and Kavanaugh 1985); Pseudomorpha and Notopseudomorpha larvae are ant nest inquilines ( Erwin 1981, Lenko 1972). Members of Guyanemorpha spectabilis occur at lowland rainforest sites and most likely live with ants. They have been found in July and December.

Other specimens examined.

Guyane: Réserve Trésor, 4.610°N, 52.279°W, 225m, 11 July 2009 (S. Brule) (BMNH, ADP124772, male paratype); Risquetout, PK20, 4.916°N, 52.516°W, 12m, 13 December 2010 (J.L. Giuglaris) (MNHP: ADP132103); Nouragues, Saut Pararé, 4.02°N, 52.41°W, 51m, 14 July 2010 (SEAG) (MNHP, ADP132105, female paratype).

Geographic distribution.

( Fig. 5 ). This species is currently known only from Guyane.

Note.

The holotype is currently held in trust at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC until the planned Natural History Museum of Guyane is established, and at that time the specimen will be transferred there. See details of SEAG carabid collections in Erwin et al. 2012.

Figures

Figure 1. Guyanemorpha spectabilis sp. n., female holotype, ADP 132101; Risquetout, PK 20, Guyane. Habitus and female genital tract glued to card, dorsal aspect, ABL = 13.2 mm.

Figure 4. Guyanemorpha spectabilis sp. n., male paratype, ADP 132103; Risquetout, PK 20, Guyane. Male genitalia, median lobe and parameres labeled as in repose in male A ventral aspect B right lateral aspect C left lateral aspect D dorsal aspect.

Figure 5. Distribution dot map for known localities of Guyanemorpha spectabilis sp. n.

Figure 2 - 3. 2 Guyanemorpha spectabilis sp. n., female holotype, ADP 132101; Risquetout, PK 20, Guyane. Head, dorsal planar aspect 3 Guyanemorpha spectabilis sp. n., female paratype, ADP 132105; Nouragues, Saut Parare, Guyane. Left flight wing, dorsal aspect.