Heleocoris bengalensis montandoni Lundblad

Sites, Robert W. & Vitheepradit, Akekawat, 2011, Heleocoris (Heteroptera: Naucoridae: Laccocorinae) of Thailand, with description of a new species, Zootaxa 2736, pp. 1-16 : 2-4

Heleocoris bengalensis montandoni Lundblad

Figs. 1 , 5 , 9

Heleocoris bengalensis montandoni Lundblad 1933: 70 –72.

Diagnostic information. Males (n=10), length: 7.60–9.52, mean = 8.42; maximum width 4.80–5.92, mean = 5.17. Females (n=10), length: 8.16–8.80, mean = 8.46; maximum width 5.04–5.68, mean = 5.22. This subspecies is substantially smaller than H. ovatus Montandon and H. strabus Montandon ( Fig. 1 ). In addition, it can be distinguished easily from H. strabus by the convex lateral margin of the head. The metaxyphus is about as long as wide, produced apically, has dorsally recessed posterolateral flanges, and lacks stout spines ( Fig. 5 ). The dark punctation and associated maculation on the head and pronotum are denser than on H. mcphersoni n. sp. (see below). The identity of our specimens was verified by comparison with a paratype housed in the British Museum of Natural History.

Discussion. Heleocoris bengalensis montandoni has a habitat association unlike that of its congeners in Thailand. Typically, it occurs in low-order, shallow, sluggish streams among dead leaf packs that have accumulated from overhanging trees. We collected it in similar low gradient streams in Singapore. In addition, we have collected it in discontinuous pools of first-order streams during the dry season; and on one occasion in Nan Province, it was present in pools with H. strabus .

Distribution. This subspecies was reported originally from Java and Sumatra, whereas the nominate subspecies is known only from India and Sri Lanka ( Lundblad 1933). We collected this subspecies in 60 samples during our projects in Thailand. Our records dramatically extend the known range of H. bengalensis montandoni from Singapore through West Malaysia, northward throughout most of Thailand and into Laos ( Fig. 9 ), and eastward to Vietnam. Thus, these are the first records of H. bengalensis montandoni in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. The distance westward from Thailand to which this subspecies might extend, where its range approaches that of the nominate subspecies, is of great interest. This could bring into question the validity of its subspecific rank.

Material examined. THAILAND: Chiang Mai Province: Doi Inthanon NP, Mae Klang Waterfall, 18°29'N 98°40'E, 415 m, 3 April 2002, UMC and CMU teams, L-320; same locality, 4 April 2002, G. W. Courtney, trib. madicolous under leaves; stream from Huay Sai Luang Waterfall, 18°31'N 98°27'E, 1060 m, 20 March 2002, Sites, Vitheepradit, Kirawanich, L-312; Sob Ab Waterfall, 18°31'N 98°36'E, 8 May 2002, UMC and CMU teams, L-398; Mae Klang River at Namtok Sob Ab, 18°31'N 98°36'E, 543 m, 8 June 2002, CMU team; Doi Suthep NP, Huay Kaew above Namtok Monthathan, 18°49'N 98°55'E, 800 m, 5 March 2002, Vitheepradit, Kirawanich & Sites, L- 262; Namtok Monthathan, 18°49'N 98°55'E, 700 m; 29 April 2003, Vitheepradit, Thamasenanupap & Ferro, L- 489; same locality, 8 April 2002, UMC and CMU teams, L-330; same locality, 29 March 2003, UMC and CMU teams, L-427; same locality, 30 Oct. 1999, GW Courtney, kick sample; same locality, 8 April 2002, UMC and CMU teams, L-330; same locality, 21 March 1994, W. D. Shepard, WDS-A-1044; Palad Waterfall, 18°47’N 98°55’E, 713 m, 19 May 2004, Vitheepradit, Prommi & Laudee, L-696; Huai Phalat above road, 18°48'N 98°54'E, 1230 m, 17 May 2001, G. W. Courtney; Pa Ngerb, 18°48'N 98°56'E, 530 m, 5 April 2002, UMC and CMU teams, stream, L-325; Namtok Sai Yoi, 18°48'N 98°55'E, 1100 m, 4 April 2003, Sites, Vitheepradit, Prommi & Setaphan, L-447; same locality, 10 Dec. 2002, CMU team; Amphur Mae Chaem, Mae Pan, 18°31'N 98°23'E, 540 m, 17 Feb. 2003, CMU team; W Mae Rim, Mae Sa NP, Mae Sa Falls, 30–31 Oct. 1995, H. Zettel (2) ( NHMW); Chiang Dao, Ban Yang Thung Pong, 500 m, 8 Nov. 1995, H. Zettel (10) ( NHMW); Chiang Dao, nr. Chiang Dao Cave, 500 m, 7 Nov. 1995, H. Zettel (9b) ( NHMW). Kalasin Province: Amphur Khao Wong, Pha Nang Koi Waterfall, 25 April 2004, 16°50’N 104°01’E, 209 m, A. Vitheepradit, L-641; Tad Tong Waterfall, 16°45’N 104°07’E, 204 m, 25 April 2004, A. Vitheepradit, L-642. Lampang Province: Jae Sawn NP; Namtok Jae Sawn, 18°50'N 99°28'E, 650 m, 27 March 2003, Sites, Vitheepradit & Prommi, L-421. Lamphun Province: Mae Ping NP, Huay Mae Hat & guest house, 17°40'N 98°52'E, 19 October 2002, CMU team. Loei Province: Phu Hin Rongkla NP, Mhun Daeng Noi, 16°57'N 101°03'E, 1600 m, 15 Dec. 2002, CMU team. Mae Hong Son Province, Namtok Maw Pang, 19°22'N 98°22'E, 850 m, 14 Oct. 2002, CMU team. Nan Province: Mae Charim NP, Nam Wa River, 18°36'N 100°59'E, 335 m, 23 April 2003, Vitheepradit, Prommi & Setaphan, L-478; Doi Phuka NP, Namtok Sila Phet, 19°05'N 100°56'E, 400 m, 13 March 2002, Sites, Vitheepradit & Kirawanich, L-292; same locality, 13 March 2002, G. W. Courtney; creek at Namtok Ton Tong, 19°12'N 101°04'E, 900 m, 13 March 2002, Sites, Vitheepradit & Kirawanich, L-291. Phang Nga Province: Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang NP, Namtok Lam Pi, 08º27.862'N 98º16.880'E, 51 m, 12 June 2004, Sites, Vitheepradit & Prommi, L-762. Phayao Province: Heuy Chom Poo WS, Heuy Chom Poo Falls, 19°10'N 100°06'E, 526 m, 20 April 2003, Vitheepradit, Prommi & Setaphan, L-468; Doi Luang NP, Namtok Cham Pa Thong, 19°13'N 99°44'E, 620 m, 24 April 2004, CMU team. Phetchabun Province: Nam Nao NP, Heo Sai, 25 Nov. 1995, H. Zettel (24) ( NHMW); 36 km SE Sila, Huay Nam Phang, 2 March 1994, William D. Shepard. Phitsanulok Province: Phu Hin Rongkla NP, Namtok Romglao, 16°59'N 101°00'E, 1190 m, 10 Feb. 2003, CMU team; Waterwheel Falls, 16°59'N 101°00'E, 1280 m, 15 Dec. 2002, CMU team; same locality, 10 February 2003, CMU team; same locality, Waterwheel Falls and stream, 10 March 2002, Sites, Vitheepradit & Kirawanich, L-285; Namtok Huay Kha Mheun Noi, 16°59'N 101°60'E, 1220 m, 22 May 2002, CMU team; same locality, 15 December 2002, CMU team; same locality, 10 February 2003, CMU team; same locality, 17 March 2003, CMU team; same locality, 10 April 2003, CMU team; Namtok Palad, 16°59'N 101°00'E, 300 m, 12 March 2002, Sites, Vitheepradit & Kirawanich, L-289. Phrae Province: Namtok Mae Kham, 18°07.635'N 100°17.741'E, 14 May 2004, Vitheepradit & Prommi, L-686; 15 km E. Phrae, Mae Khaem, 16 Nov. 1995, 350 m, H. Zettel (16b) ( NHMW); Wieng Ko Sai NP, Namtok Mae Koeng Luang, 17°58'N 99°35'E, 350 m, 14 March 2002, Sites, Vitheepradit & Kirawanich, L- 295; same locality, 28 March 2003, Sites, Vitheepradit & Prommi, L-423; same locality, 14 March 2002, Sites, Vitheepradit & Kirawanich, L-295; Namtok Maekueng, tier 7, 17°58'N 99°35'E, 430 m, 23 November 2002, CMU team; same locality, 430 m, 19 February 2003, CMU team; Namtok Punjane, 17°57'N 99°34'E, 285 m, 24 April 2002, A. Nuntakwang, riffle kick; upper Namtok Punjane, 17°56'N 99°34'E, 295 m, 20 Feb. 2003, CMU team; lower Namtok Punjane, 17°56'N 99°34'E, 270 m, 21 Feb. 2003, CMU team; Namtok Punjane (lower), 17°57'N 99°34'E, 285 m, 22 March 2003, CMU team. Prachaup Khiri Khan Province: Namtok Huay Yang NP, small falls in front of guest house, 11°37’N 99°36’E, 96 m, 21 June 2006, Vitheepradit & Prommi, L-968. Sakon Nakhon Province: Phu Pha Lek NP, Huay Pak Nham, 17°15.867’N 103°27.818’E, 479 m, 26 April 2004, A. Vitheepradit, L-644; 10 km NE Kham Poem, Nam Kok Khon, 6 March 1994, William D. Shepard; Huai Ya, 11 km NE Kham Poem, 5 March 1994, W. D. Shepard. Songkhla Province: waterfall behind faculty houses at Prince of Songkla University, 7°00'N 100°30'E, 40 m, 18 June 2006, Vitheepradit & Prommi, L-959; same locality, 5 January 1995, Sites & Nichols, stream on campus, L-57; same locality, discontinuous stream on mtn behind PSU campus, 24 March 2007, Sites and Prommi, under rocks & in leafpack, L-973. Trat Province: Ko Chang (12), White Sands Beach, 1990, Jäch 10.12. ( NHMW). Uttaradit Province: Klong Tron NP, Klong Tron Waterfall, 17°36'N 100°44'E, 662 m, 26 April 2003, Vitheepradit, Prommi & Setaphan, L-486. Unlabeled Province: Khao Yai NP 16.11, Jäch 88(8) ( NHMW).

Additional material examined. INDONESIA: PARATYPE, Java, Thienemann, Brit. Mus. 1932, 259, ( BMNH); Anambas, S. Pulau Bajam, 19 March 2002, D. Wowor, EA-DW14 ( RMBR); Sumatra, Jambi, 24 July 1997, HH Tan, THH9741 ( RMBR). LAOS: Luang Nam Tha Province, 20 km SE Muang Sing, 10.6. 1996, 950 m, Schillhammer (20) ( NHMW); Vientiane Province, Viangchan, Phou Khao Khouay NP, env. Tad Leuk Waterfall, 200 m, 1.- 8.6.1995, Schillhammer (15) ( NHMW). MAYALSIA: Johore State, Gunong, Pulai, stream 20 May 1993, Y833 ( RMBR); Penang State, S. Relam (upp. reaches), Kg. Dafat, 9 June 1993, HH Tan & SH Tan, #Y848 HH4 ( RMBR); Penang State, Pantai Aceh Forest Reserve, 28 Jan. 1992, Jäch (10) ( NHMW); Kedah State, Lanskawi Sunung Raya NP, 6 Feb. 1988 ( NHMW); Kedah State, NW Langkawi, ö Datei, 30 Jan. 1992, Jäch (15) ( NHMW); Kedah State, SW Langkawi, Telaga Tujuh, 29 Jan. 1992, Jäch (12) ( NHMW). SINGAPORE: Nee Soon Swamp Forest, 18 June 1994, HK Lua et al., NS162A ( RMBR); MacRitchie, Thomson Ridge, “CF” stream, 7 June 1994, K.L. Yeb et. al.; Bt. Timah, Taban Valley, 26 Oct. 2001, MS Choy, CMS 1014 ( RMBR); Venus Link Creek, 3 April 2008, R. W. Sites; P. Tekong, freshwater stream, 27 Nov 2001, YCM 273 ( RMBR). VIETNAM: (S. VIET- NAM), 12 km N Dalat-LangBian 28–30 April 1994, P. Pacholátlo & L. Dembicky ( NHMW); 15 km SW Bao Loc, 11°27N 107°43'E, 22–24 April 1995, 900 m, Pacholátlo & Dembicky ( NHMW).

Figures

FIGURE 9. New distribution records for Heleocoris bengalensis montandoni, Heleocoris ovatus, and Heleocoris strabus in Thailand. Not presented on the maps are unique localities if they occurred within 2 km of another locality or the same locality on different dates.

FIGURES 1 – 4. Habitus of (1) Heleocoris bengalensis montandoni, (2) Heleocoris ovatus, (3) Heleocoris strabus, (4) Heleocoris mcphersoni n. sp.

FIGURES 5 – 8. Metaxyphus of (5) Heleocoris bengalensis montandoni, (6) Heleocoris ovatus, (7) Heleocoris strabus, (8) Heleocoris mcphersoni n. sp.