Laccophilus guentheri, Bistroem, Olof, Nilsson, Anders N. & Bergsten, Johannes, 2015

Bistroem, Olof, Nilsson, Anders N. & Bergsten, Johannes, 2015, Taxonomic revision of Afrotropical Laccophilus Leach, 1815 (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae), ZooKeys 542, pp. 1-379 : 148-149

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Dytiscidae

Laccophilus guentheri sp. n. Figs 114, 303-304, 453, 561

Type locality.

Ghana: Ashanti Reg, Kumasi, Nhiasu (N6°43' - W1°36').

Type material studied

(2 exs.). Holotype: male: "Ghana: Ashanti Region, Kumasi, Nhiasu 330 m, N6°43' - W1°36' Dr. S. Endrödy-Younga / Nr. 225, at light 12.VI. 1967" (CGW; habitus in Fig. 453). - Paratype, male: "Rep. Guinea Seredoux, lux 7-8.4.1975 leg. Zott" (1 ex. ZMHB).

Diagnosis.

Laccophilus guentheri has a broad, pale ferrugineous, basal area on elytra lacking dark spots or areas, and resembles in this respect of Laccophilus guineensis . The shape of male genitalia deviates, however, very strongly. Apical half of Laccophilus guentheri penis is, very characteristic and separates it from the other species recognized in this species group; apex of penis narrow, extreme tip provided with a minute hook,

Description.

Body length 3.6-3.8 mm, width 2.0-2.1 mm. Dorsal colour pattern distinct; elytra basally with broad, pale area followed by a uniform, dark ferrugineous to brownish area, which towards apex dissolves into fairly robust, pale ferrugineous irrorations (Fig. 453).

Head: Pale ferrugineous. Slightly mat, finely microsculptured. Reticulation double; larger meshes contain generally 3-6 small meshes. Impunctate, except at eyes; there with fine, irregularly distributed punctures. Area of punctures continues a short distance towards middle of head-disc as a slightly irregular row of punctures.

Pronotum: Pale ferrugineous. Submat, finely microsculptured. Reticulation double; large meshes moderately stronger developed than fine meshes, contain generally 3-6 fine meshes. Impunctate, except laterally and anteriorly; here with fine and somewhat irregularly distributed punctures.

Elytra: Pale ferrugineous with dark ferrugineous to brownish colour pattern (Fig. 453). Submat, finely microsculptured. Reticulation double but large meshes in part, strongly reduced and indistinct. A distinct and discernible discal row of punctures formed by very fine, somewhat irregular punctures. Dorsolateral and lateral rows of punctures are somewhat indistinct, because weakly developed and mixed with scattered, fine punctures. Pre-apical lateral row of punctures sparse, finely pubescent.

Ventral aspect: Dark ferrugineous to ferrugineous, no distinctly delimited colour pattern. Prosternal process rather slender, apically extended, pointed. Ventral surface almost impunctate; apically on abdomen with some scattered punctures. Metacoxal plates in anterior half with some 5-6 shallow and in part reduced furrows. Posterior half of metacoxal plates smooth; furrows absent. Abdomen with fine, somewhat curved striae. Apical ventrite asymmetric; with one lateral knob (Fig. 114)

Legs: Pale ferrugineous to ferrugineous. Pro- and mesotarsus somewhat enlarged, provided with suckers.

Male genitalia: Penis in lateral aspect somewhat curved, apical half narrow, peculiarly folded and extreme tip provided with a minute hook (Figs 303-304).

Female: Unknown.

Etymology.

The name is a noun in its genitive form based on the name of Prof. Dr. Günther Wewalka, Vienna, who sent the holotype to us for examination.

Distribution.

Guinea, Ghana (Fig. 561).

Collecting circumstances.

Almost unknown. Collected at light.