Oropodes tataviam Chandler & Caterino

Chandler, Donald S. & Caterino, Michael S., 2011, A taxonomic revision of the New World genus Oropodes Casey (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae), ZooKeys 147, pp. 425-477 : 441-442

7 Oropodes tataviam Chandler & Caterino sp. n. Fig. 8Map 2

Specimens examined.

4: HOLOTYPE male, California, Los Angeles Co., Angeles National Forest, Hideaway Canyon, 34.6993°N, 118.5465°W, III-16/31-2007, Caterino & Chatzimanolis, FIT (SBMN; CBP0062414). PARATYPES, 3 females, same locality, each with a different date: IV-14/28-2007, V-14/28-2007, VI-13/23-2007 (DSC, SBMN).

Description.

Length 1.84-1.88. Body orange-brown. Eyes with about 65 facets. Antennomeres V and VII slightly larger than those adjacent, V-VIII obconical, IX smaller than X. Abdomen with carina at posteromesal margins of metacoxal cavities extending to first ventrite apex

Males: Metasternum with shallow median longitudinal sulcus. Legs (Fig. 8B): profemora with blunt distinct tooth near base on mesal margin; protibiae with broad and rounded angulation on mesal margin at point past first half of length; mesotibiae with two small sharp tubercles in apical third on mesal margin, tubercles distant; metatibiae with curved apical spur on mesal margin. Abdomen (Fig. 8C) with ventrite 2 flattened in middle fourth; ventrite 3 0.55 wide, with broad transverse impression anterior to recurved lamina occupying middle third of ventrite, impression with short setae; lamina 0.17 wide, with apical margin slightly and broadly concave, arising at apex of ventrite, angled at about 35°; ventrites 4 and 5 barely flattened in middle third, ventrite 6 (Fig. 8D) flattened in middle fourth, setose area slightly narrowing to middle. Aedeagus (Fig. 8A) 0.29 long, left paramere longest, truncate at apex, left paramere subtruncate; internal sac with upturned lbe at apex, diaphragm with distinct spotted pattern of sclerotization.

Females: Tergite 5 with setose area of disc broadly convex; with pair of small teeth at apex (Fig. 8H), teeth not visible externally. Sternite 6 (Fig. 8F) with setose area divided by prominent projection from anterior portion, slightly overlapping posterior margin. Female genitalia (Fig. 8E) nearly symmetrical, with only slight size difference for two slender rods in the membranous median lobe.

Collection notes.

The four specimens were taken at a single site using a flight intercept trap from March to June, with a single specimen taken in each month. The trap site was located in a narrow ephemeral stream channel, surrounded by scrub oaks ( Quercus spp.), gray or Digger pine ( Pinus sabiniana ), and mid-elevation chaparral.

Geographical distribution.

(Map 2): Found in the western portion of the San Gabriel Mountains at the northern edge bordering the Antelope Valley.

Comparisons and diagnostic notes.

Placed as a member of the orbiceps-group. It is closest to Oropodes orbiceps with the males sharing medially angulate protibiae, the metatibiae with a distinct apical spur, and the lamina of the third ventrite originates at the posterior margin, and the females have two apical teeth on the fifth tergite. They may be separated by the preapical and medial tubercles of the male mesotibiae of the males of Oropodes tataviam and for the females a protruding median tubercle divides the setose areas, versus an apical mesotibial spur for males of Oropodes orbiceps , and in females a flat bar or line divides the setose areas.

Etymology.

The specific epithet, treated as a Latin singular noun in apposition, nominative case, is based on the tribal name of the Tataviam Indians, who originally lived in the area where the specimens of this species were taken.