Mecyclothorax pomarei Perrault, 1986: 443

Liebherr, James K., 2013, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Tahiti, Society Islands, ZooKeys 322, pp. 1-170 : 60-61

50. Mecyclothorax pomarei Perrault, 1986: 443

Identification.

This is the smallest-bodied species in the Mecyclothorax striatopunctatus group, standardized body length 5.3 mm, and it is further diagnosable by the little widened pronotal lateral depressions near the obtusely angulate hind angles (Fig. 29A). As in the preceding species, the basal pronotal setae are positioned anterad a transverse line defined by the median basal pronotal margin, but in this species the distance anterad is less, only 0.10 × the pronotal length. The pronotal median base is mostly smooth, bearing 20-25 small, isolated punctures each side but no longitudinal wrinkles at the median base-pronotal disc juncture. The eighth elytral interval is elevated, broadly subcarinate above stria 7 dorsad the subapical sinuation, and convexly bulging laterally. The head bears a shallow, indistinct transverse mesh on frons and vertex, the surface only moderately glossy. The pronotal disc and median base are glossy, without indication of any sculpticells. The discal elytral striae are lined with elongate transverse microsculpture, consisting mostly of shallow transverse lines with occasional crossconnection causing areas of transverse mesh. Setal formula 2222.

Distribution and habitat.

The unique female holotype of this species was collected between 1000 and 1800 m elevation on Mont Aorai.