Andersonaltica, LINZMEIER & KONSTANTINOV, 2012

Damaška, Albert František, Konstantinov, Alexander & Fikáček, Martin, 2022, Multiple origins of moss-inhabiting flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): molecular phylogeny, overview of genera and a new genus from Africa, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 196, pp. 647-676 : 653-654

ANDERSONALTICA LINZMEIER & KONSTANTINOV, 2012

( FIG. 3 )

Type species: Andersonaltica pecki Linzmeier & Konstantinov, 2012 .

Synonymy: No generic synonyms.

Phylogenetic position: The genus belongs to the mossinhabiting clade in the Monoplatus group. Our analysis revealed its sister-group as Ulrica Scherer, 1962 .

D i v e r s i t y a n d d i s t r i b u t i o n: S e v e n s p e c i e s o f Andersonaltica are known to date. They occur in Central America ( Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico) and in the West Indies ( Dominican Republic).

Revisions: Apart from five species described within the genus ( Linzmeier & Konstantinov, 2012), two additional species were described recently from the Dominican Republic (Konstantinov et al., 2020).

Morphological characteristics: The beetles are small, 1.76–2.07 mm long and 1.07–1.17 mm wide. Head with antennal calli small, widely separated anteriorly, slightly raised above surface of vertex, generally nearly indistinguishable; without supracallinal, orbital, supraorbital, suprantennal and frontolateral sulci. Suprafrontal sulcus deep. Antennae with 11 antennomeres; of which seven to 11 form a tight club; antennomere 6 generally shortest, wider than long. Pronotum without antebasal transverse impression; with anterior margin straight, posterior margin nearly straight to slightly concave, sides parallel or slightly convex. Anterior setiferous pores of pronotum present, facing laterally. Posterior setiferous pores facing dorsolaterally or dorsally. Pronotal disc raised with two elongate tubercles anteromedially with shallow groove in between. Elytral surface shiny, deeply punctured, with dense pilosity. Punctures forming nine striae (not counting short scutellar and marginal striae). Basal calli generally well developed. Humeral calli absent or poorly developed. Impression between basal and humeral calli ending deeper behind basal callus. Metatibia nearly straight in lateral view, slightly curved in dorsal view. Apex of outer lateral dorsal ridge with three to five denticles. Inner lateral dorsal ridge with one to three denticles at apex. Metatibial spur short. Metatibia with or without preapical tooth situated before tarsal insertion. Outer and inner dorsal margins of metatibia not connected at apex.

Ecology: All Central American species were sifted from (cloud) forest leaf-litter at various elevations. West Indian species are known from moss cushions at about 1200 to 2600 m above sea level.

Remarks: Andersonaltica may be separated from many genera of Monoplatina in having antennae with a compact club (compared to mostly filiform antennae in other Monoplatina ). Andersonaltica is similar to Apleuraltica Bechyné, 1956 and can be differentiated from it by the following characters: five apical antennomeres forming a compact club ( Apleuraltica has the five apical antennomeres clearly separated from each other, not forming a compact club); outer and inner dorsal margins of metatibia not connected at apex by a ridge ( Apleuraltica has outer and inner dorsal margins of metatibia connected at apex by a ridge, before tarsomere insertion).

Figures

Figure 3. Moss-inhabiting flea beetle genera distributed in America. A, Distigmoptera borealis; B, Erinaceialtica janestanleyae; C, Andersonaltica neiba; D, Ulrica eltoro; E, Menudos maricao; F, Kiskeya baorucae; G, Monotalla guadeloupensis; H, Nicaltica selvanegra; I, Stevenaltica normi; J, Borinken elyunque.