Decuria newtoni Miller and Wheeler

Miller, Kelly B. & Wheeler, Quentin D., 2004, Two New Genera of Agathidiini from the Nearctic and Neotropical Regions (Coleoptera: Leiodidae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 58 (4), pp. 466-487 : 484-486

Decuria newtoni Miller and Wheeler , new species

( Figs. 21–23 , 32 )

Material Examined. Holotype, # in FMNH labeled, ‘‘ COSTA RICA:Puntarenas Monte Verde, 1,540 m 6 May 1989, J.Ashe, R. Brooks, R. Leschen/ ex., ‘‘puffball’’-like slime mold/ Snow Entomol. Mus. Costa Rica Exped. #016/DUPLICATE ex series at SEMC / Anisotoma sp. 4 Det. by R. Leschen 19 [‘‘ Anisotoma sp. 4 ’’ handwritten]/ Anisotoma sp. det. Newton 1991 [‘‘ Anisotoma sp. ’’ handwritten]/ HOLOTYPE Decuria newtoni Wheeler and and Miller, 2002 [red label with black line border].’’ Nine additional paratypes were also examined from the following localities: Bolivia: Dept. Cochabamba, Prov. Carrasco, Serrania de Siberia, Chua Khocha, 26 Aug 1990, 2,360 m, P. Parillo and M. Ledezma, (2, FMNH). Costa Rica: Monte Verde, Puntarenas, 9 May 1989, J. Ashe, R. Brooks, and R. Leschen, (1, FMNH); Monte Verde, Puntarenas, 6 May 1989, J. Ashe, R. Brooks, and R. Leschen, (1, FMNH); Puntarenas, Guanacasta border, Monte Verde, 10 May 1989, 1,760 m, J. Ashe, R. Brooks, and R. Leschen, (1, FMNH); Alajuela Prov., Est. Biol. San Gerardo, Sandero Corredor Biologico, 108529N, 858239W, 1 Apr 2001, 590 m, M. Thomas, (1, FMNH). Mexico: Chiapas, Chris: Palenque, 2 Jul 1983, 80 m, S. and J. Peck, (1, PECK); Chiapas, Chris: Bonampok Rd. 100 km SE Palenque, 8 Jul 1983, 230 m, S. and J. Peck, (1, PECK); San Luis Potosi, 20 km W Xilitla, 12 Jun 1983, 1,600 m, S. and J. Peck, (1, PECK).

Type Locality. Costa Rica, Puntarenas, Monte Verde , 1,540 m .

486 Diagnosis. This is the only species in the genus and is diagnosed by those character states diagnostic for the genus.

Description. Body small (TBL ¼ 2.00– 2.39 mm), broad (PNW/TBL ¼ 0.40–0.41), laterally broadly rounded, weakly contractile.

Head and pronotum dark brown to black; elytra dark brown, some specimens with distinctive iridescent sheen on surface of head, pronotum and elytra; venter dark red-brown; antennae, palpi and legs red-brown.

Head moderately broad (MDL/PHW ¼ 0.67–0.70), dorsally flattened; constricted immediately posterad of eye; very finely and sparsely punctate, surfaces shiny and smooth between punctures; eyes very large, rounded, protruding; fronto-clypeal suture continuous, but fine, medially; clypeal margin moderately protruding, extending beyond level of anterolateral margins of frons ( Fig. 32 ); labrum large, quadrate; antennae with 10 antennomeres ( Fig. 23 ) (ratios: length I:II:III ¼ 1.1:1.0:0.8, width VII:VIII:IX ¼ 1.3:1.0:1.5). Pronotum broad (PNL/PNW ¼ 0.67–0.74), laterally not strongly produced, lateral margins nearly straight, relatively short, anterolateral angle subquadrate, posterolateral corner distinctive, more angulate than anterolateral corner; punctation similar to that of head. Elytra robust (SEL/ELW ¼ 1.07–1.17); lateral margins broadly rounded; moderately punctate, many punctures forming very indistinct longitudinal series; sutural stria prominent, extending about 1/2 length of elytron. Mesosternum strongly concave posteriorly, with prominent lobe extending ventrally between mesocoxae, anterior portion very narrow. Metasternum broad medially (MTL/MTW ¼ 0.30–0.38). Abdominal sternum 1 with prominent, longitudinal, medial carina.

Male tarsi 4–4–4; pro- and mesobasotarsomeres only slightly expanded and with small ventral field of adhesive setae; metafemur slender, unmodified; metasternal fovea moderately large, slightly transverse, located anterad of middle, with small pencil of fine, long setae. Median lobe in lateral aspect long, slender, evenly curved, constricted medially, apical portion slightly curved, evenly narrowed to pointed, slightly dorsally-directed apex ( Fig. 22 ); in ventral aspect slender, apically slightly broadened, apex very broadly rounded, orifice moderately large ( Fig. 21 ); operculum broad, flat, apically slightly expanded, apex broadly truncate ( Fig. 21 ); lateral lobes long, slender, evenly curved, apex narrowly rounded, with 1 short, inconspicuous seta ( Figs. 21– 22 ).

Female tarsi 4–4–4.

Etymology. This species is named after A.F. Newton, eminent coleopterist and collector of several specimens in the type series.

Distribution. This species has been collected in the states of Chiapas, and San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Costa Rica and Bolivia.

Discussion. The specimens from Bolivia differ somewhat in coloration from the northern specimens. They are darker black with a moderate iridescent sheen. However, they are extremely similar in other features including the shape of the male genitalia. This species is based on only nine specimens a this time, so examination of additional specimens in the future will likely shed more light on the extent of variation. The type specimen was collected from a ‘‘puffball-like slime mold’’ which could be a Lycogala species.

Figures

Figs. 21–23. Decuria newtoni. 21–22) Median and lateral lobes of aedeagus; 21) ventral; 22) lateral; 23) right antenna, dorsal.

Figs. 24–32. Gelae and Decuria species, heads, dorsal. 24) G. fish; 25) G. belae; 26) G. parile; 27) G. parvulum; 28) G. baen; 29) G. donut; 30) G. rol; 31) G. cognatum; 32) D. newtoni. Bars ¼ 0.25 mm.