Pselaphomorphus longiceps Raffray, 1890

Vásquez-Vélez, Laura M., 2016, Revision of the genus Pselaphomorphus Motschulsky, 1855 (Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae: Jubini), Zootaxa 4107 (1), pp. 1-48 : 24-25

Pselaphomorphus longiceps Raffray, 1890

( Fig. 16 )

Pselaphomorphus longiceps Raffray, 1890: 193 ; 1893: 43.

Diagnosis. Pselaphomorphus longiceps is characterized by the combination of a triangular head, antennae with five antennomeres forming a clava and the presence of spines between the basal and the lateral lobes of the pronotum ( Fig. 16 A).

Redescription. Male. Body length 2.3 mm. Body flattened dorsally, reddish to amber, with dispersed yellow pilosity. Head triangular (length 0.5 mm, width 0.4 mm). Longitudinal sulcus wider between eyes, teardrop-shaped. Eyes kidney-shaped (0.15 mm in diameter). Antennal length 1.2 mm. Antennomere length as follows: 1 (0.08 mm), 2 (0.04 mm), 3 to 6 (0.04 mm), 7 (0.06 mm), 8 to 10 (0.1 mm) and 11 (0.2 mm), clava conspicuous. Pronotum transverse (length 0.4 mm, width 0.5 mm), pronotal lobes trapezoidal, basally with oblique spine projection, joined to basal lobe; basal lobe with longitudinal ridge medially and punctated laterally. Pronotal disc oval, longitudinal and transverse sulci wider toward edges. Elytra length 0.65 mm, width 0.8 mm. Humeral tooth and elevation present; sutural fovea rounded, followed by complete sutural stria; basal discal fovea rounded. Abdominal segments I–V dorsally with length as follows: 0.8, 0.3, 0.1, 0.1, 0.15 (mm). Ventrally, segment V distally rounded, segment VI with circular depression. Genitalia. Phallobase regular, bilobed, apically asymmetric. Median lobe divided basally in two parts: one projected ventrally; other projected dorsally around accessory lobe. Accessory lobe divided medially into two arms ( Figs. 16 B, 16C).

Female. Body length 2.2 mm. Head triangular (length 0.5 mm, width 0.35 mm). Longitudinal sulcus wider between eyes, teardrop-shaped. Antennal length 1.1 mm. Antennomere length as follows: 1 (0.08 mm), 2 to 10 (0.06 mm), and 11 (0.2 mm), clava conspicuous. Pronotum transverse (length 0.35 mm, width 0.45 mm), basal transverse lobe without longitudinal ridge. Elytra length 0.45 mm, width 0.7 mm, flight wings absent. Subhumeral fovea round, deep, connected with humeral spine toward disc. Subhumeral stria evident. Sutural fovea wide; sutural stria short, shallow. Basal discal fovea wide, transversely oval; elytral disc with longitudinal depression. Abdominal segments I–V dorsally with length as follows: 0.35, 0.1, 0.1, 0.1, 0.05 (mm). Sternites without modifications.

Material examined. Brazil: 10 males and 14 females, Nova Teutonia, Santa Catarina. II: 1957. Fritz Plaumann, berlese leaf litter; 1 male, 1 female, Santa Catarina, Chapecol, V-1957, Fritz Plaumann, under dead leaves; 3 females, Rio de Janeiro, D.F. Corcovado, III-10 / VI-1-1946, Bierig; 1 male, Nova Friburgo, I-10/30 -1946, Bierig; 1 male, 1 female, Santa Catarina, Irani, VII-1958, Fritz Plaumann, leaf litter; 1 female, Minas Gerais, Viçosa, VII-6-1933, E.J. Hambleton; 1 female, Guanabara, Floresta de Tijuca, II-1960, C.A. Campos Seabra; 1 female, Sao Paulo, Parque Jabaquara, XII-16-1945, Bierig; 3 males, 2 females, Santa Catarina, VIII-1958, Fritz Plaumann (all FMNH).

Note. The specimens listed above are considered to belong to P. longiceps because they were compared to and found matching the photographs of the holotype (female) and the additional male specimen mentioned by Raffray (1893), both deposited in the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France (photographs courtesy of C. Carlton).

Figures

FIGURE 16. Pselaphomorphus longiceps Raffray. A. Dorsal habitus. B. Aedeagus dorsal view. C. Aedeagus lateral view.