Miruantennus chinensis, , Otto, 2017

Otto, Robert L., 2017, Descriptions of six new species of false click beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Macraulacinae), with new identification keys for one tribe and two genera, Insecta Mundi 2017 (558), pp. 1-19 : 10-11

Miruantennus chinensis sp. nov.

Fig. 15–19

Diagnosis. Largely orange colored elytra will distinguish the new species from M. basalis . Bicolored, elongate and subcylindrical habitus will also distinguish M. chinensis from M. cuneiformis .

Description. Male holotype: Length, 6.0 mm. Width, 1.5 mm. Body subcylindrical, elongate; head, pronotum, venter, apical 1/3 of elytra and lateral elytral sides black; elytral humeri and basal 2/3 of elytral disc orange-brown; scape black, antennomeres II–XI brown; legs, including tarsi yellowish-brown; head, pronotum and much of elytra clothed with short, recumbent yellowish setae; elytral humeri with elongate, recumbent yellowish setae ( Fig. 15 ).

Head: Rugose, almost granulose, subspherical; frons convex, without median carina or fovea above frontoclypeal region; surfaces dullish; apical margin of frontoclypeal region rounded, about 2.0 times wider than base; mandibles stout, bidentate.

Antenna ( Fig. 16 ): Capitate from antennomeres VIII–XI, attaining elytral humeri; antennomere III short, as long as II; antennomere IV slightly shorter than III, as long as V; combined lengths of antennomeres IV and V longer than III; antennomeres VI and VII quadrate, both larger than V; antennomere VII larger than VI; antennomeres VIII–XI each much longer than wide, slightly longer than the combined lengths of III–V together.

Pronotum: Surfaces dull, densely rugose to granulose; longer than wide, with short hind angles; basal 1/3 parallel-sided, apical 2/3 wider and arcuate; disc convex with shallow median groove, with pair of circular fovea; base sinuous.

Scutellum: Short, rugose, sub-triangular and distally rounded.

Elytra: Indistinctly striate, except along elytral humeri, sutural areas and near apices; interstices flattened; surfaces shiny with dense punctures.

Legs: Not seen.

Venter: Closely punctate, with elongate, recumbent yellowish setae; hypomeron simple, without lateral antennal grooves; metathoracic episternum apically wide; metathoracic coxal plates medially 3.0 times wider than laterally.

Male aedeagus ( Fig. 17 ): Elongate, dorsally flattened; median lobe free, with fairly deeply notched apex; lateral lobes apically elongate, rounded, shorter than median lobe; lateral lobe each with lateral tooth arising midway; secondary lateral lobe basally attached to lateral lobes, apically rounded and without lateral teeth; basal piece obscured.

Female allotype ( Fig. 18 ): Length 6.5 mm; antennae ( Fig. 19 ) weakly capitate; antennomere III much longer than IV; combined lengths of antennomeres IV and V slightly longer than III; antennomere IV as long as V; antennomere VI longer than V; antennomere VII slightly longer and wider than VI, shorter than VIII; antennomeres VIII–X each wider than VII, longer than wide; antennomere XI slightly longer than X.

Variation. One female paratype was examined. The female paratype measured 5.5 mm long and 1.25 mm wide, slightly shorter and narrower than the holotype. The female paratype differs from the male holotype based on a couple of features. Firstly, fovea on the pronotal disc are more impressed in the male holotype compared with the female paratype. Secondly, the pronotum is slightly more elongate in the male holotype compared with the female paratype. The pronotum in the female paratype is about as long as wide. Elytra in the male holotype is slightly darker than the female paratype. Female paratype is similar in structure and color with the female allotype. First tarsomere of the mesothoracic and metathoracic tarsi in the female paratype is described to be as long as the combined lengths of the remaining four on mesothoracic and metathoracic tarsi; tibiae rounded in cross section; metathoracic tarsomeres I–III simple; metathoracic tarsomere IV excavated.

Type Material. Holotype, ♂: “ CHINA: S. YUNNAN, (Xishuangbanna), 28 km, NW Jinghong vic An, MA Xi Zhan (NNNR)” (large space between ‘China’ and ‘S. Yunnan’) / “ N22°12, E100°38 EKL, 26.III.2009, Forest, 700m, leg. L. Meng” / “Collection, NATURKUNDE-, MUSEUM ERFURT (yellow printed label) / “ HOLOTYPE:, Miruantennus , chinensis, Otto , det. R.L. Otto, 2016 ” (♂ handwritten behind species name on label) [red printed label]. Allotype, ♀: “ CHINA: S-YUNNAN, (Xishuangbanna), 20 km NW Jinghong, Man Dian (NNNR)” (large space between ‘China’ and ‘S. Yunnan’) / “ N22°07.80, E100°40.05, 730m, 06.IV.2009, EKL, forest, leg. L. Meng” / “Collection, NATURKUNDE-, MUSEUM ERFURT” (yellow printed label) / “ ALLOTYPE:, Miruantennus , chinensis, Otto , det. R.L. Otto, 2016 ” (♀ handwritten behind species name on label) [yellow printed label]. Holotype and allotype are deposited in NME.

Paratype. 1 ♀: “ CHINA: S. YUNNAN, (Xishuangbanna), 28 km, NW Jinghong, vic., An MA Xi Zhan (NNNR)” (large space between ‘China’ and ‘S. Yunnan’) / “ N22°12, E100° 38, 700 m, 16.III.2009, EKL, leg. L. Meng” / “Collection, NATURKUNDE-, MUSEUM ERFURT” (yellow printed label) / “Collection of the Global, Eucnemid Research Project, (Robert L. Otto)” (green framed white label) / “ PARATYPE:, Miruantennus , chinensis, Otto , det. R.L. Otto, 2016 ” (♀ handwritten behind species name on label) [yellow printed label]. Paratype was transferred from NME to GERP.

Distribution. The eucnemid species is known from two localities in the Chinese province of Yunnan, near Jinghong.

Biology. According to Andreas Weigel (pers. comm), these beetles were taken from the northernmost tropical rainforests ( Fig. 20 ). All specimens were taken from a common cross window trap placed 10 meters above ground in the tree canopies ( Fig 21–22 ). Larvae and pupae are unknown.

Etymology. Specific epithet is derived from the name of the country from which the new species has been taken.

Figures

Figures 15–19. Miruantennus chinensis sp.nov. 15) Male holotype (NME), dorsal habitus. 16) Male holotype (NME), antenna, anterolateral view. 17) Male holotype (NME), aedeagus, dorsal view. 18) Female allotype (NME), dorsal habitus. 19) Female allotype (NME), antenna, anterolateral view. Scale line = 1.0 mm.

Figures 20–22. Miruantennus chinensis sp.nov. Habitat 20) An Ma Xi Zhan forest edge, Yunnan Prov., China, 26-VI-2008. 21) Man Dian forest side with trap, Yunnan Prov., China, 11-XII-2007. 22) Cross window trap in tree canopy, Yunnan Prov., China, 26-VI-2008. Images provided by Andreas Weigel and used by his permission.