Ivalia Jacoby

Duckett, Catherine N., Prathapan, K. D. & Konstantinov, Alexander S., 2006, Notes on identity, new synonymy and larva of Ivalia Jacoby (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with description of a new species, Zootaxa 1363, pp. 49-68 : 51-54

Ivalia Jacoby

( Figs 1–8 )

Ivalia Jacoby, 1887:100 (type species Ivalia viridipennis Jacoby 1887 designated by Maulik (1926), type locality Sri Lanka, type in BMNH).

Ancyloscelis Ogloblin, 1930:100 –101 (type species Mniophila ruficolle Motschulsky 1866 by monotypy, type locality Sri Lanka, type probably lost). Scherer, 1969:234 (synonymy).

Amphimeloides Jacoby, 1887:95 (type species Amphimeloides dorsalis Jacoby 1887:96 by monotypy, type locality Sri Lanka, type in BMNH). New synonym.

Taizonia Chen, 1934:182 (type species Taizonia bella Chen 1934 by original designation, type locality Taiwan, type in DEIM). New synonym.

Schereria Medvedev, 1984:60 (type species Chabria minima Scherer 1984 by original designation, type locality Nepal, holotype in NHMB). Gruev & Askevold, 1988:140 (synonymy).

Notes on generic synonymy. Based on the study of various specimens, including type specimens of the type species, we conclude that Taizonia and Amphimeloides are junior synonyms of Ivalia . They share the following character extremely rare among flea beetles: metasternum is expanded anteriorly, becoming vertical and covering mesosternum ( Fig. 5 A) so the latter also becomes vertical and sometimes invisible in ventral view. This character is shared by the types of all the type species, but varies slightly among other studied species of Ivalia . In its most developed state, the character is known to occur only in Clavicornaltica Scherer ( Konstantinov & Duckett 2005) , also a humicole feeder but easily distinguishable from Ivalia by its clavate antennae and other features.

Other uncommon characters occuring in Ivalia and some other Oriental genera include the following: a. Metatibia curved in dorsal view with long metatibial spur ( Figs 1 , 3 E, F), first metatarsomere as long as or longer than two following tarsomeres combined ( Figs 2 D, 3F); b. Labrum deeply emarginated ( Fig. 3 A); c. Thoracic sternites with elevated processes; d. Head with frontal ridge wide and swollen together with anterofrontal ridge in one callosity (see Figs 2 C, E, 3A–B); e. Antennal calli poorly separated from vertex and from each other, sometimes not separated at all ( Figs 2 C, E, and 3A); f. Anterolateral callosity of pronotum very long, commonly reaching midpoint of lateral margin of pronotum ( Figs 1 , 2 ); g. Vaginal palpi of female genitalia relatively short with proximal ends fused ( Fig. 4 E).

Overall there are no characters to separate Ivalia , Amphimeloides , and Taizonia . As Ivalia is senior to Taizonia , Ivalia remains valid and because Amphimeloides and Ivalia were published in the same paper, we here choose Ivalia as the name to use.

Diagnostic characters of Ivalia . Adult beetles small to medium sized (2–5mm), convex in lateral view. Color metallic or nonmetallic dark or light shades with spots or stripes. Antennal calli poorly to moderately developed, flat to slightly raised, anterior ends somewhat triangular, entering into interantennal space, sulci surrounding antennal calli poorly developed. Eyes small, lateral, orbit narrow, antennal sockets separated by a distance subequal to two times width of orbit or more. Frontal ridge short, wide, flat to moderately raised; anterofrontal ridge wide, flat to moderately raised. Antenna hardly reaching middle of elytron, distal antennomeres widened. Labrum deeply incised. Maxillary palp long, second and third palpomeres moderately thick, distally enlarged, last pointed. Pronotum transverse, without impressions, anterior coxal cavities open behind. Elytron with irregular punctures, posteriorly narrowed; epipleuron wide, horizontal, reaching near apex. Hind wing present or absent. Thoracic sternites with raised process in middle: prosternal intercoxal process with longitudinal vertically raised ridge along middle, process on metasternum usually circular. Metacoxa greatly enlarged, ventrally with a groove and ridge for reception of femur. Metatibia in dorsal view characteristically curved with either ends directed laterally; dorsal surface with sharp lateral margin and flat mesal margin. Tarsal claw appendiculate. Vaginal palpi joined at proximal end. Spermathecal duct not coiled.

Material examined. Amphimeloides dorsalis Jacoby : Holotype. Labels: 1) Type HT; 2) Ceylon, G. Lewis, 1910–320; 3) Dikoya, 3,800–4,200 ft. 6.XII–16.I.82; 4) Amphimeloides dorsalis Jac. ; 5) Right hind leg mounted in balsam, S. Maulik, 1929; 6) HT found in dwr. parts missing G. A. Samuelson det. 1974 ( BMNH).

Ivalia viridipennis Jacoby : Syntypes male and female. Labels: 1) Ceylon, G. Lewis, 1910–320; 2) Dikoya, 3,800–4,200 ft. 6.XII–16.I.82; 3) Syntype Ivalia viridipennis Jacoby (2 BMNH).

Taizonia bella Chen : Holotype male. Labels: 1) Kankau (Koshun) Formosa, H. Sauter V. 1912; 2) Holotypus; 3) Taizonia bella n. g. n. sp. S. H. Chen det. (DEIM).

Schereria martensi Medvedev : Holotype male. Labels: 1) 179a Kaski Dist., oberhalb, Dhumpus Berlese, 2100m, Martens & Ausobsky 8/10 Mai 80; 2) Holotypus; 3) Holotypus; 4) Schereria martensi m. L. N. Medvedev det. 1983; 5) Senckenberg Museum Frankfurt/Main (SMFM).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Dorsal habitus of Ivalia korakundah new species, total body length 1.8 mm.

FIGURE 2. Ivalia species. A-D I. viridipennis, A, dorsal habitus, B, lateral habitus, C, anterior view of head, D, metathoracic leg; E, I. bella, frontal view of head; F, I. dorsalis, holotype, lateral habitus.

FIGURE 3. Ivalia korakundah, adult. A, frontal view of head; B, ventral view of head and pronotum; C- G, Qiagen ™ cleared material; C, dorsal view of pterothorax and abdomen, note tracheoles and metendosternite; D, interior view of elytron showing regular granulations; E, metatibial spur; F, ventral view of metatarsi; G, tarsal setae of third tarsomere, total width of image 25 microns.

FIGURE 4. Ivalia korakundah, female. A, spermatheca; B, tignum (eighth sternite); C, apical abdominal tergites; D, ventral view of abdomen; E, vaginal palpi.

FIGURE 5. Ivalia korakundah. A, ventral view of meso- and metathorax; B, ventral view of aedeagus; C, lateral view of aedeagus.

FIGURE 6. Ivalia korakundah, 3 rd instar larva. A, left lateral habitus light microscopy, note melanized tubercles; B, ventral habitus, SEM coated material; C, right lateral habitus, coated material, note lack of cuticular variation between sclerotized and unsclerotized integument.

FIGURE 7. Ivalia korakundah, larva. A, ventral view of head capsule, (antennae damaged from critical point drying); B, antenna with intact antennal papilla; C, anterior view of head; D, dorsal view of vertex showing minute peg-like sensilla; E, detail of sensillum of the vertex; F, detail of depressed sensillum of the labium; G, apical segment of labial palp, note long basiconic sensillum and depressed sensillum on exterior lateral face; H, right maxillary palp and labium, ventral view.

FIGURE 8. Larvae of Ivalia korakundah. A, dorsal view of first instar larva; B, lateral view of first instar larva (area between abdominal segments 4 and 5 damaged from critical point drying); C, lateral view of abdominal apex of third instar larva; D, ventral view of abdominal segments 2 and 3 of third instar larva; E, ventral view of first instar larva showing prothoracic and mesothoracic legs, note pillow-like pulvillus.