Agnosthaetus imitator, Clarke, 2011

Clarke, Dave J., 2011, A Revision of the New Zealand Endemic Rove Beetle Genus Agnosthaetus Bernhauer (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), The Coleopterists Bulletin (mo 10) 2011, pp. 1-118 : 49

Agnosthaetus imitator species-group

This group of species comprises seven externally variable species ( A. imitator , Agnosthaetus aorangi Clarke , Agnosthaetus orongo Clarke , A. stilbus , A. minutus , Agnosthaetus lanceolatus Clarke , and A. kaikoura ). They share the characteristically “shelved” ventral side of the median lobe that clearly demarcates a basal and apical part of the aedeagus ( Figs. 148–151 , 156–158 , arrows). It is possible to identify most species of this group using external characters alone, but this requires examination of multiple characters in combination. The lack of microsculpture in several species can permit confusion with superficially similar species in the brouni species-group.

Figures

Figs. 148–151. Aedeagi of species in the Agnosthaetus imitator species-group, dorsal (left) and right lateral (right) views. 148) A. imitator; 149) A. aorangi; 150) A. orongo; 151) A. stilbus. Scale bar = 100 mm.

Figs. 156–158. Aedeagi of species in the Agnosthaetus imitator species-group, dorsal (left) and right lateral (right) views. 156) A. minutus; 157) A. lanceolatus; 158) A. kaikoura. Scale bar = 100 mm.