Mecodema oblongum ( Broun, 1882 )

Seldon, David S. & Leschen, Richard A. B., 2011, Revision of the Mecodema curvidens species group (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Broscini), Zootaxa 2829, pp. 1-45 : 31-32

Mecodema oblongum ( Broun, 1882) (redescription)

Figures: 5, 9c, 25.

Metaglymma oblonga Broun, 1882: 216 .

Mecodema oblongum ( Broun, 1882) . Combination by Britton, 1949: 578. Mecodema insulare Broun, 1921: 597 . Synonymised by Britton, 1949: 578

Diagnosis. Head, body narrow and highly convex. Clypeus with a single setose puncture on each side bearing 1 seta. Prothoracic carina narrow, crenulated and extended to beyond anterior angle, pronotum fovea shallow and narrow. Elytral striae with regularly distributed, small asetose punctures. Setose punctures of 3rd, 4th and 5th ventrites present. Apical portion of aedeagus symmetrically rounded with a moderate twist to right of vertical axis. Dorsoapical portion of central spicule, not greatly expanded. Basal lobe of left paramere ovate, arm and apical lobe medium, and with setation present on ventral edge of apical lobe only.

Description. Length 11–19 mm. Colour black. Head, body narrow and highly convex. Microsculpture of frons and vertex absent. Vertexal groove narrow, well defined middle and shallow laterally. Form of microsculpture on anterior area of clypeus, sulcate. Clypeus with a single setose puncture on each side bearing 1 seta. Form of lobes of the mentum, square. Submentum constriction narrow, with less than or equal to 6 setae. Prothoracic carina is narrow, crenulated and extended to beyond anterior angle. Pronotum narrow and highly convex, posterior lateral sinuation highly angled inward, pronotal fovea shallow and narrow, rugose microsculpture may be present laterally on pronotal disc. Elytra narrow and highly convex, striae with regularly distributed, small asetose punctures, intervals flat. A single setose puncture present on both mesocoxa and metacoxa. Setose punctures on 3rd, 4th and 5th ventrites present. Apical portion of aedeagus symmetrically rounded with a moderate twist to right of vertical axis. Dorso-apical portion of central spicule, not greatly expanded. Left paramere basal lobe rectangular, arm and apical lobe relatively small, and with setation present on ventral edge of apical lobe only.

Comments. This species was described by Broun (1882) as species no. 1326 and was included in the genus Metaglymma . The name was based on one mutilated specimen sent by P. Stewart-Sandager from The Brothers Islands, Cook’s Strait. Though two specimens of this species match the label data, only a single specimen was listed in Broun (1882). However, Britton has incorrectly labelled a paratype in the BMNH. The present combination ( Mecodema oblongum ) and the synonymy of Mecodema insulare were provided by Britton (1949). This species shares the same distribution (fig. 25) with M. sulcatum , both are almost identical externally, yet some structures of the genitalia clearly separate them as species and in the phylogeny (fig. 5).

Distribution. North Island: Hawke’s Bay (HB), Wairarapa (WA), Wellington (WN); South Island: Malborough Sounds (SD).

Lectotype ( Metaglymma oblongum ): (BMNH) Type (round label with red border) / 3 [hw] /1324. / New Zeal. (red line underneath) Broun Coll. Brit. Mus. 1922-482 / Brothers Isles / Metaglymma oblongum . [hw] / LECTO- TYPE Metaglymma oblongnum Broun design. by Seldon & Leschen 2010 [red label].

Holotype ( Mecodema insulare ): ( BMNH) Type (round label with red border) / 4158. [hw] / New Zealand. (red line underneath) Broun Coll. Brit. Mus. 1922-482 / Stephens Isd. 29-10-1916. [hw] / Mecodema insulare . 3 [hw]. Other material examined: HB: 2, Kereru Rd Maraekakaho 1970 R.J.B. Power ( NZAC); 1, Maraekakaho 1966 R.M. Bull ( NZAC); 1, Cape Kidnappers 1959 B.M. May ( NZAC); 2, Kereru Rd year unknown J. Grindell ( NZAC); 1, Te Mata Peak 1960 J.C. Watt ( NZAC); 3, Kereru Rd 1974 J.A. McLennan ( LUNZ); WN: 6, Owhiro Bay 1966 R.M. Bull ( NZAC); WA: 1, Whatarangi 1982 J.C. Watt ( NZAC); 1, Big Triangular River 1945 N.C. O’Connor ( NZAC); NN: 1, Hope Saddle 1968 C.B. Bull ( NZAC); KA: 2, Spaniard’s Bay 1913 D.S. Morning ( NZAC); SD: 6, Maud Is. 1981 P.R. Norman ( NZAC); 3, Stephens Is. 1933 E.S. Gourlay ( NZAC); additional material viewed from MONZ; 1, The Brothers 1905 ( BMNH); 1, Brothers Isles 1922 ( BMNH); 3, Stephens Is. 1946 C. E. Clarke ( BMNH); 3, Chetwode Islands 1994 J.W.M. Marris ( LUNZ); 3, Chetwode Islands Te Kakaho 1988 C.A. Muir ( LUNZ); 2, Chetwode Islands Te Kakaho 1988 M.H. Bowie ( LUNZ); 2, Maud Is. Main bush 1995 J.W.M. Marris ( LUNZ); 2, Maud Is. Main bush 1995, M.H. Bowie ( LUNZ); 1, Stephens Is. 1994 J.W.M. Marris ( LUNZ); 1, Paddock Rocks S th Stack 1995 B.W. Thomas ( LUNZ); 1, Chetwode Island 1994 J.W.M. Marris ( LUNZ).