Aspasiola selva Erwin

Erwin, Terry L., 2004, The beetle family Carabidae of Costa Rica: The genera of the Cryptobatida group of subtribe Agrina, tribe Lebiini, with new species and notes on their way of life (Insecta: Coleoptera), Zootaxa 662, pp. 1-54 : 16-18

Aspasiola selva Erwin , new species

( Figs. 9 , 10 , 33 )

Holotype. Male, COSTA RICA. HEREDIA, Estación Biológica La Selva , 3.0 km S Puerto Viejo, Finca La Selva , 50–150 m, 10° 25' 55” N, 084° 00' 32” W, LN535500, 268000, March (W.E. Steiner, J.M. Hill, et al.)( NMNH: ADP006028).

Derivation of specific name. The specific epithet, selva , is used as a noun in apposition and is based on the Estación Biológica La Selva in reference to one of the places in which members of this species are found.

Common name. Forest colorful fungus dweller.

Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus described above and dorsum and venter rufescent; mouthparts, antennomeres 1–4 and legs testaceous; antennomeres 5–11 infuscated­brown. Pronotum with margin broadly explanate, width greater than head across eyes; pronotum transverse with hind angle slightly obtuse, margin not markedly constricted anterior to hind angle. Elytron with punctulae of interneurs markedly small and fine throughout.

Description. ( Fig. 9 ). Size small: ABL = 5.25 to 5.66 mm, SBL = 4.91 to 5.25 mm, TW = 1.16 to 1.2 mm. Color: Dorsum and venter rufescent; mouthparts, antennomeres 1– 4 and legs testaceous; antennomeres 5–11 infuscated­brown. Metathorasic wings smoky grey. Luster: Very shiny. Microsculpture: Absent. Head: Slightly broader across eyes than pronotum; frontal furrows shallowly impressed, very short; eyes large, produced; frons slightly convex, vertex moderately convex; ultimate labial palpomere slightly securiform; antennae of moderate length, reaching just posterior of humerus. Prothorax: Pronotum cordiform, moderately convex, side margin narrowly explanate and slightly produced at level of anterior setigerous pore, slightly sinuate anterior to obtuse hind angle. Base slightly lobed posteriorly. Pterothorax: Normal for Agrina, fully winged. Legs: Normal for Agrina. Abdomen: Sterna normal for Agrina, mostly glabrous, except normal paired ambulatory setae on sterna 3–5; males and females with two pairs long setae on sternum 6. Male genitalia: Phallus ( Fig. 10 ) with ostium 1/3 its length, catopic, not constricted at basal third, basal third arched, apex markedly elongate, evenly rounded; endophallus with long flagellum, flagellum apex not barbed. Parameres asymmetric, left larger that right, right small.

Dispersal potential. These beetles have been fogged from the canopy and collected in Malaise traps and they are fully winged, thus they are likely good dispersers, as are most arboreal beetles.

Way of life. These beetles have been found by fogging fungus covered logs, by beating low vegetation, and in Malaise samples. They also have been collected from both primary and secondary forest. The known altitudinal range of this species is between 10 and 700 meters above sea level. They have been found only east of the Cordillera Central in February, March, June, July, August, and September in low and middle altitudes, indicating they function as adults in both the dry and rainy seasons.

Other specimens examined. Paratypes: COSTA RICA. 1 female, CARTAGO, Turrialba, P.N. Barbilla, R.F. Rio Pacuare, Sendero Chilo, 500–600 m, LN218279,596387, September (W. Araña)( INBIO: INB0003372978); 2 females, HEREDIA, Estación Biológica La Selva , 3.0 km S Puerto Viejo, Finca La Selva , 50–150 m, 10° 25' 55” N, 0 84 °00' 32” W, LN535500,268000, March (INBio­OET: CRI 002230090), June (INBio­OET: CRI 002227027), 1 male, June (R.S. Hanley)( SEMC: ADP006047); 3 males, GUANA­ CASTE, P.N. Guanacaste, 9.0 km S Santa Cecilia, Estación Patilla, 700 m, 10° 59' 33” N, 085° 25' 46” W, LN330200,380200, July (J. Ashe, R. Brooks, Z. Falin) ( KUNHM: ADP106299, 106301, 106303); 2 females, LIMÓN, Rio Reventazon, Ebene, Hamburg Farm, 10 m, 10° 15' 0 N, 083° 28' 0 W, February (F. Nevermann)( NMNH: ADP007958), August ( NMNH: ADP007959), 1 female, Valle de la Estrella, R.B. Hitoy Cerere, Estación Hitoy Cerere, 160 m, 09° 40' 0 N, 083° 01' 0 W, LN184750,639500,29, June (W. Araña)( INBIO: INB0003147453).

Geographic distribution. ( Fig. 33 ). Known only from Costa Rica.

Figures

FIGURE 9. Aspasiola selva Erwin n. sp., FIGURE 11. Aspasiola steineri Erwin n. sp., male, dorsal aspect, specimen # ADP 106299. female, dorsal aspect, specimen # ADP 006027.

FIGURE 10. Phallus, dorsal, ventral, left lateral aspects of Aspasiola selva Erwin n. sp., specimen # ADP 106299.

FIGURE 33. Geographical distribution map of the species of Aspasiola in Costa Rica: A. bonita Erwin n. sp. (solid circle,