Mecyclothorax superstriatus Liebherr

Liebherr, James K., 2015, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Haleakala-, Maui: Keystone of a hyperdiverse Hawaiian radiation, ZooKeys 544, pp. 1-407 : 24

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Carabidae

(003) Mecyclothorax superstriatus Liebherr Figs 10C, 11 H–I, 12D, 13C, 14

Mecyclothorax superstriatus Liebherr 2005b: 118.

Diagnosis.

Superficially similar to the preceding two species, but individuals tend to be smaller-standardized body length 3.8-4.2 mm-with less developed microsculpture (Fig. 10C). The pronotal disc and discal elytral intervals are glossy, with only a very shallow transverse mesh discernible over portions of the cuticle. The male aedeagus is small (Figs 11 H–I) with non-projected apex. Setal formula 2 1 1(0) 0; of 13 individuals assessed, 9 have the anterior dorsal elytral seta present both sides, 3 have the seta present unilaterally, and 1 lacks any dorsal elytral setae.

Identification

(n = 5). As Mecyclothorax perstriatus above, this species shares most characters with Mecyclothorax perseveratus . The eyes are convex, ocular ratio = 1.46-1.55, covering the ocular lobe as in Mecyclothorax perstriatus ; ocular lobe ratio = 0.81-0.87. Being of smaller body size, the pronotum appears more constricted basally, though the MPW/BPW ratio range of 1.53-1.63 overlaps the values of the other two species. Elytral shape is also variable as in the other two species; MEW/HuW = 2.05-2.23.

Male genitalia (n = 1). Aedeagal median lobe short, apex barely extended beyond ostial opening, shaft thin, distance from parameral articulation to tip 5.7 × depth at midlength (Fig. 11H); median lobe apex slightly curved to the right, tip not expanded in ventral view (Fig. 11I); internal sac with evident flagellar plate, but without other ornamentation.

Female reproductive tract (n = 1). Bursa copulatrix bipartite, apex digitiform and narrower than base at vagina, bursa 0.40 mm long overall, base at vagina 0.26 mm broad, digitiform apical lobe 0.17 mm long, 0.13 mm broad (Fig. 12D); bursal surface membranous, translucent, finely wrinkled; gonocoxite 1 with 3 apical fringe setae, a thin apicomedial seta at apex of medial surface, 4-5 setae more basally on medial surface (Fig. 13C); gonocoxite 2 subacuminate with lateral extension, 2 gracile lateral ensiform setae, apical nematiform setae on medial surface at 0.75 × gonocoxite length.

Holotype.

Male (NMNH) dissected ( Liebherr 2005b: 121). Type locality HI: Maui, Haleakalā, Polipoli S.R.A., 1770 m el.

Distribution and habitat.

Mecyclothorax superstriatus is restricted to the Polipoli Springs area along the southwest rift of Haleakalā (Fig. 14). They have been found from 1730-1770 m elevation, either in a deep ravine on a moist rock face that was covered with ferns and mosses, or in moss on a moist Pinus radiata log on a ravine floor. Both situations were among the moister microhabitats in the immediate area.