Myopagyrtes, Ashman & Seago & Leschen, 2024

Ashman, Lauren G., Seago, Ainsley E. & Leschen, Richard A. B., 2024, A new genus of Australian Agyrtodini from Tasmania (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Camiarinae), Zootaxa 5453 (3), pp. 403-410 : 404-405

Myopagyrtes , gen. nov.

Type species: Myopagyrtes tasmanicus , here designated.

Diagnosis. This genus can be distinguished from other agyrtodine leiodids by the following combination of characters: tarsal formula 4-4-5 in both sexes; hind wings absent; eyes reduced to about 13–14 facets, interocular length to about 4x the lengths of antennomere 1 ( Figs. 1c , 2c ); elytra transversely striolate; body size <1.5 mm. The tarsal formula is unique for the subfamily. Hind wing loss or reduction occurs in most Camiarini, apart from the New Zealand Baeosilpha rufescens Broun , some Neopelatopini, and the New Zealand agyrtodine, Chelagyrtodes Szymczakowski ( Seago and Leschen 2011).

Description. Body ( Fig. 1a ) convex, cuticle shining, broadly ovate, widest at posterior margin of pronotum in dorsal view. Colour of body reddish brown, antennae, mouthparts and legs tan.

Head dark brown, declined, partially concealed in dorsal view by pronotum. Epistomal suture present, with stem. Clypeus broad, transverse with gold setae; labrum transverse with slight notch. Mandible ( Fig. 2a ) with prostheca present, sparse; mola present, ~1/3 length of interior face of mandible. Maxilla ( Fig. 2b ) with lacinia slender with apical spines, galea less slender with dense apical brush of stiff setae, maxillary palp slender with sparse setae, apical palpomere expanded, third palpomere subconical, second palpomere distinctly elongate. Labium subquadrate, labial palpi 3-segmented. Eyes ( Fig. 2c ) reduced, elongate with coarse irregular facets, five facets long by up to three facets across. Antennomeres 1–6 elongate, 1–2 expanded compared to 3–6; antennomeres 7–11 forming club. Antennomere 7 elongate, broader apically. Antennomere 8 less than 1/2 length of antennomere 7, quadrate. Antennomeres 9–11 expanded, elongate. Pronotum broad, transverse, densely pubescent with semi-recumbent gold setae. Scutellary shield small, transverse, anterior margin concealed in dorsal view by posterior margin of pronotum. Elytra broad, tapered slightly at apex, semi-transparent, conceal abdominal apex in dorsal view when closed. No longitudinal striae, transverse strigae shallow, with dense, semi-recumbent gold setae regularly spaced. Epipleuron broad, complete. Procoxal cavities narrowly separated, closed interiorly by prosternal process and blunt, triangular notal process. Hind wings absent. Mesoventrite with median carina sinuate in lateral view. Two prominent pairs of spines on tibial apex of all legs, both sexes. Male protarsi ( Fig. 2d ) with slightly expanded first two segments with tenant setae. Tarsal formula 4-4-5 in both sexes.

Etymology. The generic epithet consists of the prefix Myop— from the Greek Myops (near-sighted) and the suffix —agyrtes, referring respectively to its drastically reduced eyes and the sympatric genus Agyrtodes Portevin.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Agyrtodini: (a) Myopagyrtes tasmanicus, new species, male, dorsal habitus (Length = 1.40 mm); (b) Agyrtodes tasmanicus Zwick, anterior view of head; (c). M. tasmanicus, anterior view of head.

FIGURE 2. Myopagyrtes tasmanicus, new species male: (a) Right mandible, dorsal view. (b) Right maxilla, dorsal view. Female: (c) Lateral view of head showing reduced compound eye. Male: (d) Front leg with expanded protarsi bearing tenant setae. (e) Aedeagus, ventral view. (f) Male genital segment, ventral view.