Thraustocolus (Prothraustocola) clypealis minor, Wagner, 2023

Wagner, Gerhard, 2023, A new species and subspecies of the darkling beetle genus Thraustocolus Kraatz, 1866 from Oman (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae), Evolutionary Systematics 7 (2), pp. 253-256 : 253

Thraustocolus (Prothraustocola) clypealis minor ssp. nov.

Fig. 2

Material examined.

Holotype. ♂: Oman, Fossil Valley , 10 km southwest of Mahdah, 24°20'N, 55°54'E, 08.03.2016, leg. C. & G. Wagner, currently kept by the author, later in Zoological Museum, Museum der Natur, Hamburg (ZMH) . Paratypes: 2♂: Oman, Fossil Valley , 10 km southwest of Mahdah, 24°20'N, 55°54'E, 08.03.2016, leg. C. & G. Wagner, currently kept by the author, later in Zoological Museum, Museum der Natur, Hamburg (ZMH) .

Etymology.

The subspecies is named after the Latin “minor“, because it differs essentially from the forma typica in its smaller size.

Description.

Similar to Thraustocolus (Prothraustocola) clypealis sp. nov., but noticeably smaller: length 6.6-7.6 mm, width 2.3-2.8 mm; sides of pronotum slightly less rounded, fore legs a little longer and more slender, brown-black.

Differential diagnosis.

There are currently 6 species of the genus Thraustocolus known from the Arabian Peninsula and one from southern Iran which are differentiated below from the new species and its subspecies. For this delimitation numerous characteristics are used which the new species and subspecies have in common. Distinguishing the new species and its subspecies from the previously known species of Thraustocolus from Oman, Iran and Saudi Arabia, can be done based on the following characters: Thraustocolus (s. str.) rugosus Kaszab, 1979 from Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates: Head and pronotum evenly punctured, sides of pronotum wrinkled punctured. Elytra sparse and finely rasp-like granulate. 7-7.8 mm.

Thraustocolus (s. str.) arabicus Kaszab, 1979 from Saudi Arabia: Head and pronotum evenly roughly punctured, pronotum punctured on the sides rasp-like. Elytra granulate. 6-10 mm. In contrast to these two species, the new species and its subspecies have an evenly roundly punctured pronotum, finer than head. Elytra not grained.

Thraustocolus (s. str.) catomoides Kaszab, 1981 from Saudi Arabia: 3rd antennal segment 1.9 times as long as the 2nd, disc of the pronotum very sparsely punctured, the base dense, laterally vanishing and rasp-like densely granular-punctate. 4.3 mm. In the new species and subspecies the 3rd antennal segment is 2.8 times longer than the 2nd. Pronotum even with round punctures.

Thraustocolus (s. str.) propheta Koch, 1941 from Saudi Arabia: eyes large, completely detached, strong from the contours of genae, only slightly protruding from those of the temples, significantly projecting outwards above the level of genae. 3rd antennal segment only almost twice as long as the 2nd segment. 5-6 mm. In the new species and subspecies the eyes are flat and the 3rd antennal segment is 2.8 times as long as the 2rd.

Thraustocolus (Prothraustocola) pitcheri Johnson, 1989 from Saudi Arabia: eyes bulbous, protruding, the basal margin of the pronotum is briefly interrupted in the middle in ♂. 8.5 mm. In the new species and subspecies the eyes are flat and the base of the pronotum is clearly marginated throughout.

Thraustocolus (Prothraustocola) hormozganus Grimm & Merkl, 2018 from Iran: punctures on pronotum rougher than on head, many punctures distinctly elongate. Prosternal apophysis between procoxae does not protrude backwards. Basal part of aedeagus is significantly shorter than the apical. 7.1-10.5 mm. In the new species and subspecies the pronotum is evenly provided with round punctures. Prosternal apophysis protrudes behind procoxae as a tip. Basal and apical sections of the aedeagus are about the same length.

Thraustocolus (P.) belutschistanica Kaszab, 1957 from Iran, Baluchistan: head dorsally finely and very sparsely punctured; pronotum almost cylindrical, lateral margin anteriorly completely extinguished. Prosternal apophysis not protruding beyond procoxae. 8.5 mm. In the new species and subspecies the head is dorsaly densely and clearly punctured. Pronotum clearly rounded laterally and completely marginated. Prosternal apophysis protrudes as a tip behind procoxae.

Figures

Figure 2. Thraustcolus clypealis sp. nov. Thraustcolus clypealis minor ssp. nov. dorsal view.