Zeaphilon marskeae, Leschen & Reid & Nadein, 2020

Leschen, Richard A. B., Reid, Chris A. M. & Nadein, Konstantin S., 2020, Generic Review of New Zealand Chrysomelinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Zootaxa 4740 (1), pp. 1-66 : 53-57

Zeaphilon marskeae , sp. nov.

( Figs 11 A–C, 12K,L; map Fig. 20B )

Diagnosis. Body broadly oval with abdomen narrowing posteriorly at apical 1/3. Pronotal margins at base more or less straight-sided. Elytron with midbasal stria present and well-impressed. Lateral margin of metaventrite with well-developed bead.

Description. Length 2.6–2.9 mm (greatest depth 1.20–1.40 mm). Body broadly oval and unicoloured black without metallic sheen; antennae, mouthparts, legs and ventral surfaces dark brown. Microsculpture absent dorsally, present ventrally; abdominal ventrites with scattered punctures. Clypeus finely punctate, anterior margin more or less straight; frontoclypeal suture present with medial and lateral postclypeal lines present; vertex finely punctate. Ratio of antennomere lengths: 1.1/0.6/0.6/0.7/0.7/0.6/0.7/0.9/0.8/0.8/1.2. Pronotum transverse (2.0x wider than long), lateral margins at base more or less straight-sided and sides weakly converging anteriorly, not strongly convex in outline; punctures coarse at base and progressively diffuse anteriorly, those at base stronger than elsewhere on the body. Prosternal lines or carinae in front of procoxae anteriorly convergent with the anterior width about 0.5x narrower than procoxal width; intercarinal space not convex. Elytra widest at middle, narrowing posteriorly at apical 1/3 with a weakly convex outline (1.00–1.21x the greatest elytral width), 2.25–2.40x longer than pronotal length; punctation very faint and very weakly striate, not strongly impressed; midbasal stria present and well-impressed; epipleuron about 2.2x wider than metanepisternum. Lateral margin of metaventrite with well-developed bead. Median lobe of aedeagus in lateral view evenly convex dorsally, somewhat broad with an acute apex; in dorsal view anteriorly notched and gradually widened towards the truncated apex.

Comments. Zeaphilon marskeae can be distinguished from Z. mirandum by its shape and the presence of a distinct midbasal stria.

Distribution. South Island: NN.

Etymology. The specific epithet is honorific for Katherine Marske, one of the collectors of this species.

Type material examined. Holotype ( NZAC): sex not determined, “ NEW ZEALAND MB Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve Totara Walkway 12 Dec 2007 K. Marske J. Atwood // Beech forest 17m Sifted beech litter & wood debris KM118 S 41.17.927 E 173 34.380 . Paratypes (6) NN: Washbourne SR, SH60, 22m, 40.767689S, 172.707392E, mixed beech/ponga/exotica sifted wood and leaf litter KM166 , 19.12.2007, K. Marske, J. Atwood (1 male on slide, NZAC); Pupu Hydro Walkway , 2 Dec 2018, sifting moss and litter, 40 51.338S, 172 44.300E , R Leschen , V. Sykora, RL 2048 (1, NZAC); Canaan, 30km NW, Motueka , Tasman NP, 22–28 May 1982, 800m, 82-17, S. & J. Peck, for. stump litter (2, ANIC) . MB: Mt Richmond Forest Park, Brown River , beech forest along SH6 , KM130 , 13 Dec 2007, K. Marske, J. Allwood, hand-collected ex dead wood with fungus, S 41.12.614’, E 173.34.757’, 53m (1, NZAC); Pelorus Bridge , 9 Dec 2018, sifting moss, litter, and flood debris, 41 18.234S, 173 34.102E , R Leschen , V. Sykora, RL2079 (1, NZAC).

Figures

FIGURES 11A–G. Habitus of Zeaphilon spp.; A, Zeaphilon marskeae, dorsal; B, Zeaphilon marskeae, lateral; C, Zeaphilon marskeae, oblique lateral; D, Zeaphilon mirandum, dorsal; E, Zeaphilon mirandum, ventral; F, Zeaphilon mirandum, lateral; F, Zeaphilon mirandum, oblique lateral.

FIGURES 20A–B. South Island with subantarctic Snares Island (insert).