Mecyclothorax multipunctatus (Blackburn)

Liebherr, James K., 2015, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Haleakala-, Maui: Keystone of a hyperdiverse Hawaiian radiation, ZooKeys 544, pp. 1-407 : 98-100

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Carabidae

(036) Mecyclothorax multipunctatus (Blackburn) Figs 52A, 53 A–C, 54A, 55A, 56

Cyclothorax multipunctatus Blackburn 1878a: 122; Blackburn and Sharp 1885: 214.

Mecyclothorax multipunctatus , Sharp 1903: 252; Britton 1948b: 156.

Diagnosis.

This species is uniquely diagnosed by the presence of 1-3 setae in interval 5 accompanying the usual two dorsal elytral setae in interval 2, and broad subquadrate elytra with intervals of consistent breadth that bear regular, transverse-mesh microsculpture. When only one supplementary 5th interval seta is present, it is situated behind the position of the posterior dorsal elytral seta of the 3rd interval (Fig. 52A). When two extra 5th interval setae are present, they include the posterior trailing seta, plus a 2nd seta situated between the positions of the anterior and posterior dorsal elytral setae. A third 5th interval seta may be present, situated at a position immediately posterad or anterad the anterior dorsal elytral seta of interval 3. Setal formula 2 2 2 2. Standardized body length 4.5-5.5 mm.

Identification

(n = 5). The pronotum is transverse, MPW/PL = 1.32-1.42, with base broad, MPW/BPW = 1.41-1.44, and hind angles obtuse, with the lateral margins only slightly and briefly sinuate before the angles. The pronotal median base is slightly depressed relative to the disc, and covered with distinct longitudinal punctures and wrinkles. The elytra are broad basally, with the basal groove distinctly recurved to meet the lateral marginal depression at the subangulate humerus; MEW/HuW = 1.83-1.98. The sutural stria is deep with minute punctures to slight irregularities basally, deep and smooth apically. The mesepisternum bears ~8 punctures in 1-2 rows. The cuticular microsculpture is similar to all other species in the group, but the following combination is unique among those species: 1, vertex with upraised isodiametric sculpticells in transverse rows; 2, pronotal disc with transverse mesh, sculpticell breadth 2 × length; 3, pronotal median base with granulate isodiametric mesh; 4, elytral disc covered with transverse mesh, sculpticell breadth 2 × length; 5, elytral apex with transverse mesh, sculpticell breadth 3 × length, to transverse lines.

Male genitalia (n = 4). Aedeagal median lobe moderately robust, distance from parameral articulation to tip 3.8 × depth at midlength (Fig. 53A); apical extension beyond ostial opening with broadly convex dorsal projection, the tip slightly downturned and rounded; median lobe broad basally, thinly curved rightward apically in ventral view (Fig. 53C), the apex expanded slightly at tip; internal sac with ventral lobe at midlength (Fig. 53B; similar to ventral lobe of Mecyclothorax arthuri , Fig. 45 H–I), the apical lobe bearing the flagellar plate smaller than the ventral lobe; flagellar plate short, the sclerotized ventral face 0.27 × as long as parameral articulation-tip distance; sac with broad, diffuse ventral ostial microtrichial patch, otherwise covered with fine microspicules.

Female reproductive tract (n = 1). Bursa copulatrix columnar, broad with rounded apex, length 0.82 mm, breadth 0.43 mm, a heavily sclerotized plate dorsad the bursa copulatrix-common oviduct juncture, this hemi-elliptical bursal sclerite with both basal breadth and medial tarsomere length = 0.30 mm (Fig. 54A); bursal walls translucent with thick wrinkles; gonocoxite 1 with 3-4 apical fringe setae, a curved seta just basad medioapical angle and 3-5 smaller setae on medial surface (Fig. 55A); gonocoxite 2 subfalcate with a tightly rounded apex, broadly extended laterally at base, 2 lateral ensiform setae with apical seta broader and longer, apical nematiform setae on medioventral surface at 0.70 × gonocoxite length.

Lectotype.

Female (BMNH) hereby designated, labeled: Mounting platen with Blackburn Maui code ( Zimmerman 1957: 210), Cyc multipunc (on reverse) // Type // Hawaiian Is. Rev. T. Blackburn 1888-30. // LECTOTYPE Cyclothorax multipunctatus Blackburn J.K. Liebherr 1998 (black-margined red label).

Distribution and habitat.

Mecyclothorax multipunctatus is distributed in the forests of the Waikamoi and Honomanu drainages from 1210-1615 m elevation (Fig. 56). Most specimens have been collected in more mesic Koa- ‘Ōhi‘a Forest, most often on the ground; under logs or in sifted leaf litter. It has also been found on koa trunks, or associated with Cibotium ( hāpu‘u) tree ferns. On 7-v-1998, specimens of this species were collected from under large ohia logs in the mesic forest at Ukulele Pipeline along with Mecyclothorax foveopunctatus and Mecyclothorax sobrinus of this species group, plus the less closely related species Mecyclothorax cognatus , Mecyclothorax consanguineus , Mecyclothorax cymindicus , and Mecyclothorax filipoides .