Laccophilus alariei Megna, Deler-Hernández, and Challet, 2011

Megna, Yoandri S., Deler-Hernández, Albert & Challet, Gilbert L., 2011, Description Of A New Species Of Laccophilus Leach (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), With Notes On Other Cuban Species, The Coleopterists Bulletin 65 (3), pp. 213-226 : 218

Laccophilus alariei Megna, Deler-Hernández, and Challet , new species

( Figs. 1 , 7 , 13 )

Holotype. Male. CUBA, Guanahacabibes: El Verraco (21°55´08´´N 84°37´20´´W) 1 m, Pinar del Río Province, Cuba. 23-VII-2003 collected by Y. S. Megna and O. Bello ( CZCTR).

Paratypes. 2 males. Same date as the holotype. Other material examined: Total 2 specimens: Cuba, Isla de la Juventud, Punta del Este. 22-V-2006, collected by Y. S. Megna ( CZCTR) .

Diagnosis. Laccophilus alariei is the largest species of the genus in the Antilles and North America (SBL= 8.13–8.56 mm), followed by Laccophilus maculosus Say (4.6–6.4 mm) ( Larson et al. 2000), Laccophilus sonorensis Zimmerman (5.0–6.0 mm), and Laccophilus quadrilineatus Horn (5.0– 6.7 mm) ( Zimmerman 1970). It has a color pattern similar to that of L. quadrilineatus quadrilineatus and Laccophilus mistecus mistecus Sharp from Mexico, but can be distinguished from those species by the following combination of characters: aedeagus strongly emarginate medially in ventral view ( Fig. 7B ); parameres with numerous setae near apex ( Fig. 7D, E ); last abdominal segment of male truncate; elytra without irrorations ( Fig. 1 ). Laccophilus alariei belongs to the group of species that lack a metacoxal file and a rake-like ovipositor ( Fig. 7G ).

Description. SBL= 8.13–8.56 mm; EW= 4.00– 4.14 mm; SBL/EW= 1.99–2.07 mm ( Table 2). Dorsal surface of body brown to testaceous; head testaceous, with rufous marking posteriorly ( Fig. 1 ); pronotum testaceous; elytra brown with testaceous maculations, yellow lateral stripes present, interrupted at midline with subbasal and medial extensions toward elytral disc, posterior stripes covering apical margin. Base of elytron with 3 longitudinal spots, one extending along elytral suture approximately to middle, and 5 small spots in a transverse row in posterior half ( Fig. 1 ). Ventral surface rufous; antenna, mouthparts, fore- and midlegs testaceous. Prosternal process short. Aedeagus with apex curved; strongly emarginate in middle part in ventral view ( Fig. 7B ). Parameres with numerous setae apically ( Figs. 7D, E ). Oval plate as in Fig. 7F . Ovipositor rake-like ( Fig. 7G ).

Sexual Dimorphism. Males do not have a metacoxal file and pro- and mesotarsomeres 1–3 are slightly widened, with sucker-like setae. The last abdominal segment is truncate with a sinuate apex in males, whereas it is produced in females.

Variation. The basal elytral spots can be united to form an uninterrupted, irregular, and subbasal band. They can also be obsolescent so that the only visible spot is the one extended along the elytral suture. One specimen has a weakly colored longitudinal spot extending along the elytral suture. The small, irregularly arranged spots in the posterior half vary in form and can number from two to five.

Distribution. Laccophilus alariei is recorded only from the western part of Cuba (Pinar del Río and Isla de la Juventud) ( Fig. 13 ).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym honoring Dr. Yves Alarie (Laurentian University) for his broad contributions to the study of aquatic Coleoptera .

Ecology. Laccophilus alariei has been collected in two coastal wetlands with abundant aquatic vegetation and muddy to stony sediments. Both localities are in a semideciduous forest habitat with sublittoral limestonel, which occurs in southern Cuba in three coastal areas: La Península de Guanahacabibes, Isla de la Juventud, and Ciénaga de Zapata (Matanzas province) ( Arces 1978). This suggests a relationship between the distribution of L. alariei and soil type .

Figures

Figs. 1–6. Subschematic body shape and color patterns of Laccophilus species from Cuba. 1) L. alariei;

Fig. 7. Female and male genitalia of Laccophilus alariei. Medial lobe of aedeagus in A) Right lateral view, B) Ventral view, C) Left lateral view, D–E) Right and left parameres in lateral view, F) Oval plate, G) Ovipositor, lateral view.

Figs. 13–16. Known distribution of Laccophilus spp. in Cuba. 13) L. alariei; 14) L. bifasciatus; 15) L. gentilis suavis; 16) L. ovatus zapotecus. Filled squares = records reported in literature, filled circles = material examined.