Phelister erwini, Caterino & Tishechkin, 2020

Caterino, Michael S. & Tishechkin, Alexey K., 2020, Recognition and revision of the Phelister blairi group (Histeridae, Histerinae, Exosternini), ZooKeys 1001, pp. 1-154 : 1

2. Phelister erwini sp. nov. Figs 2B , 3C, D , 4G, H , Map 2

Type material.

Holotype male: " Ecuador: Napo, mid.Rio Tiputini, Yasuní Res. Stn. 0°40.5'S, 76°24'W, FIT#3. 18-23 June 1999 AKT#016 A.Tishechkin" / " LSAM 0045157" / " Phelister sp. #7. Hist 148 Yasuní NP Inventory A.K. Tishechkin det. 2010" (FMNH). Paratypes (191): Ecuador: Orellana, Est. Biodiv. Tiputini (-0.6333, -76.0383), 220 m, 9/5/00-9/25/00, D. Inward & K. Jackson (NHMUK, 8ex.); Orellana, Est. Biodiv. Tiputini (-0.6376, -76.1499), 6/2/11-6/9/11, FIT, M. Caterino & A. Tishechkin (MSCC, 28ex.); Orellana, Est. Biodiv. Tiputini (-0.6376, -76.1499), 6/9/11, Dead Ec. hamatum bait, M. Caterino & A. Tishechkin, EXO-00608 (MSCC, 1ex.); Orellana, Est. Cientifica Yasuní, mid. Rio Tiputini (-0.675, -76.4), 6/17/99-8/4/99, FIT, C. Carlton & A. Tishechkin (LSAM, 95ex.); Orellana, Est. Cientifica Yasuní, mid. Rio Tiputini (-0.675, -76.4), 7/18/99, Eciton burchelli colony EC#21, Statary bivouac site just after emigration, A. Tishechkin (LSAM, 3ex.); Orellana, Est. Cientifica Yasuní, mid. Rio Tiputini (-0.675, -76.4), 7/22/99, Eciton burchelli colony EC#23, nomadic bivouac site just after emigration, A. Tishechkin, LSAM 0045288 (LSAM, 1ex.); Orellana, Est. Cientifica Yasuní, mid. Rio Tiputini (-0.675, -76.4), 7/29/99, Eciton burchelli colony EC#27, refuse deposit statary phase, A. Tishechkin, LSAM 0045289 (LSAM, 1ex.); Orellana, Est. Cientifica Yasuní (-0.6744, -76.6472), 215 m, 9/5/99-9/10/99, FIT, primary forest, E. Riley (LSAM & TAMU, 49ex.); Orellana, Payamino Research Station (-0.4933, -77.2914), 300 m, 7/30/07-8/12/07, FIT, Tropical Rainforest, CPDT Gillett (NHMUK, 2ex.); Orellana, Res. Ethnica Waorani, 1 km S Onkone Gare Camp, Trans. Ent. (0.6528, -76.4333), 220 m, 1/24/94, Insecticidal fogging, mostly bare green leaves, some with covering of lichenous or bryophytic plants in terra firme forest, T.L. Erwin, EXO-03445 (USNM, 1ex.); Orellana, Res. Ethnica Waorani, 1 km S Onkone Gare Camp, Trans. Ent. (-0.6528, -76.4333), 220 m, 10/7/94, Insecticidal fogging, mostly bare green leaves, some with covering of lichenous or bryophytic plants in terra firme forest, T.L. Erwin, EXO-03446 (USNM, 1ex.); Orellana, nr. Tributary R. Tiputini, 6/25/96-6/30/96, FIT, A. Cognato, EXO-03443 (MSCC, 1ex.).

Other material.

Brazil: Mato Grosso, Mpio. Claudia (-11.4083, -55.325), 10/17/10-10/27/10, FIT, A.F. Oliveira (CEMT, 3ex.); Mato Grosso, Mpio. Cotriguaçu, Fazenda São Nicolau (-9.815, -58.2858), 12/15/10-12/18/10, FIT, F.Z. Vaz-de-Mello & A.F. Oliveira (CEMT, 4ex.); Mato Grosso, Mpio. Cotriguaçu, Fazenda São Nicolau, Mata Norte (-9.8192, -58.26), 12/8/10-12/14/10, FIT, F.Z. Vaz-de-Mello (CEMT, 6ex.); Mato Grosso, Mpio. Cotriguaçu, Fazenda São Nicolau, Matinha (-9.8383, -58.2508), 4/3/09, FIT, F.Z. Vaz-de-Mello (CEMT, 10ex.); Mato Grosso, Mpio. Cotriguaçu, Fazenda São Nicolau, Matinha (-9.8383, -58.2508), October 2009, FIT, F.Z. Vaz-de-Mello (CEMT, 8ex.); Mato Grosso, Mpio. Cotriguaçu, Fazenda São Nicolau, Prainha (-9.86, -58.215), September 2009, FIT, R.V. Nunes, EXO-03456 (CEMT, 1ex.); Mato Grosso, Mpio. Querencia, Fazenda São Luiz (-12.597, -52.3749), February 2009, FIT, R. Andrade (CEMT, 4ex.); Pará, Altamira - Marabá: km 18 (-3.15, -52.05), May 1985, FIT (CHND, 3ex.); Pará, Carajás (Serra Norte) (-6.0667, -50.2), 3/29/89-4/6/89, FIT (CHND, 2ex.); Pará, Ilha Arapiuns (-2.4, -54.95), 12/30/08-12/31/08, FIT (CHND, 3ex.); Pará, Marajó-Breves (-0.8833, -50.5333), 11/18/87-12/5/87, FIT, EXO-03463 (CHND, 1ex.); Pará, Tucuruí (-3.75, -49.667), June 1985, FIT, EXO-03462 (CHND, 1ex.); Rio de Janeiro, 17 km E Nova Friburgo (-22.3844, -42.5583), 750 m, 1/21/00, FIT, secondary mount. Atlantic for., F. Génier & S. Ide (CMNC, 3ex.); Rio de Janeiro, 17 km E Nova Friburgo (-22.3844, -42.5583), 750 m, 1/23/00, FIT, secondary mount. Atlantic for., F. Génier & S. Ide, EXO-03451 (CMNC, 1ex.); Rio de Janeiro, Nova Friburgo (-22.2667, -42.5333), 10/26/09-10/31/09, FIT (CHND, 13ex.); São Paulo, Boracéia Biol. Station, nr. Salesópolis (-23.6333, -45.8667), 11/23/08-11/30/08, FIT, P.C. Grossi, EXO-03453 (CHND, 1ex.); Colombia: Vaupes, Est. Biol. Caparu, Rio Apoporis (-1.1, -69.5), 9/27/95-12/1/95, FIT, Black-water terrace forest on sandy soils, B. Gill (AKTC, 56ex.); Vaupes, Parco Nac. Mosiro-Itajura (Caparu) Centro Ambiental (-1.0667, -69.5167), 60 m, 1/20/03-1/30/03, FIT, D. Arias & M. Sharkey (AKTC, 55ex.); Ecuador: Orellana, Est. Biodiv. Tiputini (-0.64, -76.15), 7/27/08-8/3/08, FIT, A.K.Tishechkin (AKTC & LSAM, 114ex.); Orellana, Est. Biodiv. Tiputini (-0.64, -76.15), 8/3/08-8/6/08, FIT, LSAM Team (LSAM, 21ex.); Orellana, Est. Cientifica Yasuní (-0.675, -76.4), 7/10/08-7/26/08, FIT, A. Tishechkin (AKTC & LSAM, 228ex.); Panama: Darien, Cana Biological Station, Serrania de Pirre (7.755, -77.685), 1200 m, 6/4/96-6/9/96, FIT, J. Ashe & R. Brooks (SEMC, 10ex.); Peru: Cusco, Villa Carmen Fld Stn., 12.89221°S, 71.41946°W, 555 m, 20-30.V.2011, DJ Bennett, FIT (SEMC, 22 ex.); Cusco, Villa Carmen Fld Stn., 12.87753°S, 71.40153°W, 555-1000 m, 20-30.V.2011, DJ Bennett, misc. hand collecting (SEMC, 8ex.); Cusco, Villa Carmen Fld Stn., 12.89250°S, 71.41917°W, 555 m, 26-28.V.2011, DJ Bennett, FIT (SEMC, 1ex.); Huanuco, Tingo Maria-Monzon Rd. S of Agua Blanca (-9.2917, -76.08), 1000 m, 10/12/99-10/13/99, FIT, R. Brooks, SM0144307 (SEMC, 1ex.); Junín, ~ 16 km NW Satipo, Rio Venado (-11.1989, -74.7705), 1110 m, 2/20/10-2/22/10, A.V. Petrov, EXO-03486 (AKTC, 1ex.); Junín, Sector San Isidro (-11.2418, -74.6663), 730 m, 4/12/09-4/13/09, FIT, treefall, A.V. Petrov, EXO-03485 (AKTC, 1ex.); Junín, 11 km NE Puerto Ocopa, Los Olivos (-11.05, -74.2587), 1200 m, 3/25/09-4/2/09, FIT, A. Tishechkin (AKTC, 36ex.); Junín, ~ 15 km NW Satipo, Rio Venado at 11°11.71'S, 74°46.12'W, 1150 m, window trap, 20-24.v.2012, A. V. Petrov (AKTC, 2ex.); Junín, ~ 15 km NW Satipo, Rio Venado (-11.1979, -74.77), 1100 m, 2/20/13, window trap, A.V. Petrov (AKTC, 4ex.); Junín, Rio Venado at 11°11'40"S, 74°46'8"W, 1195 m, window trap, 26.i.2019, A. V. Petrov (AKTC, 2ex.); Loreto, 1.5 km N Teniente Lopez (-2.5943, -76.1153), 210-240 m, 7/18/93-7/26/93, FIT, R. Leschen (SEMC, 34ex.); Loreto, 1.5 km N Teniente Lopez (-2.5943, -76.1153), 210-240 m, 7/18/93, FIT, R. Leschen (SEMC, 4ex.); Loreto, 68 km SW Iquitos to Nauta, Rio Itaya (-4.1833, -73.4167), 110 m, 2/26/08-2/30/2008, A.V. Petrov, EXO-03482 (AKTC, 1ex.); Loreto, Campamento San Jacinto (-2.3125, -75.8628), 175-215 m, 7/11/93, FIT, R. Leschen, EXO-03467 (SEMC, 1ex.); Loreto, Iquitos (-3.74, -73.27), 90 m, 5/5/92, FIT, J. Danoff-Berg (SEMC, 3ex.); Loreto, Iquitos - Nauta rd., km 58, Rio Itaya (-4.2563, -73.4675), 120 m, 5/5/09-5/9/09, FIT, entrance into Eciton burchelli statary bivouac in a hollow treee, A.V. Petrov (AKTC, 8ex.); Loreto, Iquitos, Jenero Herbera (-4.9, -73.6), October-November 1988, FIT, G. Couturier, EXO-03479 (CHND, 1ex.); Loreto, km 63, rd. Iquitos - Nauta, Rio Itaya (-4.2534, -73.4346), 140 m, 1/9/11-1/13/11, A.V. Petrov, EXO-03483 (AKTC, 1ex.); Madre de Dios, Manu, Los Amigos Field Station (-12.5624, -70.093), 288 m, 7/31/06-8/9/06, pitfall trap, CICRA terra firma forest, J. Jacobs, CASENT 8123337 (CASC, 1ex.); Madre de Dios, Pakitza Bio. Stn., Reserved Zone, Manu National Park, Castanal Trail (-11.9447, -71.2833), 317 m, 10/15/00-10/16/00, FIT, R. Brooks, SM0271786 (SEMC, 1ex.); Madre de Dios, Amazonas Lodge, N Atalaya (-12.87, -71.3767), 480 m, 11/10/07-11/13/07, FIT, D. Brzoska, SEMC0870245 (SEMC, 1ex.); Madre de Dios, Pantiacolla Lodge, 2-7 km NW El Mirador Trail, Alto Madre de Dios River (-12.6528, -71.2578), 450-700 m, 10/23/00-10/26/00, FIT, R. Brooks (SEMC, 8ex.); Madre de Dios, Pantiacolla Lodge, 8 km NW El Mirador Trail, Alto Madre de Dios River (-12.6417, -71.2781), 800 m, 10/23/00-10/26/00, FIT, R. Brooks (SEMC, 9ex.); Madre de Dios, Pantiacolla Lodge, Alto Madre de Dios R. (-12.655, -71.2317), 420 m, 11/14/07-11/19/07, FIT, D. Brzoska (SEMC, 36ex.); Madre de Dios, Pantiacolla Lodge, Alto Madre de Dios River (-12.6561, -71.2319), 400 m, 10/23/00-10/26/00, FIT, R. Brooks (SEMC, 3ex.).

Diagnostic description.

Length: 1.54-1.81 mm (avg. 1.63 mm); width: 1.30-1.58 mm (avg. 1.40 mm). This species is extremely similar to P. blairi , but differs consistently in a few characters: pronotal gland openings at least 1/4 removed from the anterior pronotal margin, more typically ~ 1/3 removed; anterior portion of marginal pronotal stria rarely broken, generally subangulate behind eye, but without recurved ends; lateral submarginal pronotal stria slightly more deeply depressed. Male: basal piece ~ 1/3 length of tegmen; tegmen rather flat, with sides rounded, widest in basal 1/3, apices slightly separated, medioventral process long, projecting in basal 1/3; median lobe ~ 1/2 tegmen length, basal apodemes evenly narrowed to tips.

Etymology.

We dedicate this species to the renowned coleopterist, Dr. Terry Erwin, who unfortunately passed away early in 2020. His groundbreaking surveys of neotropical beetles, outstanding contributions to ground beetle systematics, and important contributions to the cause of insect biodiversity conservation have been a great inspiration to us, and many, many others.

Remarks.

This species shows strong similarity to P. blairi , above; their almost completely non-overlapping distributions suggest that the two are sister taxa (and they are resolved as such in our analyses). The pronotal gland openings in P. erwini are nearly always ~ 1/3 removed from the anterior pronotal margin, whereas those of P. blairi are much closer to the anterior margin (see Fig. 3C and 3A , respectively). The two consistently differ near P. blairi 's type locality ( Pará, Brazil), as well at another point of sympatry (southeastern Peru), but some variation in gland opening location and sculpturing (pronotal and pygidial) make the two difficult to distinguish throughout their ranges and in all specimens.

A number of specimens of P. erwini have been collected in loose association with neotropical army ants ( Eciton spp.), suggesting some degree of myrmecophily. However, the vast majority of specimens of this abundant species have been collected with flight interception traps, so other possible associations cannot be assessed.

Distribution.

This is an abundant and widely distributed species, known from Panama, Amazonian regions of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil, as well as southeastern coastal Brazil.

Figures

Figure 2. Images of selected characters A SEM of pronotum of Phelister geminus, showing prescutellar impression and annulate median pronotal glands B SEM of pronotum of P. erwini, showing prescutellar impression and annulate median pronotal glands C SEM of pronotum of Phelister sculpturatus, showing prescutellar impression and annulate median pronotal glands D head of P. geminus, showing depressed frons and epistoma, and emarginate labrum E pronotum of P. uncinatus, showing non-annulate median pronotal gland openings F pronotum of P. semotus, showing non-annulate median pronotal gland openings G protibia of P. geminus, showing ' scalloped' protibial margin.

Map 2. Collecting records for Phelister erwini.

Figure 3. A, B Phelister blairi Lewis: A dorsal habitus B ventral habitus. C, D P. erwini: C dorsal habitus D ventral habitus E, F P. fimbriatus: E dorsal habitus F ventral habitus G, H P. stellans: G dorsal habitus H ventral habitus.

Figure 4. Male genitalia A-D Phelister trigonisternus Hinton: A tergite 8 B sternite 8 C tergites 9 & 10 D sternite 9 E, F Phelister blairi Lewis: E aedeagus, dorsal F aedeagus, lateral G, H P. erwini: G aedeagus, dorsal H aedeagus, lateral.