Lithocharodes andersoni, Irmler, 2024

Irmler, Ulrich, 2024, Additions to Neotropical species of the genera Lithocharodes Sharp, 1881 and Somoleptus Sharp, 1881 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae), Contributions to Entomology 74 (1), pp. 13-34 : 13

Lithocharodes andersoni sp. nov.

Figs 1a-d , 19A

Material examined.

Holotype: COSTA RICA male; Guanacaste; Pitilla Biological Station ; 600 m elevation; 10°58'0"N, 85°25'0"W; Berlese; leaf litter, 2 May 1995; R. Anderson leg.; KNHM CR1A95 4B.

Paratypes: COSTA RICA 1 male ; 3 females; same data as holotype KNHM CR1A95 4B and 4D ; 1 male; same data; UIC CR1A944B ; PANAMA 1 male ; Cerro Campana ( Capira ); 790 m elevation, 8°44'N, 79°57'W; flight intercept trap; 5 June 1995; J. Ashe, R. Brooks leg.; KNHM #129 ; 1 male; Darién, Estacion Ambiental Cana; Cerro Pirre ; 7°45'20"N, 77°41'6"W; 1300 m elevation; cloud forest transition litter, 6 VI 1996, R. Anderson leg.; KNHM #96-113B ; 1 male; Colon, Parque Nac. Soberania; Pipeline Rd. ; 9°07'N, 79°45'W; flt. intercept trap; 27 May 1995; J. Jolly, C. Chaboo leg.; KNHM ; 1 male; 1 female; same location; Pipeline Road km 5.3; flight intercept trap; 31 May-2 June 1995; J. Ashe, R. Brooks leg.; KNHM #098 .

Diagnosis.

According to the structure of the aedeagus with absent sclerotised endophallus, the species is most similar to the L. hanagarthi -group that is characterised by a short transparent endophallus. In contrast to the bicoloured other two species of the group, L. andersoni is unicoloured as L. boliviana Irmler, 2021 and not bicoloured as L. hanagarthi Irmler 2021. It differs from L. boliviana by the much sparser punctation of the head.

Description.

Length: 5.3 mm; Colouration: blackish, legs light brown yellowish, antennae darker light brown.

Head: 0.82 mm long, 0.67 mm wide; eyes not prominent; PS:E ratio 3.73; postocular sides smoothly curved to rounded posterior angles; without distinct posterior angles; interantennal furrows reaching anterior edge of eyes; centrally between eyes with indistinct depression; setiferous punctation scarce and moderately deep; distance between punctures irregular; on average, two to three times as wide as diameter of punctures; without microsculpture; surface polished; antennae with first antennomere as long as half-length of head; second and third antennomere conical; combined half as long as half-length of first antennomere; following antennomeres transverse; on average, twice as wide as long; slightly increasing in width; all antennomeres pubescent. Pronotum: 1.04 mm long, 0.63 mm wide; only slightly wider in anterior third; widest part at anterior third; slightly narrowed to posterior angles; posterior angles obtuse; posterior edge smoothly rounded; setiferous punctation moderately deep and dense; along impunctate mid-line with irregular row of 10-15 punctures; on average, interstices between punctures irregular; at least as wide as diameter of punctures; surface without microsculpture; polished. Elytra: 0.95 mm long, 0.85 mm wide; humeral angles obtuse; sides posteriorly slightly divergent; posterior angles sub-rectangular; posterior margin slightly retreated to suture; setiferous punctation dense and moderately deep; on average, interstices between punctures as wide as diameter of punctures; surface without microsculpture; polished. Abdomen finely and moderately densely punctate; surface without microsculpture; polished; sternite VII of male with straight posterior margin; slightly emarginate at outer angles; tergite VII of male straight. Meso- and meta-tibia with four ctenidia. Aedeagus widest near anterior edge; anterior edge straight; slightly convergent posteriorly; without distinct endophallus; parameres thick; longer than half-length of central lobe; C:A ratio 0.5; slightly narrowed anteriorly; in anterior third abruptly narrowed; along inner edge and in anterior half with numerous sensillae.

Etymology.

The species name honours the collector of the species Richard Anderson, who sampled Staphylinidae extensively in the Neotropical Region.

Geography.

Costa Rica and Panama.

Ecology.

Floor of montane forests and lower cloud forests in May and June.

Figures

Figure 19. A. Fore-body of Lithocharodes andersoni; B. L. dubia; C. L. esmeraldae; D. L. falini; E. L. hansoni; F. L. hibbsi. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Figures 1 - 4. 1. Lithocharodes andersoni; 2. L. dubia; 3. L. esmeraldae; 4. L. falini. a. Aedeagus; b. Paramere; c. Sternite VII; d. Tergite VII. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (a, c, d); 0.1 mm (b).