Psammocoryza Hogan

Hogan, James E., 2006, Psammocoryza vanemdeni, a new genus and species of scaritine beetle from the Atlantic coast of Brazil (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Clivinini), Zootaxa 1337, pp. 61-68 : 62-64

Psammocoryza Hogan , new genus

( Fig.1 )

Type species. Psammocoryza vanemdeni Hogan , new species, here designated.

Diagnosis. Immediately recognised by the multiple longitudinal carinae of the pronotum, a character not seen in any other genus of Clivinini . Anterior margin of clypeus trituberculate as in Halocoryza or Schizogenius . Clypeal suture obsolete medially and partially engraved laterally, in contrast to Schizogenius where the suture is fully impressed to a greater or lesser extent and in Halocoryza where it is obsolete. Eyes large and prominent, not reduced as in in Halocoryza (in Schizogenius the eyes vary in size and prominence). Head bearing multiple longitudinal carinae and sulci as in Halocoryza or Schizogenius , but unlike these two genera the median sulcus is narrower than the paramedian sulci. Gula narrow as in Schizogenius , at narrowest point 0.2 times maximum width of mentum. Base of profemora with row of round tubercles, in Halocoryza and Schizogenius these tubercles are lacking. Protibiae similar in form to Halocoryza , with the three distal spines elongate and not widened basally. Lacinia of maxilla setose along inner and outer margin as in Schizogenius , not hooked at apex. Gonocoxite straight and rounded at apex, distinguished from Halocoryza or Schizogenius by the absence of setae.

Etymology. Psammocoryza is derived from the existing genus group name Coryza Putzeys (probably a latinised form of the Greek feminine noun ‘ korys ’, meaning helmet or crest) and the Greek feminine noun ‘ psammos ’, meaning sand, in reference to the likely habitat of this new genus. Gender feminine.

Taxonomic position. In the absence of a comprehensive analysis of the relationships among the genera of the Clivinini , comments on the placement of Psammocoryza within the tribe are necessarily tentative. Despite this, the multiple longitudinal carinae of the frons (‘frontal carinae’) and trituberculate clypeal margin of Psammocoryza are also shared with Halocoryza and Schizogenius and these three genera probably constitute a monophyletic group. The old world genus Lophocoryza Alluaud is also characterised by a tuberculate clypleal margin and paired carinae of the frons ( Basilewsky 1973) and may also belong in this group.

The close relationship of Halocoryza to Schizogenius has been discussed in detail by Whitehead (1966). Based on adult morphology, Psammocoryza would appear to be closer to Schizogenius than Halocoryza . Both Psammocoryza and Schizogenius share similar setation of the lacinia, the clypeal suture is at least partially engraved and the gula narrow. Psammocoryza differs from Schizogenius in the arrangement of the frontal carinae, macrosculpture of the pronotum, tuberculate femora and the shape and setation of the gonocoxite. These two genera also show a difference in habitat preference. All Schizogenius occupy inland freshwater habitats while the two known specimens of Psammocoryza were collected from a coastal beach.

Diagnostic characters of Halocoryza and Schizogenius (from Whitehead, 1966, 1972) and Psammocoryza are summarised in table 1.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 4. Psammocoryza vanemdeni Hogan, new genus and species, holotype, female. 1, habitus, latero-dorsal aspect (total length of specimen 3.64 mm); 2, labium, ventral aspect, showing palpi and ligula; 3, left maxilla, ventral aspect; 4, ovipositor styli, dorsal aspect, Scale bar = 0.2 mm.