Labomimus cognatus Yin & Li

Yin, Zi-Wei & Li, Li-Zhen, 2012, Notes on Michael Schuelke's pselaphine collections from China. - Tyrini. I. genera Labomimus Sharp, Linan Hlavac and Pselaphodes Westwood (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae), ZooKeys 251, pp. 83-118 : 84-85

Labomimus cognatus Yin & Li sp. n. Figs 1A2

Type material

(3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀). Holotype: ♂, labeled 'CHINA Yunnan [CH07-11], Baoshan / Pref., Gaoligong Shan, m. Xiaoheishan / N.R., 35 km SE Tengchong, 2110 m, / 24°"50'16"N, 98°"45'43"E, decid forest, / litter, sifted, 30.V.2007, M. Schülke’ (cSch). Paratypes, 1 ♂, same label data as holotype (SNUC); 1 ♂, labeled 'CHINA: Yunnan, Baoshan Pref., Gao- / ligong Shan, W pass, 32 km SE / Tengchong, 1600 m, 25°51'11"N, 98°44'27"E, cleft with devast. primary / forest, litter & mushr. sifted, 28.VIII. / 2009, leg. M. Schülke [CH09-14]' (cSch); 1 ♀, same label data except 'D.W. Wrase [14]' (cSch); 1 ♀, same label data, except 'W pass, 35 km / SE Tengchong, 2100 m (devast. prim. / dec. forest, litter, sifted) / 24°50'18"N, 98°45'43"E / 25-28.VIII.2009 D.W. Wrase [06]' (SNUC); 1 ♀, same label data, except 'litter, wood, mushrooms sifted, 25.VIII. / 2009, leg. M. Schülke [CH09-06]' (cSch).

Diagnosis.

Reddish brown; length 3.18-3.48; postgenae nearly rounded; antennomeres IX–XI enlarged, IX–X modified in the male; pronotum with lateral margins moderately angularly expanded laterally; with short blunt metaventral processes; metacoxae spinose; aedeagus with symmetric median lobe.

Description.

Male (Fig. 1A). Length 3.18-3.41. Head longer than wide, HL 0.71-0.78, HW 0.65-0.71; eyes each composed of about 40 facets. Antennal clubs as in Fig. 2A. Pronotum (Fig. 2B) slightly longer than wide, PL 0.71-0.75, PW 0.66-0.71, with lateral margins moderately angularly expanded laterally. Elytra wider than long, EL 0.84-0.90, EW 1.12-1.35. Short metaventral processes with rounded apices (Fig. 2C). Protrochanters with small ventral spine, profemora with large ventral spine (Fig. 2D), protibiae with small apical tubercle (Fig. 2E); mesotrochanters (Fig. 2F) with tiny spine at ventral margin; metacoxae (Fig. 2G) with long hook-like protuberance at ventral margin, metatrochanters and metafemora simple. Abdomen broad at base and narrowed apically, AL 0.92-0.98, AW 1.23-1.37. Sternite IX as in Fig. 2H. Aedeagus length 0.50, with symmetric median lobe (Figs 2 I–K).

Female. Similar to male in general; BL 3.25-3.48, HL 0.73-0.76, HW 0.65-0.66, PL 0.76-0.77, PW 0.71-0.72, EL 0.80-0.86, EW 1.34-1.41, AL 0.96-1.09, AW 1.41-1.46. Eyes each composed of about 27 facets. Antennae lacking modification; metaventral processes absent.

Comparative notes.

This is placed as a sister species of Labomimus vespertilio sp. n. described below. The two species share a similar general appearance, short metaventral process, similar placement of spines on the legs and a close aedeagal form. The two species can be readily separated by the smaller size, the symmetric antennomeres IX with a disc-like process and the median lobe has a narrower apex in Labomimus cognatus , while Labomimus vespertilio is larger in size, has strongly asymmetric antennomeres IX and has the aedeagus with median lobe much broader at apex.

Distribution.

Southwest China: Yunnan.

Biology.

Individuals were sifted from leaf litter in deciduous forests.

Etymology.

The Latin word ‘cognatus’ means ‘related’, indicating a close relationship between the new species and Labomimus vespertilio described below.